We have begun to organize an online journal at NCF. At first, it was thought we might try to post several articles a week, much in the style of a college newspaper. But as we took a closer look at our resources, it became clear that such a publishing schedule would be exhausting and promote … Continue reading How Can I Tell: Beginnings of a College Journal
I have the privilege of teaching at a college that is populated by very dedicated students. Young adults dedicated, not only to their education, but to the community and people around them. But I am doubly aware of their diligence whenever I remember that they work 20-30 hours a week at part-time jobs simply to attend New College … Continue reading College Scholarship for Hardworking Students
St. George’s Day happens to be our founding day. Our college is six years old this year. St. George also happens to be the “patron-saint” of Roan House. The celebration included: Viking Chess & Kan-Jam & Cornhole Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Salad & Chips Roastings, Laughter, Praise and blessing Continue reading St. George’s Day & Faculty/Staff Appreciation
We held an informal Arithmetic class at a students home last night. Not only was it a lovely place to watch a movie and talk shop, but it was also a great chance to get to know the freshman a bit better. It is easy to forget how significant a little hospitality can be. An added surprise … Continue reading New College Jam
There was recently some disagreement between different parties at the college. In my catastrophic thinking, this spelled the doom for our little community. To my delight, I found a number of students who had taken it upon themselves to pray. Seeing them reminded me of God’s sovereignty, and showed me that through His power He had … Continue reading Bearing Fruit
We began our reading of Plato’s Theaetetus in Arithmetic today. Like many of the ‘zetetic’ (seeking) dialogues, it focuses upon a central question: What is knowledge? And like many of these dialogues, a question of Socrates, quickly dismissed, is yet worth our attention. In passing, Socrates asks Theaetetus if wisdom is the same thing as knowledge: Knowledge … Continue reading The Pursuit of Wisdom
Clearly, he does not understand the difference between comprehend and apprehend! In The Brothers Karamazov, I am reminded that Active Love is the essential calling of the faithful. Christian mysticism, the love of God and neighbor lived out day to day, is Dostoevsky’s answer to the problem of evil, isolation, and doubt. As children of the … Continue reading The Brothers Karamazov: Bigger Than the Enlightenment
I am getting pretty excited to walk through some of this quarter’s readings with the students. The Phaedo, Plato Euthyphro, Plato On the Incarnation, Athanasius The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus Meno, Plato Theatetus, Plato Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies, Weil The greatness of some of these readings is in their … Continue reading Pascha Term 2015 Approaches
In the first post, the idea of ‘form’ (also called a ‘look’) was introduced. A ‘look’ or ‘form’ was described as a dual entity: ◊ one which makes something what it is (the look of a bee is what makes a bee a bee) ◊ and it is that which allows us to recognize what a thing is; … Continue reading Double Vision: Images and Originals Part II
Confronted with the question of sameness, first year Arithmetic students considered yesterday what it means that bees of different shapes, sizes, and beauty, are all still bees. Bumble, Carpenter, Honey, etc… They all look like bees, for they all are, and yet they are each different. What does it mean for us to recognize sameness and otherness? Prompted by … Continue reading The Being of a Bee: Images and Originals Part I
Same & Other 