An instructor of TPS since 2011, Mr. Vince Monfreda teaches US History and US Government and Politics (both AP and regular), Globetrotters Geography, and Starting Points. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, and enjoys reading, gardening, exercise, fishing, politics, and watching baseball and football. In addition, he loves listening to different genres of music, which include classic, jazz, praise and worship, and rhythm and blues, as well as collecting Christmas music.
Grace: What are your favorite aspects of history and geography?
Mr. Monfreda: The American Revolution, presidential history, World War II, and physical and cultural geography.
Grace: Which event in US History should be, in your opinion, more well-known, and why?
Mr. Monfreda: The War for Independence. This event in American history should be well-known because it reveals the political theories of our Founding Fathers and demonstrates how the Judeo-Christian faith influenced the theological and philosophical context of America’s founding. This is important because it signifies a connection between the events at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Grace: Do you have any advice on how to study history effectively?
Mr. Monfreda: Start with studying the historical narratives of the Bible. Seek to understand historical developments and events from a biblical worldview. Study and interpret history in light of the sovereignty of God and His redemptive plan. Also, besides history textbooks, read as many biographical books as you can.
Grace: In your opinion, why is geography a beneficial area of study?
Mr. Monfreda: Geography is a beneficial area of study because it reminds us of the grandeur of God– something that is clearly evident in His creation.
Grace: Which area of geography do you find the most interesting?
Mr. Monfreda: Physical geography. Specifically, the uniformity, design, and order, we see throughout God’s creation.
Grace: What is your favorite Bible verse?
Mr. Monfreda: Philippians 3:7-11, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (NIV).
Grace: Which books influenced you the most?
Mr. Monfreda: 1. Bible. 2. How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt. 3. The Ultimate Proof of Creation by Dr. Jason Lyle. 4. Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story by Wilfred McClay. 5. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. 6. Liberty, Order, and Justice: An Introduction to the Constitutional Principles of American Government by James McClellan.
Grace: Have you read clay before? If so, what was your favorite part of it?
Mr. Monfreda: I have; however, it has been a long time.
Grace: You’ve probably heard that this is clay’s last year of publication. What’s the best advice you can give when something you love ends?
Mr. Monfreda: Be of good cheer, something else will come along and take the place of what has ended.
Indeed, as clay draws to a close, many of us may be tempted to fall into a paroxysm of grief and despair, unable to dampen their despondency in any way (except with crumpets, which is an infallible remedy). However, Mr. Monfreda’s words can surely assuage the grief of TPS— let us all be of good cheer, for something else will surely come along. Nonetheless, nothing else in this world filled with shifting vicissitudes of fortune may ever fully take the place of the irreplaceable, the memorable, the hilarious (albeit sometimes ridiculous and crazy), the one and only clay, TPS’ e-zine. And if Mr. Monfreda’s uplifting words should fail as a remedy, the readers of clay can effectively distract themselves from the all-consuming, wild pain that will surely envelope them, by looking at any of the books that Mr. Monfreda recommended.
With that said, clay has truly been an invaluable blessing to all, and it will be greatly missed, both by the editors, the columnists, and the readers.