Summer Institute

Summer Institute is an enjoyable and informative time to experience Gutenberg by sharing meals, discussing the works of influential thinkers, and listening to speakers from the Gutenberg community. We hope you can join us for Summer Institute 2021 on July 29-31!

The Meaning of the City: Rebellion and Redemption

They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name.” (Genesis 11:4)

From the first pages of Genesis, mankind has sought security apart from God. The city stands as the first and foremost expression of that search. As individuals, in what political philosophers called the “state of nature,” we are vulnerable. But together, we strive to overcome the vicissitudes of earthly existence. Despite the rebellious origins of the city, God promises to redeem the city by creating a New Jerusalem. The questions thus arise: What is a city? What function does it perform? And how are we who live in an intensely urban world to understand the meaning of the city? Summer Institute 2021 will explore the nature of cities and urbanization. We will look at what the Bible and other authors have said, with a particular emphasis on modern city life.

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▶ Format: Lectures and Discussions

▶ Institute Details

▶ Institute Schedule

Chris Swanson

The Spiritual Significance of the City

The city plays a prominent role in God’s purposes. From the founding of the first city in Genesis 4 to the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the relationship between God and man is revealed throughout the pages of the Bible by man’s attitude toward the city. Chris Swanson will explore Ellul’s take on how cities, ancient and modern, represent man’s rebellion and desire for happiness apart from God.

Eliot Grasso

City Life

In the spring of AD 330, Emperor Constantine founded a new Rome: Constantinople. This brilliant new capital embraced the church at its center and would be the largest and wealthiest city in Europe for centuries. Constantinople didn’t last, and many modern cities prioritize values that are different from Constantine’s day. Eliot Grasso will address the following question: How should the priorities of the city impact a life of faith?

Charley Dewberry

The Development of Cities in the Modern Era: The End of Civilization or the Triumph of Civilization?

Cities are one of the most conspicuous developments in Western civilization during the modern era (1700-present). In this talk, Charley Dewberry will contrast Lewis Mumford’s view that our current cities represent the last stage of civilization before its rapid disruption and downfall with that of Edward Glaeser, who sees our triumph of the city as the greatest invention in the history of mankind.

Ryan Carroll

Coming soon.

When

Thursday night, July 29, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Friday night, July 30, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where

Gutenberg College
1883 University Street
Eugene, OR 97403

In-Person Cost*

(includes dinner on Friday night; continental breakfast on Saturday morning; and lunch on Saturday):

Before July 15: $85 (Individual); $115 (Family); $40 (Student)
July 15 and after: $100 (Individual); $130 (Family); $45 (Student)

* Financial Aid: Limited financial aid packages are available for those who wish to attend. If you wish to apply, please contact the office.
* Volunteer opportunities: We can also offer reduced costs for volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the office.

Remote (Zoom) Option

We are offering a Zoom option for those who would like to attend the Summer Institute remotely. The option includes the following:

Live Zoom streaming of all the lectures and the QA panel at the end.
Recorded video and audio of the lectures and the QA panel at the end.
Live Zoom discussion groups for remote participants led by dedicated discussion leaders. These discussion groups will be made up of remote participants only. You will be able to see the discussion leader and other participants and be able to talk in real time with each other.

To participate, you will need a reasonably good internet connection and a computer with a built-in or external webcam and mic. Our technical team will do a trial run with Zoom attendees to make sure that their connection works well, and a Zoom technician will be available throughout the conference.

Remote (Zoom) Cost*

$50 (Individual); $65 (Family); $25 (Student)

Register for In-Person Attendance

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Thursday Night
5:30-6:15	Check-in
6:15-6:30	Welcome
6:30-8:00	Discussion of Reading One: Genesis 4 and Meaning of the City (pages 1-9) by Jacques Ellul
8:00-8:15	Break
8:15-9:00	Lecture 1: Chris Swanson, “The Spiritual Significance of the City”
Friday Night
5:00-6:00	Dinner
6:00-7:30	Discussion of Reading Two: City of God (Chapter 14, Section 28, and Chapter 15, Section 7) by Augustine
7:30-7:45	Break
7:45-8:30	Lecture 2: Eliot Grasso, “City Life”
Saturday
8:30-9:00	Continental Breakfast
9:00-10:30	Discussion of Reading Three: The City in History: Its Origins, Its transformations, and Its Prospects (pages 551-560) by Lewis Mumford
10:30-10:45	Break
10:45-11:30	Lecture 3: Charley Dewberry, “The Development of Cities in the Modern Era: The End of Civilization or the Triumph of Civilization?”
11:30-12:30	Lunch
12:30-2:00	Discussion of Reading Four: TBA
2:00-2:15	Break
2:15-3:00	Lecture 4: Ryan Carroll, TBA
3:00-3:30	Q and A