A smiling man with glasses and a beard stands in front of a stone building, wearing a dark jacket and sweater with a small pin on the lapel. The background includes a wooden bench and part of a sign on the wall.

God’s Involvement in Events that Cause Great Suffering

April 6, 2022

Gorecki President’s Room, College of Saint Benedict

Dr. Christopher Southgate joins faculty and staff to discuss with us the perennial question: How do we understand divine presence in the context of extreme suffering? We will read a chapter written by Chris entitled “God’s Involvement in Events that Cause Great Suffering.” If there is interest, we can discuss the wider sub-discipline of the practical theology of trauma. This subject may be especially of interest to us due to our two-year experiences of living in a pandemic.

If you would like to attend this luncheon, please sign up here and additional information will follow. Space is limited, so please RSVP promptly. Co-sponsored as part of faculty development for the common good learning outcome.

Originally trained as a biochemist, Christopher Southgate has been teaching the science-religion debate at the University of Exeter, UK, since 1993. He is best known for his study of suffering in evolution, The Groaning of Creation. More recently he has worked on the natural theology of glory and the practical theology of trauma. He is also a much-published poet.

Christopher Southgate will deliver the annual Nicholas and Bernice Reuter Professorship of Science and Religion lecture, “Glory and Longing in a Suffering World,” on Thursday, April 7 at 7:45 p.m. in Quad 264, Saint John’s University.