Musings of a Christian Humanist

      When many people think about grammar they usually think about tedious rules or the ongoing contemporary debate that there are are no rules when it comes to grammar as this is a Medieval European construct. The latter group is sometimes difficult to read as they insist on practicing what they preach. For those in the Classical school tradition they realize that grammar is "the first of the arts to assist those who are aspiring to increase in wisdom." (John of Salisbury)      Already there is a monumental difference between most up-to-date views of grammar and the traditional way. Grammar is a means toward an end. The ultimate end of grammar is not to be able to read, write, and speak without sounding like a vandal, it is so that one may ultimately become wise.  "Grammar is the science which teaches us to explain the poets and historians; it is the art which...

      Clement calls for his readers to meet Jesus as the “Word” and “Educator” that “forcibly” compels people from the “worldly way of life and educates them to the only true salvation: faith in God.”   The Educator is the one “who leads the way” to “improve the soul” not just in knowledge but to guide in virtue.  The Educator does not focus solely on knowledge, but leads his “children” toward a life of virtue.  The “Word” perfects his disciples “in a way that leads progressively to salvation” through persuasion, education, and lastly, through teaching.  The teaching of the Educator “educates” people in the “fear of God,” i nstructs in “the service of God” and provides “knowledge of truth” toward living the virtuous life which ensures salvation.       For Clement, “The education that God gives is the imparting of the truth that will guide us correctly to the contemplation of God, and a description of holy deeds that ...

     The Stoic "objective" "Rationalistic" university bequeathed to by the Enlightenment, may have met its match with the Stoic coolness, laid back "whatever", and disconnected demeanor of the modern, common university student. Of course there are a few universities passionately committed to genuine learning and some students at every school who care deeply and passionately about learning. There are those when asked, "why are you at university" give the only right answer and that is "to become educated." Over recent years, when I ask my Freshmen why they are here, you get the range of consumer answers, and only rarely the answer of one consumed with a desire to know.