Short Courses
Important conversations in the Christian tradition, both old and new
Our short courses are great opportunities to explore a book (old classics and new works), discuss important questions of faith and culture, or explore the intersection of science and faith. While intended primarily for Virginia Tech students, we welcome faculty, staff, and local community member participants as well.
Spring 2026 Short Courses
A Christian Take on Environmental Ethics
Course Readings: Pollution and the Death of Man by Francis Schaeffer and Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World by Douglas Moo & Jonathan Moo
Everyone has their idea about what constitutes environmentally responsible practices. Some of us even live by those ideas much of the time. As long as we agree with our neighbors that a particular action is “for the common good,” we are free to work side by side in cooperation with them regardless of their underlying ideas about environmental ethics. However, public policy decisions (and even our personal actions) frequently involve a choice between good things. For example, more affordable energy supplies for developing countries versus lower emissions by curtailing combustion of fossil fuels. When we engage in public discourse on such issues our objective should be persuasion. And speaking persuasively should begin with understanding the foundations of one’s own arguments. As a Christian this means having a well-formed understanding of biblical principles that are applicable to the domain of environmental ethics.
This short course will consist of five seminar sessions. Each session will begin with an overview of the topic, followed by open questions and discussion. Participants who complete a brief core reading beforehand will have better questions and benefit more from our discussions. Supplementary readings are suggested for those who wish to investigate the topic further.
Register for this course using the link below!
Co-Led by Dr. Dean Bork and Dr. Steve Hodges (VT Retired Faculty)
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Weekly, beginning January 27.
@ the Bradley Study Center (104 Faculty St.)
Exploring the Significance of Art & Creativity in Theological Formation
Join us for this short course on J.R.R. Tolkiens' book, Leaf by Niggle as we explore the value of creating art and seeking beauty as followers of Jesus.
Free book copy provided!
Led by Connie Bayliss
Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Weekly, beginning March 17
@ the Bradley Study Center (104 Faculty St.)
Previous courses have included:
- John Lennox, 2084 and the AI Revolution
- Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground
- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
- Christopher West, Our Bodies Tell God's Story
- Weekend Seminar with Dr. Daniel Fabrycky, Astrophysics & the Meaning of the Universe
- George MacDonald, The Princess & The Goblin
- John Lennox, Cosmic Chemistry
- Marilynne Robinson, Gilead
- Felicia Wu Song, Restless Devices
- James Davison Hunter, To Change the World
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
- Kaitlyn Schiess, The Liturgy of Politics
- John Lennox, Can Science Explain Everything?
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
- James K. A. Smith, How (Not) to be Secular
- Dennis Venema & Scot McKnight, Adam and the Genome
- N.T. Wright, The New Testament in its World
- C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
- Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation
- Steven Bouma-Prediger, For the Beauty of the Earth
- William Webb, Slaves, Women and Homosexuals
- Jemar Tisby, The Color of Compromise
- Yuval Levin, A Time to Build
- St. Anselm of Canterbury, Cur Deus Homo?
