On Sunday June 1 at 10 a.m. we continued our Theology Talk series on Francis Spufford’s bold and unconventional book Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense. A recording of the class is available above.
Overview
In May and June we will have a series of talks on the topic “Faith Holds Even When Religions Doesn’t” on the basis of Francis Spufford’s bold and unconventional book Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense. You can download the schedule for these talks.
Rather than offering a traditional defense of doctrine, Spufford focuses on the felt experience of faith—its emotional weight, moral complexity, and the honest recognition of human failure. Through guided readings and discussions, we’ll examine themes like belief as emotional truth, the raw demands of love and grace, the role of power and failure in the Church, and why Jesus remains the theological and emotional center of the Christian story.
This Week’s Topic
When we talk about Jesus, we’re not just piecing together facts — we’re entering a story that people told because it changed their lives. Before anyone wrote about Jesus healing or teaching, they were already wrestling with what his life and death meant. This week explores how the earliest Christian texts are not biographies, but urgent attempts to make sense of Jesus as the emotional and theological center of faith. Recommended Reading: Chapter 5: “Yeshua” & Chapter 6: “Et Cetera”.
The Saint Thomas Theological Education Program
The Saint Thomas Theological Education Program is at the service of those who seek a deeper understanding of faith and want to nourish their worship and their prayer. The teaching is rooted in Scripture, Christian tradition and spirituality. The lecturers are The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia, Theologian in Residence, and internationally renowned guest speakers who are committed to making theology accessible to non-specialists. The classes are held on Sundays at 10 AM on the Fifth Floor of the Parish House and are streamed online. Additionally, recordings and handouts are made available for those who cannot attend the live sessions. For more information about our theology program and to receive links for weekly Sunday Theology Talks, please contact Fr. Gioia and register online.
