By Alex Fogleman
It’s hard to believe 2022 is coming to a close, but I hope it's been a rich and rewarding year for each of you. Below are several updates and news on IRCC events, research, and other announcements from the community.
Events
As we eased out of Covid restrictions this year, it was good to re-convene for a few gatherings. We hosted Greg Peters and Curtis Freeman for events in Waco this year, which were exceptional. Catch up on Curtis' here and Greg's here.
This coming year, several things are in the works:
On Saturday March 11th, D.H. Williams will be speaking on catechesis and apologetics at All Saints Church in Dallas, TX. Responses from IRCC fellows Dustin Messer and Jonathan Bailes. Come join us!
Later next year, we are planning IRCC events in the Raleigh-Durham area, the Bay area, and in Michigan. Stay tuned for more.
From January 16-20, I'll be teaching a one-week course on Catechesis and the Lord's Prayer at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. This is part of their Catechist Formation Program, directed by my good friends Joel Scandrett and Leslie Thyberg. Leslie is also teaching a class the week before on "Principles and Practices of Catechesis." This is an outstanding program for training catechists. Learn more here.
I'll also be speaking at events in Denver (April), Rome (May), Dallas (May), Pittsburgh (June), and Nashotah (June) this spring and summer. I'd love to connect with you!
Research
I’m pleased to announce that my first book will appear next year. It's entitledKnowledge, Faith, and Early Christian Initiation and will be published by Cambridge University Press (hopefully sometime in 2023). It’s a heavily revised version of the doctoral dissertation I did at Baylor, in which I explore the way that knowledge of God is construed in the teaching practices of early Christian catechesis. Looking forward to sharing more about this in due course.
A few more catechesis-related projects include:
The Creed for Life. The creed isn't just for beginners. As Luther said, we should always hope to remain a "child and pupil of the catechism." This article, published in the journal Pro Ecclesia, is on how Augustine thought Christians could draw on the creed throughout their life, not only at baptism.
Catechesis, Anger, and the Healing of Emotions. Catechesis takes a while. What's all that time for? One reason: it instills patience. This is an article published in the journal Church History on Augustine's catechumenate as a school for healing anger and learning patience.
The Apologetics of Mystery. Catechesis in the early church took a long time—sometimes 2 to 3 years. But they weren't the only one's that did this. Jewish and Greek philosophical schools took a similar approach. Find out why.
Additionally, here are a few snapshots from our IRCC Fellows:
Dr. Hanna Lucas on memory and the Christological nature of humanity. In an article, "Why I am an Anglican," Hanna writes: "Communion with Christ is the end, or telos, of the liturgy; and this affects how Anglicans understand the end, or telos, of the human person. The eucharistic nature of the liturgy illuminates the Christological nature of our humanity. We are made for worship and praise, and we are made for union with God in Christ. The liturgy ‘remembers’, or recognizes, Christ as the homeland of all desire, and in the anamnesis of the sacraments we consummate the deepest longing of our nature: to know our Lord." Read the whole thing here and watch an interview with Hanna about it here.
Canon Elizabeth Conkle on “Liturgical Rhythms for Life” (begins on p. 29). In this article, Beth writes: "The Church’s liturgy directs our focus away from ourselves onto God, safeguarding us from making worship about us—which really isn’t worship at all. From start to finish, we participate in a worship that proclaims the truth about God as revealed in Scripture, and we find ourselves pulled out of the mire of self-centered-ness, pride, and fear and into the narrative of God’s saving work."
Rev. Dr. Greg Peters on the "Superiority of Monastic Theology" and "The Rise of the Scholastic Method" at the Scriptorium Daily. The first 2 of 4 proposed articles on the monastic theological method, which will eventually culminate in a big. Readers wondering what this has to do with catechesis can listen to his IRCC talk from earlier this year on retrieving monastic theology for catechetical renewal.
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Norman-Krause on "Theologies of Labor and the Limits of Capital." In this article for a special edition of the Journal of Moral Theology, Nicholas engages with Catholic Social Teaching on the meaning of work and labor and how this can be developed in the context of Capitalism.
Rev. Dr. Hans Boersma's latest book, Pierced by Love: Divine Reading with the Christian Tradition, will be released in March. It's an extraordinary theological reflection on lectio divina, or "divine reading." Attendees of the 2019 IRCC colloquium will recall his fascinating lecture on the role of memory and its importance for the spiritual life. This will be a good one.
There's much more great work that our fellows are doing. Look for more in the near future...
IRCC Doctoral Fellow: Ethan Harrison
Rev. Ethan Harrison, an IRCC-sponsored fellow, is embarking for doctoral studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand beginning in January. An ordained priest, Ethan will be studying the doctrine of God with leading Anglican theologian, Christopher Holmes. Read Ethan's latest update from "Stepping Out into the Road here. And please do pray for Ethan and his family in this season of transition!
Support Our Work
Please also consider making an end-of-year tax-deductible donation to the IRCC. As you can see, we have several events planned for next year, as well as regular operating expenses and funded research. The IRCC is supported by individual donors, and your generosity helps build stronger catechesis in the church today. Thank you to those who regularly contribute to our work! You can find instructions about how to make a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Bethesda Family Ministries, here.
from the Blog
The Catechist as Historian? Yes! Catechesis isn't just about the catechism. It's also about grounding Christians in the story of God's dealings with the world. The latest (4th) edition of the classic work Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, by Mark Noll, David Komline, and Han-luen Kantzer Komline is an excellent book for catechists to have on the shelf. St. Augustine highly recommends it. Read more here.
Is catechesis just the Greek word for Sunday School? Find out from Nicholas Norman-Krause, who writes on catechesis as “whole person” and “whole church” formation. A great introduction to catechesis and a great example of how to write about it for your congregation. Read more here.
Announcements
Apply for Brazos Fellows
Do you know a college senior or 20-something who doesn't know what to do next? Or perhaps does know but wants to discern vocation in the context of prayer, theological study, and community?
Send them to Waco, TX to join Brazos Fellows. Brazos Fellows is a year-long part-time residential program based out of Christ Church in Waco, TX. Fellows meet weekly theological study, where they read classic works from the Christian tradition, and they take on a shared rule of life, participate in daily prayer and weekly worship, spiritual direction, and common meals. It is, to my mind, one of the most invigorating visions of catechetical formation out there.
Brazos Fellows is especially helpful for two kinds of people:
Someone who is unsure what comes next—who wants to discern their vocation, and their next steps, in community and with the help of mentors.
Someone who has a good idea of what they might go on to do (e.g., nursing school, seminary, graduate studies, missions work, etc.) but who wants to think theologically, and develop habits of prayer and study, before taking their next step.
Consider sending this announcement to one or two seniors or recent graduates who might be interested. They can request an application here, and read our program prospectus here.
Oden Lectures w/ Paul Blowers
I mentioned that I'll be teaching at Trinity School for Ministry in January. They also host the annual Oden Lectures in January. This year, Paul Blowers, one of the leading patristics scholars in the world, is delivering 3 lectures on "Creation as Christ's Masterpiece." In these lectures, Blowers will articulate the multi-faceted ways that early Christians understood Christ as dynamic principle creation—in the beginning, middle and end of the world.
These lectures will be held Jan. 12-13, with in-person and virtual options for attending. Friends of the IRCC can get $20 off the registration price with the code 20OFF. Register here!