Beauty was a recurring theme, either explicit or implicit, in several of the sessions I attended last weekend. Martin Cothran (Memoria Press), in his talk What is the Christian Worldview, pointed out that in the decline of a culture, beauty is the first thing to become subjective (hence the famous but false saying:”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.)
Dr. Perrin (Classical Academic Press) demonstrated the beauty and importance of play in his session Why Children Must Play to Learn. One thing he mentioned is that play brings delight, and the opposite of play is not work, but depression. His thoughts coincide well with what I’ve been reading in Leisure the Basis of Culture – which is not surprising, as he recommends it so much. 😉
In How to Become a Classical Christian Homeschooler in a Secular Progressive Age, Andrew Kern (CiRCE Institute) contrasted the fragmentation of modern education (subjects that really are subject to the whim of whoever is in charge) with the harmonious, holistic, beautiful vision of the classical Christian educator.
What is taught, how it is taught, how it is assessed and how it is governed, work together in harmony toward a common goal.
Which goal is Christ himself, the Logos.
Sarah Mackenzie spoke on Beauty and Delight in the Ordinary, Chaotic Homeschool, and she emphasized the priority of cultivating relationships with our children over just getting through the checklist. We often miss the beautiful little moments waiting for the big, supposedly important ones. She shared ways to bring a bit of beauty into our homeschool days: things like singing together and going on an impromptu field trip “just because we can”.
Carol Reynolds (Professor Carol) talked about beauty in the arts in her session Beauty Over Decadence: Winning the Battle Against Pop Culture. She gave examples of how to “feed their (children’s) desire for beauty” through singing, art, etc.; and what to do when you encounter ugliness in the arts, which is unfortunately all too common today. She shared several quotes on beauty from Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, which I thought very beautiful in themselves. And they echo the observation Martin Cothran made, that where beauty is relativized, truth and goodness won’t be far behind. Here is one:
A few more resources on the importance of beauty I have found helpful:
- A video lecture by Gregory Wolfe: Beauty, The Cinderella of the Transcendentals (he also quotes von Balthasar)
- An article by Sarah Mackenzie in the recent Circe magazine (free online): The Flower We Have Not Yet Found: Beauty as a Gateway to God
And finally, some recent reads:
- Hubby: The Glory of Heaven by John MacArthur
- Me: The Odyssey by Homer (audiobook) – beautiful, narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, and thanks to Audible’s new feature, I can share a favorite clip with you! 🙂
- Miss A: A Young Woman after God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George (which she bought at the convention)
- Mr. D: The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay
- Mr. E: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
- Little L: Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
- Little R: Lots of Beatrix Potter lately – mostly Peter Rabbit, but also Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten
Wednesdays with Words is hosted by ladydusk.
Wonderful recap and summary of the weekend. I love how you tied all those things together! ❤
Sounds so good. I read an speech by Solzhenitsyn last October – Beauty Will Save the World:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1970/solzhenitsyn-lecture.html
Similar themes to your thoughts above.
Thanks, Dawn! I didn’t know how it would come together when I started writing, but it was a good exercise in narration. 😉
I was happy to get to read a bit about sessions I missed, and the thoughts from the one I did attend, too. I like your big quote, and the whole idea that truth, beauty, and goodness are so closely linked. That is inspiring, and a new thought for me.
Hi! I found your blog through Dawn’s. I was at the GHS conv, but with my baby so I didn’t make it to as many sessions as I’d hoped, but you went to several I had on my list! Thanks for your notes!!
Thanks for commenting, Sarah! Glad you could attend at least some of the sessions. I was never brave enough to even attempt bringing my babies!