Reviving Education: Orthodoxy and the Great Books Tradition

In this episode of God on the Move, Dr. John Mark Reynolds shares his vision of providing debt-free one-on-one education in low-income neighborhoods, inspired by his faith in Orthodox Christianity and the educational traditions of the West. Dr. Reynolds delves into the historical and philosophical roots of Western education, reflecting on how progressive and vocational emphases have shifted the focus away from the classical education that once dominated.

He recounts his personal journey into Orthodoxy, influenced by his upbringing as a pastor’s kid and his academic career in philosophy. Dr. Reynolds explains the significance of the Great Books tradition and its role in forming informed and critical leaders while discussing the unique ethos of Saint Constantine College and its commitment to accessible and rigorous education.

As he shares his story, he emphasizes the importance of staying rooted in faith amidst intellectual pursuits and broadening one’s education through classic and modern works.

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Guests in This Episode

Dr. John Mark Reynolds

Dr. John Mark Reynolds is the President of The Saint Constantine School and a member of the Board of Directors of Orthodox Christian School Association (OCSA). He is also a faculty member at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, a Fellow of the Center For Science and Culture at The Discovery Institute, and the former provost of Houston Christian University. He was the founder and director of the Torrey Honors College, the Socratic, great books-centered honors program at Biola University. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Rochester, where he wrote his dissertation analyzing cosmology and psychology in Plato’s Timaeus. Dr. Reynolds is the author of numerous books, including When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought and is the editor of The Great Books Reader. He is a frequent blogger and lecturer on a wide range of topics, including ancient philosophy, classical and home education, politics, faith, and virtue.

John Mark attends St. George Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas. An avid technophile, the lights, thermostat, speakers, and computers in his house can all be controlled by his phone and voice control, to both cool and disastrous effect. He loves Disneyland, Star Trek, and the Green Bay Packers. John Mark and his wife Hope have four adult children: L.D., Mary Kate, Ian and Jane.