PROGRAMS
Come learn with us
Our programming offers opportunities to explore the intellectual and cultural resources of the Christian tradition through stand-alone events, multi-week reading groups, as well as more sustained communities of intellectual and moral formation for students and faculty.
All of our programs embody our commitment to hospitality, generous conversation, and the integration of faith and life.
Classes
Topics in Biblical Studies: The Gospels
Dr. Richard Horner
Thursdays, February 5 - March 5 at 4:05pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Coffee and snacks provided
Why does the Bible give us four versions of the story of Jesus of Nazareth? Wouldn’t one have been enough? What shall we make of these four books? What themes and aims do they share? How do their different agendas, perspectives, and editorial policies shape them and distinguish them from each other? How shall we make sense of the contradictions that appear when we place the gospels alongside each other? And how do their differences enrich the picture of Jesus that they give us?
Whether you have never read the gospels before or read them many times and puzzled over what to make of them, you are welcome in this class. The class will be both accessible to those who are new to these texts and challenging to those who know them well.
Topics in the History of Christianity: Medieval Church and the Reformation
Zachary Young
Mondays, March 2 - April 6 at 4:05pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Coffee and snacks provided
In the 1500s, Christianity was intensely divided - and yet immensely productive. Even as Europe was riven by religious tension and conflict between Protestants and Catholics, the 16th century saw the establishment of vibrant Christian churches all around the world. This short course tells the story of the founding, growth, and flourishing of these 16th century Christian missions in forgotten corners of Europe; in Africa; in the Americas; and in Asia.
Director's Class — The Human Vocation: Reading Genesis 1-5
Michael Sacasas
Wednesdays, January 28 - April 15 at 11:45am
Christian Study Center Classroom
Lunch provided
More details to come
Guest Lectures
Guest Lecture with Dr. Ellen Davis
Dr. Ellen Davis
Thursday, February 19 at 7:00pm
CSC Classroom
Appetizers and refreshments provided
This event is sposonsored by the Chapel of the Incarnation
We are honored to welcome Dr. Ellen Davis as part of a co-sponsored program with the Chapel of the Incarnation. On the evening of Thursday, February 19, she will offer talk titled, “Is the Old Testament Worth Reading?” We hope you can join us for the reception at 7:00 PM and lecture at 7:30 PM, and we encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Davis is an Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School. She is an established author who focuses her research on the effects of biblical interpretation on the life of faith communities and ways they respond to urgent public issues. Her most recent book, Opening Israel's Scriptures (Oxford, 2019), is a comprehensive theological reading of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. She also has a forthcoming book, Light within Light: Psalms and the Arts of Insight, of which she is a co-writer along with world-renowned artist, Makoto Fujimaura, and prominent theologian Shai Held.
Guest Lecture with Dr. Antón Barba-Kay
Dr. Antón Barba-Kay
Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00pm
Christian Study Center of Gainesville (Classroom)
Open to public | Appetizers and refreshments provided
More details to come
Reading Groups
Literature Reading Group
Dr. Ana Siljak
Wednesdays, January 21 - April 22 at 4:05pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Coffee and snacks provided
“Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov is Russian classic, at once a murder mystery, family drama, and philosophical exploration of suffering, good, and evil. It is also, in hidden and open ways, a profoundly Christian text, in which each character must struggle with faith, doubt, the possibility of redemption, and the purpose of love -- all in a modern world where science and the secular dominate. Join us as we journey with Dostoevsky’s characters in this novel, exploring our own path to faith and purpose, and considering, all the while, what it means to write a Christian novel in a modern, secular age.”
Facilitator Bio:
Ana Siljak received her Ph.D. in Russian History from Harvard University. She taught and researched Russian history, literature, and culture at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Toronto, and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She is now an Associate Professor of the Humanities at the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. Ana Siljak’s first book, entitled Angel of Vengeance, on Russia’s first female terrorist, was nominated for the Charles Taylor Prize for narrative non-fiction and was named one of the top 100 books of the year by the Globe and Mail. She is currently completing her book on the personalist philosophy of Nikolai Berdyaev. She has contributed essays and book reviews in the Wall Street Journal, Mere Orthodoxy, and the Literary Review of Canada.
Lent Pop-Up
Franklyn François
Wednesday February 11 at 5:30pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Light appetizers and refreshments provided
Reading Lent: The Season for Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley
Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal invites us to learn more about the church tradition of observing Lent. Author and series editor, Esau McCaulley, helps us explore the significance of the Lent season and creates space for us to meditate on the call to repentance and renewal made possible by Jesus.
Join us for a group discussion facilitated by Franklyn François as we gaze upon the mercy and grace of of Jesus and how he seeks to renew what has been broken by sin. All are welcome to read the book beforehand and join for discussion. Even if you don’t read the book you are still free to join.
Literature Pop-Up
Nick Dunn and Hannah Garcia
Tuesday, March 10 at 7pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Coffee and snacks provided
Discussing Marce Catlett by Wendell Berry
Join us as we explore the most recent addition to the beloved Port William series by Wendell Berry. Published at the age of 91, this novel is sure to deliver Berry’s hard-won wisdom as it explores themes such as community, family, determination and resilience. This series has sparked many great discussions in the past and we expect nothing less with this short work. Coffee will be provided.
Facilitator bios:
Hannah Garcia has a background in cell biology and medicine, but literature and the arts are where her true passion lies. She loves joining with others for the deep exploration of just about anything and looks forward to hearing the unique ideas that surface during discussion. She lives in Gainesville with her husband and three spritely boys.
Special Events
Spring Open House
Mike Sacasas
Tuesday, January 20 | 7:00 PM - Reception with with a short talk to follow
CSC Lobby and Classroom
Open to the Public - Refreshments provided
Join us on Tuesday, January 20th for our Open House. We will begin at 7:00 PM with a reception featuring appetizers and refreshments for you to enjoy as you connect with other guests in the CSC Lobby. After the reception, we will convene inside the CSC Classroom where our staff will give an orientation to our spring programs, followed by a short talk by Mike Sacasas titled “Work, Wonder, and Worship: Perspectives on the Human Vocation.”
Lent Concert
Jaxon Crews
Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30pm
CSC Lobby/Pascal's Cafe
Appetizers and refreshments provided
More details to come
Convivium: Why Work?
Michael Sacasas and Dr. Joshua Perlin
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm
Christian Study Center Lobby/Pascal's Cafe
Dinner provided
Join us for a dinner and discussion around a topic worth considering. This semester's theme is "Why Work?"
More details to come
Classical Concert
Dr. Lauren Hodges
Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm
Christian Study Center Lobby/Pascal's Cafe
Appetizers and refreshments provided
More details to come
Noontime Prayer
Dr. Joshua Perlin
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12:00pm
Christian Study Center Classroom
Opent to public
More details to come
Faith in the Academy | Faculty Q&A with Dr. Ernesto Escoto
Dr. Ernesto Escoto
Wednesday, February 18 at 11:45am
Christian Study Center Classroom
Lunch provided
More details to come
Faith in the Academy | Faculty Q&A with Dr. Chris Hampson
Facilitate by Dr. Joshua Perlin
Wednesday, March 11 at 11:45am
Christian Study Center Classroom
Lunch provided
More details to come
Walker Percy Fellows Program
Walker Percy Fellows pursue the integration of faith, life, and learning during their undergraduate years. The program combines readings in the Christian tradition, fellowship around shared meals, and rich conversations to foster a community of intellectual and spiritual formation.
The 2025-2026 cohort will begin meeting this fall for Year One of the curriculum focused on the cultivation of the Christian Mind. During this year, students will receive a grounding in the biblical story and in a Christian understanding of the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are now closed.
