Nearly twenty years ago, Os Guinness and Eric Metaxas created a lecture series in New York which they named "Socrates in the City." Noting that, in light of Socrates's maxim that "the unexamined life is not worth living," New Yorkers live fast-paced, unexamined lives, Guinness and Metaxas wanted to create a forum to encourage New Yorkers to "think deeply about the big questions--or should I say, the Big Questions." In 2011, Metaxas gathered some of the best lectures from the series in Socrates in the City: Conversations on "Life, God, and Other Small Topics." (It was later released as Life, God, and Other Small Topics: Conversations from Socrates in the City.)
The range of topics and background of the speakers is broad, including theologians, scientists, political figures, philosophers, and Metaxas himself. I particularly enjoyed hearing from John Polkinghorne and Frances Collins. Both are renowned scientists who are leaders in their fields and whose lives and writings testify against the belief that faith in God and science are irreconcilable. Charles Colson, as always, inspires with his stories. And Metaxas, speaking about his research for his book about Bonhoeffer, sheds light on a modern martyr. Every talk in this collection was compelling, and every speaker captivating.
The printed version of Socrates in the City captures Metaxas's hilarious introductions to the speakers, as well as the talks and the Q&A with the audience. But the audio version is so much better, with the actual recordings from the event, the crowd response, and Metaxas's banter. The Socrates in the City talks are still going on (https://www.socratesinthecity.com/). Next time I'm heading to NYC, I'll have to see if I can get in for a talk. I am certain it would be a stimulating evening.
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