The Christian Humanist Reading Life Course is Full

Plus - A Happy 250th Birthday to these United States of America

Declaration of Independence, John Trumbull (1819)

Behind the Scenes: Thank You for Filling This Course

When I launched my recent book, Becoming Classically Educated, I wanted to find a way to immediately get the message out and put its contents into practice in a meaningful way. Being a teacher, I naturally conceived of a seminar-oriented course where I could help interested adults develop a genuine rule of life centered in the Christian Intellectual Tradition using this book.

Since I was enlisting adults who were probably working a job or at least had full-time responsibilities, I needed to craft a syllabus and schedule that took us to the heart of the matter in the shortest time possible without compromising the priorities of the book’s message. After a little work, I launched the Christian Humanist Reading Life course.

I didn’t know how well a course like this would be received, so I turned the public square into my classroom. I simply taught four things to anyone who would listen: 1) what I was going to teach them, 2) why it mattered in real life, 3) how they would benefit from this course of study, and 4) why they could trust me to be their guide.

Turns out, at the present hour, there is a real need for such a course. I opened registration for one month and am happy to report we filled every one of our 13 seats. And, never did I have to sell my soul or resort to slimy marketing tactics to get students. For that, I want to send a big and hearty “Thank You!” to everyone who joined this cohort and everyone who helped me get the word out. I pray July’s cohort will be more than satisfied with what they learn, and they will flourish with what they take with them into their future work.

A Short Poll

I would like to learn a little bit more about the BOOKS AND LETTERS tribe’s communication and social media preferences. Would you help me by answering these three questions?

Happy 250th Birthday to the United States of America!

In a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776, commenting on several aspects relating to the Declaration of Independence, which the Continental Congress had, just the day before, voted to approve, he concludes his remarks saying about the great occasion,

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

In wishing you all a very happy Independence Day on this 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth, allow me to encourage you to commemorate it with solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty and celebrate it heartily, with Pomp and Parade, etc.

But please indulge me also, by allowing me to remind us all of the cost of this glorious inheritance and the responsibility that inevitably belongs to us in preserving such a heritage of freedom that we might, in turn, faithfully pass it on to our children and grandchildren.