Promoting serious reflection on the interplay between Christianity and public life.
The Institute is dedicated to providing resources for scholarship, encouraging citizen involvement and education, structuring opportunities to disseminate scholarly work, seeking avenues to communicate and promote information about Christianity and public life to the broader public, and motivating and training future scholars and leaders.
Our mission
The mission of the Henry Institute is to promote serious reflection on the interplay between Christianity and public life.
- We have big horizons.
- We seek out the very best scholarship and public thinking.
- We wish to engage citizens, scholars, and the church.
Who was Paul B. Henry?
The Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics was created in 1997 to continue the work of integrating Christian faith and politics advanced by its namesake, educator and public servant Paul B. Henry.
Our Programs
Symposium on Religion and Public Life
Providing opportunities to share work, foster networks, facilitate joint research, and learn about the intersection of religion and public life.
Henry Semester in Washington, D. C.
Students gain a real-world perspective on ideas learned in the classroom. All majors are welcome; program runs spring semester.
Paul B. Henry Lecture
The annual Paul B. Henry Lecture brings a prominent Christian political practitioner to Calvin to speak about the interplay of religion and politics.
Pruis Rule of Law Lecture
This series features speakers who are researching or have personal experience related to the rule of law around the globe.
Civitas Lab for Henry Institute Student Junior Research Fellows
Developing a scholarly community for students under the mentorship of Calvin faculty.
Henry Conversations Podcast
The Henry Conversations Podcast series considers timely—and timeless—issues related to faith, politics, and culture. Institute Director Micah Watson and featured guests from across the political and religious spectrum discuss a range of interesting and thought-provoking issues.