In this episode of the Christ in Classics podcast, Colton Moore interviews Joe Carlson, a scholar and translator of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. They discuss Carlson's background in classical literature, the significance of classical education, and the intricate relationship between sin and punishment in Dante's work. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reading the entire Divine Comedy and reflects on personal interpretations of Dante's themes. In this conversation, Dr. Carlson and Colton explore the themes of sin, punishment, and divine justice as depicted in Dante's Inferno. They discuss the contrasting views of misers and spendthrifts, the hierarchy of sins, and the intellectual versus bestial nature of sin. The role of Satan in the punishment of sinners is examined, along with the concept that hell is a place where individuals embrace their desires, leading to their own punishment. The discussion also touches on the transition to Purgatorio and the idea of sanctification in the Christian life.
In this episode of the Christ & Classics podcast, Colton Moore speaks with Dr. Louis Markos about his new book, Passing the Torch: An Apology for Classical Christian Education. His book discusses the importance of the traditio, the passing down and preservation of the classical academic and moral tradition of antiquity. The conversation reveals that this tradition, seen most expressly in the West, is a self-correcting tradition. They also explore the necessity of structure in education and the importance of instilling virtues and inquiry within students. They discuss the challenges faced by students today, including a lack of reading engagement, and the dangers of low expectations in education. Overall, the dialogue emphasizes the need for a cultural literacy that empowers all students, regardless of their background, to participate meaningfully in a democratic society. Lastly, Markos concludes his time on the show by sharing insights on how classical education can be adapted to reach diverse student populations, fostering a love for learning and virtue in contexts non-receptive to a classical education.
In this episode of the Christ & Classics podcast, Colton hosts Buck Holler, former horse trainer and currently the Director of Consulting at the CiRCE Institute. The two discuss their personal connections and familial backgrounds (Colton and Buck are LONG LOST fourth cousins—more or less!). They analyze the moral lessons of the play, focusing on the characters of Brutus and Antony and the implications of democracy and the plebeians' role in governance. The conversation highlights the complexities of honor, ambition, and the consequences of political actions. This conversation considers the themes of leadership, authority, and the complexities of human nature, illustrated so aptly in the motivations for Brutus’ actions throughout the play. Along the way, Colton and Buck discuss the role of the populace and the power of persuasion, while also reflecting on the nature of betrayal and the need for guidance in leadership.
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Buck Holler is a former horse trainer and rodeo cowboy from Red Bluff, CA. Retiring from the rodeo circuit, Buck headed to New England to study theology and languages at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2001. Since then he has worked as an educator and administrator in CA, New York City, and eastern NC. Buck first joined The CiRCE Institute as an apprentice in 2007, became a head mentor for the East Coast III apprenticeship in 2017, began the Latin Apprenticeship in 2019, and now serves in Concord, NC as CiRCE’s director of consulting.
In this episode of the Christ in Classics podcast, Colton Moore engages with Dr. Holly Ordway, a prominent scholar on Tolkien, to explore the themes of heroism in The Hobbit. They discuss Dr. Ordway's personal journey with Tolkien's works, the role of literary criticism, and how “Hobbitness” shapes heroism throughout Tolkien’s book for children, discussing the natural development of Bilbo into a hero, his overt expressions of heroism, and especially his heroism as a moral example; Bilbo, in short, is a courageous, honest, and faithful figure. The discussion also touches on the character development of Thorin and Gandalf, as well as the broader literary tradition of “underdog” heroes. Ultimately, they highlight the profound impact of Tolkien's storytelling on readers and the moral lessons embedded within his narratives.
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Dr. Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the the Word on Fire Institute and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a Subject Editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies.
Her book Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages (Word on Fire Academic, 2021) received the 2022 Mythopoeic Society Scholarship Award in Inklings Studies:
https://www.amazon.com/Tolkiens-Modern-Reading-Middle-earth-Beyond/dp/1943243727/
Her newest book is Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography, which was released in time for the 50th anniversary of Tolkien’s death on September 2nd, 2023:
https://www.amazon.com/Tolkiens-Faith-Spiritual-Holly-Ordway/dp/1685789919/
In this episode of the Christ and Classics podcast, Colton Moore and Matt Bianco delve into Plato's dialogue, Meno, exploring the nature of virtue and whether it can be taught. The conversation highlights the complexities of teaching virtue and the innate understanding of right and wrong. In this conversation, Moore and Bianco explore the concept of virtue from both a theological and philosophical perspective, drawing on the teachings of Plato and the Christian tradition. They discuss the implications of virtue in parenting, education, and the nature of God, closing with the pursuit of knowledge, and the ongoing quest for understanding in both life and faith.
Find more from Matt Bianco here: https://circeinstitute.org/blog/author/mattbianco/
For Colton's new book (co-authored), see here:
https://glossahouse.com/products/beyond-the-horizon-an-appeal-to-parents-for-classical-christian-education
On April 16th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was placed in Birmingham City Jail for participating in nonviolent protests that were addressing the local government's deeply entrenched racist policies that singled out and segregated Black Americans. While in jail, Dr. King wrote a lengthy letter to Christian and Jewish leaders concerned about the wisdom of King's actions. In celebration of the legacy and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., Colton provides a simple reading of King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" in its entirety. Link to the Letter: https://www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets/documents/susi-letter-from-birmingham-jail.pdf"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
In this conversation, Dr. Michael Howcomb from GlossaHouse Publishers interviews Colton Moore about the book he just co-authored with Ben House, Beyond the Horizon: An Appeal to Parents for Classical Christian Education. They discuss the history of the book as a manuscript that Ben wrote over a decade ago, the importance of classical Christian education, the role of parents in their children's education, and the educational frameworks of the Trivium. The conversation also touches on the significance of biblical literacy and curiosity in education, concluding with Colton's pitch for the book and classical Christian education.
In this episode of the Christ in Classics podcast, Colton Moore and Devin Wilkins discuss the philosophical and historical implications of the Declaration of Independence. They explore the foundational concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, examining how these ideas have evolved and their relevance in contemporary society. The conversation explores the grievances against British rule, the role of government, and the moral responsibilities of citizens. They also reflect on the educational system's impact on society and the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, whose phrase “pursuit of happiness” the hosts especially consider. The hosts seek to understand the Declaration as a treatise with an original, historical intention, while also considering it from the transcendent moral principles of Jesus Christ revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
In this episode of the Christ in Classics podcast, Colton Moore and Ben House kick off Season 4 with a history lesson: the birth of America. They briefly discuss their upcoming book, Beyond the Horizon: An Appeal to Parents for Classical Christian Education. The main portion of their conversation deals with the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the American colonies. They explore the motivations behind the colonization of America, including religious freedom and economic opportunities. They discuss the development of representative governments in the colonies and the growing sense of independence among the colonists. The conversation concludes with an overview of the American Revolution and the significance of the Declaration of Independence, which segues nicely into next week’s episode where Devin and Colton will tackle the Declaration of Independence as both literature and political philosophy.
Dr. Matthew Bianco from the CiRCE Institute and Jo Murphy, founder and director of TRACE, a university-model school in Texarkana, TX, join Colton to discuss classical education and homeschooling. They explore the role of the CiRCE Institute in teacher training and curriculum development, as well as the challenges of presenting classical education to those unfamiliar with it. They also discuss the importance of homeschooling in providing personalized discipleship, addressing individual needs, and fostering family relationships. The conversation highlights the liberating nature of classical education and the value of homeschooling in creating a nurturing and flexible learning environment. The conversation explores the transition from homeschooling to brick-and-mortar schools, the importance of humility and repentance in parenting, and the role of athletics and arts in education. The guests discuss the benefits of having other adults pour into children's lives and reinforce the values taught by parents. They also highlight the need for children to grow past their parents and experience the world independently. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the positive impact of homeschooling and the potential for collaboration between homeschooling and brick-and-mortar schools.
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.