Christian education

By John Shortt in the EurECA Newsletter Winter 08-09. Posted with permission.

…We think of ourselves as Christian educators and we talk a lot about Christian education but what do we mean by this phrase—‘Christian education’? I suspect that we may sometimes use the same words but mean different things. In other words, we may be ‘talking past’ one another rather than truly communicating.

By Dr. Paul W. Cates, Ph.D, “Homeschool’s Education Doctor” of Faith Christian Ministries

“From a Christian philosophy of education, thoughts and actions can be derived, implemented, and defended. The elements to be considered in developing a Christian philosophy of education range from theological and doctrinal to social and educational. The first step is the development of a Biblical base. The Bible becomes the skeleton on which the practical application of our philosophy can be arranged.”

By Gordon H. Clark in The Trinity Review, May/June 1988

For long periods of time human history moves placidly along, troubled only by minor disturbances. Then in a short span of years, everything seems to happen at once. A storm overtakes the race, breaking up all the fountains of the great deep; and when the waters subside, the course of history has been set for the next epoch.…

While the political situation that makes newspaper headlines occupies popular attention, the use which dictators have made of education shows clearly that the role of schools and universities is of more profound significance. Educational policy in the new society, whether for good or evil, will be a basic factor.

By Harold Klassen, July 2000

There are vast differences in people’s understanding of each term in the title so it is appropriate to briefly describe the perspective of this paper to eliminate uncertainty or confusion. The definition of education will be directly related to Jesus Christ so it is authentically Christian. The philosophic presupposition is that ultimate reality is intimately related to the triune God who has revealed Himself[1] through His created world—the spiritual and physical universe, His written word—the Bible, and the living Word—Jesus Christ. Because the scope of this paper is limited, the implications of this perspective will be considered instead of arguments for this presupposition. The unity and consistency of a perfect God’s self-revelation requires that the Bible be accepted as the infallible measure of the accuracy of the perception we have of God from our environment or from our personal relationship to Him. Thus the strengths of mysticism and pragmatism are preserved while their limitations are avoided by depending on the Bible as the final authority in all matters which it addresses. This paper, therefore, quotes the Scriptures as justification for the concepts that are presented.

“…to support, encourage and challenge Christians involved in learning and teaching, whether it be in churches, pre-schools, schools (government, Christian and Anglican), colleges and universities”

A TeachBeyond school that “provides a quality, international Christian education that equips its students to influence their world through biblical thought, character, and action”

A summary of Gordon Clark's book, A Christian Philosophy of Educationby Dr. C. Matthew McMahon on A Puritan's Mind

Those who can, do; those who cannot, teach; those who cannot teach, teach Education. This kind of statement describes the American educational system in more ways than one. Education is too important to neglect it or hand it over to those who cannot or do not know how to educate children and young adults. Most American colleges have no philosophy of education at all. They may have some vague ideals or aims. But no concrete philosophy that has any value. Though American colleges do not have a philosophy of education that can be called unified, or have an elaborate world-view set for their students, instead, they cater to having a unity in opposition to Christianity.

“Our reason for being is to walk alongside Christian schools who are committed to teaching from a Biblical perspective. We exist for the sustainability, improvement, innovation, advocacy, and promotion of Christian education at all levels of learning.”

"Christian education information and issues in education"

“Cardus Education exists to provide reliable, credible data for non-government types of education.”

"…advancing the cause of biblical Christian education in K-12 education, including college students and adults"

“a community of school communities unified around the common goal of authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centred education”

By Harold Klassen

Christian education means different things to different people. Perceptions of what it could and should be, have been shaped by the practice and pronouncements of a great variety of people who have identified themselves with Christ, i.e. Christians. Instead of trying to deal with the legacy of millennia, considering what Christ-in education should look like, may move the discussion from the past, or even the present, to the future.

"Connecting donors with vision to a cause that matters"—Christian education in Ontario, Canada

"Linking educators with resources to continue the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ, anytime, anywhere”

By George Durance

It seems to me that transformational education is not easily defined because the construct brings together two words which are in themselves complex and difficult to define, especially in a short sentence. How can we know that the reader or listener is bringing together the relevant underlying suppositions we have in mind to create a meaning like ours?

Education is about change, growth, and development. What happens when we qualify this with a word that implies a radical change in form? Must transformational change be dramatic and cataclysmic? Can it be in fits and starts or even incremental? Does it mean a complete change in form or is something less all-encompassing also in view? These and many other questions are on our mind and leave us shy of anything that has the appearance of being a definitive and final one-sentence definition.

"inspire, educate and support (student) teachers and schools providing education based on Reformed Christian principles"

”…een nieuwe organisatie voor het protestants-christelijk en reformatorisch onderwijs in Nederland” onstond op 1 januari 2005

“…organise conferences for school leaders and teachers in Christian Schools across Europe, drawing together different cultures, nationalities and professions within Christian education”

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