‘Can’t You Catch Hold Of Me?’: The Poetics of Christ in Scripture & Literature
Join us for an enlightening exploration of how Scripture, theology, and literature reveal Christ's presence in our world. This course invites you to discover the poetic and narrative elements within the Bible, alongside fictional stories that inspire personal reflection and spiritual growth.
This course aims to engage participants in a thoughtful exploration of how God reveals Himself through language and literature. The objectives include:
Gaining insight into the ways God communicates through Scripture and the writings of the early Church Fathers.
Exploring the literary qualities of the Bible and understanding how fictional literature can serve as a tool for spiritual growth and evangelism.
Appreciating how modern poets have expressed the search for Christ in nature and culture.
Understanding the role of interpretation in experiencing divine revelation, guided by grace, free will, and the teachings of the Church.
Register Now!
Course Information
Professor
Rev Dr Anthony Gilbert
The Rev Dr Anthony Gilbert is Assistant Professor of Christian Literature at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and Adjunct Professor of Literature at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Recent publications include “Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Vital Tradition” in Bloomsbury’s An Essential Guide to Christianity; “Post-Byzantine History, Culture, & the Orthodox Church” in St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 66.1–2; and “Come and See: Orthodox Mission, Literature, and Metanoia,” forthcoming in The Paideia Review. Along with David Hicks, he co-edited Into the Light: Orthodox Christianity and Classical Education, forthcoming with SVS Press. He is the priest and pastor of St George Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, MI.
Course Description
Live sessions: Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. EST (November 5-26, 2024)
Access: October 29 - December 31, 2024
Course cost: $200
This is a non-credit and non-transferable course. This online course includes 4 live discussion sessions with the professor (Q&A), 4 pre-recorded lectures, 4 presentation slides based on the lectures, and optional reading material, as well as the recorded live discussion sessions. The live discussion will take place via Zoom every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET (November 5-26, 2024). You will have access to all the course material from October 29 - December 31, 2024.
Discussion Sessions: ~ 45 minutes each, including introduction, asynchronous material review by the professor, and Q&A (you will be able to submit your questions to the professor before each Zoom live discussion session).
Important: After registration, please note that the course will be available from October 29 - December 31, 2024; during this time you will have access to all the lectures, slides, and reading material, as well as the recordings of the live sessions after they are completed. You will need the username and password that you created to log into the course.
There will be no refunds after October 28, 2024.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from and work with the dynamic faculty of St Vladimir’s Seminary.
Registration Is Now Open!
‘Can’t you catch hold of Me?’:
The Poetics of Christ in Scripture & Literature
Lecture 1: “Scripture and Storytelling: Unveiling God's Word Through Literature”
November 5 · 8–8:45 p.m. (ET)
Readings are assigned upon registration.
Lecture 2: “The Word Made Flesh and Language: Understanding God’s Presence in Words”
November 12 · 8–8:45 p.m. (ET)
Readings are assigned upon registration.
Lecture 3: “Poetry and Divine Insight: Interpreting God’s Message Through Verse”
November 19 · 8–8:45 p.m. (EDT)
Readings are assigned upon registration.
Lecture 4: “Literature and Transformation: How Stories Lead to Spiritual Renewal”
November 26 · 8–8:45 p.m. (ET)
Readings are assigned upon registration.