Great Christian Classics: Volume 1

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 Vol. 1 by Kevin Swanson is a great book for teenagers to learn about important Christian writings. It explains classic Christian books in a simple way and helps readers understand their faith better. This book is also perfect for using as part of a homeschool or church curriculum. It teaches important lessons about God, history, and Christian living. A great choice for teens who want to grow in their faith!

This high school-level course is well laid out. It is divided into 180 days, with occasional catch-up days, exams, essays, and activities. This course is rich not only in reading about these five men's works. Students learn tons of vocabulary and a deeper understanding of the culture at the time. The student text has many side notes explaining historical meanings and pictures, which I found very helpful. Another highlight is that students are prompted to write bible verses as part of their work. This course is an excellent addition to my teens' high school education.

Great Christian Classics is a thought-provoking text that covers the stories of five different men and their impact on the church over the last 1,500 years. The stories cover the personal life, struggles and work of these five men in first person narrative, frequently including challenging language. The side notes are very useful to the reader in providing context and brief explanations.

The teachers guide provides worksheets that help the reader grapple with the text, including regular vocabulary studies and short answer questions. Although the answers in the teacher’s guide allow this course to easily be done independently by the student, the content of these stories would lend itself to great discussions with a small group or with a parent.

Overall, this book is an inspiring account of the lives and sacrifices of five frequently overlooked men who made it their aim to spread Christianity centuries ago.

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 high school literature course covers the life narratives of five influential men of the early church: Augustine, Patrick, John Knox, John Bunyan and John Paton. Having all five of these writings compiled into one volume is very convenient. There are helpful notes scattered throughout the margins, providing extra details and context. The occasional use of art and images also adds interest. Pairing this volume with the teacher guide gives students a robust and thoughtful look at the lives of these great men. The large volume may look intimidating, but the teacher’s guide provides a manageable and flexible schedule.

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.

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!