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St Isidore Chesterton Academy
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  • EDUCATION
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Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett discuss various theological, philosophical, and literary topics in a way that corresponds to the four-year, four-theme structure of the Chesterton Academy. We hope it will be a useful resource for students, parents, and even other teachers.

  1. JAN 17

    15 Abraham's Call to Obedience

    Abraham was 99 years old when God appeared to him with a clear message: "I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless." Abraham's response was to bow down before God, showing that he was ready to let God be in control of his life. God then changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of a multitude." This name change represented a fresh start and new purpose for Abraham's life. God also required Abraham to be circumcised as a sign of their covenant. This was Abraham's way of letting go of his own plans and desires—especially his past attempt to have a child with Hagar instead of waiting for God's promise. By following God's command, Abraham was choosing to trust God's plan instead of his own. Dr. Gerard McLarney's main lesson: When we surrender to God and stop filtering His plans through our own desires, we can experience new life and purpose. Like Abraham, we must "fall down before God" and say yes to His will. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality. As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/ https://silc.eics.ab.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILC https://twitter.com/ChestertonSilc https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/ https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    20 min
  2. 14 Keith Session Sept 25/25

    2025-09-28

    14 Keith Session Sept 25/25

    "Abraham's Covenant - A Journey of Faith"- Connections between Abraham's covenant and the Pascal Mystery- How Christ fulfills the covenant as priest, king, and victim- Our call to respond to God's dialogue in our own livesDr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality.As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholichttps://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/https://silc.eics.ab.ca/https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILChttps://twitter.com/ChestertonSilchttps://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    27 min
  3. 13 Keith Session Sept 18/25

    2025-09-23

    13 Keith Session Sept 18/25

    Why Is the Night Sky Dark? Exploring Olbers' Paradox Through a Classical Lens In this episode, we tackle one of astronomy's most intriguing questions: Why is the night sky dark? What seems like a simple observation actually leads us into Olbers' Paradox, a centuries-old puzzle that reveals surprising truths about our universe. - Understanding the Paradox: We break down the logical problem - if space contains infinite stars in an eternal universe, shouldn't every point of light we see make the night sky as bright as day? - The Scientific Answer: Learn how modern astronomy solved this mystery through discoveries about the universe's age (13.8 billion years) and its ongoing expansion - **Classical Learning Connection**: Discover how astronomy connects to the **quadrivium** - the four mathematical disciplines (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy) that formed the foundation of classical education Episode Highlights:- Historical Journey: Explore how astronomers and philosophers throughout history have wrestled with this cosmic question. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality. As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/ https://silc.eics.ab.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILC https://twitter.com/ChestertonSilc https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/ https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    17 min
  4. 12 Kings, Treasures, and True Separation: Understanding Abram's Victory

    2025-09-18

    12 Kings, Treasures, and True Separation: Understanding Abram's Victory

    In this engaging biblical study, we explore the profound story of Abram's rescue of Lot and his encounter with the mysterious king Melchizedek. This lesson examines the difference between worldly separation (lording over others) and holy separation (being set apart for God's purposes). Key Topics Covered: - The biblical definition of holiness as "being set apart" - Abram's call to separate from land, kinship, and his father's house - Lot's dangerous attachment to possessions and his captivity in Sodom - Abram's nighttime rescue mission with his 318 trained men - The mysterious figure of Melchizedek: King of Righteousness and King of Salem Three Fascinating Features of Melchizedek: 1. His name means "King of Righteousness" 2. He rules over Salem (later Jerusalem), meaning "peace" 3. He serves as both king and priest - a unique biblical role The Bread and Wine Offering: Discover how Melchizedek's offering of bread and wine prefigures the Eucharist and represents the proper ordering of creation back to God, contrasting with humanity's fallen use of these gifts. Abram's Ultimate Victory: Learn why Abram's refusal to take the spoils of war - his sacrifice of a tenth to Melchizedek and rejection of Sodom's treasures - represents true kingship: ruling over one's own heart and appetites rather than being possessed by possessions. This study challenges viewers to examine their own attachments and consider what it means to be truly separated for God's purposes in a world that encourages us to "lord over" others.

    19 min

  5. 2025-09-06

    11 Keith Session

    "The 318 Warriors: How Ancient Wisdom Guides Modern Faith"Join Dr. Brett Fawcett for an incredible journey through one of the most fascinating stories in Genesis and discover how it connects to a pivotal moment in Christian history! This isn't your typical Bible study - it's an adventure through ancient warfare, church councils, and the power of classical education.🔥 **What You'll Discover**- The Epic Battle: How Abraham's 318 trained servants defeated four giant-killing armies in a daring nighttime rescue mission- Hidden Biblical Mathematics: The surprising meaning behind the number 318 and what it reveals about God's plan- Church History Drama: Why 318 bishops risked everything at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to defend the truth about Jesus- Classical Education Secrets: How ancient learning methods prepared both Abraham's servants and early church leaders for their greatest challengesDr. Fawcett shows how the same principles that empowered 318 servants to defeat overwhelming odds can prepare you to stand for truth in our modern world. Just as these ancient warriors were "expeditious" (ready for action), you can be equipped through proper education to face today's challenges.Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality.As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholichttps://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/https://silc.eics.ab.ca/https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILChttps://twitter.com/ChestertonSilchttps://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality. As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/ https://silc.eics.ab.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILC https://twitter.com/ChestertonSilc https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/ https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    18 min
  6. 10 Keith Session: The Tower of Babel

    2025-07-09

    10 Keith Session: The Tower of Babel

    The Tower of Babel - Ancient Lessons for Modern TimesThis video explores the biblical story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11 and its relevance to modern society. Key points include: The ancient desire for a unified world with one languageThe story of Babel as a cautionary tale about human pride and ambitionConnections to other biblical figures like Cain and NimrodParallels between ancient city-building and modern technological advancementsWarnings against idolizing human creations (e.g. AI, genetic engineering)The importance of reflecting God's image rather than trying to "play God"Encouragement to pursue various careers while trusting in God's planDr. Mclarney uses historical context and modern examples to illustrate how the lessons from this ancient story apply to our lives today, emphasizing the need for humility and faith in our pursuit of progress.#classicaleducation #chestertonacademy #catholiceducation #AncientWisdom #Genesis11 #SpiritualGrowth Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality. As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/ https://silc.eics.ab.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILC https://twitter.com/ChestertonSilc https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/ https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    27 min
  7. 09 Keith Session: The Table of Nations Genesis 10

    2025-07-02

    09 Keith Session: The Table of Nations Genesis 10

    In this engaging video, Dr. Brett Fawcett dives into Genesis 10 from the Bible, commonly known as "The Table of Nations." He reveals that this chapter is far more than just a list of names – it's actually a fascinating prequel to human history.Dr. Fawcett explains how Genesis 10 provides crucial context for many nations and peoples mentioned throughout the Bible. He connects these ancient names to modern countries and ethnic groups, showing how many of today's nations can trace their origins back to this chapter.In an interesting twist, Dr. Fawcett encourages viewers to consider their own family histories. He explains how world events and migrations throughout history have led to each person's unique existence, making the ancient text personally relevant to viewers.The video also touches on the theological implications of this chapter. Dr. Faust points out how it sets the stage for the spread of the Gospel to all peoples, reinforcing the idea of God's love for all nations. #GenesisBibleStudy #TableOfNations #AncientHistory #BiblicalGenealogy #WorldHistory #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #chestertonacademy Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality. As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/ https://silc.eics.ab.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ChestertonSILC https://twitter.com/ChestertonSilc https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsilc/ https://www.youtube.com/@SILCChestertonAcademy/about

    31 min
  8. 08 Keith Session: "Noah's Fall: Lessons on Virtue and Vice from Genesis 9"

    2025-06-25

    08 Keith Session: "Noah's Fall: Lessons on Virtue and Vice from Genesis 9"

    This video discusses the biblical story of Noah's drunkenness from Genesis 9- The speaker analyzes the passage and its implications for modern life- Main themes include: 1. The dangers of drunkenness 2. Family discord and its long-lasting effects 3. The importance of seeking peace through ChristThis video offers a thoughtful exploration of a challenging biblical text, making connections to modern life and encouraging viewers to reflect on their own spiritual journey. Suitable for high school students and adults interested in biblical studies and personal growth.#chestertonacademy #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #genesis

    23 min
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5
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About

Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett discuss various theological, philosophical, and literary topics in a way that corresponds to the four-year, four-theme structure of the Chesterton Academy. We hope it will be a useful resource for students, parents, and even other teachers.

Information

  • Creator
    St Isidore Chesterton Academy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © St Isidore Chesterton Academy
  • Show Website
    Ex Umbris