Christendom College Lectures
Christendom College Lectures
Christendom College
At Christendom College, we believe education is more than gaining knowledge—it’s about pursuing true wisdom. As a Catholic liberal arts college, our mission is to guide students on the path to Christian wisdom, grounded in the love and contemplation of both natural and divinely revealed truth. This journey doesn’t happen in the classroom alone. Through vibrant campus life, community events, and spiritual opportunities, students are encouraged to cultivate the moral virtues and habits of Christian living. These virtues prepare them to properly order the material and spiritual goods of life, equipping them for a higher purpose. To enrich this formation, the college regularly hosts speakers who inspire and challenge our students to grow in mind, heart, and soul. We invite you to be part of this journey by joining us for these thought-provoking lectures. These talks provide a chance to engage with the ideas shaping our students and to explore how faith and reason together lead to truth. Come listen, learn, and grow with us.
Human Origins: Evolution and Creation | Dr. Dan Kuebler
Can a Catholic accept evolution? And if the human person is a unity of body and soul, how do we make sense of our biological origins? In this lecture, given as part of Christendom College's Collegiate Lecture Series, biologist Dr. Daniel Kuebler takes up those questions. He looks at how current scientific understanding of human evolution can be reconciled with Catholic teaching, and he shows that faith and reason, rightly understood, have nothing to fear from each other.Dr. Kuebler is a professor of biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He teaches evolution, cell physiology, and science-and-faith courses, and his research focuses on adult stem cells. He wrote Darwin and Dogma: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism (Word on Fire Press, 2025) and co-authored The Evolution Controversy: A Survey of Competing Theories. He is vice president of the Society of Catholic Scientists, sits on the board of the Spitzer-Magis Center, and hosts the Purposeful Lab podcast.Recorded September 21, 2026, in Old Chapel Hall at Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia.
Sep 30
1 hr 7 min
Magnifica Humanitas: A Panel Discussion
Christendom College’s Political Science Department hosted an engaging panel discussion on Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. Featuring college faculty members Dr. Nicolas McAfee, Dr. Eric Jenislawski, and Dr. James Bergida, along with guest panelists Dr. James Van Dyke of the University of Virginia and Michael Marinaccio of the Center for Responsible Technology, each speaker examined a different aspect of Pope Leo’s new work and its implications for artificial intelligence, technology, and the human person.
Sep 16
1 hr 14 min
Aquinas and Descartes on Creation | Dr. Steven Baldner
Christendom College welcomed St. Thomas Aquinas expert Dr. Steven Baldner to campus for the latest event in its Collegiate Lecture Series. Baldner, a professor at St. Francis Xavier University, presented the college’s annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture as part of the series, speaking on “Aquinas and Descartes on Creation.”
Feb 3
1 hr 5 min
The Fullness of Time: A Reflection in Preparation for Christmas | Dr. Timothy O'Donnell
Dr. Timothy O’Donnell reflects on the significance of the Incarnation, exploring the world’s longing for a Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, and Mary’s unique role as the Mother of God. He discusses the expectations of the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the cultural readiness for Christ's arrival. He also highlights Our Lady of Guadalupe, explaining how her appearance brought Christ to the Mexican people during a time of darkness. Dr. O’Donnell concludes by inviting believers to rediscover the Incarnation’s meaning in their own lives, especially during Advent.
Dec 12, 2025
36 min
The Incarnation (Might Not Have) Happened | Fr. Gregory Pine
Fr. Gregory Pine highlights the importance of the incarnation, showcasing God's generosity and the need to recognize His work in our lives. Fr. Pine encourages all to a deeper understanding of how God's love and grace are evident in our experiences, urging a response of gratitude and acknowledgment of His presence in our lives.
Dec 9, 2025
21 min
St Joseph and His Bride: A Christmas Reflection | Dr. John Cuddeback
In the lecture, Christendom College Philosophy Professor Dr. John Cuddeback examines St. Joseph's life, highlighting the importance of fatherhood, marriage, and hiddenness. The saint's unwavering righteousness and chastity serve as lessons in integrity and mercy. The lecture explores the deeper meaning of marital love and the challenges of living virtuously in a society that values external validation. It encourages a genuine understanding of chastity and love in relationships, reflecting on the virtues of St. Joseph and their relevance today.
Dec 9, 2025
41 min
Anglican Patrimony in Catholic Communion: Problem, Gift, Challenge, Mission | Dr. Clint Brand
Christendom College welcomed Dr. Clint Brand, Associate Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, for the latest installment of its Collegiate Lecture Series. In his talk, “Anglican Patrimony in Catholic Communion: Problem, Gift, Challenge, Mission,” Dr. Brand explored the spiritual and literary richness of the Anglican tradition within the Catholic Church. Known for his scholarship on Shakespeare, Newman, and T. S. Eliot, as well as his work on the Vatican’s Anglicanae Traditiones commission, Dr. Brand brought deep insight into the intersections of faith, language, and culture. 
Nov 5, 2025
1 hr 2 min
Let’s Talk about Mandates: Electoral Mandates and American Constitutionalism | Dr. Zachary German
In the wake of an election, we regularly discuss whether the victorious candidate and party won a “mandate” and what that mandate entails. This lecture considers the relationship between the Constitution and the way we talk about electoral mandates. Dr. German is an assistant professor in the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Previously, he was an assistant professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) at Arizona State University.
Oct 17, 2025
58 min
10 Things I Learned from Writing a Book on Motherhood | Nadya Williams
Christendom’s Department of History welcomed professor and author Nadya Williams on September 10, 2025. Williams presented a talk based on her recently published book Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic. Williams, who holds her Ph.D. in Classics from Princeton University, is a mother, writer, and editor based in Ashland, Ohio, where she is interim director of the MFA in Creative Writing at Ashland University and books editor at Mere Orthodoxy, where she also hosts the Christians Reading Classics podcast.
Oct 7, 2025
52 min
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