Spring Break
Lawyer to speak on faith, human rights
Alison Roberts
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
John Warwick Montgomery, theologian and lawyer, will argue for the verity of the resurrection and the role of religion in understanding human rights in two lectures next week.
Montgomery will speak at the annual Faith in Life Lecture Series sponsored by the department of philosophy and religion at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 and at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, in Phillips Auditorium.
In his first lecture, entitled "A Lawyer's Defense of the Christian Faith," Montgomery will argue the truth of the Christianity and the resurrection through the use of legal standards of evidence.
"I imagine that students would be interested to see the connection between law and theology," Montgomery said. "If we can show from a legal stand point that Christianity is sound, then that's a very powerful argument."
His second lecture, "Why Human Rights are Impossible Without Religion," will touch on the necessity of religion in any meaningful understanding of human rights.
Montgomery, who had two doctorates and five other degrees by the time he was 33, was head of the church history program as well as head librarian at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where Thomas Burke, Hillsdale's chairman of the philosophy and religion department, studied.
"He's kind of a genius," Burke said. "He's written over 50 books in five languages. He was a very interesting guy and very intense as a teacher. He always insisted on precision. He inspired me to go into academia."
Equally impressive as his educational background is Montgomery's experience in international law. Montgomery, a British barrister and French advocate with dual U.S. and British citizenship, has argued before the Supreme Court as well as French and British courts. He specializes in the defense of human rights.
Montgomery said he will spend about a half an hour with those students interested in law in a question and answer session following the lectures. He will explain the differences in legal practices among Europe, England, the United States and international tribunals such as the European Court of Human Rights.
Junior Anna Williams, president of Catholic Society, plans on attending both lectures and said the top-ics of Montgomery's lectures sounded very interesting.
"These issues are relevant to everyone-not just those interested in studying law," Williams said. "I think it's important to explain the truth of the Christian message to people who don't accept the Bible as a legitimate source."
Montgomery will speak at the annual Faith in Life Lecture Series sponsored by the department of philosophy and religion at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 and at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, in Phillips Auditorium.
In his first lecture, entitled "A Lawyer's Defense of the Christian Faith," Montgomery will argue the truth of the Christianity and the resurrection through the use of legal standards of evidence.
"I imagine that students would be interested to see the connection between law and theology," Montgomery said. "If we can show from a legal stand point that Christianity is sound, then that's a very powerful argument."
His second lecture, "Why Human Rights are Impossible Without Religion," will touch on the necessity of religion in any meaningful understanding of human rights.
Montgomery, who had two doctorates and five other degrees by the time he was 33, was head of the church history program as well as head librarian at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where Thomas Burke, Hillsdale's chairman of the philosophy and religion department, studied.
"He's kind of a genius," Burke said. "He's written over 50 books in five languages. He was a very interesting guy and very intense as a teacher. He always insisted on precision. He inspired me to go into academia."
Equally impressive as his educational background is Montgomery's experience in international law. Montgomery, a British barrister and French advocate with dual U.S. and British citizenship, has argued before the Supreme Court as well as French and British courts. He specializes in the defense of human rights.
Montgomery said he will spend about a half an hour with those students interested in law in a question and answer session following the lectures. He will explain the differences in legal practices among Europe, England, the United States and international tribunals such as the European Court of Human Rights.
Junior Anna Williams, president of Catholic Society, plans on attending both lectures and said the top-ics of Montgomery's lectures sounded very interesting.
"These issues are relevant to everyone-not just those interested in studying law," Williams said. "I think it's important to explain the truth of the Christian message to people who don't accept the Bible as a legitimate source."
Be the first to comment on this story