Critical Faith

The Rise and Fall of American Social Christianity with Heath W. Carter

Where do Christian faith and politics meet? And how is the church called to address inequality?

Once every term, ICS hosts a Scripture, Faith, and Scholarship Seminar where we bring in a scholar, public intellectual, or social activist to talk to the ICS community about the work an/or research that they do and about the way it intersects with their faith lives.  

Back in January, we were joined by Dr. Heath W. Carter, associate professor of history at Valparaiso University in Chicago, who had just been awarded the 2018 Emerging Public Intellectual Award. Dr. Carter talked to us about legacies of social Christianity in the U.S. and the "New Gilded Age" of current American politics, as well as raised questions of how Christians today might work to address the realities of social and political inequality.

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

Music by Matt Bernico.

Own It with Samir Gassanov

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
-Acts 2:44-45

This week, we're joined by Samir Gassanov, ICS PhD student and former Bay Street property lawyer. In this episode, Sam sheds some light on his unfolding research into a Christian understanding of property, asking what it might mean to have a more deeply human view of ownership, and takes us on his winding journey into, out of, and back to academics.

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

• March 15 - This is the submission deadline for this year's Undergraduate Workshop: God & Politics: Religion and Public Life in the 21st Century!
• March 25, 5:15-7:15pm - Beautiful God: The Incarnation & the Arts lecture by Christina Labriola at Regis College - food provided!

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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

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

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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

The Technology of Religion with Dean Dettloff

What has technology to do with Christianity?

This week, we're joined by Dean Dettloff, ICS PhD candidate and podcasting master. Dean is a founding father of Critical Faith, and we were very excited to have him join us once again to share the latest on his journey to ICS, his current dissertation research on technology and Christianity, and his teaching and social activism. After this introduction to what Dean's doing, you can hear more from him (and his co-host Matt Bernico) on their own podcast on Christianity and the Left: The Magnificast.

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

• The 2019 TrueCity Conference in Hamilton, ON: March 1-2
• Art Gallery Ontario's new exhibit: Impressionism in the Age of Industry: Monet, Pissarro & 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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

Compassion in Exile with Jim Olthuis

Voila! We're back to our regularly scheduled programming!

This week, we're joined by Jim Olthuis, ICS Emeritus professor of philosophical theology and practicing psychotherapist. Jim has been at ICS from the beginning and has spent his life thinking about and living out love. Join us as he leads us through the wild spaces and reflects on his academic journey.

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

ICS's Undergraduate Workshop - God & Politics: Religion and Public Life in the 21st Century

The Sad Boys Literary Society's poetry reading on March 6

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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

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.

We want Critical Faith to give you a glimpse into the everyday life of ICS. So 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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

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.

We want Critical Faith to give you a glimpse into the everyday life of ICS. So 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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

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. 

We want Critical Faith to give you a glimpse into the everyday life of ICS. So 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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

Big Questions at ICS with Grace Carhart Pt. 1: 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.

We want Critical Faith to give you a glimpse into the everyday life of ICS. So 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.

Music by Matt Bernico.

Breathing Life into Practice with Emily Briggson and Nik Ansell

To jump into the new year, this week's episode is a change of pace and a chance to highlight some voices of the broader ICS community.

For the first portion of this episode, we're taking a moment to express our thanks to those who came to our Open House in December by featuring some vignettes of their hopes for the future of ICS. And in the second portion, we're joined by Senior Member in theology Nik Ansell and friend of ICS and yoga instructor-in-training Emily Briggson for a conversation about the connections and differences between their studies and practices. 

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.

Music by Matt Bernico.