Articles From The Classical Teacher

What is Christian Studies?
by Cheryl Lowe
Classical Teacher 2005

1. How should Christian Studies be taught?
To begin, Christian Studies is an academic course that is taught with the same standards—class time, homework, and testing—as other comparable subjects, such as Classical Studies and American-Modern Studies. Tests are rigorous and demanding.

2. What do students learn in Memoria Press’ Christian Studies program?
In Kindergarten-2nd Grade, students learn Bible stories, prayers, and memory verses with the Copybook Series. In the grades 3-6 Christian Studies series, students continue with Scripture memorization but also begin a systematic study of the major events and characters in Salvation History. They work through a Bible timeline from Creation to Christ, memorize Bible geography, books of the Bible, people and events in order, and discuss vocabulary and basic theological concepts. Students are thoroughly grounded in the knowledge necessary for advanced Christian Studies.

3. How do you select the verses for Scripture memorization ?
Our memorization program is based on an ideal--that students will memorize and retain a large amount of Scripture over the course of thirteen years of schooling; and if passages are chosen carefully, the child will grow into a knowledge, love, and appreciation for Scripture. Consequently, passages chosen for Kindergarten-2nd Grade are age-appropriate verses that are understandable to the child’s concrete mind and appeal to his love of beautiful and poetic language.

In grades 3-6, the focus of the memorization program continues with the great, dramatic stories of Salvation History, the majority of passages being taken from Genesis, the Psalms, the prophets, and the Gospels. Most convey concrete images that are also ideal prompts for art assignments. Some passages are chosen because of their frequent use in Biblical allusions; some are favorite psalms; some are central to Christianity, like the Commandments or Beatitudes. Passages span the whole Bible and give the student memory cues to tie together the story of man’s redemption. It should be noted that many adult favorites, especially the more abstract theological writings of the New Testament epistles, are not age-appropriate for the grammar stage child and are reserved for the more mature student in grades 7 and up.

4. Why use the Golden Children’s Bible?
The Golden Children’s Bible reads like a simplified King James text rather than a retelling or story book by an individual author. The Golden Children’s Bible is good preparation for reading the Bible itself. The illustrations are beautiful, informative, and an invaluable aid to memory. The Golden Children’s Bible is non-denominational and is endorsed by Catholics and Protestants alike.

5. Why memorize the King James Bible?
The King James Bible is the poetic and literary version of Scripture. It has had a tremendous influence on the development of the English language. Many spiritual and literary allusions/expressions come directly from the King James Bible. A thorough knowledge of the King James Bible is a necessary preparation for the study of English literature, as well as a foundation for a deep spiritual life. A few passages in our memorization program are elided or slightly simplified from the King James.

6. How is Memoria Press’ Christian Studies program unique?
Students often receive the impression that Bible or religion classes are about feelings and opinions rather than knowledge and truth. Our Christian Studies program is an objective, historical course in which content and testing are serious and demanding.
In a classical education, students are immersed in the ancient world; they learn Bible history and the Christian faith in a historical context and thus see them as real history. In contrast, one of the weaknesses of American education is that its focus on the modern world makes the ancient world vague and unreal, blurring the distinction between myth and history.
Students who have a firm foundation in the ancient roots of their faith are prepared for the advanced study of Christian history and culture, in which they will come to understand the radical change in human history that is symbolized by the abbreviations B.C. and A.D. Students will develop a deep and profound Christian perspective on history. A Classical Education is the best education for Christian children and the only one that can prepare them to defend their faith in an unbelieving modern world.

7. Why is Memoria Press’ Bible program called Christian Studies?
At Memoria Press, we focus on four areas of integrated study: Classical Studies, Christian Studies, English Studies, and American-Modern Studies. Each of these areas includes the language, literature, history, geography, and philosophy of each culture. In Kindergarten - 6th Grade, our Christian Studies program is primarily a Bible program, but beginning in grade 7, students will begin the study of Christian history, culture, and apologetics.

8. What is Christian history and culture?
The coming of Christ changed the world dramatically and eternally. By studying the development of Christian doctrine and the impact of the Christian faith on history and culture for the last 2,000 years, students will see evidence for the divine origin of the Christian faith and be strengthened to face the skepticism and doubt of the modern world.

9. What is Memoria Press’ faith statement?
We are orthodox Christian and conservative in doctrine. We profess the historic doctrines of the Christian faith that are revealed in Holy Scripture and are taught in the ancient creeds of the Church, especially the Apostles’ and the Nicean Creeds. Our approach is consistent with the contemporary journal Touchstone Magazine and that of C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity when he says, “I am not trying to convert anyone to my position...only to defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

Cheryl Lowe is co-author (with Leigh Lowe) of the Christian Studies program, offered by Memoria Press.