Educational Renaissance’s distinct collection of books is built on three core pillars:
1. Deep historical engagement with the great educators of the past,
2. Credible insights drawn from the best of modern educational research, and
3. A hands-on commitment to practical, life-giving pedagogy.
Each title we publish is shaped by these guiding values, always through the lens of a Christian worldview.
When you invest in EdRen books, you’re fueling our Authors and Senior Fellows’ ongoing scholarship and helping us create richer, more impactful resources for the future. Pick up a copy for yourself, and one to share, and join us in advancing the educational renaissance!
Training the Prophetic Voice by Patrick Egan.
Training the Prophetic Voice is an essential resource for classical Christian educators looking to strengthen their rhetoric programs. Rooted in biblical theology, Dr. Egan offers a clear framework for helping students speak truth with wisdom, clarity, and conviction. With practical tools and timeless principles, this book empowers teachers to raise up articulate, courageous leaders ready to impact their communities and the world.
“If you are already familiar with classical rhetoric, Training the Prophetic Voice provides an edifying re-positioning of the art of cultural persuasion in the Old Testament prophetic tradition, culminating with Christ. Egan’s crisp style and connective insight make this book worth taking up.”
– Chuck T. Evans
Senior Partner, Betterschools LLC
Co-author with Robert Littlejohn of Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning
“Classical education that truly deserves the adjective ‘Christian,’ must be thoroughly shaped by holy scripture. Patrick Egan’s book draws valuable lessons for rhetoric teachers by examining prophets of the Bible. The result is both practically helpful and spiritually edifying. Teachers shaped by this book will grow in their ability to train speakers and writers who have both sharp minds and soft hearts.”
– Jeremy Mann
Head of School, The Field School of Chicago
Rethinking the Purpose of Education by Jason Barney
Rethinking the Purpose of Education: A Critique of Bloom’s Taxonomy from a Classical Christian Perspective
This book evaluates Bloom’s taxonomy from within the broader purpose of education as articulated in the classical Christian education renewal movement. Then it proposes a Christian vision of moral, intellectual and spiritual virtues as the proper goals of education. Lastly, it articulates the value of Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues as a rival paradigm for Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive domain objectives. The practical conclusion explores how to write learning objectives in a classical and Christian way.
Advance Praise for Rethinking the Purpose of Education
“In this book, Barney works to bring together the wisdom of the ancients with contemporary research. By using Aristotle’s treatment of intellectual virtue as a lens through which to critique Bloom’s Taxonomy, Barney shows classical educators how to understand their work vis-à-vis both the long tradition of classical education and recent educational theories. Barney offers a model for classical educators of how to base their pedagogical practices (such as planning lessons or writing learning objectives) on the tradition’s broader understanding of the nature and purpose of education. By recognizing education as a value-laden, teleologically-driven activity that is not reducible to any single method, this approach enables teachers to engage in education that is holistically humane in both its philosophy and implementation.”
Dr. David Diener, Assistant Professor of Education, Hillsdale College
“In this book, Jason Barney provides clarifying and compelling theory alongside of his practical guidance. It is an excellent way into a deeper understanding of the classical Christian tradition of education by means of a constructive critique of a mindset that educators today cannot help but take for granted to some extent. Barney deftly uplifts the strengths of Bloom’s Taxonomy while filling in the gaping hole (the missing heart) at the center of Bloom’s categories with insightful application of Aristotle’s intellectual virtues. Even veteran classical educators will find themselves informed and inspired while those new to the renewal of classical education will be given both an excellent introduction to the classical Christian approach and helpful direction in creating learning objectives that humanize rather than dehumanize your students.”
Jesse Hake, Director of ClassicalU at Classical Academic Press
A Short History of Narration by Jason Barney
A Short History of Narration is a follow up volume to A Classical Guide to Narration published by CiRCE that explores the history of narration as a teaching practice in the classical tradition, from Quintilian to Comenius.
This history is explored through commentary on the primary texts of great educators, with practical reflections for the classroom and connections to modern learning science.
Charlotte Mason’s own innovations in using narration as a central teaching method come into clearer focus, and suggestions for novel uses of narration in our contemporary context close out the book.
“Classical Christian education is on the rise today. While educators have almost no end to choices of great books and what materials to use to teach, there is a void in many schools regarding how to teach. Consequently, too often educators default often unintentionally to weak, progressive methodologies in their classrooms. Jason’s book A Short History of Narration is an urgently needed voice providing a convincing case for the use of Mason’s narration as a way to awaken the mind, soul and effectively form the habits of students. If it is true that the one who does the thinking does the learning, every classroom instructor K-12 must be familiar with narration. Jason’s book will inspire and equip you to effectively fulfill the promises of a well-executed classical Christian education.”
Dr. W. Davies Owens, Executive Director of The Society for Classical Learning
“Jason’s work in A Short History of Narration is persuasive and inspiring as he demonstrates why classical and Christian educators should continue to welcome and learn from Charlotte Mason’s rich application of time-honored insights into human nature. We do a great disservice to our students if we do not take seriously the ways in which the skill of narration in particular can form students with hearts and minds that are prepared to learn and thrive in all aspects of human life.”
Jesse Hake, Director of ClassicalU, Classical Academic Press