Seven Deadly Sins (Capital Vices) in the Christian Tradition

Dr. Rebecca DeYoung, Calvin College & Dr. Robert Kruschwitz, Baylor University

This two-week seminar on the seven deadly sins-or, capital vices-in the Christian tradition will explore a philosophical understanding of the vices as moral concepts that played a central role in spiritual formation and cultural critique from the 4th to the 13th century.

We aim to deepen understanding of the vices among Christian scholars by embedding a rigorous conceptual analysis of the vices within their historical and theological tradition and the Christian practices that gave them shape. With this background in hand, Christian scholars, teachers, and pastors can more accurately and winsomely articulate for contemporary audiences what is valuable in the vices tradition, counter contemporary secular treatments (or mistreatments) of the sins, and enrich impoverished Christian conceptions of their own traditions and practices in the church and community. Finally, we will explore ways to apply this scholarly research fruitfully in Christian practices and pedagogy in worship and in the classroom.

Application deadline is January 15, 2010.

Download the Summer Seminar Announcement here. For more information and application requirements, visit www.calvin.edu/scs.