Classical Christian education
Encyclopedia
Classical Christian education is an approach to learning which emphasizes biblical teachings and incorporates a teaching model known as the Trivium, consisting of three parts: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. According to Douglas Wilson
, this method of instruction was developed by early Christians as part of the Seven Liberal Arts
. Wilson's writings and the Logos School
he founded have been cited as being influential in reviving the Trivium and fueling a modern educational movement, primarily among American Protestants.
Classical Christian education is characterized by a reliance on classical works
by authors such Homer
, Sophocles
, Plato
, Josephus
, Dante
, and Shakespeare
, and an integration of a Christian worldview
into all subjects. In addition, classical Christian education exposes students to Western Civilization's history, art and culture, teaching Latin
as early as the third grade and often offering several years of Greek
. Many schools have been marked by higher than average scores on standardized tests.
Douglas Wilson (theologian)
Douglas James Wilson is a conservative Reformed and evangelical theologian, pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and prolific author and speaker...
, this method of instruction was developed by early Christians as part of the Seven Liberal Arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
. Wilson's writings and the Logos School
Logos School
Logos School is a private, Classical Christian school and is a member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools . Logos provides a Classical Christian education . It is located in Moscow, Idaho...
he founded have been cited as being influential in reviving the Trivium and fueling a modern educational movement, primarily among American Protestants.
Classical Christian education is characterized by a reliance on classical works
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
by authors such Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
, Sophocles
Sophocles
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides...
, Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
, Josephus
Josephus
Titus Flavius Josephus , also called Joseph ben Matityahu , was a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian and hagiographer of priestly and royal ancestry who recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War, which resulted in the Destruction of...
, Dante
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
, and Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, and an integration of a Christian worldview
Christian worldview
Christian worldview refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which a Christian individual, group or culture interprets the world and interacts with it. Different denominations of Christianity have varying worldviews...
into all subjects. In addition, classical Christian education exposes students to Western Civilization's history, art and culture, teaching Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as early as the third grade and often offering several years of Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
. Many schools have been marked by higher than average scores on standardized tests.
See also
- Christian views on the classics
- Mars Hill Academy
- Ad Fontes AcademyAd Fontes Academy- External links :* * * * *...
- Classical Christian Education
External links
Support and Advocacy Organizations
- Association of Classical Christian Schools
- Society for Classical Learning
- Circe Institute
- Classical Conversations
- The Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education