So what does it mean to attain the goal of Classical Education...to "live well"? It means to manifest honesty, integrity, faithfulness, sobriety, respect, determination, compassion, charity, patience, generosity and selflessness. Even non-Christians view these as worthy traits which, if practiced by the majority, would improve the world in which we live.
At least that was once the case.
Unfortunately, a sustained and pervasive relativism and skepticism has characterized education for enough years to make it difficult for our society to agree, not only on which characteristics qualify as virtues, but also on the definition of those qualities which we all deem as virtuous.
In order to last, true virtue must be rooted in Christianity. Unless firmly grounded and held in place by a system of belief, it will be blown about by every new wind, or blown away like chaff.
Why is honesty a virtue? Because the majority of citizens views it as such? What if they cease to recognize its value? Does it then cease to be a virtue? The same questions can be asked regarding every noble quality. The only enduring answer requires belief in a system of unalterable absolutes. Christians know those absolutes spring from the very essence of our Creator. He embodies and manifests all the virtues which we desire to emulate. Because they originate in Him, they are eternal and unchangeable in their goodness. How do we determine and define virtue? We look to the Author of all virtue and in His word and actions we see the Virtuous Image which we are created to reflect, then we strive to conform ourselves more and more to that Image.
Does that mean that classical education is only profitable for Christians? Well...no. Its benefits are more permanent when its recipients embrace Christianity, but the law of God is written on the hearts of all men so, when it is not entirely suppressed, even the unbeliever recognizes the value of a life well-lived and guided by virtue.
3 comments:
Jason has dealt with these virtues in the hearts of his students. His latest was with a bunch of girls (think Mean Girls movie) and they were shocked that an incident of respect and compassion was made such a big deal of. Their old school wouldn't have addressed such a "minor" thing. It would have been seen as "that's just the way girls are at that age". "Odd Girl Out" is an interesting read on this matter...not a Christian author but still fasinating to see culture and what values they hold...and their excuse for this behavior in girls is that we are suppressed...not sinners. I'm so thankful we have Christ as our Author and Teacher of virtue because it sure is easy to justify our sin.
Interesting isn't it that they use the same word as Romans 1, which tells us the problem is not that WE are suppressed, but that we suppress the TRUTH.
It's so encouraging to hear that Jason is actively confronting and dealing with these sins. We have experienced the "look the other way 'cause they're just kids" approach way too many times. We can't expect our children to become wise if we ignore their sin...even if they are the "typical" sins of their age group.
Keep up the good work there in paradise, you two!!
Really good series, Lori!
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