We are very pleased to announce that we will be holding our Third Mid-Atlantic Regional Convivium Irenicum, and our first ever in Washington, DC, examining the theme, “Christian Love and National Interest: A Protestant Ethic of National Security.” The event will be held on April 21-22 at Redeeming Grace Church of Fairfax, VA, and will be co-sponsored by Patrick Henry College and Providence Magazine.
How do we exercise our Christian duty to show love to enemies while also exercising our Christian duty to protect our neighbors and countrymen from them? Can we have open arms and strong borders? To what extent should we be see ourselves as patriotic citizens of a nation-state vs. members of the worldwide family of Christ, with obligations that might run counter to national interest? This event seeks to connect the idea of national security to Christian ethics, bringing together local scholars and theologians, pastors and interested laypeople, and those who serve (or are considering service) in the military, intelligence and law enforcement professions. Our hope is that attendees and participants walk away with a new—or a renewed—vision for how the historical Protestant ethical tradition speaks to the often-conflicting loyalties of Christian citizenship.
To address these important questions, we will be bringing in speakers including Dr. Mark Thiessen Nation of Eastern Mennonite University, Dr. David Shedd of Patrick Henry College, Drs. Marc LiVecche and Keith Pavlischek of Providence magazine, Dr. Bradford Littlejohn of the Davenant Trust, and Mr. Andrew Fulford of McGill University, and author of our recent Davenant publication, Jesus and Pacifism.
For full details, and to register, click here.