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The Full Table

Welcome to The Full Table

To Our Readers

As with any new endeavor, readers naturally have questions. We hope this inaugural post offers clarity 鈥� and an invitation.

鈥淭hat house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, 鈥榓 perfect house, whether you like food or sleep, or storytelling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.鈥� Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness.鈥�
-The Fellowship of the Ring

Lessons in Liberia

The children in Liberia reminded me that Christian formation is not merely the ability to recite truth. It is truth practiced until it becomes instinctive. It鈥檚 hands that begin the work, eyes that notice another person, and hearts that make room.

A Story of Giving Thanks

“she reminds me to live a life committee to place, family, and faith, to pause…”

Why You Should Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Part 1)

At the very least, reading something (especially for the first time) that has already shaped you is a profound practice in self-reflection. Books like these hold a mirror up to our culture and allow us to understand our cultural dogmas and why we believe them.

Why another site? What makes this different?

As classical Christian educators, contributors to The Full Table regularly think deeply about meaningful questions and engage in rich conversations with colleagues. Out of these dialogues came the idea for a platform that could extend these conversations 鈥� and invite others to begin similar ones within their own communities.

This site seeks to be distinctive by:

  • Featuring articles written exclusively by educators devoted to shaping the next generation through the Christian faith and the classical tradition.
  • Exploring topics that inspire contemplation, from philosophical reflections, to lively debates, (wait until you see our Narnia series!) to practical applications of classical Christian education in daily life.
  • Maintaining a consistent voice of thoughtfulness while allowing each author鈥檚 personality to shine through.

 

Why The Full Table?

A variety of names were considered, as with any name it needs to convey the intent. When considering the aims of this site, we envisioned a table 鈥� overflowing not just with food but with companionship, conversation, and joy. This idea of a full table has long echoed throughout classical works:

  • The quintessential 鈥渇ull table鈥� scene in Leonardo da Vinci鈥檚 The Last Supper.
  • The jolly merriment that is found in The Happy Family by Jan Steen or the more raucous conversation of Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio.
  • The Coffee Cantata by Bach portrays a livelier table scene than the depiction of a banquet in Alexander鈥檚 Feast by Handel.
  • The banquets throughout the work of Shakespeare, throughout the Fellowship of the Ring, and the fellowship throughout The Canterbury Tales.

What will we write about?

The Full Table will grow and adapt over time, but we begin with three main themes:

  • Classical Education
  • Enduring Faith
  • Great Works Reflections

Each submission will ultimately include various 鈥渢ags鈥� for themes throughout these main categories, mirroring the classical ideal that knowledge is best interwoven, not kept in silos. The goal with tags is to create some semblance of order amidst the spaghetti strands that connect various reflections.

 

What is the connection to 91传媒 Academy?

This blog is representative of The Full Table of conversations, fellowship, and musings that happen daily amongst the community of staff at 91传媒, but is not representative of the views or opinions of the Academy, the Trustees, or any employees of the Academy (view full disclaimer here).

So, as the hobbits discovered at the Last Homely House east of the Sea, we hope your visits to The Full Table offer 鈥渁 cure for weariness, fear, and sadness鈥� and become a place of rest, reflection, and joy among friends. We are grateful you have joined us and hope you are a frequent guest at our table.

  • All
  • Christian Parenting
  • Classical Education
  • Developing Enduring Faith
  • Great Works
  • Table of Contents (of Series)
  • The Full Table
  • Wendell Berry

Lessons in Liberia

The children in Liberia reminded me that Christian formation is not merely the ability to recite truth. It is truth practiced until it becomes instinctive. It鈥檚 hands that begin the work, eyes that notice another person, and hearts that make room.

A Story of Giving Thanks

“she reminds me to live a life committee to place, family, and faith, to pause…”

Why You Should Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Part 1)

At the very least, reading something (especially for the first time) that has already shaped you is a profound practice in self-reflection. Books like these hold a mirror up to our culture and allow us to understand our cultural dogmas and why we believe them.

Trick or Treat

This practice was so successful that he eventually had to recruit even more students to serve food and beverages; his house became a place known for generosity and caring at Halloween.

A Curmudgeon Approach to Halloween

My participation will never be all-in, and I may still look like a killjoy to many. But I can change my mindset to actively engage in Halloween in ways that fit my personality and my family.

Why You Should Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Part 2)

Stevenson may not have invented this fear and characterization of evil, but his novella certainly held up a mirror to their fears and anxiety, particularly as Freud and the rise of psychology provided language for examining the depths and darkness of one鈥檚 mind.

Making Halloween a Math Lesson

Counting candy can lead to conversations around generosity, specifically God鈥檚 generosity in the Gospel and to how Christians are called to be generous. What might generosity look like in their life right now?

Wringer (Children’s Book Review)

A review of the novel Wringer, written by the author of Maniac Magee, along with prompts for conversation to engage your reader in the text and help equip them with enduring faith.

The Water Hole (Children’s Book Review)

A review of the picture book The Water Hole by Grame Base with suggestions for engagement based upon reading level.

Adam of the Road (Children’s Book Review)

A review of the 1943 Newberry Medal Winning book, Adam of the Road, with questions to engage the reader in conversation and contemplation.

Children’s Book Reviews (Table of Contents)

A primary page connecting to books that have been reviewed by 91传媒 Academy staff. Each review comes with suggestions for how to engage in conversation with the reader around key themes or aspects of the story.

The Terrapin, a Reflection

Berry expresses such love for God鈥檚 creation and such appreciation for common, simple things. The terrapin鈥檚 humble home and gentle, unrushed manner speak to me about my need to slow down, trust God, and appreciate the small and wonderful things in my life.

The Full Table is provided as a gathering place for conversation and ideas and is not a repository of 91传媒 Academy policies, stances, or opinions. All articles/posts are the opinions solely of the author and do not reflect any official endorsement of these views by the Academy, its trustees, or employees. Publication does not imply any sort of approval beyond the recognition of the Academy that conversation around ideas is a worthwhile endeavor, even when there is not unanimity around the ideas. All articles/posts should be read as personal views of the author and not as representations of official positions, teachings, or policies of the Academy.