Theology of the Body and the Mechanical Arts for the Modern AgeJuly 24-26, 2024
Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: knowledge of God and knowledge of ourselves. - John Calvin
As beautifully captured in its Nicene Christology and in the documentary symbols of the Reformed tradition, the Church has long confessed indispensable truths about God, including His nature and works, and how He has revealed Himself in Holy Scripture and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Today, however, we seem to find ourselves confronted less often with questions about the nature of God than in ages past, and far more often confronted by a deep, gnawing confusion over what it means to be human.
To some extent, this is understandable. The “progress” of the modern age has outpaced and outstripped humanity’s pre-modern self-understanding which had informed everything from marriage and family to education, economics, and politics. The relative novelty of extended lifespans, immunity to once lethal diseases, pills that suppress the body’s natural reproductive processes, nuclear power, instant communication over long distances, access to once-unfathomable amounts of information—these and countless other developments have transformed how we think of ourselves, experience the world, and relate to others and God. Perhaps more than anything else, the technological developments of the past two centuries have obscured the truth of who we are as embodied creatures.
In this seminar, participants will take this “crisis of anthropology” as their point of departure into an in-depth study and exploration of what it means to live, work, relate, and worship as created, embodied persons. Drawing from the work of key figures in the theology of the body, phenomenology, Levitical ontology, and the mechanical arts, this seminar will take an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theoretical and practical components. In addition to reading selected works from Albert Borgmann, Tim Ingold, John Paul II, Julian Marias, Ephraim Radner, and others alongside Proverbs and Leviticus, selected participants will spend time considering and engaging in practices like communal prayer, woodworking, and hospitality that take seriously our existence as embodied creatures.
Greystone's founding President, Dr. Garcia, is also Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA, USA, and was the pastor at Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Coraopolis (Pittsburgh) from 2007 to 2021. Dr. Garcia is also a credentialed sommelier with the Guild of Sommeliers.
Christina Lambert (Ph.D., Baylor University) is an Assistant Professor of English at Hillsdale College, where she teaches American literature. Her current book project explores the intersection of food imagery and eucharistic theology in the poetry and drama of T. S. Eliot and Denise Levertov. Her work has been published by Christianity & Literature, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature, and Modern Fiction Studies. Attention to the material world—be it a dish of Cherries Jubilee, the river running through Port William, or “East Coker’s” “dripping blood” and “bloody flesh”—informs her research and teaching, as she explores how literature helps us imagine what Denise Levertov describes as an “intricately incarnate” world.
Mr. Klein (Greystone Associate Fellow) is a ruling elder at Pilgrim Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Maine and is founder and editor-in-chief of Mortise & Tenon Magazine. Klein has presented about historic craftsmanship at museums around the United States and has written articles for Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and American Period Furniture. Klein is author of four books, including Joined: A Bench Guide to Furniture Joinery (Mortise & Tenon, 2020), and Worked: A Bench Guide to Hand-Tool Efficiency (Mortise & Tenon, 2022).
A graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary, Mr. Hayden is a contributor for The Colson Center’s Breakpoint and is the founder and editor-in-chief of Perishable Goods, a publication devoted to recovering the meaning of the body for the modern age. His research and writing has focused on recovering and articulating a robust theology of embodiment for Protestants, with special interest in the intersection of gender and tech.
Lara Ryd writes about theology of embodiment for Perishable Goods and has published essays at Public Discourse and Bright Wall/Dark Room. Mrs. Ryd teaches writing at a classical Christian school in rural Michigan. She and her husband have two boys and serve as members of their local church.
Date & Time:
Wednesday, July 24 - Friday, July 26
Application Deadline:
June 30, 2024
Location:
Cairn University200 Manor Ave, Langhorne, PA, 19047
Cost:
Full Participants - $550Commuter Participants - $425*Housing and meals included for full participants. All meals are included for commuters.
Who Should Apply?
This seminar is open to undergraduate and graduate students, tradesmen and women, and those whose work is related to the seminar’s topic. Other applicants will be considered as space permits.
This seminar will be capped at 12 participants, plus approximately 8 commuter spots for those who are local/do not need a place to stay.
Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including confirmations, changes, and updates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. View our terms of service & privacy policy.
Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)
Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:
Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.
* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, merchandise purchases and charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.
Read Full Terms and Conditions
