1-Year Groundwork Program
Groundwork is an overview of the victory of Jesus Christ from the creation of the world to our present day, as seen through the lens of the Great Conversation of Western civilization. Students will learn how God has directed the history, literature, philosophy, religion, and culture of the West to bring about the growth of His kingdom. Men and women who desire to broaden their understanding of the foundations of Western civilization are invited to enroll in this year-long course. Whether you are a recent high school graduate trying to figure out your next steps, a curious individual who opted for something other than a liberal arts education, or someone who simply wants a refresher on basic foundational principles—whatever age you are—Groundwork will tell the story of how we got to where we are today. From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Plato’s Republic, from Augustine’s Confessions to Beowulf, from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to Luther’s Bondage of the Will, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to Darwin, Freud, Hitler, and Planned Parenthood, you’ll bump up against the good, the bad, and the ugly of Western Civilization and see that all the questions raised by the poets, philosophers, and priests of the past are answered only in our Lord Jesus. The course will be taught by a cadre of pastors and scholars who know their stuff and are determined to help you grow in knowledge and godliness.
Groundwork for Bachelor of Divinity (BD) Students
For men who are interested in the ordained ministry but lack a Bachelor's degree, NGA offers a Bachelor of Divinity. In this program, men will work through our flagship pastoral training course of study as well as completing our one-year Groundwork program. Groundwork is an overview of the Great Conversation of Western civilization through an explicitly Biblical lens. Our Groundwork curriculum will give men a solid foundation for understanding and applying the theology and history they’ll learn in our pastoral training curriculum.
Groundwork is an overview of the victory of Jesus Christ from the creation of the world to our present day, as seen through the lens of the Great Conversation of Western civilization. Students will learn how God has directed the history, literature, philosophy, religion, and culture of the West to bring about the growth of His kingdom. Men and women who desire to broaden their understanding of the foundations of Western civilization are invited to enroll in this year-long course. Whether you are a recent high school graduate trying to figure out your next steps, a curious individual who opted for something other than a liberal arts education, or someone who simply wants a refresher on basic foundational principles—whatever age you are—Groundwork will tell the story of how we got to where we are today. From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Plato’s Republic, from Augustine’s Confessions to Beowulf, from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to Luther’s Bondage of the Will, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to Darwin, Freud, Hitler, and Planned Parenthood, you’ll bump up against the good, the bad, and the ugly of Western Civilization and see that all the questions raised by the poets, philosophers, and priests of the past are answered only in our Lord Jesus. The course will be taught by a cadre of pastors and scholars who know their stuff and are determined to help you grow in knowledge and godliness.
Groundwork for Bachelor of Divinity (BD) Students
For men who are interested in the ordained ministry but lack a Bachelor's degree, NGA offers a Bachelor of Divinity. In this program, men will work through our flagship pastoral training course of study as well as completing our one-year Groundwork program. Groundwork is an overview of the Great Conversation of Western civilization through an explicitly Biblical lens. Our Groundwork curriculum will give men a solid foundation for understanding and applying the theology and history they’ll learn in our pastoral training curriculum.
- Classes are online (live) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and can be joined anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.
- Classes will begin August 2023.
- Cost for the year-long program is $2400 ($1200/semester).
Groundwork Professors
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Rev. Stephen BakerStephen Baker has served as the dean and lead instructor of New Geneva Academy since 2005. He has been an associate pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (Bloomington, IN) since 2003. Stephen holds a Master of Ministry degree from the Reformed Baptist Pastoral Training Institute of Worcester, Massachusetts. Stephen is married to Sebra, and they have six sons and nine grandchildren.
Groundwork modules: church, culture, and history |
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Dr. Ben Burlingham
Ben Burlingham is an elder at Trinity Reformed Church (Bloomington, IN). He holds a PH.D. in chemistry, which he currently teaches at Indiana University. He is also a graduate of New Geneva Academy. Ben and his wife Emily have five children and also care for foster children.
Groundwork modules: history of science |
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Mr. Brandon Chasteen
Brandon Chasteen has a PhD (ABD) in English literature, although he now works in land and oil. He podcasts about literature for Warhorn Media. Brandon and his wife, Anna, have five children.
Groundwork modules: literature & philosophy |
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Dr. Josh CongroveJoshua Congrove is an elder at Trinity Reformed Church (Bloomington, IN). He has a PhD in Classical Studies and Medieval Studies from Indiana University. Specializing in Greek and Latin, late antiquity, and patristics, he is the author of Behold My Heart: The Life and Legacy of Augustine. He and his wife, Nisha, have five children.
Groundwork modules: church history |
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Mr. Jacob GonzalesJacob Gonzales is a full time student at Indiana University studying Religion and Philosophy, and a research assistant in their Religious Studies department. He also teaches seventh and eighth grade literature and writing at Cedars Christian School in Bloomington Indiana.
Groundwork modules: philosophy |
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Mr. Andrew Henry
Andrew Henry has degrees from the IU Jacobs School of Music in Viola Performance and String Technology (violinmaking). He was the founding teacher of Cedars Christian School (Bloomington, IN), teaching classes at all levels. He now serves on the Cedars Board. Andrew is married to Kaitlyn, and they have five kids.
Groundwork modules: history and political theory |
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Dr. David Talcott
David Talcott is a Fellow of Philosophy and the Graduate Dean of New Saint Andrew's College. He previously taught at The King's College (NY) for twelve years, first as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and then as an Associate Professor of Philosophy. David and his wife, Anna, have six children.
Groundwork modules: philosophy and political theory |
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Dr. Aaron Tripp
Aaron Tripp is a graduate of New Saint Andrew’s College and the University of Wales, Trinity St. David (PhD, Middle English). He and his wife Danielle have been married 27 years and they have 5 children.
Groundwork modules: history and literature |