Christian Philosophy of Education
A Christian Philosophy of Education calls for an educational process that puts the Bible at the center and asks the student to evaluate all he/she studies through the lens of God’s Word. Because God is Truth, He brings a unity of truth to all of His creation. No subject can be taught in its totality if the Creator is ignored or denied.
“ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)
“ ... all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17; 16b-17)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:14-17; 16-17)
Christian education promotes learning that is integrated with the eternal rather than segmented and temporal. Knowledge becomes purified by the recognition of God’s place in it; emerging from such knowledge comes wisdom.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...”
(Proverbs 2:6)
“Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.” (Proverbs 3:18)
A true Christian education obligates the teacher to assist his or her students to understand more than just the content of a given subject. To that end, our educational philosophy goes beyond the content as represented in the goals shown below.
“For you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”
1st THESSALONIANS 4:9
RELATIONSHIPS
Our goal in relationships is not only to develop friendships we enjoy, it is to live an unoffended lifestyle with love for one another that transcends all human boundaries.
“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
PSALM 119:11
BIBLE
Our goal in Bible classes is not only to put Biblical facts in students minds. It is to put principles of righteousness in their hearts.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1
ATHLETICS
Our goal in Athletics is not only winning a championship, it is developing character in our athletes that produces champions for Christ.
“God gave knowledge & understanding of all kinds of literature & learning.”
Daniel 1:17
LANGUAGE ARTS
Our goal in Language Arts is not only to develop eloquence in speech and writing, it is to develop a discerning heart that can hear the voice of God over the voices of men.
"Praise the Lord... sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."
Psalm 33:2-3
FINE ARTS
Our goal in fine arts is not only to express our talents for the enjoyment of others, it is to reflect the creative genius of the King of Glory and carry the hearts of His people into his very presence.
“He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."
Acts 17:26
HISTORY
Our goal in history is not only to learn the dates and events of the past, it is to understand how the fallen nature of man has left him without hope and that Christ stands in the center of history as our only hope.
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?" Isaiah 40:12
MATHEMATICS
Our goal in math is not only to learn math tables and solve problems, it is to learn that at its very essence, math is revealing the mind of God in the order of the universe.
"...live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work"
Colossians 1:10
MISSIONS
Our goal in missions is not only to participate in mission projects, it is to develop the perspective that every Christian's calling is a mission field.
"...God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen..."
Romans 1:20
SCIENCE
Our goal in science is not only to learn the facts of science... It is to see God revealed in the wonder of His creation.
"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
1 Corinthians 9:22
TECHNOLOGY
Our goal in technology is not only to learn the functions of hardware & software, it is the innovative use of technology in the educational process & to prepare students to wisely use its potential to advance His Kingdom.
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8–9).
In addition to an integrated approach to knowledge, a Christian philosophy of education calls for the whole child to be educated for life – spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically. Jesus admonished His disciples, “Permit the little children to come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.18:3) In Christian schools, students can come to know Jesus on a daily basis, as they are discipled a complete creations in Him. Spiritual mentoring and modeling, godly self-discipline and Christ-like expectations of how to treat one another can be woven into the fabric of each child’s life.
“...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37- 40; 37,39)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Finally, The Word of God is clear in making parents responsible for the education of their children. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deut. 6:4-9;7) In entrusting the church and school to help them in this task, parents rightly ask, “What is to be the end result of learning?” John Milton, in 1644 wisely answered, “The end, then, of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents by regaining to know God aright, and out of that knowledge to love Him, imitate Him, to be like Him.”
“A pupil is not superior to his teacher, but every one [when he is] completely trained—readjusted, restored, set to
rights, and perfected—will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 The Amplified Bible