An Interview with Dr. David C. Noe: Bridging Millennia Through Classical Languages
Welcome to the official blog! To help you get to know the man behind the instruction, we recently sat down with Dr. David C. Noe. In this brief Q&A, we explore his extensive background in classical languages, his philosophy of teaching, and his ongoing work in translating historic texts.
Q: Dr. Noe, you have an incredibly diverse background in teaching classical languages. Could you summarize your academic journey for us?
Dr. Noe: Certainly. My formal education culminated in a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Iowa in 2003. Over the course of my career—spanning more than thirty years—I’ve had the privilege of teaching at a wide variety of institutions. I served as a Professor of Classics at Calvin University from 2007 until 2021, and previously taught at Patrick Henry College. My teaching isn’t limited to the university level, either; I have instructed elementary, middle, and high school students, and even served as a guest instructor for Greek and public speaking at the Knox School of Theology in Mbale, Uganda as well as in Bogota, Colombia
Q: You are well known online as the founder of LatinPerDiem. What inspired this project, and what is its core educational philosophy?
Dr. Noe: LatinPerDiem was created to make Latin and Greek accessible and easy to understand for everyone. Our fundamental pedagogical philosophy is that students learn a language best when they see real-life uses in context, rather than memorizing mere abstractions. From the very beginning, we provide instruction using actual authors and texts drawn from 2,300 years of the classical corpus. We use the LLPSI (Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata) method to build reading skills gradually, ensuring that learners aren’t overwhelmed by difficult grammar. For our Greek instruction, we utilize the Moss method to build rigor and deep reading competence.
Q: How does LatinPerDiem operate on a day-to-day basis for a student?
Dr. Noe: We offer short, focused daily video lessons that are sent directly to the student’s inbox. This allows learners to study in bite-sized chunks or engage in longer, self-paced sessions without the pressure of deadlines. For those wanting to go deeper, we have advanced masterclasses featuring recorded instruction on texts by authors like Cicero and Calvin, complete with personalized homework assignments and direct interaction with me. We also place a strong emphasis on speaking and listening—which is frequently skipped in other programs—because hearing Latin read aloud helps you naturally pick up pronunciation and rhythm.
Q: Beyond teaching, you are a prolific translator. What are some of the most significant works you’ve brought to English audiences?
Dr. Noe: Translation has always been a vital part of my scholarship, particularly regarding texts from the Reformation and Renaissance eras. I’ve provided the first English translation of John Calvin’s Duae Epistulae, and translated Theodore Beza’s A Clear and Simple Treatise on the Lord’s Supper. Additionally, I’ve contributed translations of various theological figures—like Johannes Brenz, Martin Luther, and Philip Melanchthon—for the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Series. Also, works from John Arrowsmith, Samuel Rutherford, and William Perkins are in my portfolio. My goal in these projects is to take texts that are foundational to Western theological thought and make them accessible and clear for contemporary readers.
Q: With such a busy schedule of teaching and translating, how do you spend your remaining professional energy?
Dr. Noe: I seek to remain very active in promoting the spoken use of classical languages. I frequently organize and serve as a praeceptor at immersive spoken Latin conferences, such as the Colloquium Aestivum Latinum and Biduum Baylorense. In addition to my academic and linguistic endeavors, I serve as a pastor at Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Finally, as another avenue for discussion and teaching, I am the cohost and producer of the podcast Ad Navseam. It all ties together around a shared love for language, history, and community.
Advanced Latin Lesson: Augustine’s De Magistro
For a glimpse into the in-depth textual analysis provided in these courses, this video offers a masterclass on navigating the nuances of ancient philosophical writings.
