Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Can college students today benefit from studying classical languages? Join Michael Farris and Dr. David Noe as they talk about the value of Latin study, today on Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Farris:
David, a large percentage of Patrick Henry College students take either four semesters of Latin or Greek. Why do you think Latin is such a critical component for students in college?


Dr. David Noe:
That's a great question, Mike. Any discipline that is involved in leading the nation and shaping the culture is going to need to know something about Western tradition. Where did we come from? How did we get here? The rule of law, the importance of the individual as made in God's image—all these things are pressing issues. If you study Latin, you know something about Roman history—you'll be better equipped to confront a host of errors on this point.


Mike:
How do you make Latin come alive for your students? How do they respond?


Dr. Noe:
I try to show that human nature apart from God's grace is remarkably predictable. The Romans could be tremendously brave and noble one minute; then they were bloodthirsty and brutal the next. I also try to use a little levity—some satire and humor, whatever God has given me. And that's the great thing about Latin; you learn some great puns. I also poke fun at our modern silliness and try to help the students see their lives in the larger context of history. If they get out of hand, then I actually make them serve as a rower on a Roman galley, and that solves the problem.


Mike:
David, I know that my daughter, Jessica, considers your Latin course to be one of her favorites at Patrick Henry College. I want to thank you so much for making Latin come alive for her and the other students. I'm Mike Farris.