When asked, “What defines the Catholic intellectual life?” most scholars will confidently answer, “Philosophy and theology of course.” However, distinguished scholar Dr. Chris Shannon will challenge this notion at UST-Houston’s Cullen Hall on Monday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. At that time, the speaker for the prestigious B.K. Smith Lecture in History Series will argue that it is history that is essential to understanding the nature of Christianity.  

Dr. Shannon’s talk is titled “The Road Not Taken: Christopher Dawson and The Place of History in Contemporary Catholic Intellectual Life.” The associate professor of History at Christendom College will share how 20th century Catholic intellectual Christopher Dawson determined that Christianity was not so much a faith with a history as it was a historical faith. Furthermore, Dawson contended that historical thinking provided the most effective language for talking about the faith since people no longer believed in universal truths proposed by philosophy.  

In this engaging and meaningful presentation, Dr. Shannon will, like Dawson, challenge Catholic philosophy’s emphasis on directing Catholic thought to the discernment of universal truths rooted in natural law.

“Proceeding from a robust understanding of the doctrine of the Incarnation,” Dr. Shannon said, “history’s emphasis on particularity … actually stands as its greatest strength both in understanding the true nature of Christianity and in communicating this truth to the non-Catholic world. In studying history, we encounter the diversity that enables us to become all things to all men, and so better to bring all men to Christ.”

All are invited to attend the April 22 Smith Lecture event, which is free of charge and open to the public.

Smith Lecture Series Background:

The family and friends of the late Benjamin Kopper Smith established the B.K. Smith Lecture in History in 1957. The series has brought distinguished scholars to the UST campus to lecture and hold informal discussions with students and faculty. B.K. Smith, a welding superintendent for the Pennsylvania Railroad, came to Texas in 1920 and founded the Big Three Welding and Equipment Company, which opened a Houston office in 1925. His contributions to Houston were many, and he remained active until his death in 1948, a year after UST was founded.