Hope and Authentic Religion

“Reflections on Hope and Authentic Religion”
5:00 - 6:30pm

Click here for the PDF flyer for this event.
Click here for the PowerPoint file for Dr. Wilson's talk. 

This talk will argue that authentic religion includes a number of characteristics such as soteriology, meaning, hope, and spirituality accompanied by comments from the work of Rabbi Harold Kushner on the subject of authentic religion. In addition, it will reflect the thought of Jurgen Moltmann from his two books, Theology of Hope and The Crucified God.  It will begin with generic comment on major religions moving to Christianity specifically. Christian Hope rests solidly on a faithful and loving God in the resurrection of Jesus with its impact for human destiny.

Before joining Sam Houston State, Wilson served as Fellow at the University of St. Thomas Center for Faith and Culture. Wilson organized various events for the Center including lectures by Fr. George Coyne, S.J., President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, entitled, “A Continuing Exploration of the Fertility of the Universe,” Professor Charles M. Wood, Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine at the Perkins School of Theology at SMU, entitled “Providence and the Problem of Evil,” Professor John Haught, Senior Fellow of Science and Religion at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, entitled “Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake.” Coyne returned in Spring 2010 along with Professor Francisco J. Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine and recipient of the 2010 Templeton Prize, for a series of lectures with University of St. Thomas science faculty and students, students from the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese in the Strake Jesuit High School Parsley Center, and the public event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science IMAX theatre. Ayala addressed the “Evolutionary Origin of Malaria” and Coyne “The Evolutionary Universe.” Both spoke on the topics of “Can I Be Christian and a Scientist?” and “Science and Religion.”

Previously, Wilson served as Associate Pastor for Evangelism at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, assistant research professor in particle physics at the University of Houston, and professor and adjunct professor of physics at Houston Community College and the University of St. Thomas respectively. Wilson holds degrees of Ph.D. University of Houston, M.S. Physics Drexel Institute of Technology, M.T.S. Theological Studies Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. M.S. Industrial Management Purdue University, and B.S. Electrical Engineering University of Tennessee. Wilson was elected to Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Scholastic Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Honor Society, and Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges and is a member of American Physical Society, American Association of Physics Teachers, and The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science.

Parking is free.  Register via the link below or by calling Jerri Doctor at 713-797-0600.