The word curriculum comes from the Latin word currere, which means “to run” or “to proceed.” A curriculum is a running course of knowledge. For some, their curriculum is a long, arduous triathlon where extended study sessions and frequent all-nighters are commonplace. For others, their curriculum is short and easy—a walk in the park.

Aside from that, in the eyes of modern education, many are forced to learn things that do not align with either their own personal interests or, worse, their own personal beliefs. What is the point of taking Gender Studies 101 if your personal interests are engineering? For what purpose does it serve your education to interpret The Histories through feminist theory? Such is the state of modern colleges.

As a classically educated Lutheran, I am blessed to say I have not faced this issue—rather the opposite. There are so many things to learn about God’s great and wonderful creation, yet the time to do so is lacking. My telos is to become well-read in the great thinkers of Western Civilization. For this purpose, I am creating my own personal curriculum that will encompass the summer term of 2026.

My three “Core Subjects” are as follows:

Theology and Philosophy
Primary readings:

  • Bondage of the Will by Dr. Martin Luther
  • The Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo
  • Selections from The City of God by St. Augustine of Hippo

Secondary readings:

  • Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
  • Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus
  • On the Freedom of the Christian by Dr. Martin Luther

Literature and Poetry
Primary readings:

  • The Divine Comedy by Dante
  • Paradise Lost by John Milton

Secondary readings:

  • Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Hymnody and Music
Hymns of:

  • Martin Luther
  • Paul Gerhardt
  • Philipp Nicolai
  • Johann Heermann

Chorales of:

  • J. S. Bach
  • Dietrich Buxtehude

Composition:

  • Hymn tunes
  • Harmonize melodies
  • Short chorales

Capstone Projects

  • Theological Essay:
    • “The Failure of Stoic Self-Sufficiency”
    • “The Two Cities and Modern Civilization”
    • “Music as Confession: Lutheran Hymnody and Theology”
    • “Pride as the Root of Civilization’s Decay”
  • Writing one or more hymns/chorales

The beauty of a personal curriculum is that it is curated to one’s own tastes. I am mainly interested this summer in learning more complex theology, while supplementing it with the beauty of literature and hymnody. If you wish to make your own personal curriculum, consider what areas of learning you are deficient in, or what subjects you wish to be more well-versed in.

God willing, I hope to complete this goal within the confines of this summer, but as a fallen man I know this is no small undertaking. It will take vigorous discipline to complete these works, but the goal is a worthy one.

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, I pray you give me the discipline that self-study demands, and in this study I pray you reveal to me the beauty of your Creation. In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Back to Home →