OUR PHILOSOPHY
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?
Christian
education is not merely religious instruction in the midst of otherwise
secular subjects. It is not simply having Bible classes, student and teacher
prayer, or teachers who are Christian. It is not merely freedom from evil
influences or better academic results that constitute Christian education.
Education in
and of itself will do nothing to change the heart of a child or society in
general. It is out of the heart that the wickedness of man flows and only God
changes hearts. In contrast to popular trends, we must base Christian education
on the conviction that everything that is taught, all classes, including
reading, writing and arithmetic be taught from an inherently theistic, or
God-centered, perspective.
A professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, Cornelius Van Til wrote:
"The final apologetic (defense) for Christian education must show that Christian
education is involved . . . in creation, that creation is involved in the idea
of God and that without God, man's life and experience would be entirely
meaningless."
Dr. Van Til is
saying that there can be no consistent education apart from Christian education.
Any system, program, method or plan that does not acknowledge God and His
intimate, active and personal role in the world today does not correspond to the
"real world." Since God is active in our world, any system of thought that does
not account for His activity is fundamentally and irreparably flawed.
The Apostle
Paul says: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this
world, rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in
bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over
every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10)
Everywhere
throughout the Bible we find verses clearly telling us that a proper world-view
shows us that God, the Creator, always was, is, and will be. He alone is
self-sufficient and His thoughts alone are independent. Colossians 2:10 tells us
that Christ is the head and He alone has authority. We, on the other hand, were
created and are dependent upon God. He is infinite and we are finite. God's
thoughts are His own and we were made to "think God's thoughts after Him."
 Despite the
clear evidence that the human condition has not improved throughout the
millennia, our current secular educational philosophy continues running
full-steam ahead with a foundation based on the false assumption that our
children can live independent of God.
The Bible is
true. God made the universe as He claims, and in Christ, we are made complete.
He has the authority described by Paul and is head over all, therefore, how can
we hope to begin the study of science or math, much less plumb its depths,
without first considering God? Colossians 1:16-17 says that Christ is before all
things and in Him all things hold together. God alone is the source of unity and
coherence in the universe.
What makes The
Christian School of Grace Baptist different from other schools in Carlisle or
the surrounding towns? It is based on a Biblical philosophy of education.
A Biblical philosophy of education stands in sharp contrast to a secular
philosophy of education that is built on a foundation no more trustworthy than
the traditions of men. A sound Biblically based philosophy of education is an
essential arrow in our quiver, if we are to justify the effort required to
maintain a separate Christian educational system.
Consistently
applied, theistic education, like that found in the Christian School of Grace
Baptist Church, is the only education that corresponds to reality. As
Christians, we alone have a philosophy of education that establishes a
foundation solid enough upon which to build a meaningful educational structure.
That foundation is built on God as He has revealed Himself in the Old and New
Testaments, His authority, and His rule, in sharp contrast to the traditions and
hollow and deceptive philosophy so popular today.
Christian schools can and do teach successfully about the world because God has
revealed its fundamental nature. This is not a school where we teach our
children to "find God" but rather we tell them that God has already revealed
Himself in His Word and it is their responsibility to submit to His revealed
will. We are a school based on revelation, not on the power of self-discovery.
 Christian
teachers are not effective because they are smarter or more diligent but because
they know that understanding itself comes from God. Here is the method by which
we can achieve true learning. The Christian School of Grace Baptist Church is
firmly convinced that God is at the center of every subject and class; giving
meaning to everything that is taught. This school understands that unless we
acknowledge that God is at the center of His universe, there is no foundation
upon which to build understanding and wisdom in the minds of our children.
Our times
merit the prayerful consideration of every Christian parent as to the means we
employ in meeting our obligation to train our children. The Christian School of
Grace Baptist Church provides an environment that is relatively free from many
of the dangers in our society, produces better results than its public
counterparts and teaches Christian morals and ethics. What is much more
important, however, is that it teaches our children that they must submit their
minds and hearts to a God-centered world view, as revealed in the Bible, if they
are to be truly educated.
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■ If you wish
to do further reading on the importance of having a Christian education,
click
MORE.
■
To listen to a sermon by Walt Chantry
on this subject, click on
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION.
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