Challenging the Secular Culture: A Call to Christians

April 10-11, 2015

About the Conference

Our culture is in trouble. The daily news, critiques by Christian thought-leaders, and common sense tell us so. But rarely do they tell us how to address the mess in sensible and practical ways. At this conference, prominent scholars and public figures will teach us to do just that.

Seasoned defenders of Christian culture will offer ideas both big and modest for reclaiming a sound, moral culture—a culture that fosters human dignity to the fullest. They will address how to challenge troublesome trends and realities, and how to renew our culture in the domains of family life, sexual morality, education, politics, law, art and architecture, economic life, the media, young people, and minority groups.

Conference Speakers

James Kalb, Dr. Anthony Esolen, Robert R. Reilly, Sheila Liaugminas, Dr. Benjamin Wiker, Duncan Stroik, Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton, Dr. Allan C. Carlson, Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Dr. Stephen Krason

Schedule and Information

Conference Schedule
Direct questions to Carrie Libetti at [email protected] or at (740) 284-5262.
Our affiliated hotel, the Best Western-University Inn has a block of rooms set aside for conference registrants. If you reserve by March 9, 2015 you can lock in a special rate. Call them directly at (740) 282-0901 to make your reservation.
Additional area lodging information is available on our accommodations page.

Talks and Speakers

Note: Conference sessions will commence at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, and conclude at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

“The Challenge Goes Deep”
James Kalb: Lawyer, independent scholar, author of The Tyranny of Liberalism and Against Inclusiveness.

“‘Let Them Be Born in Wonder’: Recovering the True Core of a Human Education”
Dr. Anthony Esolen: Professor of English at Providence College; author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization.

“The New Gnosticism of the Homosexual Movement and How to Restore Reality”
Robert R. Reilly: Former presidential assistant, diplomat, and director of Voice of America; and author of Making Gay Okay: How Rationalizing Homosexual Behavior Is Changing Everything.

“Media Matter: Shaping Public Opinion for the Gospel”
Sheila Liaugminas: Emmy Award-winning journalist; host of A Closer Look on Relevant Radio; author of Non-Negotiable: Essential Principles of a Just Society and Humane Culture.

“Disestablishing Secularism Through Reestablishing the University”
Dr. Benjamin Wiker: Associate professor of political science and human life studies, and senior fellow of the Veritas Center for Ethics in Public Life at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“A New Renaissance in Art and Architecture”
Duncan Stroik: Professor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame, founder of the Institute for Sacred Architecture, and founding editor of the Sacred Architecture Journal.

“Restoring American Law”
Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton: Director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership at Waynesburg University, co-author of The Tyranny of Good Intentions: How Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice, and an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister.

“The Natural Family in the Post-Modern (and Much More Real) World”
Dr. Allan C. Carlson: President of the Howard Center, editor of Family in America, and International Secretary of the World Congress on Families.

“Christ in Civil Society: The Intersection of Higher Education and Social Concerns in the Evangelization of Culture”
Dr. Jonathan Reyes: Executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Restoring Sound Culture and American Principles: The Different Dimensions of a Social and Political Response”
Dr. Stephen M. Krason: Professor of political science and legal studies, associate director of the Veritas Center for Ethics in Public Life at Franciscan University of Steubenville; co-founder and president of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists.