Common Places

This exposition of Psalm 104 was presented by our Davenant House Director, Michael Hughes, to a group of undergraduate students at North Greenville University. Through an exploration of Psalm 104, the Psalmist brings to life the brushstrokes and beauty of divine providence as they shine forth to us through the canvas of God's creation. Far from being simply a heady doctrine worthy of mental assent, God's providence is an incredibly practical and potent doctrine for the day to day life of the Christian. Calvin says that without providence, the world is no longer a divine work of art, it is less lovely, and it 'lacks color'. In contrast, he says that providence allows one to recognize the world as it really is: 'an unfolding divine gift, an ongoing symphony in which nothing takes place by chance, not one drop of rain falls without God's sure command.' In the seemingly chaotic world we find ourselves in, God's providence provides a sure foundation that will help us to be still and hold fast as the winds and waves sweep over us.

A lecture with Q&A by Davenant Hall Teaching Fellow Patrick Stefan entitled "Resurrecting Romans: Pauling Resurrection, Baptism, and Kingdom Life." In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul says that we were baptized into the resurrection of Jesus. A powerful declaration - but what does it mean? How does it fit into his epistle to the Romans as a whole? How does it relate to the practice of baptism itself? And how does this message shape the self-understanding of baptized Christians? Such questions have vexed not only theologians and pastors, but countless Christians in the pew. Among Reformed and evangelical Christians, few books are more taught than Romans, yet few topics are more fraught than baptism. What are we to make of the Apostle's words here? In this lecture, Dr. Patrick Stefan will probe the relationship Paul develops between baptism, death, purity, and resurrection. In doing so, he will seek to demonstrate that Paul's baptismal message is ultimately a message of purity, acceptance, and the presence of God for the baptized.

In this talk, Pastor Brian Lund first gave a historical overview of how reformers learned to transition to a distinctly Prostestant manner of conducting funerals. At first there was a cold opposition to any formality related to honoring the dead in Christ or for following a worshipful liturgy. This would come later, but as it did new insights were formed as to how churches could give comfort to the grieving and wisdom to the community at the passing of their loved ones. Brian's experience and heart for pastoral care came through this talk even as he gave a well-researched presentation on a topic not often considered.

Dr. Brad Littlejohn's paper entitled, "The Story of the Reformation Through the Life of Peter Martyr Vermigli" shows how the life of one man in a community of like-minded pace setters can change the direction of a culture for good. Vermigli, though born in Italy, was to become one of the early reformers whose practical and academic abilities benefited Protestant groups across Europe. Brad's talk gives a clarifying overview of how Vermigli used his gifts and wisdom to bring direction to churches in England, Strasburg, Zurich and other areas. Peter Vermigli is a special individual in the Davenant Institute range of reformers since TDI owns the publication rights for the library of Vermigli's works. We invite you to check the Davenant Institute website for translated works of Vermigli available and for new works set to be released.

The full title of this talk is "You Become Whom You Admire: How Our Heroes Shape Our Desires or What Desires Should Influence a Christian’s Choice of Heroes" by Rev. Matt Miller. Matt Miller is the Greenville, SC regional director for the C. S. Lewis Institute based in Washington D.C. In this keynote address, Matt gave basic principles for choosing our heroes wisely and in accordance with the motto, "You are what you love." Drawing from the moral and philosophical insights of Linda Zagzebski, Matt spoke to the importance of knowing the value and life implications that come from a proper admiration of the hero, the sage and the saint.

The full title of this paper is “Biography as Theology Reconsidered: The Role of Biography in Cultivating Theological Wisdom.” Dr. Nathan Finn is Provost at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. His paper highlighted key principles for how we can learn from the lives of our leaders in both their noble commitments as well as their foibles. Given the theme of the conference was, "The Power of Biography: Learning From Wisemen and Fools," this opening session provided a clear set of foundational ideas for the rest of the papers and group discussions for the weekend.

his Davenant Discussion is part 2 of 2 talks on Daniel and the book's relevance for our times. Peter VanDoodeward is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, OPC in Taylors, SC. Pastor VanDoodeward gives practical advice for how to live in a culture that is increasingly less friendly and even in opposition to the Christian way of life and wisdom, how to remain calm in times of uncertainty and resolutely committed to Christ and his Church.

This Davenant Discussion is part 1 of 2 talks on Daniel and the book's relevance for our times. Peter VanDoodeward is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, OPC in Taylors, SC. Pastor VanDoodeward makes comparisons between our present time and that of the prophet Daniel to show how the issues confronting Christians today are of a difficulty similar to those faced by Daniel and his friends in order to clarify how we as Christians can understand our times in light of God's Word.

A lecture with Q&A by Davenant Institute Vice President, Colin Redemer entitled "Live Not by Dreher Alone: Soviet Dissidents, the Church, and Our Transhumanist Moment." Writers such as Jordan Peterson and Rod Dreher have popularized the comparison of our society to that which immediately preceded the the USSR. In place of "hard totalitarianism", we supposedly live under "soft totalitarianism". Many have therefore begun looking to believers who survived under this oppressive regime for guidance. Names such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Vaclav Havel, and Vaclav Benda are becoming common currency among some Western Protestants. These men and others left behind a great legacy, not least of all in their writings. Yet we are in danger of an engagement with these dissidents which is only skin deep. Their inspiring example is at risk of being little more than an aesthetic. If we are to truly learn from them, we must engage them not simply as exemplary saints, but as profound intellectuals in their own right. We must cry "ad fontes!" and return to the sources for ourselves - to the texts of penetrating insight, formed in the intellectual crucible of Soviet totalitarianism. In this lecture, Colin Redemer will seek to engage in depth with the thought of these Christian dissidents, providing a basis for attendees to go away and grapple with their work first-hand. In doing so, we can begin to truly think like them for ourselves. Colin's Soviet Dissidence Reading List: Live Not By Lies by Solzhenitsyn Harvard Address by Solzhenitsyn Power of the Powerless by Havel The Captive Mind by Milocz In The First Circle by Solzhenitsyn Live Not By Lies available here: https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/live-not-by-lies

The subtitle of this talk is "Fear of the Divine in Scripture and in H.P. Lovecraft." In this talk, Shepherd gives a fascinating look at how the curious writings of Lovecraft give a window on the fear of God. This provides a contrast for how the fear of the Lord is presented in Scripture and how that attitude of heart is essential for the calming effect of Christian wisdom. "Shep," as his friends call him, is a seminary professor and former student of Dr. John Webster.