Centre Place
@centreplace.bsky.social
We explore topics of faith from an academic perspective. Our lectures cover history, theology, philosophy, mythology, archaeology, and more, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable. John Hamer, a map maker, historian, and pastor leads our team.
What might this and other lost gospels tell us about the diversity of early Christianity?
October 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
What might this and other lost gospels tell us about the diversity of early Christianity?
Why did Jesus speak in parables to describe the Kingdom of God rather than offering straight answers?
October 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Why did Jesus speak in parables to describe the Kingdom of God rather than offering straight answers?
Why are there so many strange geographical references in the gospels?
September 25, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Why are there so many strange geographical references in the gospels?
How do we recognize gifts of God in us and in others?
September 25, 2026 at 1:01 PM
How do we recognize gifts of God in us and in others?
Was the biblical Exodus inspired by a historical cataclysm like Santorini’s eruption? Could the pharaoh be Ahmose I or Ramesses II? Are the enslaved Israelites the Hyksos? Can the Exodus be explained without miracles? How accurate is Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings?
September 18, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Was the biblical Exodus inspired by a historical cataclysm like Santorini’s eruption? Could the pharaoh be Ahmose I or Ramesses II? Are the enslaved Israelites the Hyksos? Can the Exodus be explained without miracles? How accurate is Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings?
How can we prioritize the immaterial, the meaningful, and the eternal so that we too can experience new life in Christ?
September 17, 2026 at 4:01 PM
How can we prioritize the immaterial, the meaningful, and the eternal so that we too can experience new life in Christ?
Beyond the Walls travels to Calgary, Alberta, on Sep 13 for a special service with the Leadership Team of Community of Christ in Canada and the Calgary congregation, reflecting on the idea that Christ “is all and is in all” and that we “have been raised with Christ.”
September 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Beyond the Walls travels to Calgary, Alberta, on Sep 13 for a special service with the Leadership Team of Community of Christ in Canada and the Calgary congregation, reflecting on the idea that Christ “is all and is in all” and that we “have been raised with Christ.”
From a utopian community to a cult led by a controlling leader who rejected modern science.
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/sF57RYXEMlk
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/sF57RYXEMlk
September 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM
From a utopian community to a cult led by a controlling leader who rejected modern science.
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/sF57RYXEMlk
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/sF57RYXEMlk
🌌 The Sacredness of Creation according to Clement of Rome
September 3, 2026 at 2:01 PM
🌌 The Sacredness of Creation according to Clement of Rome
Is God the same as the universe or does God transcend what we can observe?
📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/tkJ850ZFVmN
📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/tkJ850ZFVmN
August 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Is God the same as the universe or does God transcend what we can observe?
📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/tkJ850ZFVmN
📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/tkJ850ZFVmN
What does it mean that Christ is “the mediator of a better covenant”?
August 27, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What does it mean that Christ is “the mediator of a better covenant”?
What do we know about 2 Peter, Jude, and their authors?
August 21, 2026 at 4:01 PM
What do we know about 2 Peter, Jude, and their authors?
What does the order of Melchizedek have to do with Jesus, atonement, and salvation?
August 20, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What does the order of Melchizedek have to do with Jesus, atonement, and salvation?
How did the religion of ancient Israel evolve from polytheism to monolatry and finally monotheism? Were the reforms of King Josiah and the Deuteronomist priests a return to the original worship of God, or the introduction of a new religion?
August 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM
How did the religion of ancient Israel evolve from polytheism to monolatry and finally monotheism? Were the reforms of King Josiah and the Deuteronomist priests a return to the original worship of God, or the introduction of a new religion?
Many of us envision God as a father in heaven; others envision a heavenly mother or a heavenly parent. The First Epistle of John invites us to envision God as Love for Love’s sake — Love itself as an archetype.
August 14, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Many of us envision God as a father in heaven; others envision a heavenly mother or a heavenly parent. The First Epistle of John invites us to envision God as Love for Love’s sake — Love itself as an archetype.
Join us live as John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place examines what we can know about Marcion, his teachings, and his church, and considers the effects of Marcionism on the development of orthodox Christianity.
📅 Tuesday, August 11
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/kmGuSAsTTQM
📅 Tuesday, August 11
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/kmGuSAsTTQM
August 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Join us live as John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place examines what we can know about Marcion, his teachings, and his church, and considers the effects of Marcionism on the development of orthodox Christianity.
📅 Tuesday, August 11
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/kmGuSAsTTQM
📅 Tuesday, August 11
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/kmGuSAsTTQM
What if apocalyptic scripture simply calls us to help bring about a better world?
August 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What if apocalyptic scripture simply calls us to help bring about a better world?
What kind of spiritual building could we build if we were like living stones?t.
July 30, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What kind of spiritual building could we build if we were like living stones?t.
Was the biblical Exodus inspired by a historical cataclysm like Santorini’s eruption? Could the pharaoh be Ahmose I or Ramesses II? Are the enslaved Israelites the Hyksos? Can the Exodus be explained without miracles? How accurate is Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings?
July 24, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Was the biblical Exodus inspired by a historical cataclysm like Santorini’s eruption? Could the pharaoh be Ahmose I or Ramesses II? Are the enslaved Israelites the Hyksos? Can the Exodus be explained without miracles? How accurate is Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings?
What is faith, and is faith alone really all God expects from us? Doesn’t God also expect us to do good works?
July 24, 2026 at 12:35 AM
What is faith, and is faith alone really all God expects from us? Doesn’t God also expect us to do good works?
Was Abraham a real historical figure, or is he best understood as the legendary ancestor of Israel?
📅 Tuesday, July 21
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/ACnwwfyqr7c
📅 Tuesday, July 21
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/ACnwwfyqr7c
July 17, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Was Abraham a real historical figure, or is he best understood as the legendary ancestor of Israel?
📅 Tuesday, July 21
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/ACnwwfyqr7c
📅 Tuesday, July 21
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://youtu.be/ACnwwfyqr7c
What is wisdom, and how do we acquire it?
July 17, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What is wisdom, and how do we acquire it?
Are we saved by faith alone, or are works also necessary? The Reformation pitted Paul’s teaching of salvation by grace through faith against James’s insistence that faith needs works. What did each mean by “faith” and “works,” and why are both in the New Testament?
📅 Tuesday, July 14
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
📅 Tuesday, July 14
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
July 10, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Are we saved by faith alone, or are works also necessary? The Reformation pitted Paul’s teaching of salvation by grace through faith against James’s insistence that faith needs works. What did each mean by “faith” and “works,” and why are both in the New Testament?
📅 Tuesday, July 14
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
📅 Tuesday, July 14
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
What are prophets and apostles, and how can we know whether they are truly speaking in the Spirit? What rituals count as “sacraments,” and how should they be performed?
July 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What are prophets and apostles, and how can we know whether they are truly speaking in the Spirit? What rituals count as “sacraments,” and how should they be performed?
Can Greek philosophy help us understand the Bible? How much did Christian theology borrow from Plato and other philosophers, and did that distort the original message of Jesus?
📅 Tuesday, July 7, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/P1tj50ZjU0B
📅 Tuesday, July 7, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/P1tj50ZjU0B
July 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Can Greek philosophy help us understand the Bible? How much did Christian theology borrow from Plato and other philosophers, and did that distort the original message of Jesus?
📅 Tuesday, July 7, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/P1tj50ZjU0B
📅 Tuesday, July 7, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM EDT
🎥 Watch live: https://ow.ly/P1tj50ZjU0B