Tickets are now available for the 2022 Church of Ireland Theological Lecture at Queen’s University, which will be delivered by Professor Alister McGrath.  The lecture will take place on Monday April 4 at 6pm in the Isdell Courtyard at Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

A renowned scholar, theologian, author and communicator, Professor McGrath is the current Andreos Idreous Professor of Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford.

The 64th Theological Lecture will be the second time he has delivered the lecture, having spoken on ‘Rediscovering the Attraction of Christianity’ in 1996.  The author of over 50 books, Professor McGrath will this year lecture on ‘Theology: Why it matters to the academy and the Churches.’

In this lecture, Professor McGrath will explore why theology remains important for both the Christian Churches and the secular world, including the academy.  He will discuss the many facets of theology, exploring its relevance for Churches, understanding important works of art and literature, and for wider reflection on how we all reflect on life’s deepest questions.

Professor McGrath will reference the insights of his fellow Ulsterman, CS Lewis, on some of these questions.  The annual Theological Lectures are sponsored by the Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland).

Tea, coffee and shortbread will be available from 5.15pm on site.

Tickets are completely free and can be reserved here.

Travel arrangements

Unfortunately, due to ongoing construction work, car parking is currently unavailable on site. Various travel options are available:

• Train: The closest train station is Botanic, a 20-minute walk from Riddel Hall.
• Bus: Riddel Hall is located on Metro bus route 8A and 8D, on the corridor from Belfast City Centre. The nearest stop is Ridgeway Street, about a minute before passing Riddel Hall’s large black gates.
• Bicycle: Bike shelters are available at Riddel Hall. The nearest Belfast Bike dock is located at Stranmillis roundabout, a five-minute walk away.

About the lectures

Since 1957, the Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI) has sponsored lectures to challenge and stimulate the public discussion of theology amongst students and the general public.

In recent years, guest lecturers have included the Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; atmospheric scientist Prof Katherine Hayhoe; historian and scholar Prof Mark Noll; and theologian and astrophysicist, the Rev Prof David Wilkinson.

You can listen to these and other recent lectures, and read more about the history of the series, on this  dedicated page.