Gifford Lecture Series

Gifford Lecture Series The Gifford Lecture Series fosters reflection on religion, science, & philosophy. giffordlectures.org

The prestigious Gifford Lectureships were established by Adam Lord Gifford (1820–1887), a senator of the College of Justice in Scotland. The purpose of Lord Gifford's bequest to the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews and Aberdeen was to sponsor lectures to “promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term—in other words, the knowledge of God”. Since th

e first lecture in 1888, Gifford Lecturers have been recognized as pre-eminent thinkers in their respective fields. Among the many gifted lecturers are Hannah Arendt, Niels Bohr, Etienne Gilson, Werner Heisenberg, William James, Max Mueller, Iris Murdoch, Reinhold Niebuhr, Albert Schweitzer and Alfred North Whitehead.

The challenge of determining the character of a religion.
08/26/2026

The challenge of determining the character of a religion.

Mary Beard is a renowned British classicist, historian, and academic known for her expertise in ancient history, particu...
08/24/2026

Mary Beard is a renowned British classicist, historian, and academic known for her expertise in ancient history, particularly in Roman civilization.

104 and counting!
08/21/2026

104 and counting!

John Caird poses a question.
08/19/2026

John Caird poses a question.

Paul Tillich was a German-born American theologian and philosopher best known for his discussions of God and faith, inte...
08/17/2026

Paul Tillich was a German-born American theologian and philosopher best known for his discussions of God and faith, interlacing traditional Christianity and modern culture.

Lord Gifford didn't live to see the first Gifford Lectures.
08/14/2026

Lord Gifford didn't live to see the first Gifford Lectures.

Do you agree?
08/12/2026

Do you agree?

Nathan Söderblom was a Swedish clergyman and theologian who made significant contributions to the field of ecumenism and...
08/10/2026

Nathan Söderblom was a Swedish clergyman and theologian who made significant contributions to the field of ecumenism and inter-church cooperation.

You can visit Adam Lord Gifford's resting place at Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh.
08/07/2026

You can visit Adam Lord Gifford's resting place at Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh.

How does natural theology influence our understanding of the relationship between human inquiry, reason, and the explora...
08/05/2026

How does natural theology influence our understanding of the relationship between human inquiry, reason, and the exploration of theological concepts?

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