Those who become involved with classical Christian education quickly discover that, as with any specific discipline, there is a vocabulary that usually seems foreign and intimidating to newcomers. Classical educators liberally spice their conversation with words like “headmaster,” “dialectic,” “rhetoric,” “the Great Conversation,” and “trivium.” From context, most pick up some vague idea of what […]
Why Read Secular Works? Pt. II | What the pagans have to teach the Christians
In the last article, I began grappling with the persistent and important question of why we, as Christians, should have our students reading secular literature that was produced by pagans and often revolves around mature themes. If you remember, I argued that 1) a student – particularly a classical Christian student – cannot pretend to […]
Why Read Secular Works? Pt. I
“I’m curious as to why my son is reading a book in class that takes the Lord’s name in vain and contains cursing,” read the opening lines of an email from a rhetoric school parent. Thankfully, this email was courteous, genuinely curious, and was the beginning of a fruitful exchange. However, it was the latest […]