The ExCorde Programme: an annual series of lectures given by respected scholars who share a love of their subject and speak from the heart.

THURSDAY 20 MAY 7PM
Br. Tom Herbst OFM – The Integrity of the Franciscan Vision: from Francis of Assisi’s Intuitive Theology to the Scholastic Ethos of Bonaventure

‘The intuitive theological vision of Francis of Assisi is rightfully situated in the realm of popular religiosity and Christian spirituality.

As such, Francis’ intuition electrified the people of his day, providing a catalyst for spiritual renewal that persists even to modern times. As has often been noted, it was the very success of the Franciscan programme that prevented it from remaining a ‘grassroots’ movement, impelling it instead to every level of Christendom- from parishes to the episcopate and even, eventually, the papacy itself, and from the marketplace to the aulas of Paris and Oxford where the vision of the Poverello fuelled and was adapted to the highest level of theological speculation.

This was not achieved without controversy and Bonaventure, as a Franciscan and a theologian at the University of Paris, perhaps best exemplifies the potentially polemical nature of adapting Francis’ insights to a formal theological milieu. The question remains debatable in some circles: Was Bonaventure able to translate the intuitive spirituality of Francis of Assisi into the structured theological language of Scholastic Paris without betraying that vision or doing violence to it?

This paper and lecture will seek to answer that question in the affirmative, representing Bonaventure, otherwise known as a great synthetic theologian, as more than able to express Francis’ insight in a formal theological setting, which, far from subverting the integrity of the Founder’s insight is, rather, found utterly complementary to it and, indeed, deepens and completes what was begun by Francis of Assisi.

THURSDAY 17 JUNE 7PM
Rev’d.  Joseph O’Hanlon PHD – Do we believe in Human Sacrifice?

Theories of atonement on the how of our salvation abound in the Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian tradition. How have we been shaped by theories of Paul, Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury and less well known contributors? Are we happy to be so formed? Is it time to plough a new furrow?

Joseph O’Hanlon, a native of Cavan, a priest of Nottingham diocese, a lecturer at Allen Hall London. His books include the Dance of the Merry Makers, Mark My Words, Beginning the Bible and Walk One Hour and he has contributed to many journals and periodicals. A lifetime of teaching the Bible and a passion for communicating scholarship to the Christian in the pew has ensured that he is in great demand as a speaker and conference lecturer.