What is Christian Education?

Essay by Mr. Tom Thistleton, continued…

Jesus teaches us that the greatest commandment includes loving God with our minds (Matthew 22:37). This does not mean that we are to simply acknowledge God with our minds, but to truly love Him. In light of this, we need to think like Christians as we study literature, history, math, etc. In this way, we will bring all thoughts under the Lordship of Christ and begin to love God with all our mind. This also suggests that we should not be slackers in our approach to education and learning but strive for excellence. Loving God with our mind is something that children (and adults) must be taught to do and encouraged to persevere through because it is hard work. In other words, teachers need to believe this and strive to make it a reality in their own and their students' lives.

As we consider these things, we see that our children should be taught in an environment where the truth of Scripture is acknowledged; an environment in which God's Word permeates all instruction; an environment where teachers profess belief in the Word of God and seek to model this belief before the students. Luke 6:40 tells us that "everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Recognizing this, we must seek out teachers for our children who will serve as godly role models. In conclusion, where else, but in a Christian school, will we as parents best satisfy the Biblical requirements for our children concerning formal education? Enrolling children in a Christian school will not relieve parents of the responsibility for their children's education or the need to be involved in this education, but it is one step towards fulfilling this responsibility.

I would like to close with a quote from R.L. Dabney, the great nineteenth century theologian:

The education of children for God is the most important business done on Earth. It is one business for which the Earth exists. To it all politics, all war, all literature, all money-making, ought to be subordinated; and every parent especially ought to feel, every hour of the day, that, next to making his own calling and election sure, this is the end for which he is kept alive by God - this is his task on Earth. 3

Dabney might have overstated the case, but not by much. May God grant us wisdom as we work to be faithful to the Word of God in this most important matter, and may God bless us and our children.