Speaking

 

Jeffrey Small is an acclaimed speaker, having taught public speaking at Harvard and lectured to thousands of students on the topics of religion in the 21st century and the common spiritual themes present in the world’s religions.

Jeffrey is also available to speak on the following additional topics:


  1. 1.  The Nature of God

2.  The Truth Behind Science and Religion

  1. 3. Why Suffering Must Exist

  2. 4. Who was Jesus of Nazareth?

  3. 5. Connection: Ethics and Morality not based on Commandments

  4. 6. The World’s Religions

  5. 7. Simple Spirituality: Everyday Meditation Methods

  6. 8. Success versus Significance: Finding and Living your Passion in Life.

“The primary task of a useful teacher is to teach his students to recognize ‘inconvenient’ facts.”

                                                        Max Weber

Speaking Topics


Rethinking Christianity in the 21st Century


What is the fastest growing religious belief in the US? Those who say that they are “not-religious.” Unlike the age of the Biblical writers, we live in a world ruled by science, technology, and secular thought – a world that is interconnected in ways that a few decades ago was unimagined. What is the future of Christian thought in this modern, secular age? How do we conceive of God today? How do we reconcile science and religion without watering down either one? How can we be true to both our intellects and our souls: our minds that must see the world in logical terms and our hearts which yearn for a greater spiritual connection?



East Meets West:

What Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism

Can Learn From Each Other


The largest religion in the world is Christianity, yet 67% of the world’s population is not Christian—over four billion people. China and India have become, not only two of the most influential world economies, but also exporters of religious ideas that have captured the imagination of the West. In a time in which many churches offer both yoga classes as well as meditation instruction, we live in a multicultural society in which contact among faiths that seem to have contrary doctrines is more intimate that ever before. What can a religion centered on the figure of Jesus of Nazareth who is seen by his followers as the divine incarnate, a religion in which the supreme cosmic reality Brahman is also a seed of each of our own selves, and a non-theistic religion that defines a path out of human suffering without the help of a supernatural deity teach each other?



Who Goes to Heaven?

Perspectives on Eternal Life from the World’s Religions


Although Christianity is the largest religion in the world, only 33% of the world's population is Christian. So what are the prospects for eternal life for the other 4 billion people? Join author and scholar Jeffrey Small in a lively presentation on the ancient origins of the concept of resurrection as well as comparative views of heaven and eternal life in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. What can we learn from traditions that are different from our own that may enlighten our views on the meaning of salvation? How can we view eternal life not as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow of our lives but instead find salvation during this life?

Click here for information on Jeffrey’s past classes, including links to download powerpoint slides. To listen to a few of his presentations go to Audio/Video.

Format


Each of Jeffrey’s talks is accompanied by a multimedia presentation that audiences have found visually engaging and educational. He will speak for an hour and then take questions for a half-hour. Following the Q&A, Jeffrey will sign copies of his debut novel, The Breath of God, a thriller that melds eastern and western spirituality.

Praise for Jeffrey Small’s lectures:


“An engaging speaker, Jeffrey’s multi-media presentation is exciting, provocative, yet serious. Those who enjoy both modern science and progressive spirituality will be drawn into his classes and keep coming back for more.”


The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,

Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip



“With his brilliant scholarship, remarkable talent and dynamic presentation, Jeff Small just may be that urgently needed young prophet for today. We know of no one else with so compelling a calling for us to update and rethink our faith and beliefs in light of the scientific discoveries, biblical research, and societal globalization of today.”

Blaine and Sylvia Kelley,

Founders of the Atlanta Progressive Theology Group

This short selection from one of author Jeffrey Small's lectures explores various theories for why we live in a multi-faith world.

Click here for a schedule of Jeffrey’s upcoming lectures and book signingsUpcoming_Talks.html