Harold Wilson Lecture with The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs
Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:00:00 BST
The Harold Wilson Annual Lecture series is run jointly by the University of Huddersfield and the Diocese, and looks at social or ethical issues. This year’s lecture will take place on Thursday 23 April and commence at 6.30pm, with refreshments served from 6.00pm, in the Diamond Jubilee Lecture Theatre at the University. The lecture is free and open to all, but places must be reserved in advance.
Previous speakers have included The Rt. Hon Ann Widdecombe, Professor Lord Robert Winston, Lord Paddy Ashdown, Baroness Gillian Shephard and Tony Benn.
Jonathan Gibbs, the first Bishop of Huddersfield, read Philosophy and Politics at Jesus College, Oxford (Harold Wilson’s own former College) before going on to undertake a PhD in Theology at Jesus College, Cambridge.
Dr Gibbs’ research explored the thoughts of H Richard Niebuhr who is best known for his 1951 book “Christ and Culture”, which achieved classic status and is still a reference point in theological debate. His dissertation applied Niebuhr’s theological and ethical framework of Christian life, summarised as “response to God and responsibility under God”, to the issue of the theology of work, identifying our fundamental calling as being to take responsibility for our own lives, for the well-being of others and for the good stewardship of creation, in response to God’s love for us revealed in Jesus Christ.
The lecture will explore what this might mean in relation to Christian engagement with the world of politics, both for those actively engaged in the political process and for how Christians and the Church might speak into that world in a relevant and prophetic manner.
If you have further queries please email HaroldWilsonLecture@hud.ac.uk or telephone 01484 471568.
