COURSE DESCRIPTION

​​

2026-27 | A Year of Augustine

After the closing of the Scriptural canon, no single work has done more to shape the Christian heart than St. Augustine’s Confessions, and no single work has done more to shape the Christian mind than the City of God. Augustine’s influence on the Christian faith is almost too vast to fully comprehend, but this school year, I’m offering classes on his major works for anyone who wants to begin. We will read the Confessions in the fall and City of God in the spring.

 

Spring 2027 | City of God

If it is true that all of Western philosophy is a footnote to Plato’s Republic, it is also true that all of Western theology is a footnote to St. Augustine’s City of God. First-time readers of the City of God are always surprised by how thorough the work is, and yet how riveting. Most comprehensive works of theology are written in a dry, academic tone and are filled with highly technical explanations of obscure concepts and etymologies that the common man has no interest in—but not the City of God. It’s a rollicking book of short chapters, common interests, and the winsome personality of the author. It doesn’t require an advanced theology degree to understand. High school students can and do understand it.

St. Augustine’s City of God for Beginners will take students through all of the most important passages of the work. We will read a good deal of the text, but not every word. Students will gain a strong sense of the way in which St. Augustine interpreted history and Scripture. We will read Augustine’s account of the most important Christian doctrines: baptism, the sacraments, the atonement, the judgement, the resurrection, and so forth. However, we will also read his thoughts on more niche matters, like the improbable rise of Christianity from within pagan Rome, the possibility of miracles, the nature of angels, how the animals got to Australia and Madagascar after the flood...

 

I read and taught the City of God to high school sophomores for the first time back in 2009 and was amazed by how quickly they took to it. This is a book that has the power to remake what a young person thinks “theology” is. For those who are intimidated by theology and big theology books, the City of God can make theology seem doable without making it simple or silly. This is a life-changing, perspective-altering, paradigm-shifting, invigorating book like no other. 

​

BOOK LIST

City of God by Augustine of Hippo, translated by Henry Bettenson​

​

COURSE DATES

Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - noon, Mountain Standard Time. Course begins January 5 and ends April 13 (no class on Tuesday, March 23).

​

COURSE LEVELS

Gibbs Classical courses are offered at two different levels: Student and Auditor.

​

Student Level | Students will have entry into live Zoom classes, as well as access to recordings of class videos and the class Canvas page, where students may ask questions (of one another or Mr. Gibbs) and carry on discussions about the reading.

 

Students will be assigned two essays, one in the middle of the semester and the other at the end of the semester. Students are not required to complete the essays but may do so if they choose. The essays should be a minimum of 1200 words long and will receive written feedback which will be returned to students and parents. Students have the option to resubmit their work for additional feedback.

​

Student Level Pricing is as follows: 

1 class - $325

2 classes - $600

​

Auditor Level | Auditors will receive recordings of the class videos delivered by email every Saturday. The Auditor Level does not come with a Canvas login. It is ideal for anyone whose schedule does not allow attendance on class dates and who does not plan on doing any written work for the class. During the 14-week session, Joshua will offer two hour-long open Zoom sessions for auditors only on a weekday evening (dates will be provided by email at the beginning of the course). During these optional session, auditors are invited to discuss the reading or ask questions. 

​

Auditor Level Pricing is as follows: ​

1 class - $265

2 classes - $500

​

CLASS POLICIES

• Gibbs Classical courses are open to students aged 15 and above. Adults and college students are welcome. 

• No make-up sessions will be given in the event of a student absence, but recordings of the class will be available for all students. 

• Class will begin with the assumption that students have already done the reading which is being discussed.  

• All emails exchanged between students and Mr. Gibbs should be copied to a parent. All emails sent from Mr. Gibbs to individual students will be copied to parents. No private conversations between underage students and Mr. Gibbs will take place. 

• Students are expected to use their real names and unmodified backgrounds when in class Zoom sessions. 

• Students will be clearly informed of due dates for the two papers. It is the responsibility of the student to turn in work. If a student does not turn in work, Mr. Gibbs will not remind or hound the student to do so, neither will parents be notified. 

• Students are expected to be courteous and polite to one another in class. They are also expected to represent and defend their opinions with dignity and common sense. Disagreement between students will happen, but this is simply part of discussing politics and philosophy like mature adults. If one student’s feelings are hurt by another student, it does not necessarily mean anyone has been mistreated or that an apology is warranted. 

• Refund policy: A full refund is offered for anyone who decides to drop the class before the start date. A 50% refund is offered for anyone who drops the class before the second class meeting. 

• Late start policy: If there is space available, students and auditors may join the class after the start date but will not receive a discounted rate. ​​​