Past Events

Lecture Description: This online session is designed to give members of the AU Online community the chance to interact with a member of Acton’s staff. Topics covered will come from Acton Institute’s core curriculum as it is presented in the four Foundational lectures.

Lecture Description: This lecture explores the centrality of money to market economics, its origins, the history of its development, and its functions in modern economic life.

Through a mixture of lectures and Socratic discussions, participants will explore the philosophical foundations of limited government by engaging ancient, medieval, and modern thinkers on the subject. Participants will focus on the contributions made by these enduring sources of political and social thought to an understanding of the necessity of limited government.

Victor Claar joins us to discuss the social, economic, and ethical aspects of the sin of envy. Greed is often said to be the characteristic sin of capitalism, but envy, the great sin of socialism, is often overlooked as a threat to social flourishing. Dr. Claar will draw on both the wisdom of the Christian tradition’s long reflection on envy as well as the findings of contemporary economics to explore this perennial danger to the free and virtuous society.

Lecture Description: This lecture will expand on the unique ability of private charity to address human need using local knowledge and resources unavailable and unsuited to public agencies, with specific attention to urban ministries.

Jordan Ballor will take a look at God's lordship over all creation, and how this is expressed in social life. There are discrete areas of human life that God has ordained for different and distinct purposes, like the family, church, business, and government. When each of these fulfills its purposes, social justice is achieved.

The Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation

You are invited to an evening celebrating freedom of religion and conscience in the American tradition. Rev. Robert Sirico, president of Acton Institute, will speak on the current threats to religious freedom as well as opportunities to protect our freedom. Rev. Phil Smith, from the Eternal Word Church in Grandville, will offer the invocation. Our evening will be closed in prayer led by Reverend Tyler Wagenmaker of Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church. You don't want to miss this!

Registration begins at 11:30am. Questions: Contact Kimberly Wybenga at 616.454.3080 or [email protected]

The Acton Institute will hold a day-long conference entitled Caring For the Common Good: Why It's Important To Integrate Faith, Work and Economics on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The purpose of this conference is to teach and discuss the important connection between economic principles and everyday life in light of Biblical principles. This conference is hosted by Cedarville University and is open to the public.