Classical Thought

Christ or Country? | Paul Miller, Jeff Shafer, Tim Harmon, Douglas Wilson | New Saint Andrews College

In this engaging disputatio session, Dr. Paul Miller critiques Christian nationalism in a lively debate featuring responses from Dr. Jeff Shafer, Dr. Tim Harmon, and Doug Wilson. Dr. Miller defines Christian nationalism as the belief that America should be governed as a Christian nation, cautioning against the dangers of conflating church and state. He emphasizes the risks of placing undue trust in governmental authority, highlighting the potential for incompetence and malice in political leaders. Dr. Shafer responds by challenging Dr. Miller's call for neutrality, arguing that Christians must actively promote their beliefs in the public square. Dr. Harmon explores the implications of governance under natural law, emphasizing the importance of moral clarity in political engagement. Meanwhile, Doug Wilson raises concerns about the consequences of a purely neutral stance, questioning whether it effectively addresses the challenges faced by Christian communities today.

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To Disciple A Nation is to Educate It | Vishal Mangalwadi | New Saint Andrews College

Join us for a disputatio lecture by Vishal Mangalwadi, an acclaimed author, philosopher, and social reformer known for his exploration of the Bible's influence on cultures and civilizations. He appeared in Jordan Peterson’s 2023 documentary film “Logos & Literacy.” He has lectured worldwide, advocating the transformative power of biblical principles in shaping societies. His notable works include The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, Truth and Transformation: A Manifesto for Ailing Nations, This Book Changed Everything: The Bible's Amazing Impact on Our World, Corruption-Free: A Vision for a New India, and The Legacy of William Carey: A Model for the Transformation of a Culture.

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How to Read at Different Levels | Dr. Andy Naselli | New Saint Andrews College

In this Disputatio address, Andy Naselli inspires the NSA student body and faculty to embrace reading as a transformative pursuit. Naselli dismantles the notion of becoming a mere hoarder of knowledge who gorges on information. Instead, he calls for a deeper vision: becoming the kind of reader who is fully human, informed by truth, and alive to the wisdom of the ages. Reading, Naselli argues, is not just about knowledge—it’s about building character, competence, and humanity in every area of life. Learn how to read a book, and in doing so, learn how to live.

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Friends and Enemies | Colin Redemer | New Saint Andrews College

Colin Redemer’s Disputatio address at NSA explores Aristotle's three types of friendship—homonoia (basic alliance), usefulness, and pleasure—illustrated through Ratatouille. He emphasizes Aristotle's highest form: synesthetic friendship, where friends share a deep perception of being, seeing the world through each other's eyes. This unity transcends mutual benefit or enjoyment, fostering true understanding. Redemer highlights how such friendships can restore shared societal values and address modern moral fractures. He suggests cultivating these friendships is key to regaining a common vision for culture and governance, echoing C.S. Lewis's insights on friendship as a transformative, side-by-side pursuit.

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Worldview & Reimagining Christian Formation as Growth in Wisdom | Dr. Simon Kennedy | Hale Institute

We had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Simon Kennedy, who offered an insightful critique of the pedagogy behind Christian Worldview instruction. Dr. Kennedy suggests that "worldview" terminology may be less effective for academic Christian formation, advocating instead for an approach centered on the language of enculturation in wisdom.

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My Science Fiction Childhood Meets Anthony of the Desert | C. R. Wiley | New Saint Andrews College

In the second part of his lectureship series, C.R. Wiley warns of modern threats to faith, autonomy, and integrity posed by AI, consumerism, and secular institutions. He urges Christians to reclaim the household as a resilient, God-centered economic unit, countering modern idolatry and dependence. Drawing from early Christian ascetics like St. Anthony, Wiley highlights the discipline and intentional self-denial needed to resist cultural decay. He sees these practices not as retreat but as purposeful engagement, cultivating freedom from sin and readiness for God. Wiley challenges believers to reclaim agency, rooting their households in productive work and spiritual fortitude to face an increasingly dystopian future.

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Vocational Ambition | Dr. Ben Merkle | New Saint Andrews College

In this disputatio address, President Benjamin Merkle exhorts students to pursue ambition in their vocations, aiming beyond employment to transformational influence in spheres like politics, industry, and the arts. NSA strives to develop leaders, not just participants, prepared to shape culture. While some leadership gains public recognition, much remains unnoticed, mirroring Hebrews 11's hall of faith. This distinction doesn’t lessen the call to ambition. Dr. Merkle underscores NSA's mission as uniquely suited for preparing graduates to assume disproportionate influence, urging them to pursue this task with determination and courage.

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The Sovereignty of God | Dr. Tim Harmony | New Saint Andrews College

At New Saint Andrew’s College’s Reformation Banquet 2024, Dr. Timothy Harmon delivered a stirring address titled “The Sovereignty of God.” Harmon emphasized the Reformation as a profound example of God's sovereign work in "mortification and vivification"—the death of sin and rising to a new life. He described God's sovereignty through creation, providence, and grace, stressing that God's governance is limitless and independent. Through the names God reveals and His works, Harmon explained, humanity discovers its relation to the Creator, gaining true reform and renewal through submission to His dominion.

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Protestant Political Theory | Dr. Joe Rigney | New Saint Andrews College

In his talk, "Everyman's Guide to Protestant Political Theory," Dr. Joe Rigney emphasized the need for a robust understanding of natural law within a Protestant framework. He critiqued modern interpretations that fail to uphold clear distinctions between moral principles, arguing that the state's role should protect marriage by criminalizing sexual immorality. Rigney praised classic Protestant political thought for combining biblical principles with practical wisdom, allowing for a robust approach to governance. He underscored the importance of individual conscience in political theory, contrasting it with Catholicism's hierarchical structure, and concluded by advocating for a collaborative relationship between church and state.

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What is Just War Theory? | Paul Miller | The Hale Institute

The Hale Institute hosted Dr. Paul Miller, who spoke on the subject of 'Just War Theory." In this talk, Miller explores the evolving dynamics of just war theory in relation to individual rights and international law. He discusses the transformation from state-centric war to a focus on individual dignity, emphasizing the need for governments to wield military power responsibly. Miller critiques contemporary conflicts, arguing for an "Augustinian liberalism" that blends traditional just war principles with a modern understanding of humanitarian intervention. He advocates for post-conflict reconstruction and the moral imperative to uphold justice, peace, and individual dignity in warfare, providing a compelling vision for statecraft in the free world.

Learn more about the Hale Institute here: https://www.haleinstitute.org/