**Video recordings of selected Institute events, including talks by Fr Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. in February 2023 on God and suffering and February 2024 on science and faith, can be found on the Institute’s YouTube channel.
Spring 2025 Events
Faith, Science, and the Bible
Former Gonzaga President and well-known Catholic author and speaker Fr Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. returns to Gonzaga University for a series on Faith, Science, and the Bible. Fr Spitzer's recent book Science, Reason, and Faith: Discovering the Bible (Our Sunday Visitor, 2023) addresses issues often cited as evidence for purported conflicts between science and the Bible: the historicity of biblical events, creation, evolution, miracles, the resurrection of Jesus. The purpose of the Faith, Science, and the Bible series is to engage Bible-science issues and explore reasons for trusting the truth and authority of the scriptures. Fr Spitzer and other guest speakers will offer talks addressing key dimensions of the Bible-science relationship.Making Sense of the Old Testament in Light of Contemporary Science & the Moral Teaching of Jesus
Fr Robert J. Spitzer, S.J.
Wednesday, Feb 5, 7:00-8:30 pm
Globe Room, Cataldo, Gonzaga University campus
How Contemporary Science and History Shed Light on the Ministry, Passion, & Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Fr Robert J. Spitzer, S.J.Thursday, Feb 6, 7:00-8:30 pm
Barbieri Courtroom, Gonzaga Law School 127, Gonzaga University campus
Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. Ph.D., is a Jesuit priest, teacher, author, and lecturer on topics ranging from ethics, philosophy, and the relationship between modern physics and Christian faith. Fr. Spitzer has academic degrees from the Gregorian University and the Weston School (Cambridge), and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America and has taught philosophy and business ethics at Georgetown University and Seattle University.
Fr Spitzer led Gonzaga University as President from 1998 to 2009, at which time he significantly increased programs and curricula in faith, ethics, service, and leadership, guided efforts to build 20 new facilities, increased the student population by 75%, raised more than $200 million for scholarships and capital projects, and founded the Gonzaga Faith & Reason Institute.
Fr Spitzer has made many television appearances and currently appears weekly on EWTN in “Father Spitzer’s Universe.” Among Fr. Spitzer’s many works are the books The Soul’s Upward Yearning: Clues to Our Transcendent Nature from Experience and Reason; The Light Shines on in The Darkness: Transforming Suffering through Faith; New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions to Late Twentieth Century Physics and Philosophy; Evidence for God from Contemporary Science and Philosophy, and the recently released Science at the Doorstep to God: Science and Reason in Support of God, the Soul, and Life after Death (Ignatius 2023).
Fr Spitzer currently directs the Magis Center on Science, Reason, and Faith, which offers Fr. Spitzer’s unique take on the complementarity of faith & reason as found in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and in dialogue with contemporary philosophy and natural science.
Fall 2025 Events
Author, speaker, and C.S. Lewis scholar Michael Ward visits Gonzaga University for a lecture on the continuing significance of C.S. Lewis, September 15, 2025.
Faith, Film, Philosophy 2025 continues with a focus on personality and character in recent films.