originally published 6/10/2013
Jeffry Davis and Philip Ryken, co-editors of Liberal Arts for the Christian Life (Crossway, 2012), expound the virtues of a liberal arts education. They begin by discussing their intent for the book: to get students to think about the liberal arts as a way of life. We live in a superficial culture that wants to mold us after its own fashion, so we must cultivate in the younger generation a love for the life of the mind. It is misleading to talk about the integration of faith and learning, because the life of the mind and the life of Christian faith are connected. Truth is not apparent; it must be pursued, and the best way to pursue it is through community. Ryken describes the type of upbringing that would best foster an appreciation for the liberal arts in a child — a family dinner table, a strong church community, and a home context in which the child is opened up to the world of beauty through sound are all important aspects.
26 minutes
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