Resources

Yale theologian Willie J. Jennings discusses race and the hope of wholeness in America during this interactive Veritas Forum at the University of Chicago.

(Recorded April 22, 2021)

The legacy of race and racism in America has left our society fragmented and fragile. But is there hope? Can Christianity provide a vision for joining these fragments together — a vision for human wholeness —or is it merely part of the problem?

This event was co-sponsored by The Veritas Forum, the University of Chicago Christian community, Organization of Black Students at University of Chicago, and The University of Chicago Office of Spiritual Life.

Fashion designer and Parsons design professor Fiona Dieffenbach in dialogue with UChicago philosophy professor Ben Callard on questions of self, self expression, knowing and being known by others during this Veritas Forum hosted at the University of Chicago on April 21, 2022.

This event was moderated by Emily Crews, teaching fellow at the UChicago Divinity School.

Dr. Curt Thompson (psychiatrist and author of The Soul of Shame) and Dr. Miwa Yasui (of the University of Chicago; researching the relationship between culture and pychopathology), discuss how we can discover inner wholeness beyond the fracturing forces of shame, isolation, and despair.

Should you want to interact more around the topics discussed, you can find several of Curt’s articles below. We might recommend discussing these with others in your community.

• What do You Want? (Relating well to your various needs.)
• It’s a Matter of Time (How to respond to a period of prolonged delay.)
• A Body of Work (The importance of incorporating your whole body in your quest for wellness.)
• Beauty Will Save the World (The role of creativity in fostering wholeness.)
• More resources

Additionally, by visiting this link you can download the first two chapters of Curt’s tremendous book The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves (apply the discount code 40IVP18 for 40% off and free shipping).

In partnership with Faith & Work Chicago, we hosted a series of candid conversations around The State of Reconciliation in America: Examining the Case for Hope in Troubled Times.

You can watch the videos below and download the discussion guides. Click here to download a series overview document.

Executive Director of the Surge Network in Phoenix and North American Leadership Team member for City to City

Dennae shared with us about the Christian “vocation of reconciliation,” and how Christians should be reconcilers in every facet of their lives.

Download discussion guide.

Co-pastor of Bayside Church Midtown (in the Bay area), co-owner of Influential LLC, and author of The Post-Black and Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World

Efrem shared from his studies and experiences as a pastor of multi-ethnic churches on “the work of cross-cultural, reconciling, justice-oriented disciple making.”

Download discussion guide.

Co-host of “Truth’s Table” podcast and Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University

Dr Edmondson discussed the need for discipleship toward the beautiful vision of the glorious community from every tongue, tribe, and nation that Jesus gave his life to see realized.

Download discussion guide.

Chair of Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago and author of Divided by Faith

Dr Emerson discussed the history and the challenges of the multi-ethnic church and reconciliation movement and challenged Christians to confront whether their racialized expression of Christianity is really the Christianity of Jesus.

Download discussion guide.