Intellectual Hospitality
‘We live in a contentious age– it’s hard to connect when disagreement is viewed as hate, and people are quick to cancel and slow to engage. How should we negotiate our differences? The idea that I have found most helpful is Intellectual Hospitality. Rather than merely tolerating people we disagree with, we can cultivate genuine curiosity and compassion while at the same time holding fast to our deep convictions.
What is Intellectual Hospitality? Here is my working definition: “Intellectual Hospitality occurs when persons of good will seek to engage with one another with the goal of greater understanding. It is modeled on the ancient practice of offering sanctuary to the stranger while honoring specific guidelines that constrain both the host and the guest. It is characterized by generosity, it is built on mutual respect, and it serves as an expression of humility patience, and curiosity.”
Interested to learn more? Here are links to three talks that will take you deeper into the practice of Intellectual Hospitality. And check out my blog to learn more.
Watch:
Intellectual Hospitality Part I (2014): C. S. Lewis at Table with Zeus and Dante by clicking (here!)
Watch:
Intellectual Hospitality Part II (2022): Hope for Those Who are Tired of all the Fighting by clicking (here!)
Watch: Further Thoughts on Intellectual Hospitality (2023) by clicking (here!)
Michele Hershberger writes, “Biblical hospitality is not the tea parties, bland conversations, and general atmosphere of coziness that many envision it to be…hospitality, as understood by the original audience of the Bible and for ancients in general, had nothing to do with being nice. It simply meant loving the stranger. And while ancient hospitality usually involved food and lodging, it also implied a relationship of mutual respect, a willingness to be open to the other. It required suspending initial suspicion about the other and at the same time putting one’s own cards on the table.”
