Biographies of Speakers on Video

 The Rev. Dr. Lewis Smedes (1921-2002) was a professor of theology and ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California from 1968 till his retirement in 1995.  Before that he served for several years in church pastoral ministry (he was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church throughout his career) and taught religion and theology for ten years at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

     Dr. Smedes is most well-known as the best-selling author of over fifteen books on Christian life.  His ground-breaking book, Forgive and Forget, sold nearly a million copies.  His final book, My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir, was published posthumously in 2003. His deep faith, his kindness and compassion, his keen insights into our human struggles, his practical application of the Bible, and his compelling use of words has endeared Lew Smedes to hundreds of thousands of readers.

Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Yale University.  After teaching for 30 years in the Philosophy Department at Calvin College, Dr. Wolterstorff taught for 13 years in the Philosophy Department at Yale University.  A world-renowned Christian philosopher, he is the author of numerous books on topics of Christian education, aesthetics, and justice.

The Rev. Dr. Mel White was a colleague of Dr. Lewis Smedes at Fuller Theological Seminary, where Mel taught preaching.  He also worked as a ghost-writer for a number of prominent Christian leaders in America.  Then in 1994 he came out as a gay Christian in his book Stranger at the Gate.  Dr. White now devotes his life to working for justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in Christian churches through the organization he founded and serves as director, Soulforce.

Selected Books by Speakers

By Lewis Smedes

The Art of Forgiving

Demonstrates the art of forgiving when forgiving may seem impossible.  Explores the processes of release and healing.

Caring and Commitment: Learning to Live the Love We Promise

Focuses on the importance of keeping promises made, plus guidelines for making solid commitments based on a consistency of moral values.

Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

The process of healing, broken into four stages, with real-life accounts of forgiveness.

How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong?

“provides faith-filled consolation for troubled souls.''—Sojourners

Love Within Limits: Realizing Selfless Love in a Selfish World

A brilliant and tender look at I Corinthians 13.

Mere Morality

Honest and candid insights on what God expects of ordinary people.

My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir

The last manuscript written by Reverend Smedes before his death.  A theological understanding of his own life and personal faith.

Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living

Covers topics from homosexuality to safe sex.  A biblical and open-minded approach to the topic of sexuality from a Christian view.

By Nicholas Wolterstorff

Educating for Life:  Reflections on Christian Teaching and Learning

What makes education truly Christian?  This book draws together this world-renowned Christian philosopher’s thoughts and reflections on Christian education over a course of three decades.

Educating for Shalom:  Essays on Christian Higher Education

Exhibiting a first-class mind at work, this book grapples with the difficult issues in Christian higher education.

Lament for a Son

Wolterstorff lost his 25-year-old son to a mountain climbing accident.  This book offers reflections that express the deep anguish of a bereaved parent.

Until Justice and Peace Embrace

A book about how Christians can work in the social order to bring peace and justice.

By Mel White

Stranger at the Gate:  To Be Gay and Christian in America

In this engaging book Dr. White tells the story of his own desperate attempts to deny his true sexual orientation while he worked as a well-known Christian teacher and ghost-writer.  He eventually came to peace with himself as a gay Christian man and launched a bold new ministry—with great consequences for his previous career.