About the Lecture: To See or Not to See? A Theology of the Future
What does it mean for Christians to think faithfully about the future? This lecture explores a theology of the future that looks beyond eschatology to the real human choices, responsibilities, and possibilities that shape our common life. It considers the growing value of foresight –the disciplined practice of anticipating emerging realities– and how Christians might understand imagining the future as an expression of prophetic wisdom rather than prediction or presumption. Drawing on Scripture, theology, and practice, the lecture examines how we understand the relationship between past and future, why Christians often hesitate to look ahead, and how we can avoid both fatalism and naïve optimism. It offers a thoughtful exploration of how God’s people can discern, imagine, and lean into preferred futures with courage and hope.
Details
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Knox College Chapel, 59 St. George Street, Toronto
Free admission · Reception to follow
Livestream available · Registration required
Join Us For A Chapel Service At 1:00 p.m.
Join us early for a chapel service at 1:00 p.m., where The Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins will be our guest preacher. All are welcome to attend.
About The Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins
Anna Robbins serves as President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology at Acadia University. A respected theologian with an international profile in culture, ethics, and public theology, she is widely sought as a speaker, teacher, and commentator. She appears regularly on podcasts and writes for both scholarly and popular audiences.
Anna holds degrees from Carleton University, Acadia University, and a PhD in Theology from the University of Wales. An ordained minister with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, she served in several churches before spending 12 years on faculty at the London School of Theology, consulting with organizations such as Theos, Christians in Politics, Tearfund, the London Intestate for Contemporary Christianity, the Evangelical Alliance, and the Baptist World Alliance. Since returning to Nova Scotia in 2012, she has held several leadership roles at Acadia Divinity College, including Academic Dean, Director of Doctoral Studies, Vice-President, and founding Director of the Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture. She holds the Dr. Millard R. Cherry Chair of Theology, Ethics and Culture and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Theological Schools.
Anna continues to write, travel, and speak with a passion for helping people engage faithfully and thoughtfully with contemporary culture, and lead with strategic vision. She lives in Wolfville with her husband, Peter, their son, David, and their Goldendoodle, Gatsby.
About the J. Dorcas Gordon Lectureship
The J. Dorcas Gordon Lectureship was established in June 2017 by the Knox College Board of Governors to honour Dr. Gordon's 18 years of service as Principal and her commitment to theological education. The lectureship provides a forum for exploring current trends in theological thinking and practice, fostering rigorous debate on issues vital to the church and academy.