Christ and Classics

Colton hosts Andrew Kern from the CiRCE Institute to explore the significance of Homer’s Odyssey as readers witness Odysseus suffer immense trials that nearly kept him from returning to his kingdom, his wife, and his father on the island of Ithaca. They find themselves discussing Homer from the perspectives of marriage, faithfulness, and the task of weaving tapestries throughout this epic poem. The poem is a poem of weaving, which represents wisdom and the creation of society. Colton and Andrew draw parallels between the Odyssey and other works, such as Dante's Divine Comedy and the Bible, in terms of the hidden layers and deeper meanings. The conversation highlights the enjoyment of uncovering new insights and the satisfaction of a story that continues to offer more with each reading; reality is endlessly beautiful, and there is always more to discover and appreciate. 

You can find Andrew Kern’s new book Unless the Lord Builds the House: Shared Foundations for Christian Education, along with numerous other of his written works at the CiRCE Institute’s website: https://circeinstitute.org/product/unless-the-lord-builds-the-house/.

In this conversation, Colton Moore and Academic Dean of Bethlehem College and Seminary (Minneapolis, MN) Zach Howard discuss the importance of a Christian liberal arts education. They explore the meaning of liberal education and its aim to liberate individuals from ignorance and sin. They also discuss the benefits of a classical Christian education in shaping the whole person toward living wisely. They address the question of whether students who have already received a classical education should pursue further education in a liberal arts college. In this conversation, Colton and Zach discuss their impressions of Augustine's book, Instructing Beginners in the Faith [ De Catechizandis Rudibus]. They highlight its practicality and accessibility of Augustine’s book, as well as its emphasis on teaching from a heart of love. They also explore Augustine's advice on overcoming discouragement in teaching and the importance of repentance and acts of mercy. They discuss the joy that comes from seeing truth through the eyes of students and the need to rightly order our loves in education. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of teaching with love and humility.

In this episode, Colton hosts Dr. Preston Atwood, Head of School at Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN, to discuss his newly published work, Cantate Domino: A Liturgical Songbook for Classical Christian Schools. They discuss the centrality of music in education, stating that it cultivates the whole person; music itself develops the imagination, affections, and emotions. Cantate Domino is a versatile songbook that can be used at the whole school, classroom, family, and personal levels. It includes a wide range of selections from various traditions across the span of church history, incorporating traditional hymns, modern songs, and even plainsong, gregorian chants. It not only includes songs and hymns, but numerous prayers, calls and responses, and even the entire Psalter. Cantate Domino seeks to serve music programs in classical Christian schools by offering leaders and students' rhythmic and liturgical opportunities to shape their moral imagination, cultivate virtue, and foster aesthetic literacy.

Dr. Louis Markos from Houston Christian University joins Colton to discuss Homer the bard and books 1–8 of his Odyssey. They explore the identity of Homer and the significance of his works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Dr. Markos engages the controversy surrounding the authorship of these epics and the importance of preserving the Western tradition. The discussion also highlights the oral tradition of storytelling and the use of repetition in Homer's works.

The weaving motif in the Odyssey is examined as a metaphor for survival, beauty, and the skill of putting the pieces of life together. Additionally, the theme of weaving and deception in the Odyssey demonstrates how weaving also is a metaphor for covert deception to be viewed positively in the story.

The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of tradition and the role of imitation in artistic creation. Dr. Markos reveals the concept of xenia, or the rules of hospitality, as a major theme in both the Iliad and the Odyssey—which Colton relates to the teaching children about hospitality and manners, providing some practical applications of these themes in everyday life. 

In this episode, Colton and Devin reminisce on their journey through C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia and discuss their favorite books and takeaways. They also reflect on three shorter essays by Lewis: Meditation in a Toolshed, Democratic Education, and The Necessity of Chivalry. They highlight the importance of both analytical and immersive reading experiences and the impact of Lewis's storytelling on faith and imagination. They also discuss the significance of chivalry and its relevance in today's society. The episode concludes with a preview of their upcoming exploration of the Odyssey and their plans to discuss founding American documents in preparation for the upcoming election.

In this episode, Colton and Devin are joined by Andrew Kern from the CiRCE Institute to discuss the importance of Homer for education and how his stories relate to the Holy Scriptures. He explains that Homer was the teacher of the Greeks, and teaches his readers how to teach. Homer's stories are filled with weaving imagery, which symbolizes the fabric of civilization and the art of wisdom. Furthermore, the conversation considers the claim that Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are the best books on rhetoric and storytelling—teaching readers how to deliberate in community and create imaginative worlds rooted in reality. The discussion also explores the relationship between Homer and philosophers like Plato and C. S. Lewis. Might we view Homer's works of epic poetry as the dawn of a new age, while the analytical approach of Plato and Aristotle marks the sunset of an age? Kern emphasizes the need for teachers to teach receptively, allowing students to receive truth and be transformed by it. He also mentions the significance of the temple as a form of reality and announces an upcoming online class on teaching receptively.

In this episode of the Christ in Classics podcast, Devin Wilkins and Colton Moore discuss the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis. They explore the themes of truth, deception, and the battle for belief. The book begins with the characters Shift and Puzzle deceiving the Narnians by pretending that Puzzle is Aslan. The Narnians are confused and conflicted as they try to discern the truth. The conversation explores the significance of syncretism and the role of Saturnine themes in the story, which point to hope and the transformative power of penitent sorrow and contemplative insight. The episode concludes with a discussion on hope and the portrayal of the new heavens and new earth in the book.

In this conversation, Devin, Colton, and special guest Keith Kresge discuss C.S. Lewis's essay "The Necessity of Chivalry." They explore the concept of chivalry and its relevance in the American evangelical context. The conversation considers the balance between meekness and ferocity, and the role of Jesus Christ in embodying chivalry. The conversation highlights the challenge of balancing ferocity and gentleness and the need for wisdom in chivalry. Towards the end, the three discuss the importance of instilling chivalry in young men and how it serves as a training ground for future relationships.

In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss The Magician's Nephew, the sixth book in C. S. Lewis' Narnian Chronicles. They center the discussion around the character of Digory and his transformation throughout the story. They discuss his love for his mother and why he is the main character in the book. Additionally, the hosts explore the different types of love portrayed in the book, including Digory's love for his mother, the shallow "love" of the Magician for Queen Janis, the marital love between the first king and queen of Narnia, and the love of friendship.

In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss C.S. Lewis's book The Horse and His Boy, the fifth book in the Narnian Chronicles. They explore the themes of hope, discipline, and growth in the story. They also discuss the mercurial themes and the appearances of Aslan, the lion. The hosts delve into the urgency and swiftness of the characters' journey and the role of the Pevensies in relation to the story's main characters, Shasta and Avaris. They also explore the parallels between Aslan and the Roman god Mercury, as well as the concept of God's providence and guiding hand in our lives.