2014 Dunning Lecture: Most Rev. Rowan Williams: Theology as a Way of Life

On Thursday, April 3, 2014, Bishop Rowan Williams (the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury) delivered the 2014 Dunning Lecture, titled “Theology as a Way of Life,” to a record audience at St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute. Approximately 600 people gathered in Laubacher Hall and two simulcast areas to hear Williams’ winsome invitation to “theological behavior” that is unafraid of self-scrutiny, patient with life’s deepest mysteries, and hospitable to conversation. Inviting hearers to reflect on moments of new possibility and on practices of prayer and contemplation, Williams concluded that “what it all adds up to is joy.”
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 by St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment. Learn more at: stmarys.edu/ei

[@mary-loucleveland6991]

So Wonderful to listen and blessings for this gift

[@timothylowes6317]

What an utter delight to listen to the Archbishop.

[@davidstankiewicz2049]

Lord Rowan Williams is a profoundly deep thinker, a remarkable humble man, a true Saint of God.

[@tomgreene1843]

Great to hear this level of lecture so well delivered.

[@josephseneca4090]

He is wrong.

[@KrisHughes]

His quality of delivery is exemplary.

[@tomgreene1843]

@@KrisHughes It is ...long may he and his likes continue!

[@DonTheMoron716]

He is so intelligent. It’s scary but in a good way 😊

[@martinfernandes388]

It is made so lucid Deo Gractias

[@petrniederhafner8955]

Nice and intristing. Thanks a lot

[@josephseneca4090]

This man is an example all of the thinking that is undermining the faith. Christianity is a religion of revelation, It is the religion of man's encounter with the living God who reveals Himself in time. Faith is not a matter of looking at yourself and others or ways of living. This is the realm of philosophy not theology.

[@ishiftfocus1769]

The mind of a wise man is required to study theology. God is required to study the Bible (1 Cor 2:12-16).

[@aclark903]

I would question his assessment of Wittgenstein as the "greatest" philosopher of the 20th century. Most famous, perhaps, but that is another thing entirely.

[@morganetches3749]

The greatest. He changed everything

[@aclark903]

@@morganetches3749 For the worse, tho.

[@morganetches3749]

@@aclark903disagree massively. Especially when it comes to metaphysics and religion he managed to overturn all the of the mistakes that go back to Descartes and reveal what were actually talking about when we talk about being and God. That’s why sophisticated theologians like Williams are such big fans of him

[@josephseneca4090]

He has taken God out of theology or put Him in the mix as an after thought. This man is not Catholic. God help our seminary students.

[@colinlonsdale1505]

He is a very sincere and thoughtful and gentle Christian however perhaps a” little “ too intellectual. For me theology at its simplest is experiencing God. Knowing through experiencing his love

[@josephseneca4090]

Know what? What knowledge? You can't ground Christianity in a personal experience,

[@stefansketracy]

We theologians call your position "fideism" it's true because I believe ot.

[@frederickanderson1860]

Jesus knew the hearts of all. Its not a theological experience.