I have been having a discussion at Pieter’s weblog with Richard Hall, who lives in Wales. He is a Methodist minister, and though he is a Christian, we have vastly different views on many substantive issues. He originally posted a response on his weblog about Pieter’s post on why he hates democracy. Pieter then wrote about what Reverend Hall had said (got that?), and the comments have been interesting.
I wrote a lengthy response to Reverend Hall regarding his idea that universal education (provided by the state) is a mark of a civilized society and his questioning that every school subject must be taught from a Christian perspective. Since I put so much work into it, it will be my post for tonight…
Richard says:
I stick by my statement “But I remain absolutely convinced that universal education available free to all is a mark of a civilised society, and indeed the provision of education is an *obligation* on a society.” It doesn’t need proof. It’s an axiom. And, I think, self-evident.
He later asks:
Can you show me where in the Bible it says that all subjects must be taught from a Christian perspective?
Thank you for the definition of axiom, Richard. However, I am surprised to hear a minister of the gospel say that universal education (meaning, provided by the government, for all people) is a self-evident truth, needing no evidence…then ask for Scriptural proof that all subjects (meaning whatever knowledge we impart to our children) must be taught from a Christian perspective. Something seems topsy-turvy.
You tell Nickey (and me, I presume) that we see the Bible in a different way than you, then say you support and encourage us in our views. Does that mean that you are right and we are, too? Are both interpretations of Scripture accurate? In my backward and uneducated American view, that seems illogical (read that tongue-in-cheek, please).
Re: teaching science in a homeschool setting…I ran into a good friend at the grocery store today, and she was providentially sharing how she was teaching her high school-aged son science. Last year she participated in a cooperative group which had a mother who is proficient in chemistry, and their children all benefited from her teaching. This group didn’t need a cent of government money to impart this knowledge. This year my friend is using a video curriculum and lab kit to teach her son physics. This young man was a national finalist in a contest sponsored by NASA, by the way, and won a trip to Washington, D.C. where he met John Glenn and other astronauts. All this from an unqualified homeschool mother who managed to teach her son without relying on any help from the government or education “experts.” And for some of this time her husband was unemployed.
This is not a special case, Richard. There are countless stories of how God has been faithful to bless the efforts of those who throw themselves on His mercy and are obedient to Him in giving their children a Christian education. I “just happened” to run into this lady today.
As for your request for Biblical proof that all subjects are to be taught from a Christian perspective, I could just say that it’s axiomatic…but I won’t.
Being Methodist, your theological paradigm is different from my reformed view, so you may want to spiritualize these verses, making a (false) distinction between “sacred” and “secular.” My view is that God is Lord over every area of life, and His rule extends to all corners of the earth, including the education of our children. I say this, knowing that you may return with the same “that’s your interpretation” argument, but I will proffer these proofs:
First, read the entire book of II Peter, which makes clear that all knowledge must be rooted in the truths of God’s word, and that we are to be especially cautious to avoid false teaching. You may want to limit this to false “spiritual” teaching…but remember that this letter is addressed to those who have been swayed by gnosticism, which would make that false distinction between “spiritual” and “worldly.” Note especially II Peter 1:19-21: And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Next, consider Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. This reminds me that my whole being…heart, soul, mind and strength…is to be dedicated to God. Why would I want to teach my children any subject from a non-Christian, ungodly perspective?
I Corinthians 3:18-20 tells us what we ought to think of the wisdom of this world, the non-Christian perspective:
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’: and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’
As Peter did in II Peter, Paul also fought against false (non-Christian) teaching, giving stern warnings and strong encouragments to focus our thoughts on the truth and to fight against all ungodly knowledge: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (II Corinthians 3-5)
Psalm 1:1 says, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. If you place your children under teachers who deny God as the Creator, how will they have a proper view of science or the Creator?
Proverbs 19:27 says, Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
Colossians 2:8 says, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. This seems like a very serious warning, and it was given to adult Christians. Imagine how much more serious the danger is for spoiling an impressionable child with false teaching about the world.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) People who do not fear God have no wisdom. Why would we want them to be guiding our children’s education in any way?
Hosea 4:6 warns, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Our primary goal in our children’s education is to diligently teach them Who God is and what He requires of them. This is a big job, one which isn’t accomplished by saying a quick mealtime prayer over dinner and going to church with them on Sunday. It is 24/7…when we rise up, when we sit in our home(school), when we walk by the way and when we lie down.
Yes, the world needs Christian doctors, engineers, chemists, etc…but only if they are faithful to Christ and serve Him with all their hearts. One of our friends is a chemist, a man who would agree with all I have written here. His wife died, leaving him with six children, one still a baby. He has continued to homeschool them alone, with no government assistance, while he continues his work. In fact, he runs a privately-financed science institute which is visited by world-class scientists and does cutting-edge research on aging. He is good friends with Dr. Edward Teller and was once Linus Pauling’s research assistant. He has developed a homeschool curriculum which has helped thousands of people give their children excellent academic educations, including science, without a dime from Uncle Sam.
You seem to be under the impression that we are against knowledge and education. We are against Christian children being taught that there is any knowledge apart from God and that they must depend upon the state to provide for them in anything.
I liked your reference to John Wesley, that he was a “man of one Book” yet very widely read. Seeing that I have a library of over 10,000 books, I wholeheartedly relate to this, but there is only one Book in my library which I know to be completely accurate and trustworthy, and that is the One against which we measure all the others.
