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English L'Abri

English L'Abri

By L'Abri Fellowship

Lectures old and new from workers and guest lecturers at English L'Abri, a residential study center and community open to guests seeking a welcoming place to ask life’s many questions. For more information, visit englishlabri.org
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Freedom and Limitations: Humans in the Created Order (Gavin McGrath)

English L'AbriFeb 29, 2020

00:00
01:12:05
True Truth in a Post Truth Culture (Jim Paul)

True Truth in a Post Truth Culture (Jim Paul)

This lecture will explore the continuing relevance of Schaeffer’s concept of true truth.

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Jul 03, 202101:46:23
Towards Maturity: Growth with a Purpose (Joel Barricklow)
Jun 26, 202101:48:13
John’s World or How One is Shaped by Powerful Narratives—Part 2 (Dirk Jongkind)

John’s World or How One is Shaped by Powerful Narratives—Part 2 (Dirk Jongkind)

Building on the idea of a clear literary strategy in the Gospel of John, we will look at the thought-world that forms the basis of the Gospel. How do the Hebrew Scriptures shape John’s language? How does the author think about God speaking in his days, and about his own role in this? There is a literary strategy in how John deals with these questions, with some familiar and some unexpected results.

You can find Part 1 of this lecture series here.

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.



Jun 26, 202101:31:50
No Little People, No Little Places Revisited (Peter Merz)

No Little People, No Little Places Revisited (Peter Merz)

For many of us, the question of calling and significance looms large.  Our culture struggles with questions of equality and hierarchy.  In this lecture, we will re-examine one of Francis Schaeffer's most well-known sermons and discuss being small and yet significant because we are consecrated to God in the place where we are.

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Jun 13, 202101:30:24
Why is Mummy Playing In The Sandbox? The Impact Of Therapeutic Culture On The Way We Raise Children (Merran Paul)

Why is Mummy Playing In The Sandbox? The Impact Of Therapeutic Culture On The Way We Raise Children (Merran Paul)

The way we raise our children has changed significantly since the late 1970s. We’ll explore the impact of Therapeutic culture on the way we see our children and the task of parenting.


For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Jun 05, 202101:44:33
50 years of L’Abri in Greatham - A Conversation With founder of English L’Abri Ranald Macaulay

50 years of L’Abri in Greatham - A Conversation With founder of English L’Abri Ranald Macaulay

2021 is the 50th anniversary of L’Abri here in Greatham. Current director Jim Paul will be in conversation with Ranald Macaulay, who together with his wife Susan founded English L’Abri, exploring the story of how English L’Abri started and the enduring legacy of Francis and Edith Schaeffer.


For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

May 29, 202101:30:02
Discerning Visions and Illusions in Political Life (David Koyzis)

Discerning Visions and Illusions in Political Life (David Koyzis)

Although many people think that political life is a neutral zone walled off from religion, it is actually in the grip of competing visions, each of which tells its own story of salvation.


For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

May 29, 202101:12:06
Liberty and Justice for Women? Christianity and the Development of Feminism (Mardi Keyes)
Mar 29, 202101:43:08
The Lord's Work in the Lord's Way: A Call to Rediscover the Importance of Means, Not Just Ends, in an Increasingly Outcome-Oriented Culture (Jim Paul)
Mar 22, 202101:28:19
The Glory and Ruin of Human Beings—Thoughts on Francis Schaeffer and Psychology (Richard Winter)

The Glory and Ruin of Human Beings—Thoughts on Francis Schaeffer and Psychology (Richard Winter)

Reflections on how Francis Schaeffer and L’Abri shaped Richard Winter’s thinking in the relationship between theology, medicine, psychiatry and counseling.

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Mar 15, 202101:25:43
The Church Before the Watching World: Schaeffer’s Burdens (Andrew Fellows)

The Church Before the Watching World: Schaeffer’s Burdens (Andrew Fellows)

Forty years ago Francis Schaeffer urged the church to live up to its calling in order to be ‘fit for purpose’ in a post-Christian world.  The core of his message speaks with a relevance and vibrancy the church needs to hear more than ever. In this talk, we explore what ‘Schaeffer’s burdens’ were and why they are applicable today.

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Mar 10, 202101:27:44
Islam and Reformation (Arthur Keefer)

Islam and Reformation (Arthur Keefer)

The Protestant Reformation’s 500-year anniversary and recent calls to reform the religion of Islam prompt the question of what reformation might entail for Muslims. What has and what will reformation look like in Islam? Keefer considers this question by exploring the history of the religion and its theological tenets.
Mar 04, 202158:14
Surfing the Wave: Rapid Cultural Change and the Transgender Agenda (Jim Paul)
Mar 04, 202101:21:50
Beyond Male and Female—Searching for a Deeper Meaning in the Contemporary Gender Debate (Jim Paul)

Beyond Male and Female—Searching for a Deeper Meaning in the Contemporary Gender Debate (Jim Paul)

The current gender debate often flattens out the meaning of gender - male and female are merely the result of evolutionary developments and therefore we can construct and reconstruct gender in any way we see fit. But the Bible sees a deeper meaning behind gender, as well as giving a more nuanced account of our experience of what it means to be male and female.
Mar 04, 202156:43
Creatures Together—Schaeffer's Ecology For Today (In Dialogue With John MacArthur and Richard Powers) (By Phillip Johnston)
Feb 22, 202101:51:35
What On Earth Is Heaven? Book Launch and Interview with Jim Paul, Andrew Peterson, and Mary McCampbell

What On Earth Is Heaven? Book Launch and Interview with Jim Paul, Andrew Peterson, and Mary McCampbell

To celebrate release of his new book, What On Earth Is Heaven?, we present a discussion on the theme of heaven between Jim Paul, Dr Mary McCampbell (associate Professor of Humanities, Lee University and Andrew Peterson (singer/songwriter, author and co-founder of The Rabbit Room) with Lindsey Patton facilitating. 

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Feb 22, 202101:52:10
The God Who Is Here: Against Christian Materialism (Andy Patton)
Feb 17, 202101:52:31
The Challenge and Gift of Hospitality (Lois Lindholm)

The Challenge and Gift of Hospitality (Lois Lindholm)

Exploring ethical and theological understandings of hospitality.

-Lois Lindholm, Former L'Abri Worker

For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.

Feb 15, 202101:32:46
The Duty to Be Curious (Ben Keyes)
Nov 08, 202001:59:11
‘Plato, the Professor and the Real Narnia': Exploring the Relationship of Heaven and Earth in CS Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles. (Jim Paul)
Oct 24, 202001:39:45
Mapping Reality (Marsh Moyle and Josue Reichow)

Mapping Reality (Marsh Moyle and Josue Reichow)

What is a Map? How does it work and what does it do? In a general way, maps help us to orient ourselves. As we talk about this broad category such as reality, is it even possible to map it? This panel will explore the way we engage, think and represent the world around us, reflecting on the different sources we use to make sense of everything that is around us.
For more lectures, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at
labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over one thousand lectures and discussions which explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. We ask you to respect the copyright for this audio file which belongs to L’Abri Fellowship. Please note that views expressed in the lecture and discussion times do not necessarily represent the views of L’Abri Fellowship.
Oct 17, 202001:38:06
The Birth of the Social Sciences and the Human Search for Meaning (Josue Reichow)
Oct 10, 202001:50:38
Toward a More Grateful Life (Tom Smiley)

Toward a More Grateful Life (Tom Smiley)

In the last 20 years the world seems to have rediscovered the concept of gratitude, and found to its surprise that it is strongly related to health and well-being.We will look at the science that has explored this, including a quick assessment of our own gratitude levels, and consider the overlap with the age-old Christian understanding of the concept, which emphasises seeing ourselves as receivers of gifts. How can we employ gratitude in every possible way in our lives?
Tom Smiley, Psychologist
Mar 07, 202001:08:17
Freedom and Limitations: Humans in the Created Order (Gavin McGrath)

Freedom and Limitations: Humans in the Created Order (Gavin McGrath)

What is genuine human flourishing and how do we come close to experiencing such? Chiefly drawing upon Scripture but with secondary insights from Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wendell Berry, and James K.A. Smith, this lecture may point us in the right direction.
Gavin McGrath, Associate Rector at St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks
Feb 29, 202001:12:05
Is Sin Plausible in the Modern World? (Andrew Fellows)

Is Sin Plausible in the Modern World? (Andrew Fellows)

Christians don’t have the monopoly on seeing what’s wrong with the world. This talk examines three secular sin labels as a diagnosis of the problem. Each adds something significant to our understanding of why everything is so bent out of shape. While each of these labels are useful they are inadequate to the Bible's better diagnosis.
-Andrew Fellows, Director of Christian Heritage Cambridge
Feb 15, 202001:25:31
Resilience—Keeping the Spring In Your Step (Edith Reitsema)

Resilience—Keeping the Spring In Your Step (Edith Reitsema)

What is resilience? Why is everybody on about it today? In our search for hope and meaning, we will also look at the art of G.F.Watts.
Feb 08, 202043:00
Intelligent Design for Idiots (Barry Seagren)

Intelligent Design for Idiots (Barry Seagren)

An introduction to the background and the claims of the Intelligent Design movement.
Feb 01, 202001:31:33
Exploring ‘Subject-Object Relational Reality’ (Jim Paul)

Exploring ‘Subject-Object Relational Reality’ (Jim Paul)

This lecture will explore the relationship of subjective experience to the objective world around us. Jim will be using C.S. Lewis’ argument in the first chapter of “The Abolition of Man” to develop the idea that reality is found in the relationship between subject and object.
Jim Paul, L’Abri Worker
Jan 18, 202001:18:25
Responsing in Faith to a Hostile World (Stuart Parker)

Responsing in Faith to a Hostile World (Stuart Parker)

Whereas Christianity once shaped the values of our culture, the historical Christian view on matters of personal choice (such as sexual morality and the value of human life) is now increasingly seen as fundamentalist and immoral. Do we look to this future with fear or excitement? Should Christians react with compromise, withdrawal, silence or assertiveness? We will review these options and look at how biblical characters responded to opposition and how we can respond to the challenge.
Nov 24, 201901:26:40
The Companionship of Shostakovich:  Why The Music Of An Atheist Member Of The Soviet Union’s Communist Party Should Matter To A Christian Believer (Mark Meynell)

The Companionship of Shostakovich: Why The Music Of An Atheist Member Of The Soviet Union’s Communist Party Should Matter To A Christian Believer (Mark Meynell)

Dmitri Shostakovich is arguably the greatest composer of the 20th century. There is not a musical form he couldn’t write for. But his brilliance made him an easy target in Stalin’s Soviet Union, especially when ruled by a dictator who fancied himself an aesthete. His lifelong battle was to preserve his artistic integrity at the same time as avoiding the gulag and execution. Amid intolerable suffering, he somehow composed some of the most powerful and sublime comforts for others who suffer.
Nov 23, 201901:40:26
The Darkness Is As Light To You: An Evening With Stephen King (Andy Patton)

The Darkness Is As Light To You: An Evening With Stephen King (Andy Patton)

Stephen King has written 61 novels, has won numerous literary awards, has had more film adaptations made of his work than any living author, and has been called the “Master of Horror”.
If a task of the Christian is to seek and treasure God’s goodness, truth, and beauty wherever they are found, how should Christians interact with King’s work and with the horror genre in general? This lecture will explore King’s oeuvre, his life, and why our culture is so fascinated with the products of his strange and delightful imagination.
Nov 15, 201901:33:46
Stalking Joy: Three Priests In Search Of God (Andrew Jones)

Stalking Joy: Three Priests In Search Of God (Andrew Jones)

This lecture will explore the nature of faith in Christ as expressed by three clergy in three recent TV shows, Rev, Broken and Fleabag. We’ll reflect on doubt, brokenness and the erotic as experiences in which we might know God.
Nov 15, 201901:26:03
Is God A Populist? Identity, Politics And The Christian (Henk Reitsema)

Is God A Populist? Identity, Politics And The Christian (Henk Reitsema)

Populism has brought a special kind of confusion for Christians, especially as Christian values can be part of the rhetoric of populism. Which loyalties, if any, should Christians feel in all of this? How should Christians respond to their cultural moment while remaining rooted in the reality of their identities in God?
Henk Reitsema, L’Abri Worker – The Netherlands
Oct 26, 201901:31:33
Power and the Kingdom of God: A Study of Matthew 1-4 (Marsh Moyle)
Oct 19, 201901:22:29
Reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life - Part 2 (Josue Reichow)

Reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life - Part 2 (Josue Reichow)

Figure of fame and controversy, Jordan Peterson is loved and hated with the same intensity for the polarizing views he expresses. In this lecture, we will continue the discussion of his rules for life, looking at their philosophical and theological framework trying to understand what he is saying and why it’s been so influential and try to offer a Christian response to some of the ideas he’s developed.
Oct 05, 201901:39:09
Good Expectations: Encountering Disappointment And Risking Goodness (Joel Barricklow)

Good Expectations: Encountering Disappointment And Risking Goodness (Joel Barricklow)

Every disappointment is an expectation revealed. Should we get rid of them altogether or can we expect good things in a broken world? We’ll work towards a recipe for healthy, realistic and resilient expectations that aim for the good life while taking into account our often painful and disappointing reality.
Sep 28, 201901:31:23
I Feel, Therefore I Am (Jim Paul)

I Feel, Therefore I Am (Jim Paul)

We are undergoing an ‘affective revolution’ in which our feelings define reality. This is driving much of the current debates around gender, but it also affects many other areas of our lives. What is the status of statements of our feelings in relationship to truth and reality outside of ourselves?
Sep 21, 201901:25:52
Where Do They All Belong? A Reflection On Loneliness (Lili Reichow)

Where Do They All Belong? A Reflection On Loneliness (Lili Reichow)

Made to be in relationship with the Creator and with others, humans are meant to share life. The reality of loneliness in contemporary society is keeping many from this essential aspect of life. In this lecture, we will discuss the reasons for the rise of loneliness, its effects on individuals and communities and how can we respond to the challenge.
Jul 27, 201901:38:41
Tolkien’s Table Motif and the Importance of Positive Cultural Liturgies (Arthur Hunt)

Tolkien’s Table Motif and the Importance of Positive Cultural Liturgies (Arthur Hunt)

This lecture addresses the significance of J. R. R. Tolkien’s table motif as not only a time to enjoy the feast but also an opportunity to replenish the soul. In both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings the sharing of meals are episodes of wonder, hospitality, and renewal in contrast to the travail and despair of the road. Furthermore, Tolkien’s table motif signals the importance of establishing positive cultural liturgies in our age of distraction.
-Arthur W. Hunt III, Professor of Communications at The University of Tennessee at Martin
Jul 20, 201901:19:01
Edvard Munch's 'The Scream': A Cry That Echoes Through Creation (Nigel Halliday)

Edvard Munch's 'The Scream': A Cry That Echoes Through Creation (Nigel Halliday)

Why is Munch’s iconic image still so popular today? Why does it resonate so powerfully with us? Some reflections on the work of Edvard Munch and the current exhibition at the British Museum.
Jul 20, 201901:24:36
Reading Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life - Part 1 (Josue Reichow)

Reading Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life - Part 1 (Josue Reichow)

Figure of fame and controversy, Jordan Peterson is loved and hated with the same intensity for the polarizing views he expresses. In this lecture, we will discuss the first six rules of his most famous book, looking at their philosophical and theological framework trying to understand what he is saying and why it’s been so influential and try to offer a Christian response to some of the ideas he’s developed.
Jul 03, 201901:33:42
The Art of Looking for Beauty (Edith Reitsema)
Jun 22, 201950:30
Creatures of Our Own Devising—A Critique of the Modern Self (Andy Patton)
Jun 22, 201901:30:08
John Stott: The Man and His Legacy

John Stott: The Man and His Legacy

Legacy is best judged after 20 or 30 years or more, but there are elements of a lasting ministry which are evident much sooner. Julia Cameron will outline John Stott’s life and point to some of its effects which are already visible. He was, she argues, a man of colossal influence, like his mentor, Charles Simeon.
May 18, 201901:22:49
The Multiple Meanings of Life: Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd's philosophy (Part 3) (Josué Reichow)

The Multiple Meanings of Life: Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd's philosophy (Part 3) (Josué Reichow)

This lecture will continue a series on the Dutch Christian philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd. We will explore the way humans experience reality in all its various facets. Dooyeweerd’s Christian ontology is a powerful perspective which challenges contemporary perspectives that reduce and degrade life.
Apr 15, 201901:30:46
Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher—Part 2 (Josué Reichow)

Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher—Part 2 (Josué Reichow)

Apr 03, 201901:27:02
Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher—Part 1 (Josué Reichow)

Understanding Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher—Part 1 (Josué Reichow)

Apr 03, 201901:20:45
The Psalm Code—Genesis Imagery in the Psalms (Andy Patton)

The Psalm Code—Genesis Imagery in the Psalms (Andy Patton)

Can you understand the Psalms without understanding the first two chapters of Genesis? Much of the imagery of the Psalms is built upon a handful of core images found in Genesis that appear again and again in the Psalter and throughout Scripture. We will look at where these metaphors come from, how they have shaped biblical poetry, and what they reveal about God himself.
Apr 03, 201901:26:26
What's Caritas Got To Do, Got To Do With It? Love & Christian Ethics (Marc LiVecche)

What's Caritas Got To Do, Got To Do With It? Love & Christian Ethics (Marc LiVecche)

What is love? What does it have to do with the ethical life of the Christian? What is at stake when we get love wrong? In an age in which love seems increasingly sentimental and maudlin, this talk aims at a course correction by first proposing a framework for the character of Christian love and then applying the proposal to cases, including war.
Apr 03, 201958:39
Should I Stay? Exploring The Value Of Place In A Mobile & Virtual Culture (Joel Barricklow)

Should I Stay? Exploring The Value Of Place In A Mobile & Virtual Culture (Joel Barricklow)

As embodied creatures, to be human is to be in a particular place. But does it matter where that is? What value is there in committing to a place? We will consider the ideas shaping our decisions to stay or to go, to engage or to escape.
Mar 20, 201901:30:27