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. The event is intended to inspire the college and the community to actively seek to integrate a Christian worldview with practical politics and public life. Over the past eighteen years, the lecture has featured individuals from both political parties, speakers from liberal and conservative viewpoints, scholars who have examined current political issues and questions, and prominent leaders of non-profit organizations actively working in the public policy arena.
Dr. Richard Mouw
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
The 24th annual Paul B. Henry Lecture featured Dr. Richard Mouw speaking on "The Christian Use of Political Power." Mouw noted that Paul Henry wrote numerous years ago that when things go wrong in politics, it isn't just the fault of those who have substituted faith in politics for faith in God. Some of the blame also rests on the shoulders of Christians who "have denied the full legitimacy of politics." According to Mouw, we rightly honor God's purposes for political life when we make loving use of coercive power to aim at justice, while also learning significant lessons—unique to political engagement—about our shared humanity.
Introductory remarks at the lecture were made by Peter Mouw, Dr. Mouw’s grandson who is a senior at Calvin University majoring in Philosophy and History. See the lecture by using the link included at the close of Peter's remarks below.
Today’s Henry Lecture will be given by Richard Mouw: philosopher, theologian, and my grandfather. He received his BA in English from Houghton College, studied for several years at Western Seminary, received his MA in philosophy from the University of Alberta, and his PhD at the University of Chicago--writing his dissertation on the metaphysics of mind and soul.
He went on to teach at Calvin from 1968 to 1985, taking part in the explosion of Christian philosophical and political thought, and becoming to be a defining figure in the Kuyperian renaissance that’s taken place in the last sixty years. It’s also been pointed out recently how much he looks like Kuyper--albeit without the scowl, most of the time…
In 1985, Mouw moved to Fuller Seminary, where he served as professor of Christian philosophy and ethics. In 1993 he became seminary president, retiring from the post two decades later. He continues to advise and closely mentor a number of PhD students.
In addition to his teaching, his large body of work has shown us what it means to embody Christian civility in the public square, to appreciate the depth of God's common grace, and to serve, first and foremost, a God who commands--and yet is truly the font of every blessing. Mouw calls us all to open ourselves in loving dialogue with people whom we disagree with, while maintaining a solid backbone of orthodox belief.
Having the name Mouw myself, I’ve often had the opportunity to hear stories of how my grandfather has touched the lives of people I meet--who know him through his work (translated into a host of languages), or who have had meaningful personal interactions with him. Indeed, there are few people as open or insightful.
He is a skilled maker of waffles, the person you want to have around if you've forgotten the words to the third verse of just about any hymn, a great teller of stories and a wonderful person to talk with about matters mundane or profound, from the merits of a particular glazed donut to the deep mysteries of philosophy or theology, or, in this case, "The Christian Use of Political Power."
About our speaker
Richard Mouw is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI), joining the Institute founded in honor of Paul Henry, a long-time friend and colleague whom Dr. Mouw helped recruit to Calvin in 1970. Mouw is continuing his research in Christian political thought, as well as working with faculty and students on special projects and helping to organize conferences and symposia. He regularly consults with the Henry Institute each academic year while he continues to live in California.
Prior to his return to Calvin and the Institute in 2020, Mouw served as the President of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993-2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013-2020). His initial career in academia began at Calvin College, where he taught philosophy from 1968 to 1985.
A philosopher and scholar, Dr. Mouw is the author of more than 20 books, has been an editor of the Reformed Journal, and served for many years as a panelist for the Washington Post’s online forum “On Faith.” He received the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology in 2007. Mouw has participated on many councils and editorial boards, served as president of the Association of Theological Schools and as co-chair of the official Reformed-Catholic Dialogue, and is a leader in interfaith theological conversations, particularly with Mormons and Jewish groups.
Nicholas Wolterstorff - Fidelity in Politics
April 7, 2022
The 23rd Paul B. Henry Lecture featured Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff considered Christian political activity in the tradition of Reformed Protestantism. He explored the distinctive version of the Reformed Protestant tradition of Christian political thought and action developed by twentieth century Dutch theologian and activist Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper's thought was very influential on the political thought and action of Paul Henry, as it has been on a large number of other theorists and activists. Wolterstorff identified high points of this tradition as it has developed in the United States.
Faith, Democracy, and the Media
April 26, 2019
Featuring several prominent national journalists of religion and politics, Michael McCurry (Press Secretary in the Clinton administration) led a roundtable conversation on faith, democracy, and the media. Elizabeth Dias (New York Times), Emma Green (The Atlantic), Amy Sullivan (author of The Party Faithful), and Ken Woodward (former Newsweek reporter and author of Getting Religion) participated in the discussion.
Melissa Rogers - The 'Conscience of the State': Religion's Role as an Independent Check on Government
February 21, 2018
Melissa Rogers is a senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, and a distinguished church-state lawyer who served as a special assistant to President Obama and led the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships from 2013-2017 as well as chairing the inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. In her lecture, Rogers asserted that to serve as the conscience of the state, religion must be meaningfully independent of government and thus able to preserve autonomy and religion's ability to call the state to "the better angels of our nature."
https://vimeo.com/257166846
Ben Sasse - Before the End of Time: Religion and Politics in this Messy, Broken Age
April 28, 2017
Senator Ben Sasse (Republican Senator from Nebraska), considered our role as Christians and as citizens in the face of our currently disoriented time, with massive policy changes, huge political disruptions, daunting Constitutional questions and monumental economic changes.
https://livestream.com/accounts/343472/events/7113187
Ross Douthat - The Future of American Christianity: The Christian Crisis of the 20th Century and its Implications for the 21st
April 30, 2015
Ross Douthat, Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, talked about current issues facing Christians and their responses as they remain true to their faith. Watch an interview conducted by Henry Institute Director Kevin den Dulk.
http://vimeo.com/127742946
Joshua DuBois - Approaching the Ledge: Why We Must Risk our Faith in Order to Save It
April 28, 2014
Joshua DuBois, former Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and spiritual advisor to President Obama challenged the audience to examine what it means to act and walk in a life of faith. Watch an interview with DuBois, conducted by Henry Institute Director Kevin R. den Dulk.
http://vimeo.com/channels/henryinstitute/93398523
Corwin Smidt - What Does the Lord Require? The Grounds for Christian Civility in Politics
April 26, 2013
Corwin Smidt, former Director of the Paul B. Henry Institute called on Christians to engage in public and political life with civility and respect for others.
http://vimeo.com/channels/henryinstitute/107284236
Beth Bandstra Decker - Paul Henry: Reflections on His Life and Service
March 28, 2012
Beth Bandstra Decker, former Campaign Manager and Special Assistant to Congressman Paul Henry, and Director of the World View Series at Trinity Christian College, related her interaction and work with Paul Henry as his campaign manager and special assistant.
David Campbell - American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us
April 29, 2011
David Campbell, Founding Director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy reviewed his findings regarding religious devotion, religious diversity and religious tolerance in America. His findings are included in American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, published with Robert Putnam.
Michael Gerson - Tensions at the Crossroads of Religion and Politics
March 18, 2010
Michael Gerson, former Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Speech Writing discussed human rights, and asserted that activism by people of faith is critical to the welfare of millions of people in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrfoHyqbslM
Michael Cromartie - No Final Victories, No Final Defeats: Doing Our Duty While Living in Exile
April 14, 2009
Michael Cromartie, former Chair and Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom discussed his work on the Commission and called on Christians to work toward the Kingdom of God through activities that further justice and help to redeem God’s creation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-vehm64BPQ
Dean Koldenhoven - Religious Tolerance: Love your Neighbor
March 31, 2008
Dean Koldenhoven, former mayor of Palos Heights, Illinois and 2002 Recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award recounted the controversy over the sale of a local church to Muslims in Palos Heights, Illinois during his time as mayor and his strong feelings about the meaning of religious freedom in America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUcdW3x78CI
Michael McConnell - Public Virtue, Republican Government, and the Separation of Church and State
October 12, 2006
Judge Michael McConnell, Federal Appellate Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit offered a historical perspective on the relationship between religion and liberal democracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71E9eEdIDvY
Dr. John DiIulio - Forging a Faithful Consensus: The Future of Public-Private Partnerships Involving Community-Serving Religious Organizations
October 25, 2005
Dr. John DiIulio, former Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives discussed the emergence of faith-based initiatives in government and the private sector.
Dr. Allen Hertzke - Freeing God's Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights
November 11, 2004
Dr. Allen Hertzke, Director of Religious Studies and Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma described how the American faith-based movement, through various initiatives, has affected the agenda of American foreign policy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTBSKPLJ6Bc
Dr. Robert Edgar - The State of the World as Seen Though the Eyes of the Church
April 28, 2004
Dr. Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches and six-term U.S. House of Representatives Democrat from Pennsylvania, encouraged Christians to blend faith and political activities, working together to improve the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gev-PgnLDA
Tim Goeglein - Real Challenges: Faith in the Public Arena
April 28, 2003
Tim Goeglein, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison spoke about how a person of faith maintains his or her conviction in the marketplace of ideas without compromising those beliefs.
Dr. Stephen V. Monsma - Myths, Lies, and Soundbites: Reactions to President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative
April 29, 2002
Dr. Stephen V. Monsma of Pepperdine University described President Bush’s faith-based initiative, myths surrounding it, and a view of the initiative from a pluralistic perspective.
Paul Hillegonds - Faith in Politics
April 30, 2001
The Honorable Paul Hillegonds, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and President of Detroit Renaissance, was a close personal friend of Paul Henry. His lecture encouraged thoughtful lay involvement in politics and defined a faithful approach to politics, which was exemplified by Henry’s approach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfgmNzROvtU
John Lewis - Struggling Toward the 'Beloved Community'
April 17, 2000
U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, noted civil rights leader and member of Congress, recounted highlights of his struggle for civil rights and his vision for a national and international “beloved community.”
Dan Coats - Compassionate Conservatism: Oxymoron or Opportunity
April 19, 1999
Former U.S. Senator Dan Coats of Indiana considered the relationship between government and civil society, asserting that the vitality of the American republic is tied to the vibrancy of a multiplicity of institutions that make up a complex civil society.
Paul Simon - Christianity and Politics: A Personal Reflection
April 27, 1998
Former U.S. Senator from Illinois Paul Simon offered a personal and honest message rooted in a fundamental optimism about the positive contribution that the interplay between Christianity and political can make in public life.
Mark O. Hatfield - Paul B. Henry Institute Inaugural Address
April 14, 1997
Senator Mark O. Hatfield from Oregon gave the inaugural address for the Paul B. Henry Institute, charging the Institute with carrying on the vision and work of Paul Henry.