When I teach literary history of the 1700’s, two men gain prominence over many others in textbooks, but their stories often slight their true character by giving these men limited scope. I refer to them as The Masked Men. Why? Because their Christian backgrounds have been masked under the term deist; because their philosophy of […]
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Author: Debra Conley
The Declaration of Independence
Each year when we think about the 4th of July, we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and traditionally, Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the final document. It was not an overnight quick pen by Jefferson that brought this document into existence. Many months in the Continental Congress had brought the ideas and words to the forefront […]
The Basis Of Our Government
John Locke, a self-taught writer and theologian from Bristol, England, wrote, “The Christian man is bound to self-government in all manner of life as he is precisely instructed in the Holy Word. The church is the perfect model of local government; if the Christian will rule himself as he ought, he will have little need […]
The Reason for the Thirteen Colonies
Modern textbooks conveniently omit the true reasons for the founding of the thirteen original colonies because historians trained in the rationalist tradition of academia are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, or closed to, religiously formed history and ideas.1 How many of us learned the thirteen original colonies by name and number, but not their reason for […]
The Great Awakening
In the 1600’s, the founders’ idea of an earthly kingdom in America lifted their thoughts to a purer, holier God. But just over 100 years later, prosperity, exploration, and the daily tasks of colonial survival soon pushed the initial zeal from its prominent place. Church attendance began to dwindle; the gap was filled with such […]
Reading List
Reading List for Recapturing the Classics The following list is intended to be a suggestion of works I think should be included in any liberal arts education. Why these works? Primarily because of the influences of the philosophies represented in the works, the genre and form emanating from social eras, and for the continual […]
Reading Schedule 1
Reading Schedule: 1 We will begin with a brief introduction to ancient literature. Yes, it is necessary to be exposed to some of the ancient ideas in order to understand the evolution of literature as it reflects society and history. Don’t bog yourself down in original texts, although it is admirable to try to […]
Reclaiming the Classics Overview
Reclaiming the Classics by Debra Conley Readers of Classics, The purpose of this on-line column is to encourage and enable readers who want to reclaim or to gain a knowledge of classic literature they may have missed. As a veteran teacher of this literature, I will suggest reading, make brief expository comments, offer […]
Roger Williams
Roger Williams is one of the most controversial figures of early Christian history in America. In reading numerous sources, one comes across a succinct dichotomy of opinion as to his character and motives. Some thought he was too stubborn about his beliefs, choosing to voice them rather than to remain silent. One view states, “Let […]
The Puritans
Another prominent Christian settlement in America was the 1630 Puritan colony of Boston. They chose the name Puritan because they wanted to remain within the Church of England but purify its practices. This came to an irreconcilable frustration that prompted the group’s voyage to the new world. Here they hoped to begin the church they […]