Aristotle said that the beginning of philosophy is wonder and the fulfillment of wonder is the contemplation of truth. Man thrives when he wonders and contemplates. The goal of a classical Christian education is to produce students who thrive rather than merely existing.
As we return from our Senior Class’s Grand Tour, I contemplate the wonders of the trip and what are now memories. The Grand Tour is the capstone of a classical education. It is said that a developed memory is a treasure house of things seen, heard, and done, thus part of our trip was to walk in the footsteps of Paul, making his mission and western civilization come alive. We want to draw students into the world of wonder and contemplation, to use their imagination in living out the Truth gained from their education at Trinity. With gratitude of sharing this experience with an extraordinary group of young people, I share a few contemplations.
First, I was humbled by these young people. Each was respectful, kind, and gentle. I was in awe of their knowledge, their love of learning and for one another, and abiding trust in Jesus. They give me great hope for the successive classes of Trinity students. I am grateful to them and their parents.
In Turkey, Greece, and Italy, I was struck by the modernity of antiquity. Thousands of years before the birth of Christ, man had libraries, public education, citizenship rights, mass production, trade, and yes, politicians. However, much of this accumulated knowledge was forgotten during the Dark Ages. As educators of the classics, we want our students to live by Light and not forget that there is much to learn from those who came before us. I am grateful for their teachers who make history full of meaning for our students.
We were introduced to people and their cultures from all over the world, both ancient and modern. I discovered man is no different today than thousands of years ago, east or west, black or white. All men naturally seek protection and immortality. I am grateful to know the Living Christ rather than trust in mythical gods and manmade images. I was struck by man’s need to conquer and control others but was encouraged by the remnant of those who followed in the Way of Jesus in spite of prosecution. I am grateful my salvation is not dependent upon man or myself, and that I am a child of the Living King.
On one flight, a seatmate grew up in East Berlin under Soviet control. On the return flight from London, I sat next to a large contingency of Iranians fleeing their government’s religious persecution. I am grateful to live in a country where I am free to worship my God and exercise democratic rights.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy said "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." I return to America grateful. May we each live a grateful life before our God.
Nancy Shaw
Head of School