Christ and Classics

In this episode, Colton Moore and Devin Wilkins discuss the first book in C. S. Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . They explore the themes of winter and Christmas in Narnia, the significance of Father Christmas in the story, and the use of mythological imagery to communicate the gospel. They also address concerns about the inclusion of pagan gods in children's st...

In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss C.S. Lewis' essay "Meditation in a Toolshed" and its application to reading and teaching literature. They explore the difference between experiential knowledge (enjoyment) and analytical knowledge (contemplation), using Lewis’ metaphor of a toolshed and a beam of light. They emphasize the importance of both types of knowledge in the need to b...

In this episode, Colton Moore and Devin Wilkins introduce Season 2 of the Christ in Classics podcast, which will focus on the works of C.S. Lewis. They discuss how Lewis has impacted them both and kick off season 2 with a delightful conversation they had with Dr. Michael Ward from the University of Oxford. Special thanks to GlossaHouse for partnering with the Christ & Classics Podcast! You can...

In this episode Colton discusses this final section Homer’s Iliad . He reconsiders the question he posed in Episode 2, “Is the purpose of Achilles’ rage to set up the reader for something beautiful in Book 24?” Achilles’ rage does not cease until Priam secretly comes to him by night to offer a ransom for the body of Hector. Why is this? How is it that Priam can still Achilles’ rage once and for al...

What is the purpose of the shield Hephaestus forges for Achilles? Could the shield represent the inner-workings of the ideal Man? As such, could it be an ironic rebuke of Achilles’ rage seen thus far in the Iliad ? Could it even be an image of the ideal City of cities—with an eye toward Troy? In this episode, Colton considers this question as he races through Books 18–20 of Homer’s Iliad .

As immortal supernatural beings, modern readers might expect the gods and goddesses to be completely self-sufficient and omnipotent. However, they seem to be no less needy than humans. So, what gain do the gods receive for involving themselves in the lives of the Achaeans and Trojans? Why does Hera nag Zeus for nearly ending the Trojan War without razing Troy? Why does Zeus himself desire the prai...

In what ways specifically does Patroclus' death catalyze the fulfillment of Zeus's multi-layered will? In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss Books 15–17 of Homer's Iliad. They explore the significance of Patroclus' death and its role in turning the tides of the war. They also delve into Zeus' grand scheme, Achilles' rage, and the nature of Patroclus and Achilles' fr...

In this episode, Colton and Devin discuss books 12–14 of Homer's Iliad. They explore the relational tensions between the gods, particularly Zeus and Poseidon along with Zeus and Hera, and the uncertainties and limitations of Zeus as the supreme Olympian. They also draw parallels between the complexities of living in time as Christians and the perplexities of being in a world orchestrated by a...

In this episode, Devin and Colton talk with Dr. Mark Menaldo, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Liberal Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, TX. Dr. Menaldo is a recent convert to Christianity, and God used Great Books , particularly ancient and modern philosophical works, to draw his soul toward the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked him if he woul...

Not all books are created equal. Some are written for information. Some are written for entertainment. Some ought not to have been written in the first place. Yet, there are many books that have commonly been deemed "great." Many of these are novels, myths, and fairy tales of sorts. Many are philosophical treatises. Some are a combination of both. In this episode Devin and Colton raise a...

In this episode, Devin and Colton consider a larger section of Homer's Iliad : Books 9–11. The fate of Troy hinges upon books 9–11. Zeus has begun to accomplish his promise to Thetis and raze Troy to the ground, bringing his will to its end. But first somehow he will need to draw Achilles out of his ship. Yet, before Homer does this, he exalts three of Achaea’s finest heroes: Odysseus, Diomede...

Book 8 of Homer’s Iliad is a major turning point in the poem. Zeus forbids the rest of the gods to intervene in the war to grant the Trojans the upperhand in battle. Why? When we keep in mind the two promises Zeus has made—first, to raze Troy and second, to grant Thetis her prayer to glorify Achilles—Zeus’s actions in Book 8 make more sense. Inspired by almighty Zeus, the Trojans beat down the Gre...

In this episode Colton sits down with Ben House, a former headmaster and humanities teacher, to consider the differences between classical education and the all-pervasive “progressive” alternative seen in most public and many private schools. We discuss how classical schools are incompatible with progressive schools—noting key differences—and why the former is the only alternative that encourages...

Hector and Paris are back in the battle, and immediately Apollo and Athena agree to temporarily halt the war by rousing Hector’s desire to show himself as mighty. Athena awakens in him this lust for glory, and Hector calls both armies to sit while he any Argive challenger willing to fight him duel to the bloody death. Ajax the Great is chosen by lot, and they fight. But why? Why does Homer have an...

Why can we arguably consider Hector, captain of the Trojans, to be a “Hero of Heroes” in Homer’s Iliad ? How do his manly characteristics compare with that of Paris, or even the legendary Achilles? Why does glory and honor drive Hector back into the battlefield away from his precious wife and infant son? And how can this scene between Hector and Andromache simultaneously be both tragic and beautif...

Dr. Louis Markos leads the discussion in Episode 8 of the Christ & Classics Podcast: the Classics, the Christ, and Classical Christian Education. In this episode Dr. Markos explains to us how Christ is the complete Truth to which all other truth in the pagan classics intimates and foreshadows. In addition, we discuss with Dr. Markos the vital role of classical schools in America and why they a...

What is a god in Homer’s Iliad? What is immortality for the Greeks—simply never dying? How can both Aphrodite and Ares, being a god and goddess, become injured? Being divine, how do their injuries in battle compare with human injuries? When Athena lifts a “mist” from Diomedes’ eyes to distinguish between gods and men, what does he really see? When the gods fight for men, do they really have the be...

In this episode of Christ & Classics, Devin and Colton ask why rage takes the center stage in the Iliad. Menelaus rages against Paris. Apollo rages against the Greeks. Agamemnon rages against Achilles. Achilles (especially) rages against Agamemnon. The gods are even angry with one another! What role does anger play within Homer’s epic, and what does it have to do with Zeus’s overarching will s...

In this episode of Christ & Classics, Devin and Colton explore Zeus’s reasoning and will to dupe Agamemnon in a dream, which then results in Agamemnon seeking to deceive his own troops. Why is this? How does this relate to Book 1 and the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon?  Also, Devin and Colton take on the “Catalog of Ships” and question its literary purpose within Homer’s Iliad. Why wo...

How can a war book be considered a family book? Why is Aphrodite the only character who loves Paris? Why does Paris’ cowardice make for band husbandhood? Why does Helen, Paris’ illegitimate wife, repent of her harlotry here in Book 3, and what does she truly desire? And who really wins the duel between Menelaus and Paris after Aphrodite intervenes? Devin and Colton attempt to answer (or perhaps si...

In this debut episode Devin and Colton explain the contours of the Christ & Classics Podcast. Who are these two obscure and unknown individuals? Why this Podcast? What makes a book into a Great Book? What does it mean to read the Great Books in light of Christ? What will the Podcast accomplish as the weeks roll on? All these questions and more Devin and Colton will attempt to answer in here in...