An important Samford University distinctive is our shared belief that followers of Jesus Christ are called to bear the image of God and to recognize that sacred image in others.
An important aspect of the Christian identity is imago dei–Latin for the image of God–recognizing that all humans are made in the image of the Creator and are deserving of respect, dignity and love. It therefore follows that Christians are called by God to engage in respectful civil discourse, showing Christlike love and respect to everyone, most especially those with whom they disagree.
In an effort to address this issue, the Office of the Provost is pleased to sponsor a university-wide initiative, “Love Thy Neighbor: A Week-long Emphasis on Civil Discourse.” This will involve a number of meaningful opportunities for our employees and students to gather and reflect on the importance of civil discourse in our lives and how Christians, as image bearers of God, can best engage others with dignity and respect.
We hope you will plan to join us and participate in the week of events dedicated to this purpose.
Schedule of Events
Monday, March 21, 6-7 p.m.
Community Conversation Facilitated by Academic Deans
Charles M. Carson
Dean, Brock School of Business
Brock Forum
Anna McEwan
Dean, Orlean Beeson School of Education
OBB 232/233
Melondie R. Carter
Dean, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
CHS 1222
Convocation Credit Available
Tuesday, March 22, 10-11 a.m.
On Civil Discourse
Leslie S. Wright Center
Beck A. Taylor
President, Samford University
Convocation Credit Available
Tuesday, March 22, 6-7 p.m.
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels
Leslie S. Wright Center
Lecture featuring Pulitzer-prize winning author Jon Meacham
Convocation Credit Available
Wednesday, March 23, 2:30-4 p.m.
Living Christianity in a Polarized, “Us Against Them“ World
Reid Chapel
Cokiesha Bailey Robinson
Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, Grace College
Scott Sauls
Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville
Thomas Wilder
Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Birmingham
Convocation Credit Available
Thursday, March 24, 10-11 a.m.
Fishbowl Conversation: Civil Discourse in Christian Community
Brock Forum, Dwight Beeson Hall
Student-Led Discussion
Moderated by Chelsea Nicholson
Assistant Professor of Musical Theater
Convocation Credit Available
Friday, March 25, 12 p.m.-1p.m.
Civil Discourse on Campus Faculty Panel
Howard Room, University Center
(Reservation required; Boxed lunch will be provided)
Will Kynes
Director, Preministerial Scholars
Jennifer West
Director, Core Rhetoric and Seminar
Jonathan Den Hartog
Chair, Department of History
Greg Laughlin
Director, Law Library
Convocation Credit Available
*Note: We will add additional details to this site as programming is finalized.
Recommended Reading
- Timothy Keller and John Inazu. Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference. Thomas Nelson, 2021.
- Jon Meacham. The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels. Random House, 2018.
- Richard J. Mouw. Adventures in Evangelical Civility. Brazos, 2016.
- Amy E. Black, ed. Five Views on the Church and Politics. Zondervan, 2015.
- Amy E. Black. Honoring God in Red or Blue: Approaching Politics with Humility, Grace, and Reason. Moody, 2012.
- Ben Mitchell, Carla D. Sanderson, and Gregory A. Thornbury, eds. Convictional Civility: Engaging the Culture in the 21st Century. B & H, 2015.
- Richard J. Mouw. Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World. IVP, 2011.
- Scott Sauls. A Gentle Answer: Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them. Thomas Nelson, 2020.
- Miroslav Volf. Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation, rev. ed. Abingdon, 2019.
- Scott Sauls Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides. Tyndale House, 2015.