Upcoming Events

Do Some People Really Believe a Dead Man Came Back to Life?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

To believe that a dead man came back to life is a lot to swallow. No wonder there have been many theories as to what actually happened on the first “Easter” morning, and what kicked off the Christian movement. Join us as we consider how different traditions have historically understood the story of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. There will be a 50 minute lecture followed by open Q&A/discussion. All are welcome.

Location and Time
March 26, 2016
10:30am – noon
Lawrence Public Library

Previous Events

When the Lights Go Down

Cultural Intersection with Film

Speaker: Dr. Mark Eckel

Movies are the stories of the 21st century. Every film bears the imprint of the director, screenwriter, and studio. Helping people understand what they are watching—actively engaging movies on the screen—is a positive educational practice. Join Dr. Mark Eckel as he tells stories about his own movie-watching experiences and explains why he thinks interpreting movies is so important. August 29th, 10:30am to 12pm (noon); Lawrence Public Library; lecture/discussion format. All are welcome!

Location and Time
Aug 29, 2015
10:30am – noon
Lawrence Public Library

Is God Dead?

A Critical Reassessment of Friedrich Nietzsche's Famous Dictum

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

At the end of the 19th century Friedrich Nietzsche proclaimed that “God is dead.” Throughout the 20th century Western thinkers in every discipline—from political theory to the fine arts—have taken up this “death of God” motif. What did Nietzsche mean by this, and how has he been understood over the subsequent 100+ years? The time seems ripe to reevaluate Nietzsche’s famous pronouncement in the light of more than a century’s worth of retrospect. Join us on January 18th at 10:30 a.m. at the Lawrence Public Library for a lecture and open discussion/Q&A as we consider what it means that “God is dead.” All are welcome!

Location and Time
January 18, 2014
10:30am — noon
Lawrence Public Library

Do Some People Really Believe a Dead Man Came Back to Life?

How have different traditions understood the story of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

Christians have been celebrating Good Friday and Easter for nearly 2,000 years. But why? That Jesus of Nazareth was executed is a given, but what does the Easter holiday celebrate? Was Jesus really raised from the dead? Was that even the message first Christians sought to spread? Or did they know, even then, that this was a metaphorical tale? How has the story been understood since those first days of the Christian movement? Join us as we consider how different traditions have historically understood the story of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. All are welcome!

Location and Time
April 7, 2012
10:00—11:30am
Indianapolis Public Library

Says Who?

Can we find truth in a pluralistic age?

Guest speaker: Justin Taylor

Twenty-first century American culture is comprised of an innumerable collection of subcultures, all set side by side right next to each other. In a given day we all rub shoulders with any number of these subcultures—each one with a different set of values, ethics, goals, and competing claims on what is true. But who says what is true? Is there any way to tell who has the truth? Does anyone have the truth? Does truth exist? Is truth accessible to us? Join us as we consider “What is truth” in a pluralistic age. All are welcome!

Location and Time
May 21, 2011
10:00 - Noon
Batavia Public Library

Did Jesus Really Say/Do That?

Did the gospel writers have access to eyewitness testimony?

Guest speaker: Dr. Peter J. Williams

Did Jesus’ biographers—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—record actual historical events? Was that even their goal? Were they capable historians? Or were they motivated more by their own historical circumstances decades after Jesus’ life and work? How can we know? Theories abound about how much of “the historical Jesus” is available to us today. Join us as Dr. Williams, internationally renowned linguist and scholar, explores whether the gospel writers had access to eyewitness testimony and the difference that makes for reading these historically important documents.

Location and Time
April 9, 2011
10:00 - Noon
Batavia Public Library

Is God Dead?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

At the end of the 19th century Friedrich Nietzsche proclaimed that “God is dead.” Throughout the 20th century Western thinkers in every discipline have taken up this “death of God” motif. What did Nietzsche mean by this, and how has he been understood over the subsequent 100+ years? Join us as we evaluate Nietzsche’s famous pronouncement in the light of more than a century’s worth of retrospect. What does it mean and is it true that “God is dead?”

Location and Time
Febuary 26, 2011
10:00 - Noon
Batavia Public Library

How Did Humans Emerge From The Mud?

Guest speaker: Dr. Gerry Rau

Did we evolve, or were we created? Whether we are just another animal or created in the image of God has important personal and societal implications. Do we have to choose between science and religion, or is there a way to reconcile the two? This issue tends to spark heated debate, but our conversation will try to generate light rather than heat.

Location and Time
December 4, 2010
10:00 - Noon
Batavia Public Library

Is Christianity Intellectual Suicide?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

Haven't modernity and the sciences disproved just about every Christian doctrine? Why, then, does the religion persist? Does it attract the dimwitted and the intellectually lazy? Or does it make people so, breeding ignorance as it spreads?
Join us, but do not check your brain at the door, as we consider if there is any philosophical warrant for Christian belief anymore.

Location and Time October 23, 2010
2:00 - 4:00pm
Batavia Public Library

October 20, 2009
2:00 - 4:00pm
Elgin Community College

Proof

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski and the FVTS Panel

DeKalb | Emmaus College Church invites Nicholas Piotrowski of the Fox Valley Theological Society to campus to present his seminar "Proof" at 8 p.m. in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center to interested NIU students of all beliefs. Piotrowski, a PhD candidate at Wheaton College, will provide evidence for the existence of God, the resurrection of Christ and the reliability of the Bible. He will discuss the implications these events have for people's lives today. More information

Location and Time October 19, 2010
8:00pm
Regency Room,
Holmes Student Center,
Northern Illinois University

Is Religion Dangerous?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

The attacks on New York City and Washington DC of September 11, 2001 are but a small sampling of the many atrocities committed in the name of religion over the centuries. Wouldn't our world beamch safer place, therefore, if the ideologies that resulted in such violence did not exist? Join us as we imagine "no hell below us; above us only sky." Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

Location and Time September 11, 2010
2:00 - 4:00pm
Batavia Public Library

C. S. Lewis and the Problem of Evil and Suffering

Guest speaker: Dr. Jerry Root

The Fox Valley Theological Society is sponsoring a public lecture and discussion forum on the topic of suffering and evil. Join the conversation as we together think diligently about the philosophical, theological and practical implications of the very real presence of suffering and evil in our world.

Location and Time May 29, 2010
10:00 - 11:30am
Batavia Public Library

Do Some People Really Believe That A Dead Man Came Back To Life?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

To believe that a dead man came back to life is a lot to swallow. No wonder there have been many competing theories as to what actually happened on the first “Easter” morning and what kicked the Christian movement off. Join us as we consider how different traditions have historically understood the story of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth?

Location and Time April 3, 2010
10:00 - 11:30am
Batavia Public Library

April 18, 2009
7:30 - 9:00pm
Caribou Coffee, South Elgin

Is Christianity Arrogant?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

When comparing religions, it is often said that “All paths lead up the same mountain of truth.” Yet, Christians claim that Jesus is the only way to the Father. How can they make such an exclusive claim? How can any one group claim to know the only way to God? Living in a pluralistic society, isn’t such a claim inherently arrogant?

Location and Time
February 13, 2010
10:00 - 11:30am
Batavia Public Library

Did a Virgin Really Have a Baby?

Speaker: Nicholas Piotrowski

The virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth is at the very root of our Christmas traditions. Needless to say many people dismiss such a story as myth. Others, however, take it as literal history; God performed a miracle. Well, did it happen? Is this the work of God? Or is it a story by men? How can we know? How can we find out? Is it simply a charming tale we tell during a brief season in winter to help lift our holiday sentiment? Or is there something more lasting, more profound here?

Location and Time
December 12, 2009
9:00 - 10:30am
Batavia Public Library