Michael Ramsay Lecture 2025: Have the Arts become the Religion of our Age?

This lecture will be the first in an annual series of Michael Ramsay lectures and events, with guest speakers prominent in the fields of theology, the arts, culture and social action.

Given Revd Prof Jonathan Arnold, Michael Ramsay Chair of Faith, Culture and the Arts, Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, University of Kent

The Michael Ramsay Chair was originally established in 1991 in memory of Michael Ramsey (1904–1988), who was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury (1961-1974) and previously Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. The Michael Ramsey Chair is a key point of contact between the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral in the development and delivery of major projects and programmes in culture and the arts. Jonathan Arnold is Executive Director of the Social Justice Network, Canterbury Diocese.

Formerly Jonathan was Dean of Divinity and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford and Chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford. He is a professional singer, working with ensembles such as The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort and ORA. Publications include Sacred Music in Secular Society (2014); Music and Faith (2019); The Everyday God (2024). His next book, The Sound of Change, will be published in early 2026.

Jonathan’s work has, for many years, been centred on the relationship between faith, the arts and social justice, as both an established theologian, author, and international performer with some of the world’s greatest ensembles. As an academic, musician and social campaigner, he brings a track record of collaborative leadership in multidisciplinary teams in university, charity and ecclesiastical settings. He has researched and published extensively on faith, culture and the arts, particularly with a focus on music, faith and social justice. As a charity leader he brings years of experience leading projects for public benefit, from planning and funding to implementation and sustainability.

Tickets are £6.00, or free for Students in full time education.

To purchase tickets to this event – Michael Ramsay Lecture 2025: Have the Arts become the Religion of our Age? Tickets, Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite