Institute On Religion And Public Life

Education programs:beyond print and online publications, first things educational programs are a long standing, and ever growing, commitment. The institute believes strongly that creating a visible community of believers is an important part of accomplishing the mission. Each year the institute sponsors and hosts a variety of educational events and academic colloquia in order to engage our friends, subscribers, national influencers, as well as noted scholars and promising students.some examples of first things' educational offerings are:1. The first things seminar program in new york.the inaugural first things intellectual retreat was held in new york city in 2015, titled "the paradox of freedom." interest in the seminar was remarkably strong and enrollment was at capacity. Given the success of the first retreat the program expanded every year since to other cities in the us. In addition to the new annual retreat in new york city, first things has retreats in los angeles, waco, philadelphia, and washington dc to meet the demand among readers in those regions of the country. The themes and assigned readings for the retreats vary and have covered topics such as economics and the human person, the life of the mind, the political life, the good of marriage, love and friendship, the common good and the search for happiness. The retreats commonly gather together 60 to 100 in-person participants.2. The annual erasmus lecture in new york city, now in its 37th year. The 2024 erasmus lecture was delivered by paul kingsnorth, an english writer and thinker and the author of nine books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, including the novel the wake, longlisted for the man booker prize. His talk was entitled "against christian civilization". The lecture was the latest in the prestigious series held in new york, each year presenting an exceptional thought leader. Previous erasmus lecturers have included pope benedict xvi (then cardinal josef ratzinger), archbishop timothy dolan, rabbi jonathan sacks, dana gioia, ross douthat, russell moore, bishop robert barron, remi brague, and n. T. Wright, among many other noteworthy speakers. 3. Additionally, the institute hosts a number of academic colloquia throughout the year aimed at broadening understanding and promoting high level discussions among scholars of the ideas treated in the pages of first things.