Date: February 5, 2026
It was a joy to welcome Dr. Gary Chartier to the Deanery last evening. A true polymath, Dr. Chartier is trained as a philosophical theologian with a Cambridge PhD, holds a JD in law, and serves as a senior administrator in the School of Business at La Sierra University. His scholarship ranges widely across disciplines. Among his eighteen books, Christianity and the Nation-State: A Study in Political Theology (Cambridge University Press) stands out as a significant contribution.
Dr. Chartier introduced students to his forthcoming Bloomsbury book project, which begins with the simple yet profound question: “How do we know that the Incarnation is true?” Drawing on major voices within the Anglican tradition, he explored a range of responses while inviting students to wrestle with the question themselves and engage critically with his emerging argument. The conversation was lively, thoughtful, and deeply engaging.
Deanery Evenings remain a vital part of the co-curricular life of VTS. They create space for students to encounter remarkable scholars, explore foundational theological questions, and engage ideas in a collegial and stimulating environment. Last night offered precisely that opportunity: an encounter with a brilliant mind pursuing one of Christianity’s central claims.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.