One of the great things there must be about studying theology in Scotland, is the opportunity to hear the Gifford Lectures. The Gifford Lectures are one of the most prestigious around the world. This year its the opportunity of David Fergusson at the university of Glasgow.
David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, will present the Gifford Lecture Series 2008.
Founded in 1887 by the bequest of Lord Gifford, the annual Gifford Lecture Series was established to promote, advance and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of that term. The focus of this series will be 'Religion and its Critics.'
The appearance of a steady stream of recent writings critical of religion has been heralded as ‘the new atheism’. Its leading exponents include Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Michel Onfray, Anthony Grayling, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. Unlike earlier forms of scepticism, religion is no longer regarded as a harmless and quaint life-style choice lacking in social significance. Instead, it is seen as unscientific, irrational, dangerous and requiring more robust public criticism. These lectures will attempt to set this new movement in context before offering some analysis of its standard claims and arguments. As an exercise in natural theology, the lectures will outline ways of variously conceding, accommodating and countering criticism.
Formerly a parish minister of the Church of Scotland, Professor Fergusson's research interests include issues in Christian doctrine, theological ethics and the history of Reformed theology, especially in its Scottish context. His publications include Scottish Philosophical Theology (2007), Church, State and Civil Society (2004) and John Macmurray: Critical Perspectives (2002)The lecture topics will be as follows:
April 8th - The new atheism: historical roots and contemporary context.
April 10th - The implausibility of religious belief: claims and counter-claims.
April 15th - The genesis of religion: can Darwinism explain it away?
April 16th - Religion, morality and art: invention or discovery.
April 22nd - Is religion bad for our health? Saints, martyrs and terrorists.
April 24th - Sacred texts: how should we treat them?
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