THE NECESSITY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
In dealing with the subject of the necessity of Christian Education it must be emphasized at the outset that specifically Christian general education of the young is not some novelty nor has it been a minority view in Church or State.
This necessity of Christian education arises from both Biblical authorization and command. One example of the expected ethical and spiritual moorings can be found in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians where he states, 'And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord' (Ephesians 6:4). Paul addresses parents as ultimately responsible for their own children's education. Teachers can only ever be in loco parentis.
This necessity of Christian education was standard Protestant and Reformed doctrine in the C19th. The well known C19th American Presbyterian, Professor Charles Hodge, stated, 'as Christianity is the only true religion, and God in Christ the only true God, the only possible means of profitable education is the nurture and admonition of the Lord… (Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, The Banner of Truth Trust, p.360).
This necessity of Christian education was recognized by the British parliament in 1944.
The necessity of alternative provision of Christian education arises from the increasing departure from Christian truth in the curriculum in state schools.
SUBJECT 1. Authority.
SUBJECT 2. Science.
SUBJECT 4. Constitution and Law.
SUBJECT 5. Business Studies, Economics, and Commerce.
Conclusions
Pastor Roy Mohon, M.A., Dip Theol. |
