2025 Scoper Lecture
Watch the keynote address of the 2025 Scoper Lecture in Christian Thought, “Open, Honest and Free: A Celebration of Theological Inquiry Across the University” featuring Charles Marsh, PhD, Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia. The lecture was a deeply personal account of how moments of generous and generative intellectual, emotional, and civic encounter stand as an antidote to “closed society” experiences - and hold promise for the building a healthier university, democracy, civic and emotional life. The event took place on March 29, 2025 in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia.
The 2025 Scoper Lecture in Christian Thought continued with a “A Virtual Conversation: Theological Inquiry Across the University: Where Do We Go From Here?” Thursday, April 24, 2025. This virtual panel was moderated by Karen Marsh, and featured 3 expert panelists:
2024 Scoper Lecture
New York Times commentator and best-selling author David Brooks delivered the 3rd annual Scoper Lecture in Christian Thought in Old Cabell Hall on April 21, 2024 at the University of Virginia: the anchor event of an in person and livestreamed community-wide, intergenerational experience.
Following his lecture, “Know Better: Deepening the Bonds of Communal Life,” Brooks was joined onstage for a conversation with Melody Barnes, executive director of UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy. Music by Porter’s Gate. A Charlottesville Welcome Table reception for all lecture guests followed: a special event in the UVA Amphitheater.
Scroll down to get our custom discussion guide to “How To Know A Person” by David Brooks, and much more!
2023 Scoper Lecture
FEATURED BRYAN STEVENSON IN CONVERSATION WITH UVA PRESIDENT JIM RYAN
MARCH 28, 2023
JOHN PAUL JONES ARENA
CHARLOTTESVILLE,VIRGINIA
PRINTABLE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS & FAITH-BASED GROUPS
GUIDE TO SUSTAINING THE SOUL OF EQUAL JUSTICE
This remarkable event featured Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of the acclaimed book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. He spoe on the spiritual sources that empower his lifelong commitment to transformative acts of justice and mercy. An on-stage conversation with UVA President Jim Ryan followed the lecture. This event was not allowed to be recorded but please click below to see all of our resources from the event.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BRYAN STEVENSON
Event Co-Sponsors
Central Virginia Community Justice provides a brave space for those involved in harm to lead their own accountability and healing. CVCJ facilitates restorative conferences to divert cases away from the criminal system, as well as to repair harms outside of the system. Learn more on Facebook and at www.CommunityJusticeVA.org.
UVA Arts catalyzes and facilitates research, creative production, and service in the arts departments and schools and with numerous affiliates, partners, and community and student-driven arts organizations at the University of Virginia. Learn more at https://arts.virginia.edu
The Project on Lived Theology at UVA is a research initiative whose mission is to study the social consequences of theological ideas for the sake of a more just and compassionate world. Learn more at www.livedtheology.org/
2022 Scoper Lecture
THE INAUGURAL LECTURE WAS ON APRIL 3RD, 2022, IN OLD CABELL HALL AT UVA
KATE BOWLER, PHD
“UNFINISHED: THE WISDOM OF THE GENERATIVE SELF”