What does it mean to flourish as a human? It occurs through living intentionally and thoughtfully in particular ways. Neither virtue nor its eventual fruit, happiness, comes to us accidentally... Flourishing requires that we can confidently answer the big questions in life....why am I here? What does it mean to be human? What does Jesus on Sunday have to do with daily life during the weekday? Getting the big questions right ensures we have the wisdom and resilience to stand against the false narratives pervasive in our culture today. And classical Christian education is a vital part of that process as we form the next generation to have the wisdom needed to live the good life. BIOGRAPHYJonathan T. Pennington is currently Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation and at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (USA). He has also regularly served as a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando), Southeastern Seminary, The Village Church Institute (Dallas), and The Institute of Biblical Studies in Orlando, FL, as well as Morling College (Melbourne, Australia). Spiritual formation pastor at his church.... 6 kids (25-16)He is also on the preaching staff at Sojourn East and regularly speaks and teaches in churches all over the country.He earned a B.A. in History as well as a Teaching Certificate from Northern Illinois University. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago), where he also taught Greek for two years as an NT Fellow. During his time at TEDS he also served for five years as the Associate Pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris in northern Illinois.He holds a PhD in New Testament Studies from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (in St. Mary’s College), where he wrote a thesis entitled “Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew” under the supervision of Professors Richard Bauckham and Philip Esler. He attended St. Andrews as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, and while there, he also served as a lecturer in Greek. Dr. Pennington is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Tyndale Fellowship (Cambridge), the Institute for Biblical Research, and the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies. He has published a wide variety of books, articles, and Greek and Hebrew language tools. (For fuller information, see the Publications pages.) He is also the host and co-producer of the YouTube show Cars, Coffee, Theology.  Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Selfish or selfless? Entitled or blessed? Increasingly, children are raised in a world revolving around them, creating attitudes of "I-deserve-it-because-I-exist." The world celebrates entitlement through everyday messages from social media and endless advertisements.  Indulging children can seem the easiest path in the moment, but long-term, excessive indulgences lead to adults who are disillusioned, angry, quick to play the victim card, and dismissive of authority, both human and divine. Keith McCurdy is back to share practical and wise guidance on raising the next generation at home and in the classroom to live with gratitude and wisdom.BIOGRAPHYKeith McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents, and individuals for over 30 years in the field of mental health, working with more than 15,000 individuals and families. He received his Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from James Madison University. He is currently the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, Inc., and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.More Info: livesturdy.com Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Are you stuck in the present? Our culture is quick to dismiss anything perceived as old, even last year's cell phone model, much less the wisdom learned from history. And those of us raising the next generation with Classical Christian education are more often looking to the past for wisdom in a world that insists the present is all that matters. David Moore will inspire you to gain a new appreciation of history and learn practical ways to better navigate the daily bombardment of information from modern-day, forward-only thinkers.BIOGRAPHYDavid Moore graduated from both Dallas Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has written three other books, including one of Preaching Magazine's best books of the year, and has interviewed 200 authors in both print and on the radio. A regular contributor to Christianity Today/Jesus Creed, Moore has also written for the Gospel Coalition, Huffington Post, Bibliotheca Sacra, Austin American-Statesman, Touchstone, Mere Orthodoxy, C. S. Lewis Institute's Heart & Mind, and Front Porch Republic. He lives in Austin with his wife, Doreen. Purchase: Stuck in the Present by David Moore Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Ready for some encouragement? Music moves us, awakens our souls, and brings light to the world. My guest today, Stanton Lanier, is a pianist, composer, orchestrator, and faithful believer. He was inspired at an early age by the great composers. Today, his music is loved and listened to by people worldwide - young and old alike. His scripture-inspired music is just what we need in this frazzling moment. Enjoy this conversation with Stanton Lanier and a sampling of his remarkable music. Be ready to be encouraged!BIOGRAPHYStanton Lanier is a pianist, composer, orchestrator, and believer with a vision. He has released 150 plus tracks from 12 albums and singles, which are enjoyed by millions of listeners worldwide as “life soundtracks” for moments of God’s peace and inspiration. He recently earned his Professional Certificate in Composing and Orchestrating for Film and TV from the Berklee School of Music to expand his composing for media. Stanton is the founder of the non-profit Music to Light the World, which uses his music to offer hope and healing to cancer patients, orphans in Zambia, and others in need. He has performed in 27 U.S. states, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and his music touches five million lives annually across 140 countries through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube, Sirius XM. To learn more, visit www.stantonlanier.com. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Classical Christian schools are on the rise, and most have impressive reading lists and ambitious goals of graduates, but how are teachers trained to teach? Most of us teach how we were taught, which can be a challenge when we didn't grow up in a classical Christian school environment. Today, my guest, Maryellen St Cyr, is back on BaseCamp Live to bring practical wisdom from her years of founding and leading the Ambleside Schools based on Charlotte Mason's approach to raising and educating children of all ages.BIOGRAPHYMaryellen St. Cyr, Director of Curriculum at Ambleside Schools InternationalA professional educator for more than 30 years, Maryellen St. Cyr has spent thousands of hours in the classroom and hundreds of hours observing other teachers. Possessing a passion for a congruent, life-giving method of education, she has become one of the foremost experts on the “common sense” education philosophy of 19th-century British educator, Charlotte Mason. Maryellen is a primary author of When Children Love to Learn and shares insights into education here. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

No parental control software can completely protect your child from online harm. And parental controls never replace the need for parents or teachers, for that matter. After over 1,100 presentations, testifying in front of Congress, and countless conversations, we welcome back Chris McKenna, who has discovered five traits common in families with kids who learn to use technology well. He calls it the Digital Trust Framework.BIOGRAPHYChris McKenna, Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes, is a man with never-ending energy when it comes to fighting for the safety and protection of children. Chris practices his internet safety tips on his four exceptional children and is regularly featured on news, radio, podcasts, and most recently on Capitol Hill for his research. His 2019 US Senate Judiciary Committee testimony was the catalyst for draft legislation that could radically change online child protection laws and earned PYE the NCOSE Dignity Defense Alert Award in 2020. The PYE team has performed over 1,000 presentations at schools, churches, and nonprofits and was featured in the Childhood 2.0 movie. When not leading PYE, Chris is the Digital Marketing Manager for Covenant Eyes. Other loves include running, spreadsheets, and candy. Instagram: instagram.com/protectyoungeyes Facebook: facebook.com/protectyoungeyes Website: protectyoungeyes.com Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

We are raising our families in an increasingly challenging cultural moment. And yet we know God calls us to worship and give thanks continually rather than fall into the patterns and thinking of the secular culture around us. How do we ensure our homes and classrooms have habits that form what God loves? How do we compete with the storytellers of our age who often become the loudest voices in the next generation’s heads and hearts? My guest today is a gifted artist whose new book demonstrates the power of story and the habits of daily living that awaken us to God’s power and presence during difficult times. Stay tuned for this episode...BIOGRAPHYJacob grew up in Oregon and became a Christian at a young age. God has continued to display His faithfulness to Jacob throughout his life; a journey deeper and deeper into grace. Jacob received a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and moved to Seattle, Washington where he works as a minister in the local church.  Jacob’s years in school grew his passion for writing and reading, but he has always had a love for stories, whether they're told with pen and page or the rhyth,ms and rhymes of song. He agrees with J. R. R. Tolkien when he writes, “the Pot of Soup, the Cauldron of Story, has always been boiling, and to it have continually been added new bits, dainty and undainty," (On-Fairy-Stories, p. 45). As humans we simply cannot seem to escape a need to tell stories, a desire to reach beyond ourselves and connect to the deeper truths of who we are and what it means to live a life of meaning.,BUY THE BRIGHT ABYSSVISIT JACOB'S WEBSITE Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Modern education produces weak men. The truth is, boys mature at different ages, need different learning environments, and are wired by God uniquely in their distinct bodies and minds. The task before us is to raise up a generation of young men who are confident in their identity, disciplined and skilled in their thinking, and faithful in their commitment to Christ. Classical Christian education is a critical ingredient to reach this goal, but our schools have got to consider one size education doesn't fit all. Join me for this conversation with founders of the Buffalo Creek Boys School, Lee and Rebecca Taylor, and learn what they discovered in their unique school that can be applied to anyone raising the next generation of young men. The good news is a lot of what they have discovered applies to girls too!BIOGRAPHYLee Taylor grew up all over the Southeast, as his father was transferred as a store manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. He received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He has been the principal of law firms in both Ellijay, Georgia, and Lexington, Virginia, enjoying a career of “teaching clients, judges, and juries about the law.” He discovered his passion for ceramic arts in college and has been a wood-fire potter ever since. He is a self-taught mandolin, harmonica and guitar player, and loves nothing better than a good cup of coffee while listening to some bluegrass music. Lee is a leather craftsman, horseman, and outdoorsman, and particularly loves camping and cooking over an open fire. He has great enthusiasm for science, grammar, the stars, and critters of all kinds, including snakes and raptors. Lee became a Christian at the age of 12 through the influence of his youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. He believes that the most effective way to have an eternal impact on individuals, our community, and our nation is to raise a generation with the spiritual and academic mettle to set themselves apart as men of character.Rebecca Taylor grew up in a family of eight in Nashville, Tennessee, McLean, Virginia, and Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and her middle school teaching certification from the University of Georgia.She taught in public school for four years and ended up with her own “one room schoolhouse” when God called her to homeschool her four children for six years. In 2001, her family sold everything and spent a year on the road, homeschooling with America as their classroom. In Rockbridge County, Rebecca taught Weekday Religious Education (WRE) in the public schools and helped create and lead a homeschool co-op. In 2014, she also took her first of many mission trips to Africa to teach in classical Christian schools in Rafiki villages.  Her passion is to teach sports, games, music, dancing, fiber arts, gardening, and core subjects from a Biblical worldview in an engaging way.The opportunity to nurture the hearts of young boys as they learn and mature is a challenge and calling Rebecca is excited to heed.Check out the Buffalo Creek Boys School Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Perhaps no writer or thinker is more often quoted around classical Christian schools than famed Oxford and Cambridge professor C.S. Lewis.  Most of our schools engage Lewis' writings through the K-12 journey, inevitably reading his Chronicles of Narnia series, but the Cair Paravel Latin School takes Lewis to an even higher level of engagement, and the fruit both enriches the educational experience and inspires the students. Join me for this intriguing conversation with two members of the their teaching staff. You will find even more to love about Lewis to not only apply in your school but also your home.BIOGRAPHIESCraig Congdon:Born and raised in Topeka KS, I attended Cair Paravel Latin School from 1st-12th grade. Afterward, I attended John Brown University, majoring in Bible and Spanish, and then headed to Dallas Theological Seminary where I earned my Masters in Theology. After graduating, I returned to Topeka where I pastored a small church for 5 years while teaching part-time at CPLS. I now teach full-time as a rhetoric school teacher. While at CPLS I have taught, Bible, hermeneutics and theology, rhetoric, philosophy, Greek, Spanish, and even a dance elective. I also direct the HS dramas and coach the boy's volleyball team.Christine Ewing:Lover of Narnia and a Kansas girl through and through, I was raised in a small north central Kansas town. I attended Kansas State University where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. My husband and I moved to Topeka upon college graduation and have sent our children to Cair Paravel Latin School. We now have a daughter in her sophomore year in college, a daughter in her sophomore year in high school at CPLS, and a sixth grade daughter at CPLS. I teach grammar school art, an occasional high school independent study, and do visual arts marketing within the school.  Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

The big questions in life - who am I? what am I? why am I here? Every human throughout history has grappled with these questions. Get the answers right and you can live a virtuous, flourishing life. Yet today, too many students, and adults for that matter, are fumbling through life trying to find meaning and purpose. Knowing the right questions is a critical first step to finding lasting and sustaining life answers. Classical Christian schools are uniquely positioned to guide students along an educational journey to answer these life questions. Our guest, Dr. Joshua Farris, has written a compelling new book exploring these essential questions and offering a comprehensive vision of how our beliefs inform our understanding of what it means to be human. He points to several specific techniques used in upper school classical Christian classrooms that equip students to answer these questions confidently, helping us all form a comprehensive vision of the human person as an embodied soul.BIOGRAPHY Prior to being named Executive Director of Alpine Christian School in Alpine, TX, Dr. Farris was the Chester and Margaret Paluch Professor at Mundelein Seminary, University of Saint Mary of the Lake; a part-time Lecturer at Auburn University Montgomery; and an Assistant Professor of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. He was at Houston Baptist University from 2014-2019. There, he served in the Theology department, Great Texts department, the Honors College, the Philosophy department, and the Academy, where he developed over 14 courses as part of the Great Texts program. A prolific writer, Dr. Farris' most recent work is An Introduction to Theological Anthropology. He is also the author of The Soul of Theological Anthropology and the coeditor of several volumes, including Being Saved: Explorations in Human Salvation, New England Dogmatics: A Systematic Collection of Questions and Answers in Divinity by Maltby Gelston (1766-1865), Christian Physicalism?, and The Routledge Companion to Theological Anthropology.Buy An Introduction to Theological Anthropology, here. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.