Monday night is National Date Night. Friday and Saturday can be, too, but from January 27 through March 10, the Center for Christian Studies (CCS) has declared it: Monday night is National Date Night. If someone has made today, January 9, National Balloon Ascension Day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, National Apricot Day, and National Static Electricity Day—I’m not making this up—then we can assert 7 weeks of Monday nights as National Date Nights.
But why? To all football fans and those who have relationships with football fans, January 27 is the end of the Monday night season. The NFL’s Monday Night Football is done, and, more important, the college football championship will be decided on Monday, January 20. On January 27, a large segment of our population will experience a bit of post-season despondency and be in need of something to fill the hole.
How should that time be filled? With a date or social time, of course! Relationship experts say you should spend some time with your spouse, and, if possible, go out on a date at least once a week. What I’m saying here also applies to friends. Let’s say you like your significant other or friend enough to spend 90 minutes a week with that person. But what will you do on these Monday nights together? Go to dinner and a movie? Stay inside and binge watch the next time waster?
No. The perfect way to spend your open Monday evenings is by taking in the new class offered by CCS on Mondays, January 27 through March 10, 7:00 to 8:30 pm (CST). The class is “In Defense of Hope: Why Christianity Makes Sense.” Over the course of 7 weeks, six experts will teach and lead discussions about various ways we know God and about the many testimonies pointing to the truth of the Christian faith.
An essential aspect of discipleship is study and growth in knowledge. And an essential tool for engaging our society is understanding the reasonableness of Christian faith. How are you learning and being equipped?
Sure, you could go out and spend $20-30 on two movie tickets and another $20-30 on snacks and drinks, but you’re probably not going to be edified by Sonic the Hedgehog 3 or The Last Showgirl. (And add up that price tag for 7 weeks.) Or you could stay in and stream yet another never-ending series that has no purpose except to keep you watching. You won’t learn anything about God or the Christian faith. You probably won’t learn anything at all.
If you make Monday nights date nights with CCS, not only will you have saved a lot of money, but also you will have something substantive to think about and talk about with your date or friend, and you will actually be doing something proactive to grow in your knowledge of the Christian faith. You can also attend on your own, of course, if you are single or your friend is not interested. Come and make new friends.
For those in Austin or central Texas, join this live class in person in north Austin. For those outside of central Texas, join the live class on Zoom and participate alongside us. Let’s make it a date!
To learn more about the course, see the schedule of topics and speakers, and register, visit our website and RSVP!
Discounted rates available for Journal of Christian Studies and First Things subscriber households. Student discount also available. Before registering for the class, subscribe to JCS here for your discount, and First Things here. Additional discount: Zoom groups of 10 or more joining on one device are $50/person.
Here is the class description and course schedule:
In a society that is increasingly hostile to Christian faith, unbelievers often assume that Christian faith is nonsensical or illogical or even immoral. It is therefore essential for believers to understand the bases for these assumptions and then to be “ready always for a defense to anyone asking you a reason concerning the hope within you” (1 Pet 3:15).
The disciplines of theology and apologetics, as well as history and sociology, can help address the relevant questions. Why is there something and not nothing? What do we mean by God? Why is it reasonable to believe in God? Why is it reasonable to believe in this God of the Bible? How are natural law, deep conscience, and beauty a testimony to God and faith? Is science compatible with Christian faith? How has Christianity changed the world? How does all this inform the virtue of Christian hope? What are the practical implications of a reasonable faith? What does it mean for our life?
The Center for Christian Studies will be offering a live seven-week class, “In Defense of Hope: Why Christianity Makes Sense,” led by Keith Stanglin, director of CCS, and other guest lecturers. The class will examine many of the questions noted above. The goal of the class is to provide participants with resources, greater confidence, and hope in the face of skepticism, unbelief, and despair.
Weekly Schedule:
Jan. 27: Introduction (Keith Stanglin)
Feb. 3: Knowing God through Reason (Jim Baird)
Feb. 10: Knowing God through Beauty (Tessa Davidson)
Feb. 17: Knowing God through Science (Stacey Rodenbeck)
Feb. 24: Knowing God through Morality (Nathan Guy)
March 3: Knowing God without Arguments (Mark Powell)
March 10: Knowing God by Hope (Keith Stanglin)
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