Pope Benedict XVI has written of the need “to reinvest with some concrete and particular meaning theological statements about the uniqueness and the absolute value of Christianity.”

Christianity has always affirmed its uniqueness, but it has only recently had to do so in the presence of countless people, cultures, and religious traditions, to many of whom Christian truth-claims seem both absurd and offensive. Embarrassed by this new situation, many Christians have chosen the line of least resistance, embracing a sentimental multiculturalism which is a very poor substitute for – and often indeed a parody of – Christian catholicity.

If the rapid de-Christianization of Western culture is to be reversed and the Christian Gospel proclaimed afresh, we must learn to account for Christian truth in ways that are faithful to Church doctrine, intellectually cogent, morally rigorous, charitable, anthropologically inclusive, and courageously undeterred by the cynical spirit of the age. Benedict XVI has pointed the way to accomplishing this by suggesting that collaboration between theology and anthropology can lead to “the truly most exciting part of Christian faith.”

Drawing on the theological tradition for which Benedict XVI is today’s preeminent exponent as well as on René Girard’s extraordinary insights into the anthropological and cultural uniqueness of Christianity, the Emmaus Road Initiative is an effort to bring “the truly most exciting part of Christian faith” to bear on the challenges facing the Christian vocation in our time.

Presenter: Gil Bailie, a Catholic layman, author, lecturer, and president of The Cornerstone Forum.

When: Monthly session on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30pm, from Sept 9th, 2008 to May 12th, 2009

Where: John Paul the Great Catholic University;
10174 Old Grove Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92131
Phone: 858-653-6740 FAX: 858-653-3791

Presentation schedule:

PART I: “ADAM, WHERE ARE YOU?”
SEPTEMBER 9: “The Present Time” – Its Peril and Its Promise
OCTOBER 14: Why are we here? – Creation and Fall
NOVEMBER 11: What is happening in history? – History and Hope

PART II: “I WILL PLACE MY LAW WITHIN THEM, AND WRITE IT UPON THEIR HEARTS.”
JANUARY 13: Why did it take the Incarnation to save us?
FEBRUARY 10: Why did it take the Crucifixion to save us?
MARCH 10: Why did it take the Resurrection to save us?

PART III: “I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.”
APRIL 7: From Self to Person: Toward a Sacramental Understanding of Who We Are
MAY 12: Easter in the “Meantime” – “Do this in remembrance of me.”

For more information: please contact Joseph Horejs (JHorejs@JPCatholic.com) at 858-653-6740.

The lecture series is FREE - Registration is requested