Biblical and Social Educational Classes
These educational classes are based off of The Marin Foundation’s Culture War Curriculum that entails five sections: the Social, Historical, Political, Scientific and Theological arenas comprising the LGBT-conservative religious disconnect. Each of these five sections follow a pattern of laying forth the Progressive Point of View (PPV), the Conservative Point of View (CPV), and in each section a conclusion of a New Paradigm of Engagement that is underscored and informed through the PPV and CPV.
The framework for all of our classes is to foster discussion. Our classes accept all points of view, and our main objective is education, not condemnation. At the moment there are two Tracks; Track 1 for the LGBT community and Track 2 for the Conservative Religious Community.
Track 1 classes have been designed for the LGBT community, focusing on immersing the attendees within an interaction based dialogue through the five sections of our Culture War Curriculum that lays a new framework for an elevated engagement with the conservative religious world. These classes overview the social, historical, political and theological arguments that continue to perpetuate the culture war. Track 1 classes present the progressive point of view along with the conservative point of view on the aforementioned topics, and how to, in turn, actively elevate the conversation through both perspectives to find a more peaceful and productive way forward.
Track 2 classes have been designed for the heterosexual Christian, focusing on immersing the attendees within an interaction based dialogue through the five sections of our Culture War Curriculum that lays a new framework for an elevated engagement with the LGBT community. These classes attempt to turn an orientation that is not personal for the attendee into a time that promotes intellectual dialogue and a more wholistic understanding of the LGBTs—one that seeks a biblical reconciliation to God and to ‘the other’ through the countercultural ways of Jesus.
From those who have family members, friends, co-workers or acquaintances who are either heterosexual Christians or LGBT, these classes provide a special opportunity to be educated about all aspects regarding the culture war and learning how to answer the tough questions by productively building bridges instead of tearing them down.
Both of these Tracks are held regularly at The Marin Foundation offices in Chicago. They have also been taught for credit at a variety of major universities and seminaries across the United States; as well as in churches and NGOs all over the world.
For more information about our current schedule please email kevin@themarinfoundation.org.
If you are interested in bringing our Culture War Curriculum to your area please email speaking@themarinfoundation.org.
