In these times of social and political upheaval, many of us are asking how faith should shape our civic life. How do we balance loyalty to our country with allegiance to our spiritual convictions? What does it mean to be both a faithful Christian and an engaged citizen?
We invite you to join us for the inaugural event in a new lecture series, Questions of Faith, launching this summer in Oshkosh. Each event in the series will bring together scholars, practitioners, and community members to explore vital questions at the intersection of faith and public life. The lecture is FREE, please REGISTER so we can plan for your attendance.
“What can history teach us about Christian citizenship?”
Historian Michael Rutz, Professor of History at UW–Oshkosh and Biblical scholar Garwood Anderson, Lumen Center Fellow for Biblical Studies will each offer a short presentation, drawing from scripture, the early church, and key historical moments to help us reflect on Christian engagement with civic life across time and cultures. A Q&A and community discussion will follow.
From Jesus' command to love our neighbors—even our enemies—to Paul's use of Roman citizenship in service of the gospel, the Bible offers both guidance and complexity on these issues. Christian communities throughout history have responded in diverse ways to political and cultural challenges. Together, we’ll consider what we might learn from those responses today.
A brief reception with light refreshments will precede the lecture, offering time to connect with others from across the Fox Valley and beyond. This event is free and open to all, regardless of background or denomination.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:
Michael A. Rutz, Ph.D. is a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Since joining UWO’s history faculty in 2002, he has built a distinguished career as a scholar of 19th- and 20th-century Great Britain, the British Empire, religion and politics. Dr. Rutz earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in History from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.A., with high honors in History, from the University of Michigan. His major publications include The British Zion: Congregationalism, Politics, and Empire (2011) and King Leopold’s Congo and the “Scramble for Africa” (2018); he has also published several articles on the intersection of religion and politics in 19c Britain and the British empire and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Garwood P. Anderson, Ph.D. - Having concluded his tenure as Dean and President of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in 2024, Dr. Anderson has begun a role as Distinguished Fellow in Biblical Studies for the Lumen Center. Dr. Anderson’s 40 years in diverse ministry roles has centered on teaching, scholarship, academic leadership, and mentoring emerging leaders. Following 18 years in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Anderson served on the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary and then on the faculty of Nashotah House, where he currently serves as the Donald J. Parsons Distinguished Professor of Biblical Interpretation. Dr. Anderson has published articles and reviews in numerous academic journals and contributed numerous articles to major reference works.
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