Foundational Principles for a Biblical Theology of Christian Education - Part 6

Christie Wright currently teaches at Highland Rim Academy in Cookeville, Tennessee. She is also the Chair of the Curriculum Board at Highland Rim Academy. Highland Rim Academy is a Classical Christian School. I asked Mrs. Wright a combination of questions dealing with the fleshing out of many foundational principles for a Biblical Theology of Education. Mrs. Wright did an excellent job answering these questions. Her answers are underlined, and my answers are located directly below her answers. *This interview was posted with her permission.

12. How much should pragmatism be used in the education of our children?

A limited amount seems permissible, as not all pragmatism goes against Scriptural teaching. For example, behavioral consequences should naturally follow the behavior in order to best teach children about consequences and responsibility. It is practical that when a child throws an object (s), he should pick it up. Pragmatism should also be applied when deciding what may or may not be developmentally appropriate for a child to learn. It is not practical to teach a 1^st grader the fine ins and outs of formal logic, though a second language is very pragmatic.

I agree with Mrs. Wright concerning pragmatism; however, I would like to take it a step further. I don't believe pragmatism should be used to educate our children. I don't believe everything has to be fun for children to learn. I actually believe making things fun, in the long run, defeats what it tries to accomplish. In order to be consistent, the entire world needs to be fun. This means all education, all jobs, etc. Whenever teens realize everything isn't fun, they have to actually re-teach themselves the opposite of what they've been taught their whole lives. Many twenty-somethings are still teenagers in thought and action. Our churches have grown to believe, like the state, that children learn through fun. No wonder we're "losing" college students left and right. The reality is that you can't lose what you've never had to begin with. Whatever we use to educate, we will have to forever use to educate. If we build a foundation of fun, then we must build a house of fun as well.

12a. Why or why not?

See above

13. In a perfectly biblical world, what would a foundation look like for educating America's children?

As mentioned earlier, Education is simply the study of God's creation and the study of our role in God's creation as human beings. Since Jesus Christ is the means by which all of creation came into being, then He can be the only foundation for a legitimate education. Furthermore, all knowledge is knowledge revealed by God through natural revelation or scripture. Thus, scripture must necessarily be coupled with Christ as the foundation for education.

Agreed.

13a. Please briefly explain in detail your aforementioned foundation.

See Above.

Agreed.

14. In a perfectly biblical church, what would a foundation look like for educating the church's children?

Again, I believe there is only one foundation for educating children, regardless of how perfect the system (country or church) is working. Christ is the foundation now, as we live among pagans, He would remain as such in a country where things were 'perfectly biblical' as well as in a perfectly biblical church.

What's amazing, as Mrs. Wright pointed out, is that the foundation for all education, outside of the church or inside, is exactly the same. Now, the subjects are obviously different, but the foundation and end goals are the same. This flies in the face of most of the ministry to youth and children in America today. After thousands of books have been written on the subject, we've believed our own drivel; even though the Bible clearly leaves the education of the next generation up to the parents.

14a. Please briefly explain a detailed foundation.

See above

15. In Conclusion, If Christians are headed the wrong direction in educating their children, what would be your suggested first step in the right direction?

When parents begin by developing and fostering their own Christian worldview, then I believe they are best able to discern the teachings, philosophies, and intentions of the government system (or any system, as all private-or even Christian- schools are not ideal) and, naturally, find them lacking. The best way to begin doing this is to immerse themselves in the Bible, in biblical teaching, and in the wisdom of our church fathers.

(and might I add reading Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson)

I agree with Mrs. Wright. The beginning of all education is the home. If parents will take their God-given responsibility to educate their children, then this will be the first step in reaching the end goal of our children being educated through a biblical worldview. We must teach our children the Scriptures; and we must teach the Scriptures correctly.

15a. Why is this your suggested first step?

Could I really point an individual, for whatever purpose, anywhere but the Bible? (unless, of course, they're just interested in a good local restaurant)

As Mrs. Wright points out, we can't go wrong sending men, women, and children running to the Scriptures. We must trust the One who owns this world. Why would we ever be surprised that God's way produces what He says it will? The answer is because we're sinners. Our only hope isn't in ourselves, nor in our inventions; our only hope is found beginning and ending in the person of Jesus Christ, our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord.