Wade Center Events

The Wade Center plans to record all events and upload them to our YouTube channel unless otherwise noted and barring any technical difficulties.

• JUNE 5, 2025 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  "The Wages of Cinema: Looking through the Lens of Dorothy L. Sayers" with Dr. Crystal Downing – talk and book signing for The Wages of Cinema A Christian Aesthetic of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers (IVP Academic, 2025)
  In a captivating realm where cinematic narratives enchant countless viewers, how can one harmonize their faith with the craft of filmmaking? Downing’s new book, The Wages of Cinema (IVP Academic) encourages a deep dive into this question, drawing upon Dorothy L. Sayers’ Trinitarian view of creativity and her enchantment with theater and film. The book uses examples ranging from the timeless genius of Charlie Chaplin to the cultural phenomenon of Barbie, illustrating how film theory can be enriched by the truths of the Christian faith.
  WATCH THE DOWNING EVENT LIVESTREAM
  
• SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 @ 1:30PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  “New-Heaven-and-Earthlings: On the Warrant of Speculative Literature” with Richard Hughes Gibson, a Homecoming Weekend Special Event
  The lecture will offer a mediation on the role of the imagination in fitting us for the New Heaven and New Earth with extensive help from George MacDonald, among other Wade authors.
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• OCTOBER 9, 2025 @ 7PM, ARMERDING CONCERT HALL
  Lecture by Tish Harrison Warren, sponsored by the Stephen & Marjorie Mead Endowment for Spiritual Formation
  Join us for a talk by Tish Harrison Warren on spiritual formation and the Wade Center authors.
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• OCTOBER 28, 2025 @ 7:30PM, ARMERDING CONCERT HALL AND LOBBY
  “A Timbered Choir”: The Witness of Creation - Performance and Reception
  Join us for an evening of music, poetry, and art celebrating the wonders and witness of creation, featuring the world premiere of “A Timbered Choir.” Composed by Joshua Rodriguez with words by Wendell Berry; performed by the Wheaton College Concert Choir under the direction of John William Trotter; with reflections by Kristen Page, Tiffany Kriner, and Joel Sheesley
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• DECEMBER 11, 2025 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  Christmas at the Wade
  Details forthcoming
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• JANUARY 29, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  “The Horn of Elfland: On Fairy-Story Justice” with Jim Beitler, first lecture in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series
  This lecture examines J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous “On Fairy-Stories” and other defenses of fantasy written by the Wade authors, exploring what their arguments reveal to us about the relationship between fantasy literature and matters of justice.
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• FEBRUARY 26, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  “The Hammer of God: Forging Forms of Fantasy Justice” with Jim Beitler, second lecture in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series
  Fantasy stories always present us with visions of justice. In this lecture, we’ll mine the Wade authors’ essays and stories for insights about how to read fantasy literature with questions of justice in mind.
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING
• MARCH 19, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
  “The Ring of Righteousness: Justice in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth” with Jim Beitler, third lecture in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series
  What vision of justice does J.R.R. Tolkien offer to readers in The Lord of the Rings? This lecture explores what the characters and communities of Middle-earth have to teach us about rights and wrongs, just and unjust societies, and what it means to give people their due.
  LIVESTREAM LINK FORTHCOMING