Humility

“The wider a man’s knowledge becomes, the deeper should be his humility; for the more he knows the more he sees of what remains unknown. The wider the diameter of light, the larger the circumference of darkness.” - Thomas Chalmers

Let us desire an ethos at Classical marked by virtue; one of the most important, because I believe it is profoundly important to Jesus, is humility.

The classical education movement is sometimes known, usually unwarranted but not always, as a prideful movement, especially intellectually and academically. The fact is, if, by God’s grace, we are able to cultivate in students the virtues outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate, our students will be better educated and, more importantly, biblically wise than many of the image bearers they interact with in their lives. We must labor together to cultivate a posture of gratitude for this remarkable education, while intentionally working to not allow such good knowledge to puff us up. Notice the elements of humility that God led our leadership to include in the Portrait:

• Love truth, goodness, and beauty and recognize Christ as the source. 

• Apply biblical worldview to learning and living; pursue a growing faith in Jesus Christ.

• Read deeply, listen thoroughly, and reason truthfully.

• Speak and write charitably with wisdom and eloquence.

• Engage creation with wonder. 

• Work diligently, serve faithfully and act for the good of others.

• Seek to develop and deploy individual gifts and passions in God’s redemptive story.

All members of this community, we who have embraced and striven to cultivate and live out the virtues of a 3C’s education, must walk in humility for the sake of the Gospel.

In the next Light & Truth, I’d like to share an account from Scripture that beautifully challenges the Christ-follower to walk with open-eyed humility.

In the meantime, please know how grateful I am for each of you and that I am praying that we all may “live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Romans 12:16)

Respectfully in Christ,

Jim P. McCormick, M.Ed.
Blessed to be Head of School