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John Senior

Educational Philosophy
Fertilizing the Depleted Cultural Soil, One Book at a Time

Yesterday, I finished John Senior’s book The Death of Christian Culture (while sitting in the sun at swimming lessons, oh yes). It turned out to be an excellent read, though I was doubtful a couple of times when he got so bogged down in French poets — and his especial dislike of Baudelaire — that I thought I might give up. Thankfully, perseverance has its benefits, one of which is mining the gems in difficult books along the way. So Continue Reading…
June 26, 2014
Educational Philosophy, Mother's Education
Love as the End of Learning

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hapter Two of Desiring the Kingdom is called Love Takes Practice and it really can be divided into two parts. The first is Smith’s detailed discussion of Moulin Rouge. The second is his discussion of thick and thin practices. I talked about thick and thin practices back in October in my post The Discipline of Habit, so I thought I’d mix it up and discuss something different today. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about this quote: The end of learning is Continue Reading…
February 4, 2014
Educational Philosophy, Mother's Education
The Power of a Story

I ‘m reading John Senior’s The Death of Christian Culture alongside Desiring the Kingdom, or, at least, I’m trying to. I had a hunch that the two might complement each other, and I also sensed that Senior might provide an antidote to some of Smith’s weaknesses. I’m just a bit into the book, but so far they are dovetailing nicely, plus Senior is a delight. The more Latin Senior uses, the more I fall in love. You know what my Continue Reading…
January 21, 2014
Books & Reading
Wednesdays With Words: John Senior’s The Death of Christian Culture

The identification of the traditional with the conventional is, of course, as old as sophistry and often serves as an opening for change. But Christ Himself said, “Omnia mihi tradita sunt a Patre meo.” Christian doctrine is not the result of convention, though it is indeed traditional: “All things have been handed down to me by the Father.” {p. 2} We are here at the first of the first principles. A definition that includes its contradictory is not a Continue Reading…
January 8, 2014