Dr. Dariusz Bryćko teaching an online course on Reformed theology
Makowski Academy of Reformed Theology
No confessionally faithful Reformed college or seminary has ever been established in Poland. No Polish-language coursework exists to train students, pastors, or laypeople in biblically orthodox Reformed teaching.
Named for the influential 17th century Polish Reformed theologian Jan Makowski (Johannes Maccovius, 1588-1644), our Academy was started in 2022 as a pioneering project to bridge this resource gap. Our vision is summed up by the Augustinian-Anselmian watchword “faith seeks understanding.”
The Makowski Academy exists to facilitate approachable interaction with the essential works of Christian thinkers in the confessional Reformed tradition – such as the Puritans, Reformers, and post-Reformation theologians – all rooted in the trajectory of historic orthodox Christianity. Experts in the field offer, in the Polish language, introduction to these thinkers and their works, discussed together among a community of truth-seekers.
Courses are designed for accessibility and maximum benefit, even for those with a busy schedule. Since the Academy is underwritten by sponsors of Tolle Lege Institute, we are able to offer each course at an affordable cost.
Courses Offered
In fall 2022 we launched our pilot course, Introduction to Reformed Theology I, taught by Dr. Dariusz Bryćko, with Tolle Lege’s recent translation of The Manual of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof as the textbook.
We have new courses planned for Fall 2023, if , including:
- Introduction to Reformed Theology III – Dr. Dariusz Bryćko
- Belgic Confession as a Guide to Confessional Reformed Theology – Przemysław Lewicki
- The Church: What it is and does, and Why Every Christian Should Love it – Alister Torrens
- Calvinist Culture of the Psalter – Word & Music in the Reformed Church – Dr. Andrzej Polaszek.
Full description of the courses and sign-up available on our Polish website.
If you would like to receive more information about our course offerings, contact Brooke Bryćko.
Currently, we are in need of additional funding to sustain the costs of translating textbooks and compensating the Academy instructors.
Recent Events
Inauguration of the Academic Year
On October 2 we inaugurated the academic year at the College of Theology and Social Sciences. Dariusz has just become the Director of English Theological Studies and is developing the Reformed/Presbyterian Theology track, newly created in cooperation with Tolle Lege. Brooke teaches Research & Writing courses.
New Publication
On September 30 we got our latest book from the printing house—A Friendly Conversation Between an Evangelical Minister and a Roman Catholic Priest. It is a Reformation-era work by Polish-Lithuanian minister Daniel Kałaj, now republished for a modern audience.
Development of the Reformed/Presbyterian Track at the College
In partnership with The College of Theology and Social Sciences in Warsaw, Dariusz was asked to develop a new Reformed/Presbyterian Theology track and serve as Director of English Theological Studies. Brooke will teach Research & Writing courses.
Official welcoming of our mission congregation
At the June Synod of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania, our church plant core group was welcomed as an official mission congregation.
Recent Events
A Conference on Puritans
On November 28 we hosted a conference on Puritans. The speakers were Rev. Dr. Dariusz Bryćko (Instytut Tolle Lege), Dr. Paul C. H. Lim (Vanderbilt Divinity School), Rev. Dr. Kamil Hałambiec (Wyższa Szkoła Teologiczno-Społeczna), and Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller (First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, TX). Because of the pandemic, all the lectures and the discussion panel were hosted online. More than 100 participants were able to grow in their knowledge of Biblical truth and Puritan piety.
All the lectures are available online for watching.
Calvin’s Institutes Book Promotion
On September 24 we hosted a book promotion for the first-ever translation of Calvin’s Institutes to Polish, published by HORN.
What does Tolle Lege Mean?
Tolle Lege is a Latin phrase meaning “take and read.” It is taken from St. Augustine’s account of his own conversion in his classic work Confessions. While weeping in his garden, overwhelmed by a sense of sin and separation from God, Augustine heard an audible voice, as of a boy or girl chanting in a neighboring house, “Take and read, take and read.” Startled by these words, Augustine interpreted it as a command from God to open the Bible and start reading the first passage he should find. The Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 13:13-14 confronted his most closely held sins – and the moment Augustine received God’s Word he was flooded with indescribable peace. He immediately confessed his faith to others and began a new life in Christ.
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