St. Norbert College Announces 2023-24 Killeen Chair Lecture Series

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From St. Norbert College, September 19, 2023
by Eva Westein, eva.westein@snc.edu, 920-403-3153

The Killeen Chair of Theology & Philosophy at St. Norbert College has released the lineup for its 2023-24 lecture series. The theme for this year’s series is “Visions of Apocalypse.” The events will be held in the Fort Howard Theater of the F. K. Bemis Conference Center at St. Norbert College. The lecture series is free and open to the public.

From alien invasions to climatic disasters, deadly plagues and zombie hordes, visions of apocalypse seem nearly omnipresent in both fiction and predictions for the future. Lectures will reflect on questions such as: How do our current fascinations with the end of civilization compare with other apocalyptic movements throughout history? Are these expectations of a bleak future warranted? If so, what are the appropriate ethics and theologies for our world’s last days? These questions are close to the heart of St. Norbert College’s mission to dialogue with diverse perspectives and beliefs, promote a Gospel vision of justice, and to respond to global needs after the model of St. Norbert.

The lecture schedule is as follows:

• Candida Moss, Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham, presents “Eugenics and Torture at the End of Days: Resurrection, Restoration and Revenge” on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

• J. Dmitri Gallow, senior research fellow of the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University, will present “The Dangers of Artificial Minds” on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

• Natasha O’Hear, lecturer in theology and visual art at the Institute for Theology, Imagination & the Arts at the University of St. Andrews, will present “The Ultimate Vision: A Visual History of the Book of Revelation and its Seer, John of Patmos” on April 4 at 7 p.m.

• Samuel Scheffler, professor of philosophy at New York University, will present “Visions of Catastrophe: What Our Fears Teach Us About Our Values” on April 16 at 7 p.m.

Established in 1984, the Killeen Chair of Theology & Philosophy aims to bring well-known scholars of theology and philosophy, and their work, to St. Norbert College. The program strives to emphasize the importance of theology and philosophy in a liberal arts education; to highlight St. Norbert College’s commitment to a personally, intellectually and spiritually challenging education; and to benefit the college, the Diocese of Green Bay and the broader community of northeast Wisconsin.

The Killeen Chair is named after the late Sylvester Killeen, O.Praem., the second abbot of St. Norbert Abbey and chancellor of the college. For more information, call the Killeen Chair office at 920-403-3957 or visit https://www.snc.edu/killeen.