We thought this may be of interest to some students - please do circulate in your networks and get in touch if you are interested.
Summer School Event
When: July 15-19, 2024
Where: Oxford (North Gate Hall)
About Selden College:
Selden College is seeking to recover and renew the rich heritage of Christian higher education in the UK, built around a community committed to the worship of God, the formation of Christian virtue, and the advancement of learning. Lord willing, doors will open in October 2025. The college is running a summer school, July 15-19, 2024, in Oxford, that will provide a taster of its liberal arts education, an education of the whole person: moral, spiritual and intellectual.
Dr Edwards has taught at Bristol University, Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and New Saint Andrews College (Idaho) where he also served as Academic Dean. He developed online Hebrew courses for BibleMesh and has other academic publications in the area of early Jewish and Christian biblical interpretation and early Bible versions.
Summer School event
Selden College Summer School will run from July 15-19, 2024, in Oxford (North Gate Hall)
The goal of the summer school is to provide parents and students with a taste of the type of education Selden College aims to provide: an education of the whole person – moral, spiritual and intellectual. All aspects of that education will be present in these four days. The school will begin with registration and an evening meal/reception on July 15, followed by four days (July 16-19) that follow the schedule below.
- Morning Worship
- Psalm singing instruction
- Keynote lectures by Dr Timothy Edwards on the vision for the college and its foundational principles
- LUNCH (provided)
- Afternoon Seminar Classes
- Afternoon choral music camp with Dr David Erb for 10-14/15 yr olds (and parents)
Please note, parents will be responsible for all their children throughout the duration of the Summer School.
The teachers and classes available are:
1. An introduction to John Owen (Dr Crawford Gribben, Queen’s University, Belfast)
John Owen was one of the leading theologians among the English puritans. Drawing on his knowledge of
Scripture and Christian tradition, as well as his love of Greek and Roman classical authors, he developed a
vision of the Christian life and its consequences for family, church and state that has proven to be enormously
influential. This class will introduce students to Owen by reading several of his key works, unpacking his idea
of devotional life, and showing how he expected his teaching to shape our understanding of the roles of
parents and children, worship in the gathered congregation, and the life of the nation at large.
2. An Introduction to Patristic Hermeneutics and Exegesis (Alberto Solano, DPhil student, Oxford
University)
Introduction to Patristic Hermeneutics and Exegesis provides an exploration of early Christian approaches to
understanding Scripture. Students will engage with the methods of biblical interpretation employed by various
Church Fathers, like Origen and Augustine. The course aims to examine how these early readings shaped
Christian thought and doctrines.
3. Old Testament Law and its Afterlife in the English Reformation and Beyond (Dr Timothy
Edwards, New Saint Andrews College and Selden College)
This course will briefly introduce students to Biblical law and how it works, and look at two examples from
English history: Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and arguments between Monarchists and
Republicans in the 17 th Century. We will look, in particular, at how OT law was central in shaping the outcome
of these significant events.
4. Reading Old Testament Poetry (Dr Timothy Edwards, New Saint Andrews College and Selden
College)
This course will briefly introduce students to the challenges and joys of reading poetry, in general, and biblical
poetry, in particular. Students will engage with different poetic texts from the Old Testament: Psalms, Proverbs
and Prophets, and see how a knowledge of the form of Hebrew poetry helps us understand the content of that
poetry.
5. Choral Music Camp (Dr David Erb, Fellow of Music, New Saint Andrews College)
FAQs
Who is the Summer School for?
Primarily for students intending to enter university in October 2025 or 2026, and their families. Others are welcome to sign up and will be able to attend the morning sessions, but the afternoon classes advertised will be limited to students in the age group listed above. Students aged 10-14/15 will have a choral music camp in the afternoon.
How much does it cost and what is included?
£250.00 (individual or family) This cost covers all summer school sessions, 2 evening meals (Monday and Friday), lunches (Tuesday- Friday), and refreshments. Accommodation is not included; all attendees will need to arrange their own accommodation.
How do I sign up?
1. You can sign up at the following web page: https://www.seldencollege.co.uk/summer-school-2024
or
2. Email tedwards@seldencollege.co.uk for a word document form to fill out and send in.
