The Wake of 2020: Democracy's Lament with Ronald A. Kuipers & Gideon Strauss

We’re embarking on a new series about some of the challenges facing philosophy and Christian faith in the wake of 2020.

Today, series host Andrew Tebbutt starts close to home with guests Ronald A. Kuipers (Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion, Director of the CPRSE, and President of ICS) and Gideon Strauss (Associate Professor of Worldview Studies and Academic Dean at ICS). Together they reflect on global democracy and the role of lament. Stay tuned for more conversations in the coming weeks.

***
Upcoming Summer Courses at ICS

• Pragmatism, Race, and Religion: Du Bois, West, and Glaude (June 7-July 16) with Ronald A. Kuipers
• Lead from Where You Are: Making a Difference in the Face of Tough Problems, Big Questions, and Organizational Politics (August 16-20) with Gideon Strauss
• ... and more!

***
Critical Faith is sponsored by the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics (CPRSE) at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. For more, visit www.icscanada.edu.

Hannah Arendt & Religious Critique with Ronald A. Kuipers, Andrew Tebbutt & Héctor Acero Ferrer

Here at ICS, we're starting a summer online learning initiative, which means we have a number of exciting new courses in the works for the next few months. So we wanted to give you a sneak peek at these courses with the folks involved in making them happen.

This week, we invited Héctor Acero Ferrer to chat with Dr. Ronald A. Kuipers and Dr. Andrew Tebbutt about their newly redesigned course Evil, Resistance, and Judgment: Hannah Arendt and Religious Critique and what Arendt's thought has to say to us today. This 6-week course will take place two days a week, two hours a day from May 12 to June 18, and is available to be taken for credit or audit from anywhere in the world.

If you'd like to find out more about the course or to register, you can visit the course page on our website or send our Registrar an email at academic-registrar@icscanada.edu!

- List of Arendt "must reads" from this episode -

• "Perplexities of the Rights of Man" in Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) by Hannah Arendt
• The Last Interview and Other Conversations (2013) by Hannah Arendt
• The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt: A Tyranny of Truth (2018) graphic novel by Ken Krimstein 
• "Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli: A Christian on St. Peter's Chair from 1958 to 1963" in Men in Dark Times (1968) by Hannah Arendt

Critical Faith is sponsored by the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics (CPRSE) at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. For more, visit www.icscanada.edu.

Mid-Season Reflection with the Critical Faith Team

Ron, Héctor, Theoren, and Danielle have recovered from both the holiday break and the beginning of the new semester and are back in the Critical Faith studio to reflect on last semester's discussions of evil, resistance, and judgment. Have a listen to hear about some highlights and favourite moments!

As mentioned in this episode, Ron Kuipers and The King's University's Jeff Dudiak will be jointly teaching a graduate-undergraduate course this summer called "Evil, Resistance, and Judgment: Hannah Arendt and Religious Critique." For an introductory discussion of Hannah Arendt on these themes, you can revisit Ron's episode from the beginning of last semester here. If you're interested in taking this course, please talk to our Registrar no later than March 31.

Undergraduates can also visit our website to find out more about our fourth annual Undergraduate Workshop on Evil, Resistance, and Judgment: Creating a World Fit for Human Habitation. We're accepting paper proposals for the workshop until March 16!

Critical Faith is sponsored by the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics (CPRSE) at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. For more, visit www.icscanada.edu.

Possibility over Futility with Ronald A. Kuipers

Why talk about evil, resistance, and judgment?

This week, we welcome ICS President and resident Hannah Arendt expert Ronald A. Kuipers back to the podcast. He shares with us some background on the inspiration for the themes of our podcast this semester, and discusses the insights and the hope Arendt has offered his own scholarship and might continue to offer public discourse today.

Critical Faith is sponsored by the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics (CPRSE) at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. For more, visit www.icscanada.edu.

Looking Back with the Critical Faith Team

We're gettin' sentimental on this episode of Critical Faith--our last for the 2018-2019 school year.

...In which Gideon joins us back in the studio to look back fondly over the past year's episodes and add his own contributions to our previous series on worldview questions.

...In which Mark considers the ongoing influence of generations at ICS and expresses his appreciation of interdisciplinarity.

...And in which Danielle, reliable as ever, punctuates the discussion with maniacal laughter.

We want to thank you all for joining us over the last year and we hope you'll join us again after the summer to hear all the ideas we have brewing for our ongoing adventures in podcasting!

Be sure to note this week's Don't Miss This! items as we head into summer holidays:

1. ICS's convocation and the exaugural address of our former president Dr. Doug Blomberg is happening starting at 7pm on May 17. We hope you'll join us in prayer and celebration! If you're able to do so in person, please find details and RSVP here:
http://news.icscanada.edu/2019/04/ics-convocation-may-2019.html

2. Our latest issue of our newsletter Perspective has just been published! It features stories and reflections from former and current members of the extended ICS family on what they've carried out into the world with them from their times at ICS. You can access the online version of Perspectivehere: https://ir.icscanada.edu/handle/10756/620103

Step Out Bravely with Ronald A. Kuipers

How do you discern a calling to graduate studies?

This week, ICS President and Senior Member in Philosophy of Religion Dr. Ronald A. Kuipers rejoins the podcast to continue the narration of his academic journey. Last time, he reflected on his undergraduate years. This time, he shares with us factors and mentors that shaped his decision to pursue an MA and PhD.

Check out this week's Don't Miss This! items:

• New poetry book Mumbles in Hollywood, California by Ben Robinson
• A Lenten reading list from Peter Rollins: Atheism for Lent

Big Questions at ICS with Grace Carhart Pt. IV: Worldview

What is worldview and why does it matter?

This is the final episode in our short series on thinking through some of life's big questions. So far, ICS Junior Member Grace Carhart has interviewed Senior Members Nik Ansell, Ronald A. Kuipers, Rebekah Smick, and Bob Sweetman on the themes of wonder, heartbreak, and hope from within their respective disciplines.

This week, Grace and our SMs wrap things up by reflecting on how all these big questions might pertain to our everyday lives and vice versa.

Big Questions at ICS with Grace Carhart Pt. III: Hope

Is hope dangerous?

This is the third in a short series of Critical Faith episodes based on thinking through some of life's big questions. ICS Junior Member Grace Carhart has conducted a series of interviews with ICS Senior Members Nik Ansell, Ronald A. Kuipers, Rebekah Smick, and Bob Sweetman; asking them to reflect on the themes of wonder, heartbreak, hope, and worldview from within their respective disciplines.

This week, Grace and our SMs consider the dangers and possibilities of hope.

Big Questions at ICS with Grace Carhart Pt. II: Heartbreak

How do we live with heartbreak--and live well?

This is the second in a short series of Critical Faith episodes based on guiding worldview questions. ICS Junior Member Grace Carhart has conducted a series of interviews with ICS Senior Members Nik Ansell, Ronald A. Kuipers, Rebekah Smick, and Bob Sweetman; asking them to reflect on the themes of wonder, heartbreak, hope, and worldview from within their respective disciplines.

This week, Grace asks our SMs to share their insights on the heartbreak.

Big Questions at ICS with Grace Carhart Pt. I: Wonder

Do you ever wonder?

This is the first in a short series of Critical Faith episodes based on guiding worldview questions. ICS Junior Member Grace Carhart has conducted a series of interviews of ICS Senior Members, asking them to reflect on the themes of wonder, heartbreak, hope, and worldview from within their respective disciplines.

This week, Grace guides us through a deep and deepening discussion of wonder.

Faith in Public with Ronald A. Kuipers

Critical Faith is back!

For the next while, we're giving you a glimpse into the everyday life of ICS. We're talking with Senior Members, Junior Members, and friends of the Institute to hear about what got them here, what they're working on, and why it matters for them. This week, we were joined by ICS President and Senior Member Ron Kuipers, who reflected on his interest in advocating for faith in the public sphere.