ATTENTION:
TIME TO LEARN ABOUT
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

I. INTRODUCTION
                Here are five questions which we must consider as we begin this course.
                     WHY?   WHAT?   WHO?   WHERE?   HOW?

   A. WHY is this course important? 

    Because it will-----
  1. Help you practice a Biblical philosophy of life--to bring glory to God.

  2. Aid you in the development of your understanding of what a Biblical philosophy of education is.

  3. Alert you to the many influences of humanism which are in the world around you.

  4. Expose the falsehoods of secular education.

  5. Assist you in the beginning of the life-long task of developing a world view from Scripture.

  6. Show us the availability of study resources which deal with education.

  7. Show us how to lead others into a Biblical philosophy of life and education.

   B. WHAT are the basic terms which I need to understand as we approach this course? 

     TERM                      DEFINITION
  1. Philosophy: Rational investigation of truth, principles, knowledge and conduct.   It is a system of principles.

  2. Education: All of the influences both formal and informal which contribute to the process of molding one's thoughts and actions.

  3. Humanism: The general philosophy of life which presupposes the sufficiency of man to adequately resolve all the problems of life.

  4. Theism: The general philosophy of life which presupposes the personal and sovereign God on whom men are totally dependent.

  5. Integration: The view of reality (truth) which sees all the diverse aspects of truth as a totally Divine pattern with a definite point of centrality.

  6. World View: A set of presuppositions which we accept by faith which affects all the way we see life.

  7. Secularism: (Apart from God) An attitude which asserts total independence from any concept of a supernatural God.

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   C. WHO needs this course?

  1. EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS A BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.
    Biblical principles demand that every Christian should possess a
    philosophy of life that is consistently Christian and thoroughly Biblical.
   Passage:          Principle: 

    a. Acts 2:40 - - - - Christ delivers us from the pitfalls of a 
       directionless (no purpose) generation.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2:40) 

    b. Prov. 23:7 - - - - A person's philosophy will determine his 
       lifestyle.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" (Proverbs 23:7). 

    c. Eph. 4:14 - - - - God expects a spiritual stability of us which is only 
       possible as we become grounded on Biblical principles.  (Perfecting the 
       saints.)

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:14). 

    d. Col. 2:8 - - - - The mind of the Christian can be captured by 
       humanistic philosophies.  Your mind is vulnerable.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8) 

    e. I Peter 3:15 - - - - We should be constantly prepared to give reasons 
       for our Biblical faith and practice.

"be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (I Peter 3:15). 

    f. I John 4:1 - - - - The Christian should examine every philosophy to 
       which he is exposed.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (I John 4:1) 

    g. II Cor. 10:5 - - - - We are obligated to make every thought submissive 
       to the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (II Corinthians 10:5). 

    2. EVERY CHRISTIAN TEACHER NEEDS A BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION. 

       The many legal battles which are challenging the very existence of our 
       Christian schools have caused us to re-examine the purity of our 
       Christian philosophy of education.  Suppose you were placed on a 
       witness stand and were asked to testify concerning how a Christian 
       school differs from a public school.  What would you say? 

       A truly Christian school is a school that---

       (We ought to make an honest, concentrated effort to have every class 
       activity and administrative procedure under the control of Biblical 
       principles.) 

    a. We ought to have a faculty whose selection and control are under 
       Biblical principles. 
    b. Correct presentation of subject matter. 
    c. Correct discipline procedures (e.g. firm and loving). 
    d. Extra-curricular activities are under Biblical principles. 
    e. All inter-personal relationships (teacher-teacher) are all under 
       Biblical principles. 
    f. The goals are under Biblical principles. 
    g. Your advertising techniques are correct. 
    h. Financial policies will be Biblical. 
    i. Relationship to local church is correct. 
    j. Faculty and student standards.

   D. WHERE does a person's philosophy originate?

  1. Two basic approaches to life

    a. Humanism (see p. 3)

    b. Theism (see p. 4)

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HUMANISTIC
Philosophy of Life
(World View)

Basic Presupposition: Man is the measure of all things.

   Secondary Presuppositions: -->
Ultimate Reality: It is in the mind or matter.
Universe: Natural origin. Self-existent.
Man: He originated through evolution. Man is central in the Universe.
Truth: Is relative and subjective. Never absolute.
Values: Autonomous and situational.

Humanistic
Philosophy
of
Education

   Views -->
Aspects
Traditional Education
Progressive Education
Home: Important for the development of mental
and social well-being.		 School is primary. Home is secondary.
Human Government: Important for individual and national education. World community. No sovereignty.
Local Church: Moral institution. Unimportant and a threat.
Teacher: Reservoir of facts. Guide only.
Objective: Convey content to the student. Expand the pupil's experience.
Curriculum: Content centered. Child centered and experience based.
Methodology: Teacher controlled. Pupil involved. No problem solving.
Evaluation: You test consumption of content. You test child by their social adjustment.
Discipline: Strong and rigid. Permissive.
Culture: Transmit cultural heritage of the past. Equip student to adjust to a changing culture.

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THEISTIC
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE
(World View)

Basic Presuppositions: A sovereign and personal God exists on whom men are dependent.

   Secondary Presuppositions: -->
Ultimate Reality: God is real. He is above mind and matter.
Universe: Divinely created and sustained.
Man: He is made in the image of God, but he is now in a sinned-marred state.
Truth: Absolute, eternal, objective, unchangeable and exists apart from the minds of men.
Values: Eternal and morally binding.

Theistic
Philosophy
of
Education

   Views -->
Home: Basic, Divinely designed institution.
Human Government: Restrainer of sin and sin's destructive effects.
Local Church: Evangelize and Educate.
Teacher: Divinely delegated authority.
Objective: Christ-likeness.
Curriculum: Taught from a Biblical perspective.
Methodology: Variety and Balance. Teacher Control and Student Participation.
Discipline: Never permissive or too rigid. Firm and Loving.
Evaluation: Spiritual Maturity.
Culture: Influenced by Christianity (should be).

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    2. Humanism--Theism Conflicts 

       a. Biblical examples of humanism--theism conflicts:

          (1) Genesis 4:1-5  
              Cain (humanism) killed Abel (faith).

Humanism: Its beginning.
Cain believed in the
goodness of man and
salvation by works.		 Theism:
Abel believed in
depravity and
shedding of blood was
necessary.		 
          (2) Proverbs 1 and 2

Humanism: (1:22-32)

(a) Fools hate knowledge.
(b) Fools eat their own fruit.		 Theism: (1:33-3:6)
He who listens to God shall dwell safely (1:33).
"But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)

8 Conditions (2:1-4)
Hide it; Receive from God; He inclines us; Applies blessing; Lift us up; Seek blessing; He'll search for us; Cry.
"(1)My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (2)So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; (3)Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (4)If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;" (Proverbs 2:1-4).

Promises (2:5-22)
God will take care of us.
          (3) Romans 1:18-32

Rejection of Theism (1:18-28)

7 descending steps.
(a) Knew God - did nothing about it. (vs. 19-20)
(b) Failed to glorify God. (v. 21)
(c) Professed themselves wise. (v. 22)
(d) Changed glory of God and created idols. (v. 23)
(e) Changed God's truth into a lie. (vs. 24-25)
(f) Sodomy - reversed God's plan for procreation. (vs. 26-27)
(g) Rejected God from their knowledge. (v. 28)

"(18)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19)Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20)For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21)Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22)Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23)And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24)Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25)Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26)For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27)And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28)And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;" (Romans 1:18-28).

 Results of Humanism (1:29-32)

22 kinds of unrighteousness.
Sin is enjoyed.

"(29)Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30)Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31)Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32)Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:29- 32)

       b. Humanism-Theism struggles throughout church history.

          (1) Early Church

Two views Concerning Greek Philosophy

Reconcile [with Christianity]:

Origen, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexander.
Greek Philosophy was paving the way of Christ.		 Reject [from Christianity]:

Augustine, Tertulian.

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          (2) Middle Ages
What humanistic influences do we see in the Roman Catholic Church of the Middle Ages?
(a) Pagan philosophy.
(b) Accept non-Biblical authority.
(c) Accept state endorsement and control.		 Thomas Aquinas --> Man's reason and man's being were not harmed by the Fall in the Garden of Eden.
          (3) Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
                RCC --> Protestants --> Modernism
How did humanism lead to the rise of modernism?

(a) Mind of men became the authority--Biblical Criticism.
(b) Acceptance of Biological Evolution.
(c) Emphasize Human Experience in Religion--Pentecostalism.

          (4) Today
Examples: Romans 13
(a) Homosexuality.
(b) Child care legislation.
(c) Women's lib.		         (d) Textbook controversy.
(e) Control of church ministry--Licensing.
(f) Unisex movement.

   E. HOW does a Christian develop in his understanding of Biblical philosophy of life
                and education?

       Four Major Methods:
       1. Through a thorough, regular, systematic study of the Word of God.

"In all honesty, it must be admitted that no teacher nor minister who does not have the Bible at the center of his life and thoughts to the extent of living daily in this book can hope to develop a Biblical frame of philosophy."
"Not only is his heart in the Bible; through daily use and constant study of it, the Bible has literally framed his mind."   Frank Gabelein

           Four Goals Toward Which You Should Work In Developing a Basic Grasp of Bible Content: 

          a. Develop a Bible mind set--overall structure of the Bible. 
          b. Learn basic background of each book of the Bible. 
          c. Learn a general outline of each Bible book. 
          d. Learn the content of each chapter of the Bible <-- life-long work.

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       2. Through teacher training sessions which deal with Christian philosophy of education.
       3. Through reading outstanding books on the subject of Christian philosophy of education and life.
       4. Through listening to tapes by leaders in the field of Christian education.

[Go to next POCE section.]