School of Logic

David declares in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.” To behold God is to behold the author of all that is good, true, and beautiful.  What God is determines what goodness is. What God is determines what truth is. What God is determines what beauty is. In his book, True Spirituality, Francis Schaeffer states, “Christians are to demonstrate God’s character, which is a moral demonstration, but it is not only to be a demonstration of moral principles; it is a demonstration of His being, His existence.” Music exists because God exists and is meant to demonstrate His creation and character to the world.

In order to demonstrate the goodness, truth, and beauty of God one must be able to create good, true and beautiful works of music. While there exists a level of musical ability and creativity that can only be attributed to the specific gifting of God, understanding of musical composition, and vocal and instrumental performance are also learnable skills that all can acquire. Beginning in the grammar stage, students are taught the basic elements of music theory while developing the ability to listen with appreciation to musical works. As the students progress through the logic and rhetoric stages of music our goal is that they not only are able to perform, but that they represent goodness, truth, and beauty in various expressions of musical works as a reflection of God. By the time they finish their course of studies at Veritas it is our desire that they have developed discernment that enables them to appreciate good, timeless music and recognize that which masquerades as such.

Music art instruction is integrated with the study of history so that students are exposed to great works of music that reflect the culture of the time period being studied. Math is about seeing relationships and patterns and so is arranging, playing or singing music. There is much crossover between the world of literature and music, as in poems given musical tones, psalms set to chants and stories given expression in operas, folk ballads or oratorios. Music relates to science as it touches on the production of sound, whether in instruments or by human voice. The art of communication is especially applicable to musical expression. Music is the means by which many subjects are integrated and taught, especially in a classical setting.
 

For myself, faith begins with a realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man.  It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligence – an orderly unfolding universe testifies to the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered – “In the beginning God.” – Dr. Arthur Compton, Nobel Prize winner in physics, in Missiles and Rockets, July 1957. 

Dr. Compton’s statement is an affirmation of the foundation of science instruction at Veritas and the truth of Psalm 19:1-5a and 7, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world . . . The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” God created the world to unmistakably display His truth, beauty, and goodness, so to study the creation is to learn of the Creator. God uses creation to reveal His eternal truths to His people; the more one understands the natural world, the more able he is to comprehend the glorious nature of the Lord and to realize his responsibility to the Creator and His creation. The earth belongs to the Lord, and he has graciously entrusted us with the care of his creation. Through the study of science, we want our students to increase their knowledge of God’s attributes, particularly his power, order, and glory, and to strengthen their relationship with Him.
 

Through our God-centered curriculum, we want our students to possess the powerful tools of scientific enterprise and to respond intelligently and biblically to various scientific theories and ideas. Our program is both challenging and practical in scope and sequence. From Kindergarten to Sixth grade, the fundamentals of science and scientific study are learned through demonstrations, class projects, hands-on activities, chants, and songs. In the logic phase of science, our students complete a general science overview and a formal Logic course, preparing them for more advanced studies. These years mark the transition from factual recall to abstract thinking and application. Rhetoric-level students learn how to apply science to real life through the in-depth study of Conceptual and Advanced Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. At every stage, the lordship of Christ is central to the curriculum, the topics are connected to the students’ lives, and the students are challenged to impact the field of science.
 

Paul writes in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…” God’s dominion covers all things and He uses all things, including mathematics, to direct people to His power and Godhead. The voice of the living God speaks in and through the discipline of mathematics because it was created and ordained by Him. James Nickel in his book Mathematics: Is God Silent?  states, “To affirm a relationship to the physical reality of creation, the very life source of mathematics, is to ultimately affirm accountability to the Creator of that reality” (p. 283). Through the study of math we want our students to increase their knowledge of God and become awed by His display of order and power, causing us to increase our accountability to Him and strengthening our personal relationship with Him.

In addition to the spiritual implications of a strong mathematical curriculum, we desire our students to have a powerful and useful tool as they progress in their academic careers. We have chosen a program that is both challenging as well as practical in scope and sequence. The grammar years are filled with building the necessary fundamentals required to understand mathematics at a more abstract level. This is achieved through focusing on mastering the grammar, or rules, of mathematical procedures. The early grammar grades, Kindergarten-Second grade uses manipulatives, chants, songs, and teacher-lead practice to master the basic concepts and facts. Third grade through Sixth grade build upon this foundation as they move from using less manipulatives to more independent and abstract thinking. Students naturally transition to a focus on algebra as they move into the logic stage of their development. At this point, the students begin to see why math works and learn of the potential of its disciplines. Progressing to the rhetoric stage the students learn how to apply math to real life in the form of geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. In their senior year students also receive instruction in consumer/business math that gives them life simulations without the risk of real financial turmoil. Overall the program is God centered, comprehensive, and practical from start to finish.
 

“Latin and Greek are not dead languages, they have merely ceased to be mortal.” J.K. McKail

At Veritas, Latin instruction begins in third grade and continues through ninth grade. Learning Latin is helpful to students as they seek to understand the vocabulary and structure of English, since many English words have Latin roots. With few exceptions to the rule, Latin grammar is more precise than English, and thus lays a firm foundation for understanding English grammar and its many exceptions to the rule. The root of Spanish and other romance languages is Latin and therefore, studying Latin before Spanish benefits students in their future studies. Latin is the language of science and medicine, making the vocabulary in these areas of study more readily understandable. Understanding Latin supports an understanding of the roots of western civilization, as much of the ancient writings that expose the roots of our culture are in Latin.  We do not include the study of Latin simply because it is difficult; however, there is something to be said for mastering that which is difficult. Through the study of Latin, students will understand the influence of the Latin language throughout history and its importance in preserving God’s Word and other fundamental Christian writings.

Grammar students will focus on memorizing forms and rules of usage, as well as vocabulary.  Logic students will continue to increase their vocabulary and knowledge of Latin grammar, while they work on translations of Latin text from the Vulgate and Aesop’s Fables. Students will also memorize the Confession of Faith and various quotations in Latin.  Rhetoric students, specifically ninth graders, will receive an in-depth knowledge in grammar by studying Jenney’s First Year Latin. They will also enlarge their vocabulary and learn about Roman culture and tradition.
In tenth and eleventh grade, Veritas students study Spanish. Given our close proximity to Mexico, they will find the ability to understand and converse in Spanish, at least on a basic level, very helpful as they have opportunity to minister to our neighbors to the south. Studying a modern language also gives them an awareness of and compassion for other cultures.

In their senior year, Veritas students study Koine Greek, not only because it is classical, but so that they might be better equipped to deal rightly with the Word of God. They study New Testament Greek, enhancing their own personal Bible study. Readings of the original Biblical text are part of each lesson.
 

Simply put, our ultimate goal for every Veritas student is that they represent themselves and Jesus Christ well to a fallen world. In order to do this, they must be effective communicators. There are many ways to communicate, verbally and nonverbally, but the vast majority of communication comes through language.  There are many strata to language learning, but the most foundational layer is an understanding of the sound-symbol relationship.  

In the primary grades, Kindergarten, First, and Second, a firm foundation is laid using Phonics Codes for English Speaking, Spelling, Writing, and Reading Express by Pauline M. Adamson, otherwise known as YES Phonics. This program is based upon the work of Dr. Samuel Orton, Leonard Ayers, Romalda Spalding, and Jean Zier and provides instruction in all avenues of using the English language. Students quickly progress from learning the sound-symbol correlation of the 26 letters in our alphabet, as well as their combinations, to words and sentences. Spelling, penmanship, grammar, and reading instruction are integrated in the primary grades. Reading selections are often correlated with history and Bible.
 

I Corinthians 10:1-13 gives us the primary reason for the necessity of the study of history, admonition. The stories of the Old Testament are recorded so that New Testament believers will have examples to follow and others to avoid. In the modern era, we have a vast wealth of recorded history to draw from as we seek to navigate the uncertain waters of the future. We seek to trace God’s providence and His redemptive plan throughout our study of history as well as follow the classical model of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. In that light we approach the study of history in a linear fashion as we believe human history has a definite starting point, Creation, and is heading to a definite and ultimate end point determined by the sovereign Creator.
 

Grammar level history, using Veritas Press materials, traverses the pages of history from the Old Testament to Modern U.S history, stopping along the way at Ancient Egypt, the New Testament, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the explorers of North America. There is a heavy emphasis on learning the dates, people, and places (the grammar) involved in the major events of human history. Students will be shown God’s hand throughout the process as He works through men and nations. Primarily, they will build a foundational level of knowledge necessary to progress to the higher levels of understanding and application found in the logic and rhetoric stages of classical learning.
 

A worldview is how we explain and interpret the world as well as how we live in accordance with this view of life. Veritas is founded upon the following biblical worldview: God is. He is our creator and sustainer, and the one to whom we are ultimately responsible. As stated in the Veritas Christian Community School Board Policy Manual, the end goal of all policies is well summarized in the following statement by Francis Schaeffer in the essay, “Back to Freedom and Dignity.”

“Christians should prepare to take the lead in giving direction to cultural change. And if it goes poorly, as well it might in this post-Christian world, then we should be consciously preparing the next generation for the new battles it will face.”

This is the ultimate goal of Bible instruction at Veritas. This instruction has as its foundation the school’s Statement of Faith.
 

Although each grade receives specific instruction in Bible, it is our resolve to teach every other subject from a Christian worldview. Therefore the Bible Curriculum Guide is seen as the starting point and not in any way inclusive of all learning that goes on toward the development of the paideia of God.
 

Hebrews Chapter 11 reminds us of the value of remembering the stories of God and His people. The purpose of grammar level Bible instruction is to provide students with a foundational knowledge of the history of our great and holy God and His dealings with His people. Students are taught that the Bible is God’s Word and as such, is inerrant and intended for our instruction. Of primary importance is the story of God’s plan of redemption beginning before the foundations of the world were laid, and completed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the final and sufficient sacrifice for man’s sin, and extending to all generations. Bible stories are told to grammar students as part of the oral tradition of our Christian heritage, read to the students from the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, and read by the students as their reading and comprehension abilities increase.

 

Inasmuch as it is our goal to train Christian youth to direct cultural change, this training must include all aspects of culture.  In knowing God, students must realize a love for His holiness, wherein lies true beauty.  Truth, beauty, and goodness must be defined by the nature of God and not the prevailing whims of society.  “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
 

David declares in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.” To behold God is to behold the author of all that is good, true, and beautiful.  What God is determines what goodness is. What God is determines what truth is. What God is determines what beauty is. In his book, True Spirituality, Francis Schaeffer states, “Christians are to demonstrate God’s character, which is a moral demonstration, but it is not only to be a demonstration of moral principles; it is a demonstration of His being, His existence.” Art exists because God exists and ought to demonstrate by imitation His creation and character to the world.
 

In order to demonstrate by imitation the goodness, truth, and beauty of God, one must be able to create works of art. While there exists a level of artistic ability and creativity that can only be attributed to the specific gifting of God, art is also a learnable skill that all can acquire. Beginning in the grammar stage, students are taught the basic elements of art while developing the ability to observe these elements in creation. As students progress through the logic and rhetoric stages of art, our goal is that they not only are able to draw what they observe but that they are able to represent the goodness, truth, and beauty of the subject of their art as a reflection of God. By the time they finish their course of studies at Veritas, it is our desire that they have developed discernment that enables them to appreciate good art and recognize that which masquerades as such.
 

Art instruction continues through high school and is closely linked to the study of history so that students are exposed to great works of art that reflect the culture of the time period being studied. Skill in drawing is important to the accurate rendering of illustrations in other subjects as well, such as science, math, and literature.