Musings
These are the short articles from the weekly Mount Hope Lutheran School Newsletter. Topics include poems, paintings, great literary works, and the philosophy of classical education. You can browse through past articles here on the website, and you can subscribe to receive new ones in your inbox using the form on this page.
Is Kindergarten Truly Necessary?
School, then, is not a separate “fourth estate,” but exists to strengthen the home and help parents raise faithful Christians who participate fully in the life of the church.
Imitation: The Path to Excellence
“For even as a hawk flieth not high with one wing, even so a man reacheth not to excellency with one tongue.” We need other tongues, the tongues of the best and wisest, and when we spend time with them and imitate them, we become excellent.
Teaching Language to Little Minds
As creatures made in the image of God, we are language-beings, and participating in language is just as essential for our lives as breathing oxygen.
Setting Up for Success
These years in 3rd and 4th grade are key for building up the habits and virtues of an excellent, self-governing student: orderliness, responsibility, self-control, and time-management.
The Art of Description
I said “see” in the explanation of the imagery above because without really realizing the wonder of it, well-selected wording is ekphrasis; it brings images to our mind.
The Laws of Science
Even if our theories about the universe are incomplete, God’s constancy still allows those imperfect ideas to be useful to us.
Why Study Music Theory?
Music has the power to affect emotions, but one who has learned the inner workings of music can take charge over this power in music and use it to impact his emotions in a pure and good way.
Themes, Analogies, and “Goblin Market”
Especially when crafted by Christian poets like Rossetti, the themes and analogies are often put there intentionally, like treasures waiting for thoughtful readers to discover.
The Elements of the Cosmos
The main focus was not mathematical algorithms and not proficiency in calculation, but rather how we can accurately speak of the real, physical Creation.
Fun with Poetry
In the very midst of life where snares of death surround us, I can write a silly poem about a cow and spend time thinking about what rhymes with the Latin word te, because Jesus has taken care of all the serious stuff.
O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe
After praying the words “God is with us, and we with God— / Our vict’ry cannot fail,” King Adolphus rode out with his men…
“The Thorn”
So if Thou wilt not take away the smart, / I fear no wrath; the thorn serves Thy design / That I despair of all within my heart / And run to Thine.
The Math of the Heavens
Astronomy pulls our gaze away from ourselves and out to the entirety of God’s creation.
Reverence and Mockery
A key to the Christian life is knowing what to take seriously and what not to. We regard the Word of God seriously and see it as it is: holy, inspired, inerrant, the words of eternal life.
O Lord, Thy Yoke Is Light (Hymn)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart…
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