Why Christian Education?
If you are unsure how the teaching and learning process differs in a Christian school, we hope this section will be of help to you.
Christian Education - What is it?
A Christian education differs significantly from current state education.
State Education
In a state education, the foundation of the whole curriculum is now explicitly rationalistic: In other words, the ultimate authority in the state education system is the authority of human reason.
That rationalistic foundation is, naturally, reflected in both the construction and delivery of the curriculum – one which does not acknowledge the fundamental reality of God’s existence and His lordship over all our lives. The whole curriculum, therefore, not based on truth but on a denial of truth.
This rationalistic foundation is, of course, also reflected in the way in which the school seeks to nurture the children: the ethos and discipline of the state school is non-religious, and the morality will be relativistic and, increasingly, and explicitly anti-Christian.
It is this rationalistic philosophy, working like a virus, which forms the way the children see the world, fosters the development of their characters, and explains why they are increasingly being secularised.
Christian Education
In a Christian education, the foundation of the whole curriculum is explicitly biblical: In other words, the ultimate authority in the Christian education system is the Word of God.
This biblical foundation is, naturally, reflected in both the construction and delivery of the curriculum – one which acknowledges the fundamental reality of God’s existence and His lordship over all our lives. The whole curriculum, therefore, is based on the truth and not on a denial of it.
This biblical foundation is, of course, also reflected in the way in which the school seeks to nurture the children: the ethos and discipline of the Christian school is explicitly Christian in theory and in application, enabling the school to educate and nurture the children, in character and in intellect, to their full potential and to the glory of God.
Christian Education - How does it work?
Curriculum
Instead of God’s truth being relegated to a slot in the school (where it competes with other religions) it is recognised and reflected in all areas of the curriculum.
In the teaching of history (which is His-story); languages, mathematics, and science (which all recognise and reflect God as the author of logic, design and order); geography (recognising and reflecting God as the creator of the earth for human stewardship), the visual and auditory arts (reflecting the reality of our creation in God’s image as creators) and physical education (reflecting the reality of our bodies being designed as temples of God and our responsibility to care for them), the realities of God’s existence and lordship are fully acknowledged.
Through such a comprehensive and Christian curriculum, the children are taught to think critically and to develop a Christian world-view through which they see the world as created by God and they will be encouraged to discover, use and develop their God given gifts, whether in arts, science or technology, for a life of service to God and the world.
Discipline (Training)
The training of a Christian school is firm but gentle and encourages prayer by teachers and pupils – as well as familiarity with relevant Bible teaching on character building and behaviour– as a practical means to achieve peace and harmony throughout the school. Pupil behaviour must reflect respect for God, teachers, other adults, fellow pupils and all other children.
Ethos
The philosophy outlined above, worked out in the curriculum and discipline of the school, will ensure an ethos – or ‘atmosphere’ – in which God is honoured and given His rightful place in the life of the school, thereby ensuring its prosperity and health.
Also, with a Biblical understanding of the school and the home as a partnership under God, a Christian school is committed to parental involvement in every aspect of school life. Along with regular meetings with the teachers, this is designed to foster co-operation, happiness and a family atmosphere in the life of the school.
