Stephen's Trivium
by Rachel Werner (Rhetoric 2)
St. Stephen's Academy holds high Stephen the Martyr as an outstanding example, to students and teachers alike, of a Christian's dedication to the will and glory of God, but countless martyrs who now stand in the shining presence of God exemplified the same dedication in their own lives. What in particular makes Stephen the ideal role model and namesake for a classical Christian school? How is the classical model, consisting of the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages, outlined in Stephen's testimony on earth? Stephen was chosen by God to exemplify an accurate and meaningful understanding of history, sound reasoning and argument, and the power that God's gift of language can have in communication and persuasion.
Like any Grammar student, Stephen knew his facts. In the Grammar stage from kindergarten to sixth grade children memorize the rules, dates, and definitions pertaining to every essential subject, from multiplication tables to the rulers of England. According to Acts chapter 7, Stephen knew the facts of his nation's history down to the most meticulous of details. With care and precision, Stephen stood before the high priest and recited from God's first covenant with Abraham to the crucifixion of Christ. No particular was too minute. Stephen knew how many family members went to Egypt with Jacob to meet Joseph (74, Acts 7:14) and how old Moses was when he killed the Egyptian (40, Acts 7:23). Stephen knew his facts, and he knew them well.
Stephen also knew how to think about those historical facts. Beginning around seventh grade, classical students embark on a focused study of logical reasoning and sound argumentation. Logic students are expected to not merely voice an opinion, but to support and defend their beliefs to the best of their abilities. Stephen, in his dispute with the various synagogue leaders, defended his belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ so well that, "They could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke."
(Acts 6:10, NIV). That Stephen's opponents were left speechless is not really surprising. How could they answer when Stephen only spoke that which was firmly rooted in the divine Word of God? As leaders of the Jewish faith they had studied the Scripture thoroughly and knew that Stephen's words were accurate. He had presented the truth of the Gospel in a logical manner.
As a rhetorician, Stephen showed himself to be thoroughly proficient. Students of rhetoric have mastered their facts, proven their arguments, and are ready to present their thoughts in an eloquent and persuasive manner. Stephen's address to the Sanhedrin is the perfect example of a gracious, winning speech. He did not attack or accuse judgmentally, rather he spoke lovingly and respectfully, calling the members of the Sanhedrin "brothers and fathers." Having identified himself with the priests as a fellow child of Abraham, Stephen proceeded to remind them of God's constant faithfulness. Stephen carefully showed them that as God was faithful in sending a deliverer to free the Israelites in Egypt, God faithfully sent the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, but as the Israelites rejected Moses at Mt. Sinai, so the Jews rejected Jesus at Golgotha. Stephen cuts close to the hearts of the Sanhedrin by humbly reciting the history in which their very identity is based. He did not harshly accuse the Jews of sin, but always reminded them of God's mercy and promise of forgiveness. Here is rhetoric at its best.
Stephen knew his facts, reasoned logically, and spoke winsomely, but to what purpose? Was it to prove that he had paid attention to his teachers and parents as a Jewish youth? Was he working to convince the high priest that he was no uneducated "Jesus fanatic?" While both of these objectives may have been accomplished in Stephen's speech, he retold much more than just the plain facts about Israel; he recounted God's active relationship with His often wayward people. Stephen had memorized not only the names of his forefathers, but also the particular instances in which God promised and proved His faithfulness to them. Stephen's recitation was not intended to glorify Israel, nor did he speak to his own glory, but to God's glory alone. The logical response from the Sanhedrin would have been for them to accept Stephen's thinking and change their Christian persecuting ways, but "when they heard these things, they were enraged . . . " (Acts 6:54, ESV). While logic and reasoning may be sound and arguments convincing, ultimately only God can truly change men's hearts. Stephen knew that he had no power of his own; he only knew and did what God had allotted to him.
St. Stephen's is not just a classical school, but a classical Christian school. Scripture gives Christians this charge, "Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus." (Col. 3:17). Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and represented not his own goodness and righteousness, not the importance of superb education, but Christ alone, crucified by the very Jews whom Stephen addressed, and resurrected by the power and glory of God. Surely Stephen is an excellent example for the students of St. Stephen's Academy to model.