Sustaining Democracy

Britain is a secular society with a Christian heritage. Might secularisation have consequences for a culture so indebted to Christianity? Perceptive commentators across the political spectrum are asking whether democratic citizenship, even democracy itself, might be in trouble once cut free of its Christian moorings.

Saturday 7 November, starting at 7pm with coffee and doughnuts

Dr. Philip Sampson is an author and lecturer. Tonight’s lecture draws upon a research paper prepared for the Jubilee Centre and available on their website.

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The Body Politic?

What should Christians think about politics? How can Christians make their vote count? Be prepared for the next election!

Saturday 31 October, starting at 7pm with coffee and doughnuts

With an academic background in political philosophy, as the Senior Parliamentary Officer for the Bible SocietyDavid Landrum is focused upon raising the profile of the Bible as a point of reference in politics. David is the Executive Administrator for Christians in Parliament, the official, All-Party Group for the Christian community in the Palace of Westminster. Central to this public theology development work is the cultivation of a biblical world-view in politics.

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What is “spiritual”?

Most people are comfortable with the idea that “spiritual = supernatural”.  The supernatural is invisible.  Does this mean that when we become more spiritual we become less visible?  What does “Spiritual” mean and what part of our lives does it involve?  How does the natural relate to the spiritual?  How does the created relate to the uncreated?  Come and interface about these questions.

Tuesday 20 October, starting at 7.30pm with coffee and doughnuts

Ellis Potter, a native Californian now residing in Switzerland, is a former Buddhist monk who became a Christian under the influence and ministry of the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer. He worked for many years with Francis Schaeffer at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and was the pastor of the Basel Christian Fellowship for ten years. With his wife, Mary, he founded Eastern Europe Renewal (EER), an evangelical mission to Central and Eastern European countries. He now works as a Christian minister, counsellor and teacher. Click for more details about Ellis Potter.

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Events week 2009

We held a week of events between Saturday 27 June and Sunday 5 July. Follow the links for more details…

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Film night with discussion

Leading the discussion will be Tony Watkins, who is an author, editor and speaker with vast experience in leading group discussion on issues ranging from popular culture (especially film & literature) to science or postmodern philosophy. He works mainly with Damaris, with his main responsibility being as Managing Editor of Culturewatch.org.

Friday 3 July, starting at 7.15pm with coffee and doughnuts

We watched Slumdog Millionaire.

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Who needs Christianity anyway?

David Robertson, minister of St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, will talk on the relevance of Christianity today and open the discussion to the floor for questions and comments.

Whatever your beliefs or pre-conceptions, you are warmly invited to listen, to speak and even to persuade or be persuaded in a friendly, relaxed environment.

Wednesday 1 July, 7.30pm (refreshments from 7.15pm)

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Debating Delusions: Jesus, Dawkins and You

David Robertson, author of The Dawkins Letters, asks the the question: “Is it really delusional to believe in God or is it more delusional to think that we can get along without him?”

Tuesday 30 June 2009, 7-8pm, at the Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton in association with Borders Bookstore, Brighton

There will be a Q & A about, and signing session for, The Dawkins Letters, a lively response to Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion.

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Caroline Lucas MEP in conversation with David Robertson

As a service to the Brighton Pavilion constituents, Calvary Evangelical Church plans to host events with local politicians in the months leading up to the General Election. In this public event, we are delighted to provide the opportunity to understand better what Caroline’s views are on many of the weighty issues that influence the way we vote: family, education, the economy, immigration, the EU, the health service, international relations, climate change and the UK Parliament.

Come and broaden your perspective of British party politics and meet the real people behind the media image!

Monday 29 June, 7.30pm at Calvary Evangelical Church, Viaduct Road

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Making Connections: Railway Mission Day in Brighton

Railways have always been about making connections – as have God’s purposes.

On Saturday 21 March 2009 (2-4pm) there’s an opportunity to discover the historic and present connections between:

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Parables and Pickled Sharks: On Christianity and the Arts

All too often contemporary art can seem like a closed club, with those who ‘get it’ waxing lyrical about unmade beds and animals in formaldehyde, while the rest of us look on bemused. This evening is intended to present some biblical building blocks that will help us develop a Christian understanding of contemporary art and culture. We will focus our discussion around the case studies of Damian Hirst, a secular artist whose work contains many religious themes, and Liviu Mocan, an internationally renowned Christian sculptor.

Chris Watkin did his PhD in contemporary French and post-modern philosophy. In October 2007 he took up a research fellowship at Magdalene College, Cambridge, studying the ‘turn to religion’ in Continental thought.

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