2025 Newbigin Annual Public Lecture by Professor Anthony G. Reddie

Hosted by Seedbeds, the Newbigin Annual Public Lecture aims to stimulate Christians into more thoughtful engagement in the places they live and serve. Since 2018 we have offered a free public lecture with a high profile Christian leader who embodies a contemporary spirit of Lesslie Newbigin, a local Minister in Winson Green where we are based, and an important missional theologian in the 20th century. In previous years this lecture has been given by: Dr Steve Bevans (2018), Dr Krish Kandiah (2019), John Newbigin and Dr Ash Barker (2021), Dr Cathy Ross (2022), Shane Claiborne (2023) and Revd Dr Deirdre Brower Latz (2024).

We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Newbigin Annual Public Lecture will be given by Professor Anthony G. Reddie, Professor of Black Theology; Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture, Regent’s Park College, Oxford.

Prof Reddie was born and brought up in Bradford, West Yorkshire in a family of Caribbean migrants, who were part of the Windrush Generation. His undergraduate and postgraduate studies were undertaken at the University of Birmingham, first in Church History (BA Hons, 1987) and later with a PhD in Education (with Theology), in 2000.

Prof Reddie's scholarship in Black theology has especially been informed by his doctorate in Education and Practical theology, undertaken at the University of Birmingham with Professor John Hull. This has given him an Interdisciplinary method to the subject that is somewhat different from the more classical, systematic approaches to Black theology used by many peers in the United States. His consistent research interest has been the interface between Black theology and decolonial/transformative education as a means of conscientisation and empowerment. He is the author of numerous books, articles and book chapters.

His more recent books Include Theologising Brexit: A Liberationist and Postcolonial Critique (Routledge, 2010), and the republished Is God Colour-Blind? Insights from Black Theology for Christian Faith and Ministry (SPCK, 2020) and Intercultural Preaching [co-edited with Seidel Abel Boargenes and Pamela Searle], (Regent’s Park College, 2021).

Prof Reddie is an A rated, Leading International Researcher with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). He is also a recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury's 2020 Lanfranc Award for 'exceptional and sustained contribution to Black theology In Britain and beyond.’

The evening format includes:

* 6pm informal sharing finger food meal, music and a Seedbeds fundraiser

* 7pm Public lecture by Professor Anthony G. Reddie

* 7:45pm Responses from a panel including Revd Dr Deirdre Brower Latz and Bishop Mike Royal and then questions from the floor

* 8:30pm Supper

* 9pm Close

Please book your free ticket for catering purposes.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lodge Road Community Church, 143-4 Lodge Road, Birmingham, United Kingdom