We all worship something.

If it’s not God, then it’s money, prestige, entertainment, or any number of created things. It is commonly assumed that the world today is “secular” and less religious than it used to be. In his recent book, The Uses of Idolatry (2024), Dr. Cavanaugh suggests that this is not the case; idolatry is alive and well today. Our worship may not be explicit, he says, but we all worship something, even if it is worshiping ourselves through purchasing consumer goods.

Even in the church, we may claim to worship God alone, but struggle with finding ourselves drawn to wealth, a political party, or success at work. These aren’t bad things, but for them to not become idols we need to reflect on the nature of our worship and what an appropriate relationship to the material world looks like.

Join us for an evening lecture followed by Q&A with Dr. William Cavanaugh, a renowned author, professor, and theologian from DePaul University.

Event Details

This event will take place at the North Carolina Study Center (203 Battle Lane). Parking is available in the gravel lot behind our building after 5 pm. Additional nearby parking options can be found on UNC’s transportation website.

This event is co-sponsored by InterVarsity Grad & Faculty Ministries and the Newman Catholic Student Center at UNC.

Speaker Bio: Dr. William Cavanaugh is a professor of Catholic Studies at the University of DePaul. He is the author of numerous books, including The Myth of Religious Violence (2009), Migrations of the Holy: Theologies of State and Church (2011), and Field Hospital: The Church’s Engagement with a Wounded World (2016). He has published over 130 journal articles and book chapters in 17 languages and has lectured on six continents. His work explores the intersection of economics, politics, and the Church.