The Role of Pagan Texts and Ideas in Classical Christian Education
Over the centuries, one of the key questions of classical Christian education is how Christians should/shouldn’t teach and learn from pagan texts and ideas. This issue arose almost immediately in the first century AD, and throughout the history of classical Christian education different answers have been offered. This issue is just as relevant today as ever, so understanding its nuances is of great benefit for all classical Christian educators as they articulate the purpose and value of teaching pagan texts and ideas. Participants will be asked to read Basil the Great’s letter “To Young Men, on How They Might Derive Profit from Pagan Literature” as well as a selection of Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine prior to the retreat. These texts, along with the presentations, will form the basis for discussions about the role of pagan texts and ideas in classical Christian education.
- Schedule: Thursday reception, dinner, and opening lecture starting at 5:30 p.m.; Friday 9:00-5:00 and evening fellowship; Saturday 9:00 a.m.–noon. On Saturday there will be a local cultural excursion to the Portland Art Museum with Dr. Lloyd DeWitt, the museum’s Janet and Richard Geary Curator of European & American Art Pre-1930.
- Leadership and Presenters: Dr. Joseph Clair (Associate Provost, Division of Humanities & Honors, and Professor of Theology and Culture at George Fox University); Chris Schlect (Senior Fellow of history, Head of Humanities, and Director of the classical and Christian studies graduate program at New Saint Andrews College); and Gavin Fort (Humane Letters Teacher and Humanities Department Chair at St. Stephen’s Academy, and the Northwest Chapter Director of the Alcuin Fellowship)
- Location: George Fox University, 414 N Meridian St, Newberg, OR 97132
- Cost: $125 (includes Thursday dinner and Friday lunch). Space is limited, so please register today!
- Lodging: Participants should make their own lodging arrangements in proximity to George Fox University.
- Questions: For more information, contact Gavin Fort at gfort@ststephensacademy.com.
