September 26 & 27, 2022
She sees that her trading is profitable…She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.— Proverbs 31:18-20 (ESV)
Was Jesus a socialist? Is Capitalism oppressive? Does Socialism lead to poverty and corruption?
Among the cultural divides widening in America, the dispute over Socialism and Capitalism is one that affects the pocketbook of everyone. Some believe that the heart of Capitalism involves oppressive corporations using big money to influence politicians for special favors and tax breaks. Others believe Socialism belongs on the ash heap of history after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and they point to the poverty and corruption of Venezuela and Cuba as a warning for the world. Many are confused about what policies and economic systems will raise people from poverty and actually lead to human flourishing around the world.
Colorado Christian University is committed to seeking truth and will devote this year’s Symposium on September 26 and 27, 2022, to the topic “Socialism and Capitalism: A Closer Look”.
Register today for this free conference.
Event Overview
Monday, September 26, 2022
6:30 - 8:45 p.m. MST
- Dr. Donald W. Sweeting will give an overview as to why this topic is important.
- Dr. Isaac Chilima will define Socialism and Neo-Socialism as well as Capitalism and Free Markets.
- Dr. Larry Reed will address the question, “Was Jesus a Socialist?”
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST
- Dr. Jay Richards will discuss Capitalism debunking its myths and misconceptions.
- Dr. Anne Rathbone-Bradley will provide practical insights on free markets and how they lead to human flourishing.
1:30 – 3:45 p.m. MST
- Workshops - After lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to choose two workshop options to more closely examine special topics related to this issue.
Speakers
Dr. Isaac Chilima
Isaac Chilima is the Assistant Professor of Economics and Business at Colorado Christian University. He is a native of Malawi where he began his career in banking, but quickly transitioned to serving as a university professor.
As an intern at the World Economic Forum (WEF), he served at the 2015 Japan meeting in Tokyo. In 2017, he was also trained in macroeconomic analysis by the Asia office of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Chilima is a published author with articles in peer-reviewed journals, and received best paper and best presenter awards at international conferences in Hong Kong and New York respectively.
Chilima earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Economics from Yokohama National University in Japan where he graduated top of his class.
learn moreDr. Larry Reed
Economist and historian Lawrence (“Larry”) Reed is President Emeritus and Humphreys Family Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education in Atlanta. He previously served for 21 years as President of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan. Dr. Reed also taught economics full-time at Northwood University where he chaired its department of economics.
He is the author of seven books, most recently Was Jesus a Socialist? and Real Heroes: Inspiring True Stories of Courage, Character and Conviction, as well as some 2,000 articles and columns in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Christian Science Monitor. His interests in political and economic affairs have taken him to 87 countries on six continents.
He holds a B.A. in Economics from Grove City College and a M.A. in History from Slippery Rock State University. He holds two honorary doctorates, one from Central Michigan University and one from Northwood University.
Dr. Jay Richards
Jay W. Richards, Ph.D., is director of the DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family and the William E. Simon Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He joined the Heritage Foundation in 2021 after serving for seven years on the faculty at The Catholic University of America. At Heritage, he has been focusing on the dangers that gender ideology poses for children and families.
Richards is author or editor of more than a dozen books, including the New York Times bestsellers Infiltrated (2013) and Indivisible (2012), The Human Advantage, and Money, Greed, and God, winner of a 2010 Templeton Enterprise Award. His most recent book is The Price of Panic: How the Tyranny of Experts Turned a Pandemic Into a Catastrophe. He is also creator and executive producer of several documentaries, including three that have appeared widely on PBS.
An experienced international public speaker, Richards has lectured at various academic conferences, think tanks, public policy meetings, and on several occasions to members of the U.S. Congress and U.S. congressional staff. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dr. Anne Rathbone-Bradley
Dr. Anne Rathbone-Bradley is the George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and vice president of academic affairs at The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). Through this position, Dr. Bradley works to enhance the impact and reach of TFAS economic education programs through courses, seminars, videos and social media. Previously, Bradley served as the vice president of economic initiatives at the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, where she continues to research a systematic biblical theology of economic freedom.
In addition to her work with TFAS, Bradley is a professor of economics at The Institute for World Politics and Grove City College. Her academic work ranges from the question of income inequality and economic freedom to the political economy of terrorism, with specific emphasis on the industrial organization of al-Qaeda. Based on her academic research, she also worked as an economic analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency’s Office of Terrorism Analysis.
She is the co-editor and author of Counting the Cost: Christian Perspectives on Capitalism, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty, and Be Fruitful and Multiply: Why Economics is Necessary for Making God-Pleasing Decisions. Bradley received her Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University where she was a James M. Buchanan Scholar.
Dr. Donald W. Sweeting
After serving as Colorado Christian University president from 2016-2022, Dr. Donald Sweeting was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Chancellor of the University. As chancellor, Dr. Sweeting is responsible for amplifying the University's educational mission, convictions, and strategic priorities inside and outside CCU. He is the University's first chancellor, following in the footsteps of Dr. David Beckman, who was chancellor of CCU's heritage school Colorado Christian College.
Before coming to CCU, Dr. Sweeting served as the president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando from 2010-2016. As an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), Sweeting served as senior pastor of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Greenwood Village, a Denver suburb, for 12 years and for 11 years as the founding pastor of Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church in northern Illinois. Sweeting also served as an assistant to Chuck Colson with Prison Fellowship in Washington, D.C.
Sweeting studied Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute, earned his B.A. degree in History from Lawrence University, a B.A./M.A. degree from Oxford University in England, and his Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He also speaks and preaches around the country and has published numerous articles for well-known magazines and scholarly journals. He has co-authored several books, including How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half of Life.
learn moreFor questions, please email the Thriving Church Initiative at thrivingchurch@ccu.edu .