Academic Activities

Past Talk- Feb 25th, 2025

Can we be good without God? 沒有天主，我們能成爲好人嗎？

普通話主講| Language: Mandarin 

Date 日期：February 25th, 2025 (Tuesday)

Time 時間：19:00-20:30 

Venue 地點：Rm 911, 9/F, Christian Education Centre, HSH Campus 善衡校園 基督教教育中心9樓911室

Speaker 講員：Dr. Thomas Cai 蔡翼倫博士 

*This activity is CCL Recognized. *活動為聯通課程（CCL） 

(Due to the overwhelming response of the activity, all reservations are full. Thank you for your support. )

*Participants who successfully registered the event will receive a confirmation email a few days before the event. 成功報名者將於活動前收到確認電郵。* 

Abstract 摘要

Whether human beings can do any good without God was at the heart of the controversy on grace in Christian theology. The Catholic theological tradition endeavoured to balance the human natural capacity to do good and God’s grace. From the 16th century onwards, the encounter with non-Christians in America and Asia enriched the Catholic understanding of virtues in non-Christians. The lecture will explore from the Catholic perspective the question of whether — and, if so, to what extent humans can do any good by their power unaided by God.  It will also discuss the Catholic perspective on the values of good work performed by non-Christians.

人類是否能夠在沒有天主的狀況下行善是基督教思想史上的爭議焦點之一。天主教的思想傳統堅持如下兩點：人類自然本性中具有行善的能力，以及天主的恩寵助佑人行善。自十六世紀以降，在美洲與亞洲和非基督宗教的相遇促使天主教進一步審視在非基督徒身上所實踐出的德性。本講座將介紹天主教思想中對人類基於自己本性能力行善可能性的理解，並從天主教神學角度探討這些善行的價值。

Past Talk-March 25th, 2025

【25th March】Are human beings just machines? Do we disappear when we die?
 論人機之別: 我們死後會消失嗎？

英文及普通話主講 |English lecture and Mandarin 

Date 日期: March 25th, 2025 (Tuesday)
Time 時間：19:00-20:30 
Venue 地點：Rm 911, 9/F, Christian Education Centre, HSH Campus, HKBU 香港浸會大學 善衡校園 基督教教育中心9樓911室
Speaker 講員：Rev. Dr. Edmond Eh, OP

Abstract 摘要

It is possible to view the human simply as a superior kind of animal. Animals are creatures that are primarily driven by their biological instincts. It is also possible to see the human as a type of machine. Machines are things that are necessarily governed by the laws of physics. In this talk, I shall present some arguments to view humans as intrinsically different from the other beings in the universe since they are rational and responsible creatures. Human beings are spiritual creatures because the powers of reason and free will are immaterial in nature.

我們可以將人類視為一種高級動物。動物是主要由其生物本能驅動的生物。我們也可以將人類視為一種機器。機器是必然受物理定律支配的事物。在這次演講中，我將提出一些論點，將人類視為與宇宙中其他生物有着本質的不同，因為他們是理性和負責任的生物。人類是精神生物，因為理性和自由意志的力量在本質上是非物質的。

Past Talk- 22nd May

【22nd May】Does it matter what kind of Christian we are?Should Christians try to convert one another?
我們信奉任何基督教宗派都可以嗎? 基督徒該說服彼此改信自己所屬宗派嗎？

英語主講| English

Date 日期： May 22nd, 2025 (Thursday)
Time 時間：19:00-20:30 
Venue 地點：Rm 911, Christian Education Centre (CEC911), HSH Campus, HKBU
Speaker 講員：Rev. Dr. Stephen Morgan

*This activity is CCL Recognized. *活動為聯通課程（CCL） 

Abstract 摘要

It is a common experience of the Catholic student in university to be approached by non-Catholic Christians seeking to convert them. Sometimes it’s the subtle invitation, at others the direct challenge. How should the Catholic respond? Is it appropriate behaviour? Should the Catholic respond in kind? This talk will look at these questions starting from the premise that the Catholic Church is, in St John Henry Newman’s expression, the One Fold of the Redeemer. Grounding a response in the virtues of charity, patience and forbearance, it will propose a response to Protestant proselytising and suggest a response based on an evangelical friendship. Looking at Newman’s fifth University Sermon, entitled “Personal Influence, the means of propagating the Truth,” it will argue that the only sure structure for the missionary disciple and the best possible response to the proselytising efforts of others is “always to be ready to give an account of the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)