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B. BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
A Biblical philosophy of education involves a Biblical outlook on ten
basic areas of education:1. HOME -->
The Biblical Principle:
The home is the first and basic, Divinely
ordained, human institution.Three Big Questions: a. Who has the responsibility to educate my child? (1) Three Possibilities: (a) The State? NO (b) The Local Church? YES, Secondary (c) Me? (The Home) YES, Primary (2) The Biblical Answer
.----------\./----------. .-/| |\-. ||:| Deuteronomy 4:1-10 |:|| ||:| Deuteronomy 6:4-7 |:|| ||:| Psalm 78:1-8 |:|| ||:| Ephesians 6:4 |:|| ||:| |:|| ||/`----------\:/----------'\|| `------------~___~------------'-->
The child is God's.
The child is delegated to the
parents. (Psalm 127:3)
The parents (Biblically) have the
final word concerning
the child's education.
(Galatians 4:2)
"(1)Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. (2)Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (3)Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. (4)But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. (5)Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. (6)Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. (7)For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? (8)And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (9)Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (10)Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." (Deuteronomy 4:1-10)
"(4)Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (5)And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (6)And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (7)And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
"(1)Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. (2)I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (3)Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. (4)We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (5)For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: (6)That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: (7)That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (8)And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God." (Psalm 78:1-8)
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalm 127:3)
"But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father." (Galatians 4:2)
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b. To what kind of school should I send my child? (1) A Two-fold Problem (a) States have enacted compulsory school attendance laws. (b) States have also assumed the authority to define what a school is. (2) Four Alternatives [Latin] ( (b) SECOND-- Government school/public/state. "in loco parentis" --| (c) THIRD-- Secular or private school. | ( (d) FOURTH-- Christian school. | instead/in place of parents Delegate to-- GOD --> Parents -- Galatians 4:2 --> Child (a) FIRST-- Educate the child at home. Most Biblical. (3) Factors Which Determine the Choice (a) What kinds of schools are available? (b) Which school is most consistent with my world view?
NOTE:
Money should not be a factor. Convenience should not be a factor.
Where there is no truly Christian school available, the parent may
be forced to-- (1) Train the child in the home (2) Encourage his
church to start a Christian school (even though on a small scale)
or (3) In cooperation with other Christian parents, hire a Christian
teacher and begin a private Christian school.
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c. Is it really wrong for me to send my child to a public school? (1) The Biblical Answer
Jeremiah 10:1-2a
"(1)Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: (2)Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen...."
Also--the Old Testament
and New Testament are permeated
with warnings concerning exposing
ourselves to anti-God influences.YES!--Because
public education is humanistic.
Humanism is not neutral;
it is anti-God. Therefore
Christian education is more than a
preference; it
is a conviction.(2) Related Issues (a) What constitutional protection do I have for my religious freedom?
THE 1st AMENDMENT to the CONSTITUTION
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise therefore."
Establishment Clause Protection: Our government shall not establish
a government endorsed
religion.Free Exercise Clause Protection: Our government shall not prohibit
the free exercise of religious
convictions.(b) Yes, But how do the courts define religion or church?
(i) What it is NOT (aa) size (cc) organization (bb) buildings (dd) name (ii) What it is (aa) belief (bb) believers (followers)
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(c) Yes, but which beliefs and believers will the courts protect under the free exercise clause?
Two Kinds of Beliefs:
(i) Preference-- A belief held with intensity to which we can devote our lives and money. We will seek to pass it unto our children. NOTE: This kind of belief is not protectable! (ii) Conviction-- A belief we will not change in spite of community pressure, families, law suites, imprisonment or death. NOTE: This kind of belief is protectable!(d) Yes, but how do the courts determine a conviction?
Two things Which They Look For [In your life]:
(i) They want to see it in your lifestyle.
(ii) They must see it consistently in our lives.Source: Some of the ideas in this section have been adapted from lectures given by
David Gibbs in the January, 1978 lecture series at Temple Baptist Theological
Seminary of Chattanooga, Tennessee.2. HUMAN GOVERNMENT
The Biblical Principle: The basic Biblical purpose of civil government
is to restrain the effects of man's sinful
nature.[Romans 13 restrain evil] As we discuss a Biblical philosophy of education, there are three issues related to human government which we need to examine. a. Purposes of Human Government (1) First Mention--Genesis 9:6
"Whoso sheddeth man's blood,
by man shall his blood be shed:
for in the image of God made
he man." Genesis 9:6
Insights: - The pre-flood days revealed that man in his sinfulness needed the restraint of human government.
- The institution of capitol punishment is human government in a seed form.
- The growth of this seed is revealed in the O.T. and N.T.
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(2) Expanded Biblical View as Seen by Paul
Romans 13:1-7
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."Insights:
(v. 1) Human government is divinely ordained.
(v. 2) God requires punishment to those who violate legitimate civil laws.
(v. 3) To terrorize evil works. To praise good works.
(v. 4) The law officer is the minister of God's civil laws. The preacher is the minister of God's moral laws.
(v. 5) We should obey not only because of fear but also for the sake of conscience.
(vs. 6-7) We are to pay taxes...for law enforcement.
We are to obey civil laws as long as they do not violate Biblical convictions.