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Institute Course | Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World: Augustine’s “City of God”
Join us for an exploration of one of Western literature’s most profound and timely works. Guided by Dr. Gregory Lee, author of the newly published The Essential ‘City of God’: A Reader and Commentary, participants will experience Augustine’s masterwork that still speaks powerfully to our present moment of political and social instability.
<<Catch the conversation with Dr. Greg Lee that sets the stage for our course, here!>>
Written in response to the shocking fall of Rome in 410 AD, City of God addresses enduring questions that resonate deeply today: How do we sustain hope when our stability seems to crumble? How do we navigate the tension of aligning our vision with the heavenly city while laboring in the midst of the brokenness of this one? What does it look like to love rightly and work faithfully—even when we feel displaced?
Dr. Gregory Lee, Associate Professor of Theology and Urban Studies at Wheaton College, will facilitate discussion about Augustine’s vision of Christian identity and civic engagement. Through carefully selected readings, engaging short lectures, and rich group discussions, we’ll investigate how Augustine’s insights can help us navigate contemporary challenges in faith, politics, and cultural engagement.
Over five weekly sessions, we’ll examine key themes including:
- God’s purposes in temporal blessing and suffering
- The relationship between violence, idolatry, and empire
- Christians and political leadership
- What it means to embrace an exilic framework of living
This course is designed to be accessible for all, offering a great introduction for newcomers to Augustine and also depth for those already familiar with his work. Weekly readings will be focused and concise, with optional add-ons for those wanting more.
Be a part of this unique opportunity to engage with ancient wisdom that speaks directly to our modern moment. Limited to 25 participants to ensure meaningful discussion and interaction.
Details:
Location: Online
Date and Time: Five sessions held on April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, from 7:30-8:45p ET
Cost: Choose your Tier – A Pricing Model Rooted in Generosity & Relationship
At Goldenwood, we believe in a gift economy—where our work and giving is not transactional but part of a relational and generative system. Like a root network, where some trees bear more fruit in one season and others in another, this pricing approach allows for a shared ecosystem of flourishing—some contribute more so that others may receive, and all are sustained together.
Our tiered pricing model reflects this, allowing participants to contribute at a level that aligns with their capacity while supporting the mission to see work revived by love. We invite you to participate in a way that reflects your own season and capacity.
1. Full Value (Sustainable Tier) – $350
Reflects the true cost and value—while balancing affordability—including the unseen work that makes this a meaningful and transformative experience.
2. Covering Costs (Supported Tier) – $250
Covers only the essentials—facilitator’s time and overhead costs—ensuring the program is financially viable.
3. Generative Giving – $500 (or choose amount)
Goes beyond covering costs, helping make our programs accessible to others and investing in the long-term flourishing of this work. Includes a light lunch and all materials.
About your Guide:
Dr. Gregory Lee (PhD, Duke University) is associate professor of theology and urban studies at Wheaton College (IL) and senior fellow for The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies. He is author of The Essential “City of God,” Today When You Hear His Voice: Scripture, the Covenants, and the People of God, and several articles on Augustine. His current book project, Christians among the Corrupt: Augustine, Race, and the Challenge of Immoral Communities, retrieves Augustine’s theology to address contemporary issues of race and Christian unity.
Outside Wheaton, Dr. Lee is teaching pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church, and he served for several years as board chair of Manna Christian Fellowship, a campus ministry at Princeton University.