The Importance of Culture

A key component in a classical Christian School

Adapted from a speech to Cedar Classical Academy (Lansing, MI) in August 2023.

From the ancients who sought after truth in Athens and Rome, to the Chosen People who worshipped the one true God at Jerusalem, the ways of learning and seeking after truth culminated in Jesus.

Faith in Him influenced the Roman Empire, the history of Europe, and the life of the Middle East.

The teachings of Christ and His followers formed the basis for the great conversation, the great works of literature, the beauty of art, the growth of understanding in math, the revolution in science, and idea of service in public life.

That heritage of Western Christianity came across the Atlantic to our shores, greatly influencing the brave men who became our Founding Fathers.

We are here today because of that, and we so have a mission to accomplish.

Someone recently shared that every day you are painting a picture of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

All that to say – why is culture so important to a school?

The business leader Peter Drucker famously quipped that “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast”

If we don’t get this right, none of it really matters.

Let’s ask a few questions to get us started:

1. Why is what we do as classical and Christian educators tremendously unique?

2. What are the habits, ceremonies, routines that are important to a classical Christian school?

In a recent book, I found this quote interesting:

“Our greatest job in raising our children is to teach them HOW to order their loves to align with what God loves. It also recognizes that education is really the business of shaping affections.”

I want to give you some things to consider as you plan to open your rooms, a new building, add another grade to the rhetoric school, and so many other things pressing on your minds right now.

What we do that is so unique in a classical Christian school is partner with our parents and move to assist them in ordering their lives.

Let’s think about that for a moment – to order one’s life.

In a world full of confusion and darkness, to order ones’ life seems counter to everything we are told to do…

Isn’t it great?

Have you read C.S. Lewis’ Abolition of Man?

In this great little work, Lewis points to something very specific for our culture for today in a classical Christian school…

“St Augustine defines virtue as ordo amoris, the ordinate condition of the affections in which every object is accorded that kind of degree of love which is appropriate to it.”

― C. S. Lewis, Abolition of Man

What is this Ordo Amoris?

Ordo Amoris is Latin for “Rightly Ordered Loves.” It first comes from St. Augustine when he wrote in the 5th century that the “order of love” (ordo amoris) is the “brief and true definition of virtue.” (The City of God- St. Augustine of Hippo).

"You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You."  Augustine

What a gift we have been given - to help shape the affections of our students toward our God, and to those things that are Good, True, and Beautiful so our students may truly be liberated through their education - in order to serve.