The “John Witte Lecture Series in Law and Christianity” Celebrates its Third Year

The “John Witte Lecture Series in Law and Christianity” Celebrates its Third Year

On January 23rd 2026, Robert W. Woodruff Professor and Faculty Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, John Witte Jr gave his second opening address to commence his namesake lecture, the third annual “John Witte Lecture Series in Law and Christianity” at The Church of the Resurrection in the nation's capital.

At the event keynote speaker, Dr. Maria Doerfler of Yale University, honored the contributions of John Witte Jr. to Christian jurisprudence and the ongoing scholarly legacy of Harold J. Berman. Dr. Maria Doerfler’s keynote speech reinvigorating the academic discussion of law, family, and faith in late antiquity through the lens of interpretations of antique documents from varying contexts.

The lecture series, created by former CSLR doctoral student, Dr. Anton Sorkin, next year will be held in LA at the National Press Club, in the same manner as last year where First Amendment and human rights advocate Kristina Arriaga was the keynote speaker. With the lecture series continuing to be held in even years in DC and in odd years in LA at the National Press Club. With Sorkin’s early hopes of the forum being a place to “listen and discuss the future role of Christian jurisprudence… A place mindful of the global significance of religious freedom and the communal challenges rooted in deeply held convictions and competing interests,” fulfilled.