Principles Live Lectures

Christendom College welcomed Dr. Clint Brand, Associate Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, for the latest installment of its Collegiate Lecture Series. In his talk, “Anglican Patrimony in Catholic Communion: Problem, Gift, Challenge, Mission,” Dr. Brand explored the spiritual and literary richness of the Anglican tradition within the Catholic Church. Known for his scholarship on Shakespeare, Newman, and T. S. Eliot, as well as his work on the Vatican's Anglicanae Traditiones commission, Dr. Brand brought deep insight into the intersections of faith, language, and culture. 

In the wake of an election, we regularly discuss whether the victorious candidate and party won a “mandate” and what that mandate entails. This lecture considers the relationship between the Constitution and the way we talk about electoral mandates. Dr. German is an assistant professor in the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Previously, he was an assistant professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) at Arizona State University.

Christendom's Department of History welcomed professor and author Nadya Williams on September 10, 2025. Williams presented a talk based on her recently published book Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic. Williams, who holds her Ph.D. in Classics from Princeton University, is a mother, writer, and editor based in Ashland, Ohio, where she is interim director of the MFA in Creative Writing at Ashland University and books editor at Mere Orthodoxy, where she also hosts the Christians Reading Classics podcast.

Christendom College welcomed acclaimed poet James Matthew Wilson on September 24, 2025. Wilson, professor of creative writing at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, delivered an address titled “The Part the Muses Give Us: Poetry as First Art.” The lecture was part of the Collegiate Lecture Series.

Dr. Miriam Byers delivered this lecture at the annual Senior-Faculty Dinner on September 22, 2025, at Christendom College. Byers is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Christendom College, where she has taught since 2001, initially as an adjunct before transitioning to full-time in 2015, with the establishment of Christendom's Mathematics major. During her eight-year tenure as chair of the Mathematics and Natural Science Department, she oversaw the development and approval of the Natural Science major. Dr. Byers holds a B.S. from Purdue University and M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Northwestern University.

Sr. Deirdre Byrne, POSC, hosted a viewing and spoke with theology professor Dr. R.J. Matava about the documentary she helped to produce called "No Mercy: The Catholic Culture of Death" which covers the abuse of vulnerable patients and palliative care. Sr. Dede is a practicing physician, retired US Army Colonel, and courageous pro-life witness on the front lines of the defense of human life.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Rice reveals compelling evidence that the great Bard, William Shakespeare, was Catholic.

In this second part, Christendom College theology professor Eric Jenislawski deepens the conversation by examining the historical development of natural language AI and its often-overlooked ethical and cultural implications. Beginning with early precursors like Eliza and Dissociated Press, Jenislawski traces the evolution of AI language tools up to today's neural networks, explaining key concepts like embeddings, dataset bias, and the structure of modern models in a clear and accessible way.

In part one of this thought-provoking lecture, Christendom College theology professor Eric Jenislawski offers an explanation of ChatGPT and its natural language predecessors for a non-technical audience. He explores the nature, development, and implications of artificial intelligence, especially large language models like ChatGPT. With clarity and philosophical depth, Jenislawski guides listeners through key concepts—from how AI models are trained to what it means for machines to simulate human reasoning. Along the way, he considers the challenges of alignment, the moral concerns surrounding AI-generated content, and the phenomenon of “AI confabulation.” 

Christendom College hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the nature and significance of art, featuring philosophy professor Dr. Daniel McInerny alongside College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. The event, part of the college's major speaker series, explored the question: “What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?”Dr. McInerny is a passionate speaker and writer on art and beauty, as evidenced in his recent book, "Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts." When he is not teaching and mentoring his students, McInerny has been writing fiction, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays for years, including his adult fiction novel "The Good Death of Kate Montclair," and his Kingdom of Patria series for middle-grade readers (now available on Amazon).McInerny's links:https://danielmcinerny.substack.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Way-Beauty-Philosophical-Reflection/dp/1685789854https://www.amazon.com/Good-Death-Kate-Montclair/dp/1946531464/

Join us for the 2025S St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture featuring Dr. David C. Schindler from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. Delivered on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, this lecture explores “Beauty as the Well-Spring of Action in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas.” Dr. Schindler, an expert in metaphysics and anthropology, delves into Aquinas's understanding of beauty—not merely as something to be admired, but as a dynamic force that moves the intellect and will. How does beauty shape our moral and spiritual lives? Why is it central to action and human flourishing? Tune in for a profound reflection on the Thomistic vision of beauty and its relevance to contemporary thought.

What role does patience play in the search for truth and understanding? In this captivating lecture, Prof. Daniel Spiotta, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature at Christendom College, explores the profound connection between patience and human knowing as revealed in two of Shakespeare's greatest works, Hamlet and The Winter's Tale. Drawing on his expertise in classical and medieval influences on early modern literature, Prof. Spiotta illuminates how Shakespeare's characters wrestle with time, truth, and redemption, offering insights that remain deeply relevant today.This lecture was part of Christendom College's Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts Series, dedicated to showcasing the intersection of faith and art in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

In this heartwarming lecture from the Christmas at Christendom event, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, invites listeners to journey reflecting on the wonder and humility of the Nativity. Drawing on St. Francis's creation of the first Nativity scene and God's loving plan in his own life, Fr. Mark-Mary reveals a powerful message for our modern lives. With engaging insights and practical applications, this talk challenges us to embrace simplicity, wonder, and a deeper connection to Christ, who became flesh for our salvation. A perfect reflection for the Christmas season!

What can a humble Christmas gift reveal about the depth of a father's love? In this lecture, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, a literature professor at Christendom College, explores the timeless themes of generosity, love, and sacrifice in Anne of Green Gables. Focusing on Matthew Cuthbert's tender gesture to Anne, Dr. Sullivan illuminates the spiritual and emotional significance of his Christmas gift, inviting listeners to reflect on the quiet yet profound ways love is expressed in our lives. Perfect for fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic novel and those seeking to uncover the deeper meanings of the Christmas season. Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Sullivan and her work here.

Professor Ferenc Hörcher is a Hungarian political philosopher and historian of political thought, specializing in conservatism, liberalism, and early modern political ideas. He directs the Research Institute of Politics and Government at Hungary's University of Public Service and is a senior research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy of the Eötvös Loránd Research Network. An author of several books, including A Political Philosophy of Conservatism (2020), he has held visiting positions at renowned universities and conducted research internationally.

Do you want to learn more about the complementarity of faith and reason and how Catholics should approach the sciences? Listend to this lecture to learn what Pope St. John Paul II and other Catholic teachings have to say on the subject.

Chris Carstens unpacks the "ars celebrandi" called for by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. A proper ars celebrandi 1) sees God as the proper subject of the liturgical "masterpiece," 2) encourages liturgical ministers to depict this great, divine beauty through docility to the Holy Spirit's inspiration and the Church's rites, and 3) forms the baptized to see God's glory revealed in the liturgical rite through a mystagogical catechesis. In short, when a liturgy centers on God, celebrates the rite in such a way that God's glory appears (as on Mt. Tabor), and trains the people to encounter Christ in the rite--true beauty appears in our midst and in our world. The Institute for Liturgical Formation will focus on these three aspects: 1) theology of the liturgy (the Trinity's presence and action in the liturgy), 2) the ritual celebration of the liturgy (how the Church's ministers understand and execute the liturgy), and 3) the participation and spirituality of the liturgy (how God's people engage and pray the liturgy).

With his distinguished background as a leader in both Catholic education and public policy and as a Christendom parent, Dr. Kevin Roberts offers a unique perspective on the role and relevance of Christendom's education in modern American society.

What does it mean to say that the Mass “makes Calvary present”? How does the Church participate in the priestly work of Christ? Are you looking to enter more profoundly into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? If so, this is the lecture for you.

On September 20, Christendom's Tocqueville Forum for Liberal Democracy hosted a lecture by Dr. James Stoner from Louisiana State University on "The Post-Constitutional Temptation."Learn more about Christendom's Political Science and Economics Department at: https://www.christendom.edu/academics/majors-minors/political-science-economics/

Irish scholar and longtime member of the Christendom community, Connie Marshner, delivered a guest History lecture at Christendom College on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, titled "Evidence of Eastern Influence in Early Irish Christianity."Learn more about Christendom's Department of History at: https://www.christendom.edu/academics/majors-minors/history/

Both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were inspired by time-honored medieval tales. Chivalry plays a key role in medieval English literature, yet Lewis and Tolkien seem to view it very differently – Lewis as a virtue, Tolkien as a vice. "Lewis and Tolkien on the Necessity of Chivalry" dives into essays by both men on the topic, ultimately finding common ground between them. Join Professor Strickland on this quest to explore the code of conduct that governs warfare, sport, honor, and loyalty.

The ultimate purpose of mathematics is not a topic frequently discussed. However, if you want to learn how math can lead us to knowledge of God, you should listen to this lecture. Dr. Douglas Dailey goes beyond the application of mathematics to explore how math unlocks the knowledge of true being—and God. 

I'm sure you've heard family and friends question how a loving God can allow suffering. Perhaps you've even wrestled with the question yourself. With Dr. Montanaro as your guide, you'll learn how suffering forms an essential part of God's plan—so much so that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our salvation. 

Join Christendom College professor Dr. Christopher Lane for his lecture on Inculturation and the Evangelization of China. From the time of the apostles, the deposit of faith has formed and transformed cultures, lived out uniquely across various cultures. This lecture will explore how Catholicism took root in China, forming a new Chinese Catholic culture, and how cultural practices gave rise to conflict among Catholics in the Chinese Rites controversy and the effects of that controversy in the 20th century. The great Jesuit missionary Servant of God Matteo Ricci and his friend Servant of God Xu Guangqi, as well as the prime minister of China turned Benedictine monk, Dom Pierre-Célestin Lu, will also be subjects of discussion in this lecture.

Join Christendom College professor Dr. John Cuddeback for this lecture examining practical principles from the master of contemplation, St. Thomas Aquinas. No matter our state in life, we are all called to contemplation as part of our identity and fulfilment, even amidst the challenges and chaos of today.

Part of the Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts series, Dr. Sara Pecknold gave a recital and talk discussing the history of traditional Irish music. The performance included Christendom music professor Dr. Larissa Fedoryka, Rachel Piazza (class of 2024), and Nolan Ladewski.

Learn about the true nature of beauty, its importance for our lives, and why Beauty not only can but will undoubtedly save the world. Christendom professor Dr. Michael Rubin will help you discover "How Beauty Will Save the World." 

Join Christendom Professor Daniel Spiottaas as he explores the structure of the Rosary from a unique perspective that illuminates fascinating new insights. The mysteries of the Rosary tell the story of Our Lady's life with Christ, and like any good story, they are artfully arranged. By reflecting on the ring-structure of the Rosary, we can come to a deeper understanding of its mysteries and how they relate to one another.

Father Deacon Christopher Todd '12, Ukrainian Catholic Deacon and Christendom Alumnus, gave a lecture on "Eastern Catholic Churches: St. John Paul II and the Legacy of Vatican II" on February 5, 2024.

Word on Fire's Dr. Holly Ordway delivered a talk on famed author J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic Faith at Christendom College on January 29, 2024, as part of the college's Major Speaker Series.  Fifty years after Tolkien's death, his writings are more popular than ever; The Lord of the Rings and his other Middle-earth writings are internationally beloved, loved by millions who do not share his religious beliefs. Yet Tolkien declared, “I am a Christian (which can be deduced from my stories).” His writings were not allegories, so how, then, were his faith and his fiction related? Ordway aims to answer this question biographically, looking at some of the ways that Tolkien's dramatic life story, including his being raised by a Catholic priest at the Birmingham Oratory, and his experiences in the Great War, shaped his faith and found their way–in a subtle and complex manner–into his writings. Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute and the author of the award-winning Tolkien's Modern Reading.

Join Christendom professor Dr. Sara Pecknold as she explores the importance of music for our lives as Catholics and as a means of glorifying God. Music holds a unique place of influence in all our lives. Because of its constant presence and its indisputable power to move our souls, music should be put to its highest purpose: to praise God and lead us to Him. This lecture invites the listener to enjoy exquisite settings of the Salve Regina from 17th-century Venice and to consider how the contemplation of sacred beauty assists in the formation of the soul. Dr. Sara Pecknold holds a Ph.D. in Historical Musicology with a minor in Vocal Performance from The Catholic University of America, where she served as a lecturer in the History of Sacred Music and directed the Sacred Music Consort from 2016 to 2022. She is currently a Visiting Professor of Liturgical Music at Christendom College.

On January 25, the college hosted Dr. Anthony Andres to give the 2024 Thomas Aquinas Lecture. The annual Aquinas Lecture is an opportunity for the Christendom College community to benefit from the scholarship and wisdom of noted thinkers in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas.

This Principles Live Lecture was broadcast from our annual Christmas at Christendom event for our President's Council benefactors.

The breakdown of the family is one of the chief factors behind the societal decay we experience today. How can we protect the family unit and reverse the breakdown of society? This lecture will examine how rediscovering filial piety can help lead us toward the restoration we need.

Why is children's literature important? In our society where even children are made to question their very identity, it is crucial to have stories that ground them in truth.

"How can we be effective evangelizers?" Find out how baptism and hobbits can shed light on what it means to be a Christian filled with faith, hope, and love, and thus a beacon for communicating the joy of the Christian life to others.

This lecture provides the example of theology professors who conceived of themselves not only as intellectuals, but, more importantly, as Christian teachers. Focusing on the twelfth-century schools of theology, Dr. Berardi shows how theologians of the time followed the tradition of the Church Fathers and were responsible for the moral education of their students.

The world is filled with conflicts, both apparent and real, between personal love and civic duty. Can love be restrained without violating its radical freedom? In this brief talk, Christendom College's Professor Daniel Spiotta will consider how William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream expresses the demands of both love and law, manifests the dangers of neglecting either, and proposes a mutually reinforcing resolution.Spiotta, who serves as an assistant professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Christendom, specializes in the works of Shakespeare and Medieval English poetry,

Virtue has never been more maligned and misunderstood than in our age. Between movies that celebrate antiheroes and corporations that “virtue signal” about false values, we must revisit the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas to reclaim a true understanding of virtue and strategies for how we can acquire it in our age. This Principles Live Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Andrew Whitmore, assitant professor of theology at Christendom College. Dr. Whitmore authored the book Saintly Habits: Aquinas' 7 Simple Strategies You Can Use to Grow in Virtue, recently published by Ascension Press.

This lecture will be given by Dr. Daniel McInerny, a professor of philosophy at Christendom College and faculty moderator of the on-campus drama club, the Christendom Players. Dr. McInerny also teaches an upcoming Principles class on The Philosophy of Art and Beauty and has a book coming out next year from Word on Fire Academic entitled The Way of Beauty. When we hear the word “entertainment,” we may think of the frivolous, the mindless, or the downright offensive. But who among us does not enjoy some form of entertainment? And isn't it interesting that the foremost theologian of the Catholic Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, considered the right enjoyment of entertainment a part of what it means to live the virtuous life? In this brief talk, Dr. Daniel McInerny will explore the nature of entertainment, its right forms and abuses, and the challenges for Christian believers to developing virtuous entertainment in our time.

In this Principles Live Lecture, Christendom professor Dr. Kurt Poterack will help you understand the beautiful theology behind Catholic teaching on sacred music. These days, many people think "sacred music" can be any sort of music played in a religious setting. However, the Catholic Church has a long and rich tradition of carefully delineating just what sacred music means.

This lecture will be given by Dr. Trey Stanford, a professor in the Department of English Literature & Language at Christendom College.Dr. Stanford's lecture is entitled "'Terrificalest Freezing Magics': The Gift of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas" and will be a part of Christendom College's annual day-long Christmas at Christendom event for our President's Council benefactors, many of whom will join us in person. We hope you enjoy a glimpse into this special event!

Why read Jane Austen? She makes us smile and laugh through her beautifully written works of literature, but she also helps orient our imagination, intellect, and will towards virtue. Dr. Sullivan earned her Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Christendom College. She specializes in Jane Austen, 19th century British literature, and Epistolary literature. Join us for a Principles Live Lecture with Christendom College literature professor Dr. Kathleen Sullivan. She will help you see how Jane Austen's writings can aid you in growing in the virtue of humility, in particular, through her examination of the character of Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice.

Dr. Vyner serves as the chairman in the Department of Theology at Christendom College, where he teaches classes on Scripture, the Sacraments, the Domestic Church, Fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine, and more. Tomorrow's Principles Live Lecture will present the Holy Family, referred to in the early Church as the "earthly Trinity," both in Scripture and Tradition. Such a topic is extremely relevant today in light of the increasing attacks on the family. It will conclude with pastoral guidelines for developing a spousal-familial spirituality.

Christendom's Tocqueville Forum hosted a talk by Notre Dame Professor Phillip Muñoz titled “Natural Rights, Natural Law, and the American Founding” on September 29, 2022. Muñoz addressed the question of whether traditional religious beliefs are compatible with a political order based on natural rights principles. He defended natural rights as part of the natural law, and that Catholics can be faithful and patriotic citizens.

Dr. Cuddeback holds a PhD from the Catholic University of America and has taught for 25 years here at Christendom College in the Philosophy Department. He is the author of the book, "True Friendship", where virtue becomes happiness, and a lay Dominican. He is an avid gardener and hunter.In this Principles Live Lecture, Dr. Cuddeback explains that life is about relationship. One of the most important relationships that we ultimately have are friendships. We are most ultimately called to friendship with God. This, to Dr. Cuddeback, is the main reason to be so interested and so concerned to understand well the nature of friendship. To understand the nature of friendship is really at the heart of understanding why God created us, and will be the key to living in unison with other human persons.

Canadian by birth, Conor Sweeney obtained a licentiate and doctorate in Sacred Theology from the John Paul Institute for Marriage and the Family in Rome. He taught and researched in areas of Evangelization, continental philosophy, the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger, and John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and much more. Dr. Sweeney joined the theology faculty in 2020 here at Christendom College.Dr. Sweeney delivers what he calls a warmup or preparation of a class he is offering this fall semester at Christendom College, called, "Atheism and the Death of God." The key words to keep in mind during this lecture are: Eros, Moralism, the phrase "God is dead", Love, Agape, Truth and Joy. He goes into depth of what Pope Benedict XVI's response was to one of the greatest critics of Christianity of all time: Frederick Nietzsche. Nietzsche is famous for his  hatred of Christianity; he calls it a capital crime against life, a religion of the herd, an expression of the will to power of a weak and resentful type of human being who is incapable of true greatness of spirit. Dr. Sweeney particularly focuses on Nietzsche's claim that "Christianity poisoned eros and turned it into a vice or something bad." According to Nietzsche, in his book, Beyond Good and Evil, "Christianity gave Eros poison to drink. He did not die of it, but degenerated into a vice." Dr. Sweeney concludes his lecture on moral truth. He says that, "Moral truth, in its fullness, is never distinct from the love of Christ poured into our hearts. Truth is not an abstraction of an idea out there, distinct from love. It is not rationalism or subjectivism. To choose love is to choose what is true, to choose the truth is to choose love. Christian love requires iron in the soul in the one who seeks to live up to the demands of it." 

Dr. Mark Wunsch received his undergraduate degree in Denver, and pursued his graduate degree in the Angelicum in Rome. Since 2005, he has taught and served in multiple administrative roles, associate professor of philosophy, academic dean, director of Rome academics, and chair of the philosophy department. He has taught all six of our core Philosophy classes here at Christendom. In this Principles Live Lecture, he first addresses Aristotle's novel thesis: only the virtuous man can be happy. Secondly, he will delve into Nicomichean Ethics, and conclude with how Aristotle's thought can be reconciled with Christian morality.