Classic Texts.
Contemporary Conversations.

GUIDED EXPOSURE TO CLASSIC THEOLOGICAL TEXTS FOR PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS

Reading Groups

Teaching Women to Teach

Institute for Faith, Work, & Culture

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“I do not wish the ordinary reader to read no modern books. But if he must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old."

— C.S. Lewis

Navigating contemporary culture as a Christian has become increasingly complex.

As the culture attempts to define morality, the church too often disagrees on how to respond.

We desire answers that tell us what to think. What we need is instruction on how to think… a spiritual formation that equips us to interpret biblically and interact charitably with others in any situation.

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Paideia Reading Groups

The Paideia Center offers reading groups, special lectures, and resources on classic theological texts by authors like Augustine and John Calvin with the aim of increasing spiritual maturity in the church body through deeper spiritual formation of its lay leaders and pastors.

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Historical Wisdom for Contemporary Culture

READING AND DISCUSSING CLASSIC THEOLOGICAL TEXTS PROVIDES A CONTEXT FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING HISTORICAL INSIGHT TO MODERN LIFE.

  • Foster competence in engaging serious, classic Christian literature for yourself.
  • Understand the significance of classical theological texts in their historical context.
  • Know how to draw on classic writings to help reframe and renew contemporary discussions.
  • Cultivate an ability to critically and charitably converse with others about weighty (even controversial) matters.
  • Gain wisdom from mature, respected Christian leaders.
Group 2

"The Paideia Center reading groups provide wonderful opportunities for Christians from all sorts of backgrounds and contexts to encounter and learn from the classic texts of the Christian tradition. These reading groups offer excellent environments for thoughtful Christians to be discipled with the wisdom from the past and grow alongside fellow Christians by studying and discussing the ideas in these texts."

— Dr. Josh Bruce, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2022-2023 Books

This year the Paideia Reading Groups will focus on the glorious mystery of Jesus the Christ. To help us think and talk more wisely about that wondrous claim that He is Immanuel, God with us, we will be reading two of the most significant texts in the history of the Christian tradition: On the Incarnation by Athanasius of Alexandria and a smattering of reflections from Maximus the Confessor, gathered under the title On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ. We expect the texts will lead us back to Scripture, take us deeper in wonder, and help us go further in witness.

On the Incarnation Saint Athanasius

Fall 2022

On the Incarnation

By Athanasius of Alexandria

On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ. St. Maximus the Confessor

Spring 2023

On the Cosmic Mystery of Christ

By Maximus the Confessor

HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE READING GROUPS

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Enroll in a Group

Choose a local or virtual group. The cost is $30 and includes the book.

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Connect with Your Leader

Your group leader will contact you and provide participation details.

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Read Classic Text

You’ll receive your book in the mail and read assigned sections before each meeting.

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Discuss with Your Group

Participate in three monthly group discussions.

Spring 2023 Reading Groups

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Select by Location
Online 1

Australia – Online

8 pm EST/12 pm AEST
February 13 EST/14 AEST, March 20 EST/21 AEST, April 17 EST/18h AEST

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Charlotte

7 pm
February 22, March 29, April 26

Chattanooga

Chattanooga

7-8:30 pm
February 27, March 27, April 24

Edinburgh

Edinburgh – Online

7 pm GMT
February 20, March 27, April 24

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Greece – Online

8 pm EET
January 30, February 20, March 20

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Nashville

7 pm
February 21, March 21, April 18

Oklahoma City
Orlando-edit

Orlando

7 pm
February 16, March 23, April 13

Philly-edit

Philadelphia

6-8 pm
February 15, March 15, April 19

Pittsburgh-edit
St Louis

St. Louis

7:30-9 pm
March 15, April 19, May 10

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UK – Online

3 pm GMT/10 am EST
February 21, March 21, April 25

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Urbana

7 pm
February 2, March 9, April 13

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Washington D.C.

6 pm
February 14, March 14, April 11

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach

11 am -12:30 pm
February 9, March 9, April 13

Special Lectures

In addition to the reading groups, the Paideia Center provides special lectures designed to augment the groups’ study for that semester.

PAST PANELISTS AND PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

  • Gregory Lee
  • Michael Allen
  • Mark McDowell
  • Joey Sherrard
  • Blair Smith
  • Nathaniel Gray Sutanto
Group 2

"The Paideia Center has not only provided me with a structure and occasion for reading the classic works of the Christian tradition, but a space to dialogue with others who share a common interest in deepening their capacities for a more holistic approach to theological understanding. Each gathering has been spiritually rich in both practical and theoretical ways, and continues to be instrumental in my own theological maturation."

— WILLIAM VEGA, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

RTS eBook 3D

Free eBook

from the Paideia Center

Reformed Theological Seminary exists to train men and women to see the beauty of Jesus in all of Scripture and to commend his beauty to others.

This little booklet is designed to give you a taste of the kind of Christ-honoring teaching that our faculty engages in both inside and outside the classroom.

Contact Us

WHETHER YOU’RE A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT, CURRENT STUDENT, ALUMNUS, DONOR, OR FRIEND, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

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