Below you will find the Summer Hangout Schedule. Free subscribers may sign up for one session for free. Paid subscribers may sign up for as many as they please. You will find the sign-up link at the end of the schedule along with some further instructions. All of the readings are relatively short (sorry, no War and Peace or Moby Dick this time) so they are great places to dive into reading Classic literature without being too overwhelmed by the volume itself. If you are going to participate you will be best served by using the linked editions of the books/readings.
The STGB Summer Hangout Schedule
Thursday June 15, 2023 (6pm PST): Hangout #1 “Logic Crash Course”
If you are new to the study of logic, or if you just want a refresher on the basics, this will be a great time to go over what logic is all about, to learn about the different branches of logic, and to start down the road to better reasoning and argument building.
Required materials: You just need a notebook, a pen/pencil, and your thinking cap for this one!
Tuesday June 27, 2023 (6pm PST): Hangout #2 Discussion over Plutarch’s “Life of Romulus”
Plutarch’s Lives is a collection of short biographies on the lives of noble Greeks and Romans. It is unfailingly fascinating and enjoyable to read. We will be taking just a small excerpt from the overall work and discussing his short biography of Romulus, one of the founders of the city of Rome, along with his brother Remus. Come learn about the founding of one of the world’s most important cities in all of history!
Required Materials: Here is a PDF of the Text we will be using.
Thursday July 6, 2023 (6pm PST): Hangout #3 Discussion over Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving stories in the world and yet remains relevant today because of its grappling with matters of universal human interest like friendship, death and immortality, and more. An incredible tale of striving with the gods and with fellow men, Gilgamesh’s Epic has much for Christians to think about through a biblical lens. Gilgamesh’s story even contains many “echoes” of truths recorded in Scripture even if they are faint versions of the true story. You wont want to miss this discussion!
Required Materials: You can go HERE to read a fuller introduction of the book and to find the link to purchase the text we will be using together.
Thursday July 20, 2023 (6pm PST): Hangout #4 Discussion over Beowulf
Beowulf contains great monster fights, a braggadocious hero, and a picture of man’s need for Christ. Written in England in the Middle Ages (c. 1000) the author is unknown. The Beowulf poet sought to teach his readers that what we need is a greater Beowulf, a Beowulf whose reign shall never end and who can give us everlasting justice. Christ is the greater Beowulf! Come join us to dig into the rich Christian imagery of this thrilling tale!
Required Materials: You can pick up the right edition/translation of the text HERE.
Tuesday July 25, 2023 (6pm PST): Hangout #5 Discussion over Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
A knight in King Arthur’s court enters into a deadly game during Christmastime and it will test his every virtue. Gawain has two codes he is trying to live by, the knightly chivalric code and his Christian faith. What happens when these two things come into conflict? Which must give way to the other? This story is a brilliant case study in Christian virtue and dealing with temptation. It’s quite entertaining to boot!
Required Materials: You can get a copy of the book HERE.
Sign Up
If you want to sign up for one or more of our summer hangouts please fill out THIS FORM so I can know how many people to expect and collect email addresses to send the meeting links to. With the exception of the Logic Crash course the general expectation is that you will come to the hangout having pre-read the material. I know that we all live busy lives but this will really serve you best to be able to engage in the discussion more fully as we will not be reading it together, in full, during the hangout. Each participant should try to come up with at least two questions about the text to share and discuss with the group.
Here are some resources to help you as you dig into the readings:
I am with you in spirit. My summer reading is full, or I would be there.
Will you be sending a link for tonight's hangout?