Posted in Hebrew Educational Model
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Being new to blogging, I couldn't figure out how to respond to my comments (those posted by others). I looked through all the links in my Control Panel and finally gave up. So I just responded in a new post. It wasn't until I was reading a friend's blog that I realized that I should have just posted a comment to my own blog the same way everyone else does. But it was too late. The comments were already a disorganized mess. So I deleted all my posts that were comment responses and reposted them HERE in the comments section of the original post, "Classical Education -- Christian or Pagan?" But my deleted posts had comments as well. So I had to repost them there as well, but unfortunately they are posted by me and not the original commenter. Sorry for the confusion. But at least all the comments will be together now. |
Posted in Hebrew Educational Model
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My mind is full of thoughts on Classical vs. Hebraic Education. Don't get me wrong. I'm not completely opposed to Classical Education. In fact, there are many aspects of Classical Education which I believe are extremely beneficial. One would be the study of the historic Trivium, not the stages proposed by Sayers & Wise Bauer, but rather the study of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. I also believe the study of Greek and Latin have great merit, as well as the use of the ancient Progymnasmata. Many of our Church Fathers were trained according to these methods.
The problem I have with the modern Classical Education movement is the underlying philosophy and goals of the various proponents. Each group or person has their own slant, but the group that concerns me the most is the group that promotes what some would call "moral classicism" or the "ennobling" argument. The basic gist is that the study of the classics make one more virtuous or noble. There are many problems here, and unfortunately my time for posting is almost over, but I will mention a few. First, their definitions of "virtuous" and "noble" are not defined by Scripture. And the big problem is that even if those terms were defined by Scripture, the study of the Greeks and Romans couldn't possibly lead one to Christ, nor promote one's sanctifiction. But the most disturbing aspect to this philosophy is that the proponents don't even attempt to use Scripture to support their thesis. They don't even desire to. Some have even scoffed at the very idea. And, when confronted, they do not use the Scripture to defend themselves demonstrating the foolishness of this whole view in the first place.
Paul has much to say about the Classical World. Let's start with I Corinthians 1.
"20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." I have a stack of books on my desk that I intend to discuss over the coming weeks and months. They are:
Climbing Parnassus, Tracy Lee Simmons
Norms & Nobility, David Hicks
Classical Education, Andrew Kern & Gene Edward Veith
The Latin Centered Curriculum, Andrew Campbell
The Trivium, Sister Miriam Joseph
The Case for Classical Christian Education, Doug Wilson
The Well-Trained Mind, Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer (my husband calls it The Pagan-Trained Mind)
Assumptions That Affect Our Lives, Christian Overman
Our Father Abraham, Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith
I must run, but I'll post more soon. |
Posted in Hebrew Educational Model
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Why are so many Christians advocating an immersion in Greek and Roman thought? Have they not considered the character and lifestyle of these pagan cultures? These were people who hated the True and Living God.
Rather, shouldn't our children be immersed in the Bible? At age 5, Hebrew children were given their own parchment containing the following portions of Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41; Psalm 113-118; Genesis 1-5; and Leviticus 1-8.
Let's not lead our children into the "counsel of the wicked," along the "way of sinners," into the "seat of scoffers", but rather teach them to Love God and His Law.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalms 1:1-3
"Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 |