Great Christian Classics: Volume 1 (Download)

Jonathan Edwards said, “There are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world, which God hath made use of: the one is by doctrine and precept; the other is by instance and example. Both are abundantly used in holy Scriptures.”

Studying literature just for the sake of literature has never appealed to us as something worth taking our childrens’ valuable time for - and knowing that they will be shaped by the thought and life patterns of the authors (as Kevin Swanson states in the introduction of this volume) - raises great caution when it comes to many of the classics that are frequently studied. But to sit at the feet of great Christian leaders in history and witness the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives fleshes out what Psalm 78:4 describes, telling “the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.” The growth of the Church stems from the experiences and ministries of individual Christians, and studying the experiences and ministries of past Christians inspires us to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). I am therefore excited about the spiritual as well as literary benefits of this study course!

The textbook is a compilation of five narratives, with brief introductions to each: Augustine’s Confessions, Patrick’s Confessions, John Knox’s History of the Reformation in Scotland, John Bunyan’s Grace Abounding, and John Paton’s Autobiography. The wide margins offer great opportunity for note-taking and personal interaction with the text. While reading the textbook on its own will be enjoyable and profitable for older students and adults, the workbook (sold separately) is a wonderful tool for deeper study with a schedule laid out in the front so it’s easy to implement in a school year, vocabulary exercises, Scripture study, and probing questions which help the students delve deeper into the texts and also apply what they are reading. This is an excellent course for developing literary skills while growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Great Christian Classics, Volume 1 is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the intellectual history of Christianity. This compilation offers timeless wisdom, deep devotional insights, and a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of Christian theology and spirituality. By providing access to some of the most profound Christian writings throughout history, the volume takes readers on a journey through various periods of Christian thought, from the early church to the Reformation and beyond. Many of the texts focus on practical aspects of living out the Christian faith, pursuing holiness, and engaging with the world. The authors featured have left a lasting imprint on Christianity, and their influence continues to shape Christian thought today. Reading these classics offers modern believers a richer understanding of their faith’s origins and a broader perspective on its teachings.

This beautiful high school course explores selections of writings from five great men: Augustine, Bunyan, Saint Patrick, John Knox, and John Payton. I highly recommend this course, there is enrichment to be gained for everyone from these timeless writings. The curriculum is straightforward and easy for independent students to follow. The reading selections feature side notes to further explain themes and content within the writings. The teachers guide walks the student through various exercises to draw greater understanding and in depth analysis of these important preserved texts. A week in a glance follows the routine of: Reading, Vocabulary, Bible Research, Study Questions, Critical Thinking Questions, and various Essay Assignments. The Exams each feature a unique Closing Prayer time. Our 13 year old is working through parts of this course, he has a keen interest in Bunyan and coincides neatly with his Language Lessons for a Living 9 “The Pilgrims Progress” course, and also with his other reading interests. This one year course is flexible, he will complete it over several years as there is brief material that has a more mature theme best suited for high school age. Included is a one or two year schedule. This is a wonderful introduction to these great-greats - the giants of Christian Theology. How thrilling to have this available for our children to study.

This curriculum is so well done. It encourages reading of some of Christianity's greatest works while also encouraging critical thinking and writing. I'm impressed. I highly recommend you get the teacher's guide too.

The word “Classics”, admittedly, intimidated me at first. But I am so glad I chose to read these accounts. From Augustine to Patrick, Bunyan, and Knox, I was inspired and challenged throughout. The language of thee/Thou was quickly translated to ‘you’ in my head and most all of these selections have a narrative that leaves you wanting to know what our Lord had in store next for the main character.

Though history tells us how it turns out, these stories enlighten the struggles and victories that are glossed over in history books and make these heroes of the faith relatable while giving us a strength of faith to strive for.

It could easily be modified for a high school student who may want to take additional time to read through a few selections, if needed.

We all know how important it is to expose our students to good Christian classic literature. This course genuinely makes the most of it. Not only are all of the classics scheduled in a n easy to manage way but they are all conveniently in one book! Aside from that the review questions are of excellent quality and I particularly love that they are not only expected to know the definitions of new vocabulary but also show true comprehension by using it in a sentence of their own. This is something I feel a lot of curriculum lack. There is a huge difference between memorising a definition and actually being able to apply that knowledge practically. In my opinion this is an excellent curriculum that any high schooler should work through before graduation!

This is a beautiful course. Kevin Swanson did a fantastic job compiling these works in a meaningful manner. Writings from Augustine, Saint Patrick, John Patton, John Bunyan, and John Knox are included. Reading these and analyzing them pushes one toward self-reflection and deeper faith.
The reading is broken into digestible portions. The amount is sufficient without being overwhelming. It can easily be completed in the 30–45-minute timeframe that is estimated a student will spend daily on this course. Alternately, there is a schedule to utilize this as a two-year course in the back of the teacher’s guide. This could be helpful for a student who desires to take this course but has a heavy course load or for one who wishes to go at a slower pace to meditate more deeply on the content. There is a glossary of vocabulary words in the back of the teacher’s guide, and there are notes in the margins that clarify the content.
One of my favorite features of this course is the application of scripture to the literature that is being studied. The student is assigned applicable scriptures to copy for each section. I believe this helps reinforce a biblical worldview and develop the habit of comparing the writings of various authors to the standard of scripture. The other one of my favorite features is the closing prayer at the end of each exam. What a meaningful way to end each segment! Another beautiful inclusion is Patrick’s Breastplate, which is a beautiful poem/prayer. I think it would be a wonderful thing to memorize a portion of it.
The essay assignments are meant to help the students think deeper about the literature they’ve read. In my opinion, the questions are thoughtfully planned out to help the student gain a better understanding of the concepts contained within these texts. The essays are 500 words (about 2 pages if you prefer double-spaced). I appreciate the guide for grading the assigned essays. So much of the grading can be subjective, so I find the guide helpful.
In my opinion, this is a great course for high school students who enjoy literature or who may need to reinforce their worldview foundation.