Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, is bringing four nationally known authors to Little Rock for a series of theological discussions.
The series, known as Insights, will begin Nov. 7 with a talk by Eric Metaxas, author of The New York Times No. 1 best-seller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. During his visit to the cathedral, Metaxas will talk about his latest book, Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen and How They Can Change Your Life.
The Rev. Christoph Keller III, interim dean of the cathedral, said Insights is a way for the cathedral to fulfill its role as a place of worship and as a place of theological discussion for the general public.
"Cathedrals have a role in civil life as kind of a public place, offering programs not only for our congregation but for the city and the state," Keller said. "This is that kind of program. What we're able to do is bring people to speak on topics not necessarily front and center in our society, but over and above -- theological and religious questions. To use an analogy, like Verizon brings country stars and old rock bands to Little Rock, we can bring big-time religious thinkers to Little Rock."
Future speakers include Diana Butler Bass on Feb. 18, Elaine Pagels on April 2 and Glennon Doyle Melton on April 28.
Butler Bass has written eight books, including Christianity After Religion: The End of the Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening and A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story. She will discuss her best-seller, Christianity For the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith, during her visit.
Best known for her books The Gnostic Gospels, The Origin of Satan and Adam, Eve and the Serpent, Pagels has been on the faculty of Princeton University since 1982. Her most recent book, titled Revelations, explores the New Testament book, as well as other texts on divine revelation.
Melton is known for her blog at momastery.com and her best-selling book, Carry On Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life. She is also founder of the nonprofit Together Rising, which helps women get "back on their feet."
Each program will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception for sponsors and patrons (those buying reserved seating tickets) in the cathedral's Morrison Hall. The talks will begin at 6:30 in the cathedral and will be followed by a public reception in Morrison Hall. Books will be sold and signed by the authors.
Keller said they've taken a "broad tent" approach to the program by inviting speakers with varied theological leanings. For example, Metaxas is from the evangelical wing of the Episcopal Church, while Pagels is from the liberal wing.
"Our goal is to enrich the discussion rather than to take a partisan position about it," Keller said.
Another goal, he said, is to offer opportunities for religious discussion, as well as scrutiny of theological ideas.
"In American society we have an informal agreement to a certain extent to keep religious ideas off to the side and out of public view," he said. "There's a protection in that, but also a cost that means religious and theological ideas aren't exposed to the public view and subjected to scrutiny. Religion becomes a little bit of a hothouse enterprise where anything goes as long as it's kept to the side, and strange things can grow up there."
Keller said by inviting the public to hear these speakers, the door is open to question and debate religious ideas.
Annie Burton, who is coordinating the program, said a study on one of each writer's books will be held in the weeks leading up to each event.
"We want to offer a well-rounded and complete approach to experiencing each author," she said.
Keller will lead two studies of Metaxas' book Miracles at 11 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. Mondays beginning Oct. 5 in the Cathedral House Conference Room. Information is available online at trinitylittlerock.org.
Burton said the plan is to make Insights an annual series.
"We're just so excited," she said. "We want to continue to have this gift we can give to the community."
Tickets to hear Metaxas, Butler Bass or Melton are $25 for general seating or $100 for patron tickets (which include an invitation to the sponsors and patrons reception and reserved seating). General admission to hear Pagels is free, but tickets are still required. Patron tickets are also available for Pagels for $100. Tickets can be bought online at:
• insightsmetaxas.eventbrite.com
• insightsbutlerbass.eventbrite.com
• insightpagels.eventbrite.com
• insightsglennon.eventbrite.com.
The church is at 310 W. 17th St.
Religion on 09/12/2015