The fatal polytheism of late liberalism

The fatal polytheism of late liberalism

Oliver O’Donovan on the failure that leads to social collapse, marked by conflict, suspicion, and violence
Insisting that political leaders are incapable of obeying Christ

Insisting that political leaders are incapable of obeying Christ

Oliver O’Donovan on the unintended consequences of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The gift of objective reality

The gift of objective reality

Moral philosopher Oliver O’Donovan makes an argument for the consistency of the idea of law when it is conceived in a theological context. (40 minutes)
Freedom as conformity to reality

Freedom as conformity to reality

W. Bradford Littlejohn summarizes the definitions of liberty offered by Richard Bauckham and Oliver O’Donovan
The sovereignty of love

The sovereignty of love

In this 2022 lecture, Oliver O’Donovan explains the historical background — and present consequences — of the assertion by Jesus of two great commands. (67 minutes)
O'Donovan, Oliver

O’Donovan, Oliver

FROM THE GUEST PAGE: Oliver O’Donovan held teaching posts at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Wycliffe College Toronto before becoming Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology and Canon of Christ Church at the University of Oxford in 1982.
Why kings are compelling

Why kings are compelling

Historian Francis Oakley describes how the modern idea of “secular” politics is a striking departure in human history. (32 minutes)
Conscience seared with a red-hot iron

Conscience seared with a red-hot iron

Oliver O'Donovan on the convicting role of a good conscience
Culture in light of Easter

Culture in light of Easter

Oliver O'Donovan rejects a gnostic reading of redemption
Religion within the bounds of citizenship

Religion within the bounds of citizenship

In a 2006 lecture, Oliver O’Donovan argues that the conventional way of describing Western civil society creates obstacles to the participation of believers (Muslim, Christian, and other). (68 minutes)
The purpose of government and God’s eternal purpose

The purpose of government and God’s eternal purpose

Philip Turner on understanding the state in light of the eschatological reality of the Church
Politics in light of the Ascension

Politics in light of the Ascension

Oliver O’Donovan on the necessity of situating all political authority within redemptive history
A foretaste of the kingdom of God

A foretaste of the kingdom of God

Oliver O’Donovan on the sovereignty of love
Loving relationships in community

Loving relationships in community

In conversation with moral philosopher Oliver O’Donovan, and with readings from his book, Entering into Rest, Ken Myers explores a central theme in O’Donovan’s work: that we are created to enjoy loving relationships in community. (27 minutes)
The first virtue of citizenship: Taking the law seriously

The first virtue of citizenship: Taking the law seriously

Oliver O’Donovan reflects on how the reality of the Kingship of Christ must be affirmed as a present reality
Reasoning about values

Reasoning about values

Revisiting a 1974 text that examined the mutual animosities of the 1960s
“Whose kingdom shall have no end”

“Whose kingdom shall have no end”

Oliver O’Donovan and his mentor, George B. Caird, offer lessons from the book of Revelation for thinking about politics
The social context of freedom

The social context of freedom

Brad Littlejohn talks about the necessity of a more expansive understanding of freedom, one which recognizes that we are really only free within the social experience of shared meaning and mutual recognition. (17 minutes)
Impact of "infotainment" on community

Impact of “infotainment” on community

From 1999 Journal interviews, Neal Gabler and C. John Summerville discuss how the mentalities conveyed by our experience with communications media work against the nurturing of community. Ken Myers also reads related excerpts from George Steiner and Oliver O'Donovan. (33 minutes)
The Kingdom of God and the kings of the earth

The Kingdom of God and the kings of the earth

In a 90-minute conversation with Matthew Lee Anderson and Ken Myers, Oliver O’Donovan explains some of the central themes of his work in political theology. (91 minutes)