Christendom College Lectures: Daily Summaries Delivered

"Myths and Storytelling" | Dr. Matthew Mehan

Christendom College welcomed political theorist Dr. Matthew Mehan to campus for a special lecture on Monday, October 8. Mehan, a professor of Government Science at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., spoke on “myths and storytelling" and his best-selling new book, "The American Book of Fables."

Rhetoric and the Virtues of the Heart | Dr. Mary Keys | Collegiate Lecture Series

Christendom College welcomed political theorist Dr. Mary Keys to campus for the latest event in its Collegiate Lecture Series on Monday, October 5. Keys, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, spoke on “Rhetoric and the Virtues of the Heart: On Augustine’s Political Thought,” exploring St. Augustine’s social and civic thought and the impact of his writings.

Human Origins: Evolution and Creation | Dr. Dan Kuebler

Can a Catholic accept evolution? And if the human person is a unity of body and soul, how do we make sense of our biological origins? In this lecture, given as part of Christendom College's Collegiate Lecture Series, biologist Dr. Daniel Kuebler takes up those questions. He looks at how current scientific understanding of human evolution can be reconciled with Catholic teaching, and he shows that faith and reason, rightly understood, have nothing to fear from each other.Dr. Kuebler is a professor of biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He teaches evolution, cell physiology, and science-and-faith courses, and his research focuses on adult stem cells. He wrote Darwin and Dogma: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism (Word on Fire Press, 2025) and co-authored The Evolution Controversy: A Survey of Competing Theories. He is vice president of the Society of Catholic Scientists, sits on the board of the Spitzer-Magis Center, and hosts the Purposeful Lab podcast.Recorded September 21, 2026, in Old Chapel Hall at Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia.

Magnifica Humanitas: A Panel Discussion

Christendom College’s Political Science Department hosted an engaging panel discussion on Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. Featuring college faculty members Dr. Nicolas McAfee, Dr. Eric Jenislawski, and Dr. James Bergida, along with guest panelists Dr. James Van Dyke of the University of Virginia and Michael Marinaccio of the Center for Responsible Technology, each speaker examined a different aspect of Pope Leo’s new work and its implications for artificial intelligence, technology, and the human person.

The Nicene Creed: 1700 Years Later | Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy

Aquinas and Descartes on Creation | Dr. Steven Baldner

Christendom College welcomed St. Thomas Aquinas expert Dr. Steven Baldner to campus for the latest event in its Collegiate Lecture Series. Baldner, a professor at St. Francis Xavier University, presented the college’s annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture as part of the series, speaking on “Aquinas and Descartes on Creation.”

The Fullness of Time: A Reflection in Preparation for Christmas | Dr. Timothy O'Donnell

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell reflects on the significance of the Incarnation, exploring the world’s longing for a Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, and Mary’s unique role as the Mother of God. He discusses the expectations of the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the cultural readiness for Christ's arrival. He also highlights Our Lady of Guadalupe, explaining how her appearance brought Christ to the Mexican people during a time of darkness. Dr. O’Donnell concludes by inviting believers to rediscover the Incarnation’s meaning in their own lives, especially during Advent.

The Incarnation (Might Not Have) Happened | Fr. Gregory Pine

Fr. Gregory Pine highlights the importance of the incarnation, showcasing God's generosity and the need to recognize His work in our lives. Fr. Pine encourages all to a deeper understanding of how God's love and grace are evident in our experiences, urging a response of gratitude and acknowledgment of His presence in our lives.