The Erasmus Lecture is an annual public lecture series organized by the journal First Things and its publisher, the Institute on Religion and Public Life. The event is held in New York City and features leading figures in theology, philosophy, and public life who address topics at the intersection of religion, culture, and society.
History The Erasmus Lecture was established in 1985 by Richard John Neuhaus, the founder of First Things and the Institute on Religion and Public Life. Neuhaus envisioned the lecture as a forum for exploring how religious and moral ideas shape public discourse and civic life.
Since its founding, the Erasmus Lecture has become the magazine's flagship public event and continues to be held annually in New York City. The series has featured prominent speakers from Christian, Jewish, and other intellectual traditions, addressing subjects related to faith, reason, and modern society.
Format Each year's Erasmus Lecture program typically includes:
A poetry reading on the evening before the main lecture The public lecture itself A dinner for members of the First Things Editor's Circle and invited guests A scholarly colloquium or seminar the following day
The event is usually hosted at venues such as the Union League Club of New York.
List of Erasmus Lecturers A list of Erasmus Lecture speakers and the titles of their talks is provided below. YearLecturerTitle of Lecture2025Erik VardenIn Praise of Translation2024Paul KingsnorthAgainst Christian Civilization2023Carl R. TruemanThe Desecration of Man2022Anthony FisherThe West: Post- or Pre-Christian?2021Wilfred McClayThe Claims of Memory2020Meir SoloveitchikLincoln's Almost Chosen People2019N. T. WrightLoving to Know2018Rémi BragueGod as a Gentleman2017Robert BarronEvangelizing the Nones2016Russell D. MooreCan the Religious Right Be Saved?2015Ross DouthatA Crisis of Conservative Catholicism2014Charles J. ChaputStrangers in a Strange Land2013Jonathan SacksOn Creative Minorities2012Jean Bethke ElshtainOn Loyalty2011Gilbert MeilaenderA Complete Life2010J. H. H. WeilerThe Trial of Jesus2008Robert Louis WilkenChristianity Face to Face with Islam2007Robert P. GeorgeLaw and Moral Purpose2006Philip JenkinsBelieving in the Global South2005Timothy GeorgeEvangelicals and Others2004Timothy DolanThe Bishops in Council2003Dana GioiaThe Catholic Writer Today2002Stephen BarrRetelling the Story of Science2001David NovakJews, Christians, and Civil Society2000George WeigelPapacy and Power1999Charles ColsonModernist Impasse, Christian Opportunity1998Oliver O'DonovanGovernment as Judgement1997Clarence Thomas(Title not listed)1996Jean-Marie LustigerLiberty, Equality, Fraternity1995Midge DecterA Jew in Anti-Christian America1994Wolfhart PannenbergChristianity and the West1992Mary Ann GlendonTradition and Creativity in Culture and Law1991Leon KassMan and Woman: An Old Story1990Robertson DaviesLiterature and Moral Purposes1988Joseph RatzingerBiblical Interpretation in Crisis1987Peter Berger(Title not listed)1986John T. Noonan Jr.(Title not listed)1985Paul JohnsonAn Almost Chosen People
Publications based on the Erasmus Lectures Several of the Erasmus Lectures have been subsequently published in print or collected in essay volumes. While most lectures are released as full texts or recordings through First Things, a number of them have appeared in independent editions, either as part of the First Things Reprint Series or in later collections by their authors. The following table lists Erasmus Lectures that have been published in book or reprint form. YearLecturerLecture titlePublication details2008Robert L. WilkenChristianity Face to Face with IslamPublished as Christianity Face to Face with Islam: First Things Reprint Series (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010). Adapted from the 2008 Erasmus Lecture.2011Gilbert MeilaenderA Complete LifePublished as part of the First Things Reprint Series (CreateSpace, 2012). Adapted from the 2011 Erasmus Lecture.2003Dana GioiaThe Catholic Writer TodayIncluded in The Catholic Writer Today: And Other Essays (Wiseblood Books, 2019). The essay originated as the 2003 Erasmus Lecture published in First Things.
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