Christian Education Defined (pt.5)

Axiology (the philosophical study of value)

What is the relation of values to education? Should values be taught at school or should the discussion of values be kept out of the classroom? Are values permanent or changing; are they personal or universal? There are many opinions to these questions, but true answers are few. Even though unaccepted by unregenerate man, the Bible provides absolute guidelines for life. The Bible clearly shows that all men have a sinful human nature, so expressed in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that good works do not save us and restore our broken fellowship with God. Values as given in God's Word are absolute, set by God Himself; the keeping of God’s rules does not save man, but rather the grace of God (Romans 3:24) when he accepts the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

God's laws cross all cultural and societal boundaries. There are many elements that indeed are restricted to particular periods or people (the Levitical Law, for example). However, there are many commands and principles that apply to all people in all places.


The values expressed in God's Word should be taught as permanent, universal truths that all men are to live by. They should be taught as such by Christian educators. Values should be primarily taught at home and reinforced at school, producing moral, godly people. Only with God's help and the help of family can the teaching of values do any good, and then they are useless unless the child knows Christ.


In our Postmodern world, the concept of absolute values is generally rejected; the result is a rejection of God. Yet, in John 14:6, Jesus exclaimed that He was the only way to heaven. If we know the truth, are we not bound to share it with those around us? Postmodernists tend to leave the interpretation of values to the individual, but God declares truth and says that it is of no private interpretation. Again, His Word applies to all people in all places.

Discipline

Discipline is an area that even Christians do not agree upon, so unsaved men and Christians cannot be expected to be in agreement. The teacher needs to be in control of the classroom to establish an atmosphere conducive to learning. Whether it be corporal punishment or restricted privileges, the teacher, or the school, must set rules and stick by them. Most instances of discipline in the Bible refer to the home setting, however the principles of discipline are established in God's Word. Hebrews 13: 7a says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.”

Many secular educators think that it is best to let the children do as they please, to become who they are. Unfortunately, many Christians do the same; in so doing they cater to the human nature. God has established a ranking of authority and the student is not at the top of the list.

In the classroom setting, the teacher is to have authority over the student, just as in life itself a person needs to yield himself fully to God (Romans 12:1). Sound, structured discipline in the classroom sets a fine example for the student, for he must ultimately give up control of himself to God and it is best to do so willingly.


Quite simply, discipline is good. When we understand the benefits of discipline, we become more willing to conform ourselves to Jesus Christ.

Materials

The Christian educator must be very careful of the materials he uses. Textbooks designed for secular, public schools, even old books, are written from a completely different perspec­tive than are Christian texts. Secular writers have not experienced the saving grace of God, so their philosophy is full of errors and so are their completed works. They may be well written and factual, but they do not emphasize spiritual things as they ought if they are to be used in a Christian school (Billings 1978, 74).

The administrator of a Christian school should, I believe, be a very discerning reader with great knowledge of the Bible. He must choose carefully the texts that will influence teachers and students.

I personally do not believe that “self-pace” methods in which the student works at his own level of achievement are the best choice for Christian education. If governed closely, they will be effective, but I would not recommend them if another option is available. I believe that although the authors of such texts may mean well, the texts differ philosophically from Biblical standards. In all areas I find in the Bible, God has established a structured ideal; I do not believe that it is right to leave this to the child. The classroom that allows the students to work at their own pace as they desire, seems to me to be a Christian substitute for the academic freedom of the open classroom, the difference being that the students are at least learning because they are in the textbooks. As I understand the Bible’s principles of instructing children, not children teaching themselves (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4).

We live in an age in which technology is king. It is easy for educators to become so focused on the use of technology that they miss the primary goal: education. We must remember that education is more that leaning to use the latest technological advancement.


Philosophy is the key when choosing materials. We can never ignore the philosophy behind the materials chosen for use in the classroom.