The Crosswise Institute of Concordia University, Irvine, endeavors to engage high school students in meaningful dialogue on contemporary cultural issues that challenge their worldview and that calls them from comfort to something risky, but rewarding. Together, students are invited to develop their ideas, refine their thinking, and examine how the church community might respond to current and relevant topics as informed by Scripture. Ultimately, we want to bring these conversations to bear on the real lives of friends and neighbors as students go out with a thoughtful Christian perspective on current events, ethical concerns, and social trends.
If you could change your body or enhance your mind with technology would you? High School students - you are invited to join us at the inaugural summer experience of the Crosswise Institute. Through compelling teaching and engaging conversations, you will learn about the Transhumanism movement, the three Supers, and the impact these ideas could have on your future. Through the lens of Scripture, we will explore together the role of the church in this future reality.
We’re excited to launch the Crosswise Institute at Concordia University, Irvine, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Our vision is to invite high school students to think critically and biblically about trending cultural topics. By participating with others in this way, they might expand their understanding of the world while growing in wisdom.
We believe in interesting conversations, deep questions, breaking bread, and hearty laughter. Crosswise seeks to inspire students to be the conversation-starters in their own neighborhoods, families, sports teams, and schools. In short, the Crosswise team hopes you will join the effort to think biblically about our culture’s most pressing issues.
Preferred Super Power: Teleportation "I would appreciate the power of teleportation. One, I can teleport to Dallas every Sunday afternoon to watch the Cowboys play. Two, I can finally fish the world's greatest trout streams without spending a dime on travel. Three, if I found myself in a sticky situation...I could get the heck out. I suppose you could do all these things by flying as well, but I have to wonder, wouldn't flying like Superman leave you with an incredibly sore neck?"
Day Job: Director of the Graduate Programs in Theology at Christ College, and Associate Professor of Theology
Preferred Super Power: The Force "I would like the power of the force. It would be awesome to be a Jedi, of course, and use my powers for the right cause: protection. I would not be swayed by the Dark Side."
Day Job: Assistant Professor & Director of the Director of Christian Education Program of Christ College
Preferred Super Power: Cyberpathy "The ability to control software with your mind. The world will be in dire trouble from two post-apocalyptic sources: zombies and killer robots. When, not if, those two threats to humanity merge as zombiots nobody will be ready for what follows. In such an environment computer-programming skills to deprogram the zombiots will be key to survival. Thus, my desired superpower is the ability to program computers with my mind, aka cyberpathy. But wait! If biological zombies do not have minds, will zombiots not have a functioning CPU to run software?"
Day Job: Assistant Professor of Philosophy, specializing in the Philosophy of Science at Christ College
Preferred Super Power: Animal Telepathy "The ability to control animals with telepathy to fight as an army against the coming robot apocalypse."
Day Job: Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Concordia University, Irvine
Preferred Super Power: Mind Control "After having watched Jessica Jones on Netflix and all of the X-Men movies, I'd have to say I would prefer to have the super power of mind control. If I can control your mind, it really doesn't matter how strong you are, if you can fly, or shoot things at me; I control your mind, I win."
Day Job: Director of Operations and Scholarship for 1517 The Legacy Project and Adjunct Professor of Theology
Why am I so concerned with a group of people who want to use technology in such a way that prolongs my life?
Investigate three dominant areas of transhumanism: super longevity, super intelligence and super wellbeing.
It’s coming people, and it’s coming in your lifetime.
If you’re happy and you know it…you’re a Transhumanist (clap, clap)
From its founding, Concordia University’s Christ College has equipped students to carry out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. As you seek to discover your unique calling, Crosswise offers you an opportunity to explore your questions and collaborate with like-minded students.
Learn more about each of the Church Work Programs offered at Concordia University Irvine:
Want to know more about preparing for a vocation in church work at Concordia University Irvine? Please contact the Christ College Program Coordinator, Carrie Donohoe, at carrie.donohoe@cui.edu or (949) 214-3389.
Supported with a generous grant from:
This innovative and exciting new think tank for high school students offers today’s youth an opportunity to lend their voice to contemporary issues and engage these ideas within their sphere of influence to shape culture. Select faculty and scholars will be invited to facilitate these conversations.
The carefully articulated, gospel-centered ideas that result from these gatherings will become available to students and their communities as resources for continuing the conversation. Read articles, watch video, and listen to audio of our recent gatherings.
Invest in Concordia University, Irvine’s Crosswise Institute today.
Crosswise offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in learning spaces that emphasize inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, and authentic, "real world" problem solving as they tackle culturally relevant topics. We believe these students are capable of sparking meaningful change in their communities.