Today’s lectures from Acton University 2007 (updated as more audio becomes available):

• Natural Law and Protestant Public Theology: Dr. Stephen Grabill
• Enemies of the Inner City: John Nunes
• Moral Objections to the Free Market: John Schneider

Read more on Acton University – Day 3 Audio Roundup…

A contingent from Austria that attended last year’s Acton University produced a video on their experiences:

Read more on Austrians at Acton University 2006…

Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 Catholic High School Honor Roll, a program of the Acton Institute. The extended application deadline is May 31, and it is free for schools to participate. The purpose of the Honor Roll is to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic education. The Honor Roll is an annual list of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the United States, where schools are examined on the criteria of academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education. It is viewed nationwide by parents, clergy, the media, donors, and educators. All applicant schools receive detailed evaluations and are eligible for a $1,500 scholarship.

Read more on Is Your School on the List? Nominate it for 2007 Catholic High School Honor Roll…

Dr. Michel Casey – Clicking this link will open a new window with a video player.

Dr. Michael Casey was in Grand Rapids today to deliver the first address of the 2007 Acton Lecture Series, which was entitled The Religion of Politics. Dr. Casey is a Permanent Fellow at the John Paul II Institute, Melbourne, Australia, and Private Secretary to Cardinal George Pell, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. He is currently serving as a Visiting Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and was also awarded the 2002 Novak Award by the Acton Institute for his contributions to thinking that concerns the relationship between religion and economic liberty.

Read more on 2007 Acton Lecture Series: The Religion of Politics…

The human person, by virtue of being created imago Dei, is an independent being, individually unique, rational, the subject of moral agency, a co-creator, and inherently social. Accordingly, human persons possess intrinsic value and dignity, implying certain rights and duties with respect to the recognition and protection of the dignity of themselves and other persons. These truths about the human person’s dignity are known through divine revelation, but are also discernible through reason.

Kony Kim, Master of Arts student in Theological Studies at Westminster Seminary California, took first place with the essay titled, “Imago Dei: The Transcendent Basis of True Liberty and Just Authority.” Read Kim’s essay and all of the other finalists at the competition homepage.

Read more on Created Imago Dei…

The nomination process has begun for this year’s Novak Award. Named after theologian Michael Novak, this $10,000 prize rewards new outstanding research into the relationship between religion and economic liberty.

We encourage professors, university faculty members, and other scholars to nominate those who are completing exceptional research into themes relevant to the mission and vision of the Acton Institute. Suitable nominees will have received their doctorate in the past five years or be a doctoral candidate working closely with themes relevant to the Novak Award’s goals.

Read more on Novak Award Nominations in Full Swing…

The Acton Institute has announced the honorees for the 2005 Homiletics Award, on the text of James 5:1-6, “The Warning to Rich Oppressors.” In first place ($2,000) is Earl Eckbold, a Master of Divinity student at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. In second ($1,000) is Steven deBoer, a Master of Divinity student at Calvin Theological Seminary. Finishing in third place ($500) is Ken Krause, a Master of Divinity student at Calvin Theological Seminary. Gabe Gilliam, a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Kenneth Gosnell, a Master of Divinity student at Regent University, received honorable mentions.

Read more on ‘The Warning to Rich Oppressors’…

The first Acton Institute Summer Symposium was held last week, and John H. Armstrong, president of Reformation & Revival Ministries, gives a report. Here’s an excerpt:

The group I am attending is titled, “Business, Faith and Ethics.” It is part of Acton’s Center for Entrepreneurial Stewardship. I have been in a room with twenty-five successful business entrepreneurs and one other mission related person, a leader in the Christian Reformed Church. This is not my normal venue so it has been fun to sit back, say very little, and seek to better understand a world quite apart from my own Christian non-profit mission.

Read more on A Report from Symposium…

There is one week to go to enter the 2005 Homiletics Award. Seminarians and graduate students in degree programs preparing them for preaching and teaching ministries are eligible. All entries must be postmarked by April 18. This year’s topic is “The Warning to Rich Oppressors” from James 5:1-6. More details here.

Read more on Homiletics Award Deadline Approaches…