Christianity and the Vocation of Learning (via Zoom)

Led by Charlie Clark D’11 & HArrison Lawson D’23
Five Wednesdays: 7/1. 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29
8:00 – 9:00 pm, via zoom (Register for Access)

 

Description: If you’re a Dartmouth student or alum, you’ve dedicated a significant portion of your life to learning. Maybe you didn’t have much choice about your first thirteen years of school, but you worked hard at it. Then you chose to spend at least four more years pursuing knowledge. If you’re a Christian and you believe God has some kind of will for your life, you must believe that the time you’ve spent learning is part of God’s will—or at least not contrary to it. That’s what this reading group is about. How does learning fit into God’s call for our lives? What does that vocation have to do with Dartmouth? How do we live up to our callings as lifetime learners?

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Readings:

C.S. Lewis, “Learning in War-Time”

A.G. Sertillanges, O.P., The Intellectual Life, “The Spirit of the Work”

Michael Oakeshott, “The Idea of a University”

Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Selections on the Virtues and Vices of Learning

Simone Weil, “On the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God”

The History of Doctrine Part 1: The Ancient Church

Led by Rev. Don Willeman & Ryan Bouton D’01
Five Tuesdays 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23
7:00 – 8:30 pm, Dartmouth Reed Hall 108

 

Description: This seminar provides a broad overview of the history of the church in the ancient period, with a particular focus on theological controversies, what spawned them, and the creedal/confessional statements that were developed in response to them. We will look at the movement from the Apostolic teaching of the New Testament era to the robust Trinitarian doctrine of the late Ancient Period, and consider how the doctrines deeply informed the early Christians’ perspective the nature of reality and the value of human life.

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What’s the Point of Education? A Christian Perspective (For Freshmen)

Typically for freshmen, we’ve opened it up this year for some select upperclass students.
Led by Lindsay Whaley, Professor of Classics & Linguistics
Student Contact: Daniel (Dongeun) Jung D’18
Mondays, 7-8:30pm, 09/28 – 10/19

College freshmen are faced with a maze of decisions, from which classes to take, to which activities to join, to which friends to spend time with. Author Stephen Covey reminds us that successful people begin with the end in mind. So is there an ultimate goal in going to college? How should that shape our decisions? Should our religious beliefs be part of our education, or something to keep distinct? In this four-week introductory class for first-year students, we will discuss the nature of a liberal arts education, the relationship between faith, reason, and vocation, and how the Christian faith informs our vision for learning.

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The History of Doctrine, Part 2: Middle Ages and Reformation

Rev. Don Willeman, Pastor of Christ Redeemer Church
TAs: Daniel Jung ’17 and Hallie Reichel ’17
Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm, 4/7-5/5, Reed Hall

This class provides a general overview of the history of the church during the medieval period and the Reformation. In particular, it will focus on theological controversies, what spawned them, and the creedal/confessional statements that were developed in response. We will consider the theology of sin and grace, the development of the medieval sacramental system, the Reformation, and the different branches of the Reformation throughout Europe. Students will gain a basic knowledge of church history, and an understanding of central issues of historic Christian theology.

This class is a continuation of last term’s History of Doctrine, Part 1: The Ancient Church, but is open to all students and community members. (textbook available for purchase)

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The History of Doctrine, Part 1: The Ancient Church

Led by Rev. Don Willeman and Ryan Bouton ’01
Tuesdays 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10
7:00 – 8:30 pm, Reed Hall 108

Description: This class provides a broad overview of the history of the church in the ancient period, with a particular focus on theological controversies, what spawned them, and the creedal/confessional statements that were developed in response to them. We will look at the movement from the Apostolic teaching of the New Testament era to the robust Trinitarian doctrine of the late Ancient Period, and consider how the doctrines deeply informed the early Christians’ perspective the nature of reality and the value of human life.

Click here to sign up.

Graduation, Vocation, and the Gospel: A Seminar for Seniors

Seminar for Seniors

Led by Prof. Lindsay Whaley and [TBA]

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Classics Library (Reed Hall 322)

1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3

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As college seniors, we’re on the doorstep of the “real world.” We’re about to graduate, say goodbye to the classroom setting that we’ve known for sixteen years, and enter new vocations. Maybe finance, maybe engineering, maybe the arts, law, teaching, marketing, research, ministry or medicine. In this seminar, we’re going to talk about work and vocation from a Christian perspective: God’s vision for work in creation, the problems we face with work under the fall, and vocation in light of the Gospel and the coming new heavens and new earth. We will read excerpts from Tim Keller’s Every Good Endeavor. Join Prof. Lindsay Whaley and others for this four-week seminar starting Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 pm.

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Click here to sign up.