How we differ“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” C.S. Lewis Kilns College is one of those rare gems in the United States that marries a classical “Great Books” approach to education along with contemporary art and social justice. Most Christian colleges teach the Bible. Some also offer classes on art, missions and history. But no other school aside from Kilns College seeks to combine all of these, Bible missions, history and art in a comprehensive way. We at Kilns believe that true education is about “irrigating deserts,” as British philosopher and writer C.S. Lewis once put it. And that means nurturing the soul with the ultimate Proverbian goal of making one “wise” – a man or woman who fears God. We reject the modern view of education – which has crept into both secular and Christian schools – that studying is only about getting a job. That leaves students purposeless and void, an “unexamined life (that) is not worth living,” as the moral Greek philosopher Socrates claimed thousands of years ago. By contrast, Kilns College encourages true education and soul irrigation. That means first encouraging students to reach into the ancient archives of the past so they can understand the present. Students tackle the Great Books, those writings of old that have most shaped Western civilization. While reading these works, they are forced to ask basic questions that every human must grapple with at some point in their lives – “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “Who is God?” “Every age has its own outlook,” Lewis wrote. “It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.” At the same time, Kilns College encourages students to think about their future. Those interested in missions and social justice work get to dialogue about what that should look like and how one reaches out to their neighborhood and the world. Finally, in the midst of all this faith wrestling, students learn how to thoughtfully express themselves through that natural, God-given language called “Art.” Kilns College may not be for everyone. It’s easier just to get a bachelor’s degree in business from the local college. However, we believe that education is not only about information, but the development of the person. We want students to grow spiritually and learn how to pursue their God-given calling in this world. |
