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Poem: “The Pasture,” by Robert Frost

Statement of the Whole: Classically, teachers were called magistri from the Latin magis “greater.”Yet, often we feel (especially in the Christian community) an impulse to be ministers (ministri) to our students. Are we to be lower, lesser, higher, or greater?  Luther, in describing Christians, gives us the wonderful phrase simul iustus et peccator (simultaneously justified and a sinner).  Today, I submit to you that we as teachers are simul magister et minister. In this episode, Jason and Steve promote the hierarchy necessary to great education. 

1. So how can both these things be simultaneously true?
2. Of what are we to be the greater?
   1. Greater than the student, or at least in authority over him
   2. Authority over the subject?
   3. Able to conquer the subject
3. Of what are we to be the lesser?
   1. Humility toward the subject
   2. Minister to the process of learning (Socrates’ midwife)
   3. Obedient to Truth
   4. Willingness to learn from students, yes, but also from colleagues