Professor Lucci invited to Lecture on John Locke by Christ Church, University of Oxford – Locke’s Alma Mater
Dr. Diego Lucci, Professor of Philosophy and History at AUBG, has been invited to give an online lecture on “John Locke and Socinianism” for Christ Church, a constituent college of the University of Oxford and Locke’s alma mater. This event, which is organized by Prof. Sarah Mortimer (University of Oxford), will be attended by scholars and fellows of Christ Church and by international experts in the field on Feb. 22. In his lecture, Professor Lucci will cover one of the topics addressed in his recent book, John Locke’s Christianity (Cambridge University Press, 2021).
Socinianism is an anti-Trinitarian and anti-Calvinist theological tradition begun by the Italian scholar Faustus Socinus (1539-1604) and continued by his Polish and German associates, the “Polish Brethren,” who were members of the Minor Reformed Church. Socinus and his disciples emphasized free will and moral works, endorsed religious liberty, and advocated non-violence and pacifism. This theological movement also influenced the development of Unitarianism in Great Britain and North America.
Locke’s writings on religion denote many similarities with the Socinians’ ideas concerning salvation, divine judgment, and the afterlife. However, Locke’s Scripture-based, original, heterodox version of Protestant Christianity diverged from Socinianism on several issue, particularly on the natural and revealed law and on Christ’s nature and mission. Therefore, although Locke agreed with the Socinians on various points, he was not a Socinian proper, as Professor Lucci has shown in his new book and as he will explain during his lecture for Christ Church.
This online event will take place in MS Teams on Monday, February 22, at h. 4.30pm GMT (h. 6.30pm, Bulgarian time). For more information, please contact Professor Lucci via email at dlucci@aubg.edu