The Classically Dressed Child
By Joanna Haralson You will be hard pressed to find a person who is not moved by the sight of a kindergarten class in school uniforms – dress pants, polos, sweaters with an embroidered logo. What is it about this picture that touches our hearts? Is it the juxtaposition of the little size of the person and their adult-like outfits? Is it the contrast between … Continue reading The Classically Dressed Child
Waiting (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 7)
“Waiting” (Matthew 13:31-33, 47-50) Stories of the Kingdom: Part 7 This is the seventh of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. A couple months ago we began a series called “Stories of the Kingdom,” exploring what some of Jesus’ parables teach us about kingdom living. We’ve considered well-known parables … Continue reading Waiting (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 7)
Buried Treasures (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 6)
“Buried Treasures” (Matthew 13:44-46) Stories of the Kingdom: Part 6 This is the sixth of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. The Parable of the Treasure Hidden in the Field The first parable we encounter in this section is an account of a man who finds a treasure, reburies … Continue reading Buried Treasures (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 6)
Lost & Found: Sheep, Coins, Brothers (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 5)
“Lost & Found: Sheep, Coins, Brothers” (Luke 15:1-32) Stories of the Kingdom: Part 5 This is the fifth of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. A couple months ago we looked at the first part of Luke 15 and talked about lost sheep and lost coins. We concluded that … Continue reading Lost & Found: Sheep, Coins, Brothers (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 5)
If You Build It, He May Come (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 4)
“If You Build It, He May Come” (Luke 12:13-21) Stories of the Kingdom: Part 4 This is the fourth of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. The Christian life is difficult. It is also beautiful, hopeful, and meaningful, but it is difficult. The Scriptures are clear with us that … Continue reading If You Build It, He May Come (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 4)
Asking from a Friend: The Language of the Kingdom (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 3)
“Asking from a Friend: The Language of the Kingdom” (Luke 11:1-13) Stories of the Kingdom, Part 3 This is the third of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. Kingdoms are typically defined by a series of features. A kingdom has a leader–the king–and his subjects. A kingdom has boundaries. It … Continue reading Asking from a Friend: The Language of the Kingdom (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 3)
To Whom Will I Be a Neighbor (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 2)
“To Whom Will I Be a Neighbor” (Luke 10:25-37) Stories of the Kingdom, Part 2 This is the second of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. Last week I introduced a series called Stories of the Kingdom in which we will explore how Jesus teaches us to live as … Continue reading To Whom Will I Be a Neighbor (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 2)
What Hath Poetry to Do with Natural Science?
What hath poetry to do with natural science? Probably quite a lot, but in this post I want to reflect upon only one feature. Much poetic analysis and teaching makes the same mistake as most teaching of the natural sciences. I’ll get to the answer in a moment. If I were to ask a student to learn about a frog, how might they go about … Continue reading What Hath Poetry to Do with Natural Science?
“What Do You Want?” (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 1)
“What Do You Want?” (Matthew 6:19-34) Stories of the Kingdom: Part 1 This is the first of a nine-part series of mini-sermons designed to help students reflect upon Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God, and living as kingdom people. For most of my life in the church, I was under the impression that action followed from beliefs. If I could simply believe the right things … Continue reading “What Do You Want?” (Stories of the Kingdom, Part 1)
Four Ways to Grow Your Classically Educated Child This Summer
First published May 2018. Warmer days and longer light mean that summer has nearly found us once again. For most of us, the advent of summer brings a slower pace and freer schedule. This combination provides parents with a unique opportunity to promote learning and engage their children’s minds outside of the classroom. Regardless of the season, however, the thought of “education at home” can … Continue reading Four Ways to Grow Your Classically Educated Child This Summer
Conquering Chaos: The Re-Enchantment of a Purposeful Life
I had the opportunity on Friday, April 4, 2025 to speak at Headington Hill in Springfield, MO. This is the transcript of that talk for their fundraising event. Conquering Chaos: The Re-Enchantment of a Purposeful Life III Here is a place of disaffectionTime before and time afterIn a dim light: neither daylightInvesting form with lucid stillnessTurning shadow into transient beautyWith slow rotation suggesting permanenceNor darkness … Continue reading Conquering Chaos: The Re-Enchantment of a Purposeful Life
The Trivium and the Good Life in Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy
The Trivium and the Good Life in Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy Anthony G. Cirilla Editor’s Note: This essay comes out of a talk that Dr. Cirilla gave at the 2024 The Classical Thistle Conference. We have included directives towards slides in the linked PowerPoint as a way of blending written essay with the visual aids of the slide deck used in the presentation. Why study … Continue reading The Trivium and the Good Life in Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy
The Classical Thistle 