Classical Education
This morning I received my fourth email this week concerning classical education. It is time to address this issue again.
The classical book list entitled the “Great Books of the Western World” contains the writings of Plato, Sophocles, Aristotle, and other men who declared that the answers to life’s mysteries and problems are found in men and not in God (even the Koran is on the list). Our children should be immersed in the sixty-six great books in God’s Word, and books by Christians, not in writings by men who knew not our Lord!
This surge of interest to return to Greek classical education cries, “We need to return to the traditional literary culture, the classical standards of the past.” Insistence on a “back to basics” curriculum of “reading, writing and arithmetic,” has again become popular. It is a desire to turn back to the fork where we took the wrong road.
The classical method that was developed in ancient Greece and Rome, and established in the Middle Ages, was used almost exclusively in the Western world until the nineteenth century. The main focus was reading the Greek and Roman classics. To be in touch with literary arts marked one as accomplished.
We understand this desire to return to a better way, but believe that, instead of returning to the ancient Greeks’ ways, we need to return to the biblical model. Our only hope for a stable, ongoing, integrated culture is placing the Word of God at the center of our thinking, speaking, and acting. Literature and all literary arts must give place to mastery of the Bible. And they themselves become servants to the Word of God.
The Greek model is comprised of three phases of learning: 1) grammar, 2) dialectic, and 3) rhetoric. It is similar to the biblical model except for the main ingredient: true wisdom cannot be gained by unaided human reason. The Greeks wanted to conform to the good and natural things of the world, but without God this is not possible.
We must do more than rail against godless education. We must identify a distinctly Christian curriculum—one that takes its identity, its motion, from the reality of our redeemed condition—one that begins with the authority of the risen Christ speaking through His Word.
It is not enough to know what we are against; we must know what we are for. Dismantling the world is one work; building the kingdom is another. If we fail to make a positive contribution to education, if we keep the same old public school agenda packaged in Christian dress, our children will not prosper as they should. Without fundamental changes, we are only straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel. We cannot let the wolf of antichrist values in because he is wearing sheep’s clothing.
There is a long tradition in this country of resistance to the wisdom of the Greeks: Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Noah Webster all judged the classics to be of scant use. (Learning from the Greeks, Commentary Magazine, Valiunas, 1998)
Literature is a blessing, but should never be the purpose or center of learning. When we return to Scripture-centered education, two things occur:
- We can view language in its splendor without the danger of it replacing religion. We can appreciate it as God’s gift to us.
- Considering language as a skill, we can study it in a deeper way.
There can be no doubt that literary education is more whole, more human, and more satisfying than scientific technological education. But is even literary education enough? Good literature—Scott, Milton, Virgil—promotes courage, insight, high morality, and imagination—but it can never do what the Bible does.
Why Go Back to Ancient Greek Ways? Why Not Return to Biblical Methods?
David Mulligan, author of Far Above Rubies, explains that when we hear the phrase “returning to traditional methods” we need to ask “whose tradition?”
In reacting against modernist educational failure comes an instinctive turning to traditional schooling. What does this mean? Does the bare use of nineteenth century educational material safeguard the essential Christianity of our school? There is a nagging sensation that we have not yet gotten down to the bottom of things. What is traditional education? What is the tradition? It isn’t modernism. We know that traditionalism offers another way to look at the world. We know that, but what is it? Where did it come from? Is it just a haven for Christians playing modernist Babylon?
We just want to be sure, lest we be like the man who, to escape the lion, ran into the house and was bitten by a serpent. An essential element of this truly Christian education is discovering what we mean by traditional or old-fashioned education, and to that question we have now turned.
Teachers of philosophy give their lives to examining convictions by which people can live, in order to develop a consistent worldview and way of life based on reliable evidence. The Bible warns against philosophies whose highest realities and concerns are atoms, energy, cosmic laws—or even humanity—those founded on the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ.
To build a thoroughly Christian educational system, we must begin with a thoroughly Christian definition of education. What does the Bible tell us about education? What is it? What is it for? As we have stated, nothing is self-defining or of absolute value except God, so how can education be thought of as having intrinsic value? The value we usually give to education is the value imputed by man. Is that really valid? The intrinsic value of education is so taken for granted in our culture that our institutions of learning are intellectually considered to be common ground between the believer and the unbeliever.
The Emperor is Naked!
I have watched this growing trend reflected in the availability of numerous Greek mythology and philosophy books in homeschool catalogs and at curriculum fairs. I feel like the little boy who felt that he must point out the emperor’s obvious lack of clothing. Well-intentioned Christians have combined classical Greek educational methods with Bible-based curricula, which is exactly the same error that the early Church committed!
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The classical Greek approach focuses on Greek literature and man’s reasoning. |
Ancient Hebrew methods focus on God’s Word and faith. |
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Why Go Back to the Ancient Greek Ways? |
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The Bible warns us about Greek philosophies:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
Under the ancient Greek system, learning begets goodness. Under the biblical system, goodness begets learning. All non-biblical education assumes that man can become learned without God. Biblical education makes knowledge the foundation of learning.
Greece was a once mighty empire. The ancient Greeks promoted beautiful fashion, fine dining, sonorous music, aesthetic arts, vigorous athletics, captivating entertainment, and a bevy of similarly stimulating activities. The ancient Greeks were the most advanced and sophisticated culture of their time. Were it not for their excellence (applying the principle to modern terms), we would not have heart transplants, ballet, air transportation or, for that matter, the Internet.
So why didn’t the ancient Greek empire survive more than a few hundred years? Historians concur that they were destroyed by moral decay. Pursuing knowledge without God is a recipe for disaster. We simply cannot survive without clear moral direction.
Three Approaches to Classical Literature—and HOW’s Alternative
Currently there are three different approaches to literature using the classical approach:
- With the traditional focus on mythology and Greek philosophy.
- Using the classical methods, but rejecting material written by pagans.
- Immersion into the classic literature from a critical viewpoint.
1. Traditional Focus on Classics
The focus of the traditional classical approach (as promoted in the book The Well Trained Mind) is on Greek mythology, philosophy, logic, and Latin. The current best-selling homeschool book on the classical approach focuses on creating a student Plato would be proud of. Students of all ages, beginning with kindergarten, are immersed in stories about Greek gods. Mythology and philosophy are encouraged, while there is no emphasis on Bible study, and only a scant mention of religion. The authors suggest reading the Bible during history studies because it “ought to be treated as a serious philosophical document.”
There is legitimate cause for concern when a curriculum’s focus is on mythology and philosophy rather than the Bible. Proponents of classical education defend the study of mythology (which is really the study of false gods, idols, and/or demons) by saying that the myths are an integral part of our Western literary heritage. (Rodd)
It is short-sighted to use the argument that children need to study mythology in order to be adequately aware of the world; the same argument would imply that our children should be immersed in books on New Age philosophies, astrology, witchcraft, reincarnation, or Harry Potter. A well-grounded Christian adult with discernment may safely choose to study these subjects, but we should be careful not to feed these as entertainment to our children. Jesus said, Therefore, be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
2. Adoption of Classical Methods but Rejection of Classical Literature
Some using the classical approach avoid the pagan literature. There are Christian homeschoolers who use the classical approach because they view the Trivium— grammar, logic, and rhetoric—as a worthy form of structure, but reject the writings by pagan authors (which is somewhat like trying to order a cheeseburger without the cheese). There is nothing inherently wrong with acknowledging these three discernible stages of learning (grammar, logic, and rhetoric); it is only common sense that children go through certain basic learning stages that build upon each other. It seems somewhat ironic to me, though, that one would use classical methods designed by classical authors, but reject the classical authors’ writings. I do, however, applaud their efforts to avoid evil.
3. Focus on the Classic Literature From a Critical Viewpoint
There are other Christians using the classical approach that focus on the Bible. They immerse students in the “Great Books of the Western World,” but do so from a critical viewpoint–—to teach their children about the positive and negative influences these books have had on our culture—which is an understandable endeavor. But this too seems an irony—that one would use the classical methods designed by the classical authors to teach students the deficiencies of the writings of the classical authors. But I am glad to see they are evaluating the writings from the standpoint of Scripture.
Heart of Wisdom’s Alternative
We recommend reading the good books–but not the books on traditional classical list. See our list here. Ask yourself if the book has value; does the book emphasize a Biblical worldview in some way?
To ignore the classics would be like a doctor disregarding the symptoms of a serious disease. We need to understand the classics for ourselves and to teach our children the impact of these works on our history and philosophy.
We can reject the classical teaching approach, as the Hebrews did, but study the impact of classical literature on our culture. Our children need to understand the world’s philosophy so they can recognize and avoid it, just as a doctor must study in order to recognize disease. However, when a doctor studies a disease, he takes precautions lest he catch the disease. He does most of his studies at a distance. When he does examine a patient with the disease, he does so with limited exposure. We can teach spiritually mature students, from a biblical worldview, about the influences of the classical authors sufficiently, with historical analysis and brief excerpts, without immersing them in pagan writings.
John D. Beckett explains in his book Loving Monday: A biblical worldview has awesome implications for those of us in the secular, Greek-thinking West. As we allow it, the Bible speaks to us concerning government, economics, education, science, art, communications and business. Really, it speaks to all of life.
Abraham Joshua Heschel encapsulated this approach to study by saying that
The Greeks study in order to understand while the Hebrews study in order to revere.
God’s Word and ways are ineffable: only by doing them can one understand them.
Don’t get bogged down in the knowledge of the Greeks. Spend your time learning what the Bible says about education.
What the Bible Says about Education
The Hebrew Education Model
“What would Jesus do?” is a popular question today. We should also ask questions like: “How did Jesus teach?” “What kind of education did Jesus receive?” “What were Abraham and Sarah’s educational goals for their children?” “Would Jesus have been at the head of His class if He had attended the Academy of Plato?” “How was Paul taught?”
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
Who? Parents Are to Teach Their Children
Another term used for the word sanctuary in the Bible was tabernacle. In Exodus 25:8, God said to Moses: “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” The Hebrew word ma`at (meh-at’) means “little” (see Ezekiel 11:16). 5 The home was referred to as the miqdash me’at, or, a little sanctuary. 
Read.
What? The Commands of God
Protestant Christians tend to have a negative attitude about the word law, feeling that it refers to oppressive and arbitrary regulations. But the word that we translate as law, Torah, has a very different emphasis and connotation in Hebrew. Read.
When? All Throughout the Day
The moral and biblical education of children was accomplished best, not in a formal teaching period each day, but when the parents, out of concern for their own lives as well as their children’s, made God and His Word the natural topic of a conversation which might occur anywhere and anytime during the day. Read.
How? Diligently
There is no shortcut method to a sound education. If spiritual training is to be a priority in your children’s education, you will be required to make a major commitment of your time and your resources. Read.
How? Object Lessons
God teaches through object lessons. God commanded His children to put up stones as a reminder in Joshua 4. The stones were specifically put up in order to prompt children’s questions. Read.
The Jewish Talmud tells a story of an elderly rabbi’s counsel to his young nephew. The boy already knew the Torah, the Old Testament Law. Now he wanted to study the wisdom of the Greeks. The rabbi recalled God’s words to Joshua: “You shall meditate on it [biblical law] day and night. Go, then,” said the rabbi,
“Find a time that is neither day nor night, and then learn Greek wisdom.”
Like that rabbi, who put little stock in the value of studying Greek philosophy, Tertullian, an early Christian theologian, wrestled with the conflict in his day between Greek and Hebrew thought. He asked: “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” (Christian Overman, Assumptions That Affect Our Lives).
Greek thought views the world through the mind (abstract thought). Ancient Hebrew thought views the world through the senses (concrete thought). Here are a few articles on other sites on this topic:
- Hellenic Philosophy and Christianity
- The Contour of Hebrew Thought
- Hebrew Thought
- Greek vs Hebrew Education Methodology
- Greek vs Hebrew View of Man
Sources: Irrational Man, by William Barrett; Christianity With Power by Charles Kraft; Hebrew Thought Compared With Greek by Thorleif Boman; Judaism and Christianity – The Differences by Trude Weiss-Rosmarin, Our Father Abraham, by Marvin Wilson, God in Search of Man by Abraham Heschel. The remaining footnotes for this page are lengthy so I moved them here.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS MOVE BACK TO CLASSICAL EDUCATION?
I’m curious—what do you think about this giant movement toward cassical education? What do you think about The Well Trained Mind being the most popular book for homeschoolers? Sound off in the comments section below.
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Robin, Thank you so much for your obedience to God. I had been homeschooling through a charter school until last year when my husband, through God’s leading, lead me out of my “homeschool prison”. God then lead me straight to your website. We did HOW Year 1 last year and it blessed my socks off! Your article on classical education is a great reminder that the most classical of all literature is the Word of God! Lead on brave lady–there were weeks there where the Holy Spirit led me to pray for you both day and night–so thankful to God you are on the mend. God’s richest blessings to you!
Thank you for pointing out the Biblical reasons to reject the Classical approach.
I bought the best selling book on classical education “The Well-Trained Mind” and found it to be the worst home schooling book I have read. It is impractical, irrelevant and sometimes ridiculous. This book hardly mentions Bible and when it does it is obviously Catholic.
The author appears to be unaware that children learn by doing, that learning is meaningful, and that there are many ways to learn. I can’t imagine why anyone would be attracted to this book except Satan influence to get us off the Biblical course.
AMEN! We need to focus on THE living book- The Bible. We don’t need Homer and Plato answers to life without God.
Nor do we need the modern tracher of the classical approach (author of The Well Trained Mind) Susan Bauer’s ideas (rigid, stifling, harsh, severe, and downright boring) zapping all the fun out of learning.
Philo of Alexandria (and many others), a Hellenized Jew merged Hebrew mythical thought with Greek philosophical thought in the first century B.C. which resulted in almost 2000 years of pagan Christianity for the Catholics and a very distorted view for many protestants. Bauer doesn’t really try to merge the Bible- she just ignores it or misquotes it.
Acckkk….guurgggll…bleh. Oh, sorry…that would be the choking out of yet another child’s joy in learning, the removing of yet another child from actual Truth. Classical homeschooling of the Greek persuasion has caused so many families, while striving for truth and excellence, to steer farther and farther away from the One who is truly excellent.
Over 3 years ago, when I was a new homeschooler attempting to traverse the waters of curriculum and philosophy, a friend excitedly shared The Well Trained Mind with me, and I dutifully researched it all over the internet. Site after site claimed that it was the best thing since sliced bread, and not sharing it with my child would be an extreme injustice. So I bought SotW, along with some other recommendations, and started my child out on the path of learning for knowledge’ sake. Well, about 3 weeks into it, my 7 year old son (how open a child can be!) asked why he had to learn things that weren’t true. Manual in hand, I plunged forward, confident that I was doing what was best. Didn’t all the sites say so?
A few months later, he had approached me a few more times, asking me why history contradicted God’s Word, and why his history curriculum consistently contradicted even the books it suggested he read. Well, even my trusty manual couldn’t answer that one for me…so I bravely took matters into my own hands and (gasp!) gave up the manual. We floated for a while between unit studies, workbooks, and just reading what looked good. While I felt a bit lost without a manual as a compass, this allowed me to see that I was removing him from his true Compass, and I began to search out what I should do according to God’s Word. I realized that I was given the responsibility to raise my son to be a wise, godly man that could be used by God to His glory, not a godless thinker who seeks to glorify his own knowledge and abilities.
Eventually, I found Heart of Wisdom when I was searching the internet one day, and I was intrigued. I was a bit put off by yet another Classical approach, but I downloaded the free excerpts, and wow…was I impressed. A teaching approach that strives to glorify God in our children while teaching them to study to show themselves approved. I couldn’t get enough of it, but I thought there had to be a catch somewhere. I read through hundreds pages of excerpts…and there was no catch.
The Hebrew approach to teaching has turned things completely around for both my son and me. He loves to learn in order to become who God would have him be, and I am constantly and consistently challenged to present knowledge of the world around him, worldviews, historical information, and scripture in a way that will truly illuminate God’s plan for him.
Thank you so much for allowing God to use you to help lead Gods people OUT!!!
Getting out of Egypt seems to be the story always told, but getting Egypt out of us is the ongoing saga of the wilderness!
Seems like every year the pressure to go back and conform to the pagan model of education places such pressure on us. Fear that our children will not measure up to the education system and standards (standards, yeah right!!) of this world is a fear most homeschool parents go through time after time.
Again, I must repent for “respecting” the educational gods of this world and allowing them to intimidate me back to the pagan pattern.
All over the country, even the world, God is calling HIS people OUT. He is calling us out of the murky waters of compromise and syncretism found not only in education but in churches that are becoming more and more liberal, corrupt politics, immoral entertainment… all over the world!
Does anyone else hear the cry of the spirit that we are hearing?…. “Who is on the Lords side, come out from among them and be ye seperate!” I believe its getting louder and louder.
Your website and articles have blessed us beyond words as God continues to confirm what we are hearing in our spirits.
Thank you!
Thanks Robin, I have been so blessed through HOW, and I pray my children are being blessed because of that. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the idea that they need this “classical” approach to education because it is so accepted!!! It is hard not to just follow, it seems safer. But quite honestly it just doesn’t make sense when we consider what our purpose here on earth is! Thanks for continuing to very clearly spell that out!
I do not at all like the idea that The Well Trained Mind is the best selling homeschool book! I don’t think it’s worthy of that at all and I have read it (well parts of it). As a matter of fact, I read parts of it and even bought SOTW and found it so dark and offensive to my soul that I trashed it rather than reselling it; I just plain didn’t want anyone to end up with it because I was willing to basically give it away.
But, I guess here’s where I’ll get the bash, I do like another classical ed book that is VERY focused on the Bible and does not use the pagan classics. It blends perfectly and reinforces much of HOW for me. It’s called Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn and I do like it. They are serious about the Bible being foundational and permeating everything. They are also VERY serious about not treating children like recepticals and using the better late than early approach for “bookish studies” like the Moores. This is the ONLY classical resource that I have found helpful. In the early years they are much more CM like HOW is and they even focus on the fact that at any age, all literature (no matter it’s rave reviews or classical status) is not suitable or edifying to the body of Christ). I know this may be the most unpopular post in response, but I truly do not see that much difference in the Bluedorns approach and the HOW approach with the exception of HOW focusing on Hebraic roots I think the Bluedorns have actually included that in their teachings without calling it the same things, too. Just my .02; I think by blending them, I get more encouragement for homeschooling my children God’s way. I love HOWTA and am so thankful for all the encouragement. I also love the Bluedorn’s and find them equally encouraging along with the Clarksons, who minister to me greatly!
Thanks Suzanne. I agree. “Teaching the Trivium” is not in the same league as “The Well Trained Mind” at all. They do not recommend the pagan writings and they FOCUS on the Bible. The Bluedorn’s and the Clarksons are very encouraging! Thanks for bringing this up. No bashing here.
I was appalled to see a review calling “The Well Trained Mind” the “homeschooling Bible”?!!! The only thing biblical about this book is its length. A book’s popularity doesn’t make it a classic; it merely makes it a fad.
If this is what it takes to have a well-trained mind, I don’t want one. Implementing just a few of the book’s suggested methods created a joyless learning experience for my children and me. Training (instructing/drilling) and educating (developing/enlightening) are clearly not the same thing. Also If the authors have such well-trained minds, why do they take so long to make their points? The book is BORING!
We should know there is a problem when EVERY private Catholic school is uses the classical appraoch.
Robin,
I was blessed to have had the Lord lead me to you before any of that stuff! I am currently reading ‘Assumptions That Affect Our Lives’ and that should be recommended reading for all homeschoolers!
May God continue to bless you! I am praying for you.
stacy
great article Robyn!
We need to be careful not to love traditions and unfortunetly people have loved tradition above God’s truths.
GBU,
Eren
Robin,
WOW! God inspires me again through your writings. I have studied HOW for a few years but this is my first applied year of embracing the method. I deeply desire
for my children to be trained Biblically!
I feel like my family’s alone in this, then at a perfect time I find an article to encourage me to hold on to the truth I know. We must not blend with the world’s methods. We are a peculiar people, a holy priesthood, set aside to be a light on a hill, to be salt to this generation. If we lose our saltiness, what good are we to God’s kingdom? Robin,May God continue to bless your ministry!! In Messiah’s Love, Melanie
This is the key paragraph - I love it!
The Greek model is comprised of three phases of learning: 1) grammar, 2) dialectic, and 3) rhetoric. It is similar to the biblical model except for the main ingredient: true wisdom cannot be gained by unaided human reason. The Greeks wanted to conform to the good and natural things of the world, but without God this is not possible.
Robin, an individual who is not regenerated by the Holy Spirit will simply be unable to understand God’s ways. I dare say most people who claim to be Christians today are not actually saved, but have simply agreed with someone that they are a sinner and have “received” Christ as their Savior as a response to an open-ended invitation. God is the only one who can save a person. You can not save yourself - not even by “making a decision for Christ.” Today’s evangelism pleads with people to turn to Christ and accept Him instead of just preaching the news and letting God’s Holy Spirit convict and regenerate. Man has very little to do with saving souls. He is called to preach. God saves.
Until He does, man’s understanding is darkened and no amount of “education” or logical argument will turn on the light. Prayer is the only hope.
It grieves me when I think of how Christians absolutely REFUSE to make Bible the center of their homes.
Even worse, homeschooling Christians.
Churches are full of children and teens who do not know the Bible!
Beyond a couple stories of Noah, Adam & eve and Jesus walking on water, they do not know a thing.
I urge new & veteran homeschoolers alike- make the Bible and study of it your priority.
Most nod and say “I know” or “I do”, but what they really mean is that they have a Bible workbook or textbook and teach Bible as a class or subject.
They totally have missed the point.
Your post reminded me of when a few years ago & I became aware for the first time the many different methods of homeschooling. The classical approach seemed interesting to me so I did some research. I was co-leading a group of homeschool moms with a friend that was very structured with a classical curriculum. So I dealved more deeply & kept trying to implement it, but something just kept stopping me. I tried to read books on the classical approach & it just didn’t make much sense to me. Everytime I would share some it with my husband he was quick to say, “I don’t want my kids taught like that, go back the scriptures.” His wisdom saved me so many tiems from going the wrong direction in our school. Now, we are firm in our “approach”. IT is all based on the word of God and teaching our children how to live an abundant life based on His precepts. Thanks again Robin!
Shalom my Beloved Sister }}!
I hear/feel the cry of your precious spirit and when I got your e-mail, I wanted to write in to you and comment as you’ve requested.
By the GRACE and MERCY of Abba Father Alone, He has given me a “grieving/conviction” to AVOID this type of material for my own reading/consumption, let alone to “feed” to our children, whom the Lord has Blessed/Entrusted us with their care for these years (and how FAST these years are passing :o)
Robin, I’m so excited and blessed that The Holy Spirit is actually leading me and our family to “feed on” Jesus in a “new” way for our family. He has given me a Strong Desire to Call my Jesus Yeshua now too. The Holy Spirit is saying to me, yes…that’s okay, call Him Yeshua–don’t be ashamed/afraid/hesistant/proud to and The Holy Spirit Inviting/Calling us to Join Him in the Feasting on Jesus/Yeshua thru learning (and simultaneously teaching) our children about our Hebrew Roots of our Beloved Christian Faith. (MINUS and being ever mindful against any and ALL pride/superiority that *may* rear it’s ungodly head in our lives because of this “new” way of Seeking His Wonderful Face and that our total Focus MUST on Jesus (and NOT making the external an object of idoltry–which He is warning me is easy to do/fall into, if we are led by our flesh and understanding instead of His Holy Spirit Alone…of course :o)
It’s actually AMAZING that I got your e-mail, because the Holy Spirit has just started “wooing” me just about a week now to begin this Fantastic Journey of Discovery and Deeper Love/Obedience to our Heavenly Father!
We’re very much looking forward to checking your Biblical Holidays out from the library. It’s actually coming thru inter-library loan and will take about 6 weeks for me to actually get it. It’s totally worldy/sad how our BIG CITY library has little or NO books on Hebrew Roots of Christianity, at all–but if I were looking for ANYTHING on “classical” education or anything pagan…tons and tons books available. So WHAT! I’m counting it all joy anyway–knowing that God’s Ways are NOT our ways.
That’s another thing the Holy Spirit is daily whispering to me in regard to us accepting His Invitation to discover This is a “new” way of Feeding on Jesus AND seeking God’s Heart/Wisdom on His Ways of Old and to understand more the Heart of Jesus and what His earthly lifestyle/background was when He walked this earth and Taught/Called people in Israel), that’s what our Sweet Holy Spirit is leading me to learn and teach our children from now on. The Scripture verse He’s gave me in this “Mission” is:
“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Proverbs 22:28
and
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:14
Our family is VERY interested in learning more about this (the meaning of Biblical Holidays and how they related to the Coming of Jesus and Fulfillment of The Old Testament too…
.
Robin, I’ve been praying for you and thinking about you and this e-mail you’ve sent about Classical Education. Here’s is what The Holy Spirit wants me to ask you and then share with you about this matter:
1.) Robin…are you praying/interceeding with deep groanings and consistency for these folks(OH PLEASE DON’T ANSWER THAT HERE, OKAY:o), If not, PLEASE do :o) For Father’s Sake and theirs.
2.) NOTE: Robin, NO MATTER how many hundreds or thousands of times you’ve read this text of Holy Scripture, READ it again BEGGING Abba to open the eyes of your beautiful spirit and give you a FRESH revelation/illumination on this text and PLEASE Beg Father to show you how He wants you to think/react/believe regarding this matter of the worldliness of classical education. (PLEASE don’t forget to REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS and again I say Rejoice while you’re counting this seemingly grievious matter of Classical education being a stumblingblock to untold thousands of saints, counting it ALL JOY, Because Our God IS Alive and He Rules and Reigns and Know/Sees ALL and Jesus/Yeshua in Lord and in TOTAL control of EVERYTHING :o)…We MUST Remember that and Trust Him with all our spirits and NOT trust our DESPERATELY Wicked hearts.
The Sermon on the Mount
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy about it! Be very glad!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
**** 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!****
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’22 But I say, if you ar