Christ and Classics

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 Come...

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...

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 impl...

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...

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 philosop...

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 o...

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 ed...

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...

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 th...

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...

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. Th...

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....

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 versati...

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 traditio...

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 s...

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. Fur...

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 dis...

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 bal...

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, includ...

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 t...

In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss the book 'The Silver Chair' by C.S. Lewis. The conversation focuses on the theme of remembering, exploring how Eustace's and Jill's forgetfulness can play a purposeful role in accomplishing Aslan's will. Colton and Devin explore why the characters in Narnia are susceptible to forgetting Aslan's commands and the role of pain in awake...

In this episode, Devin and Colton discuss The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis. They explore the episodic nature of the book and the common thread of covetousness that ties the different “episodes” together. They also toss around themes of sanctification and the role of Sol, the sun, within the story. Their conversation also explores the power of stories, particularly in relation to child...

In this episode, Devin and Colton make an inquiry about skepticism and faith in C. S. Lewis' book, Prince Caspian. They explore the characters of Miraz, Trumpkin, and Susan, who all demonstrate varying degrees of skepticism towards the fantastical elements of Narnia. The conversation camps on the importance of childlikeness and the recognition of a more magical and spiritual world. The hosts a...

In this conversation, Devin and Colton hosted their good friend Keith Kresge to discuss educational egalitarianism within C. S. Lewis’ short essay “Democratic Education.” They explore the idea that education should be focused on the interests of those who want to learn and can learn, rather than trying to equalize curriculum. They also extend Lewis’ thesis to the role of parents as guides of their...

In this short essay, C. S. Lewis explores the concept of democratic education and its relationship to preserving democracy. Lewis argues against the abolition of compulsory subjects and emphasizes the need for a wide curriculum that provides opportunities for every student. He questions the desirability and feasibility of a nation educated democratically. Lewis also examines the two sources of the...