Christianity and World Civilization

At the dawn of the 20th century, theologian William Ernest Hocking projected a time when the fundamental tenets of Christianity would gradually permeate other societies, leading to a world of free-standing individuals prepared to fully participate in their times. He also believed that Christianity would become the foundation for a future world religion in a global civilization, a religion that would be civil and different from specific world religions.

On this week's show, we heard Leroy Rouner, author of three books on the philosophy of William Ernest Hocking and Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Religion at Boston University, analyze Hocking's vision of Christianity as it relates to current events and the 21st century. Afterwards, the Dean of Boston University's School of Theology, Robert Neville, responded to professor Rouner's comments.