PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

A biblically-based philosophy of education is the foundation upon which the Christian education movement must be built.  Our founding fathers built this country on the absolute truths contained in the Bible.  The early American educational system was solidly based on the Word of God.  In fact, the Bible often served as a textbook in many classrooms.Through the years, however, new philosophies began to permeate our society.  These ideas were introduced by prominent men of the time, including Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud,and B. F. Skinner.  These men did not believe that God created the heavens and the earth.  They stressed the importance of man rather than God.  These ideas, often referred to as humanism, began to influence educational thought and eventually, the Word of God was removed from our educational system altogether.

       As Christian educators, we must teach our students the importance of the Bible and how it relates to living life as part of the world we are in.  They must be taught to understandthe doctrines of Christian living according to the Bible and a knowledge of the other anti-Godideas that permeate our world as well.

       A Christian philosophy of education must include a number of important elements.  These include a Christian life view, the doctrines of God, Jesus Christ, man, education, parental responsibility, and discipline to name a few.  The Christian educator must believe in a creation-based life view.  This view affirms thatGod is the center of the universe.  He created man in His own image and is in complete controlof our world.  This life view offers man the opportunity to to receive eternal life by simply trusting Christ as Lord and Savior.  This wonderful hope makes living the Christian life in our present society much easier and more enjoyable.  It is the duty of a Christian educator to help ourstudents form a Christian life view after they have received Christ as their Savior.The Bible simply assumes that God does exist.  Hebrews 11:6 states, "But without faith itis impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."  We must work with our students terstand this very important concept of faith in God.  Students must learn to understand that God exists and can be seen through nature itself; the changing seasons, the planets and stars hanging in thesky, and weather conditions to name a few examples. 

       Our Christian philosophy must have Christ at the center of all we do and say.  Christ was sent to serve as a personal example for believers.  Christian educators must train students to use the life of Christ as a pattern for Christian living.  This will help now and in the future when our students are young adults.  We must help them with this from a very young age all the waythrough to graduation as a high school senior.

       According to the dictionary, one definition of education is the process of teaching.  The purpose of Christian education is to teach students the truth as expressed in the Bible.  It isour duty as Christian educators to teach our students biblical truth and how to apply it to their daily lives.  The Christian school teacher must also exemplify the life of Christ and the truth as found in the Bible.  Our students should be able to see the example Christ set forth in his life come alive through us as we are teaching them.  We must also teach our students that obeying God leads to all knowledge and wisdom.

       Parents have the God-given responsibility of caring for and raising their children according to the Lord's standards.  Children must be taught to respect their parents and others in authorityover them.  They must also be taught to respect other children at school as well.  It is the Christian teacher's responsibility to continue to help parents with this training by reinforcing the Bible's commands concerning the raising and teaching of children.

       Discipline is also important in every aspect of our students' lives.  We, as Christian educators, must strive to implement a sound disciplinary program in our classrooms. realize the important responsibility we have been given in understanding the battle that is raging between good and evil in the world and in the lives of our students.  A teacher who does not discipline students in a biblical way may lead a Christian school to failure in its each to today's young people.