|
The Basis and Goal of Christian Education
The basis of our philosophy of Christian education is the belief that God is an eternal personal being of absolute power, knowledge, and righteousness. He is the source of all reality. His only Son Jesus Christ is the creator, designer, and preserver of all things. All of creation exists to bring glory to Him.
Man, uniquely among creatures, bears the image of God in that he has personality and the power of moral choice. While man’s purpose is to glorify God, he has by deliberate choice become estranged from Him. Man’s divine image is therefore marred, and he is morally corrupt and in need of redemption that comes only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This redemption produces growth in godliness through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. The goal of Christian education is to direct the process of this growth, thereby producing godly character and godly action.
The Responsibility for Christian Education
The Bible makes it clear that Christian education is to begin in the home (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:7; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 1:5; 3:15). It makes parents responsible for their children and charges them with the educational task.
The New Testament indicates that the responsibilities of the church include edification as well as evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; II Tim. 2:2). The Scriptural representation of the church as a body--an organism that grows and matures--implies a teaching function for this institution. Also, the recognition of the gift of teaching by the New Testament (Rom. 12:4-7; I Cor. 12:28) assumes the necessity of teaching in the local churches.
Christians therefore have a Biblical mandate to educate in their homes and in their churches. In order to reinforce the educational ministries of these institutions, Christian parents or church members, acting either individually or in concert, may elect to form a Christian school. In this process, the Christian school is an extension of both the home and the church.
We believe parents have given North Valley Christian Schools the authority to join with them and their churches in guiding their Christian education.
The Content of Christian Education
God communicates truth to man through nature and providence (general revelation) and through the inerrant Word of God (special revelation). Students must gain a thorough knowledge of the bible, its doctrines, and its application to living.
History, science, mathematics, language, music, physical education, and all the arts are expressions of God’s truth, and the revelation of Him becomes the heart of this curricula. All the disciplines are meaningfully related to each other and to Him.
Training and experience in service is a vital component of a Christian education. Opportunities for service and personal ministry should be woven into the curriculum.
The Product of Christian Education
Christian education bends its efforts to the end "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:17).
The Christian must be thoroughly trained in studying and reasoning with the Bible. He or she must have sharp critical-thinking skills. He or she must obtain a solid, broad knowledge of the core disciplines, including the arts. He or she must become accomplished, avid, and creative with whatever God-given abilities he or she has, whether they are intellectual, vocational, or artistic.
Because of the excellence of God’s Name, what is done in that name should be done with excellence. This does not mean that we seek the latest technology, the best facilities, or the highest worldly praise. We desire, however, to be characterized by diligence, thoroughness, and a skillful application of God’s gifts to His servants. We seek to produce Christians who will effectively apply their knowledge of God, His Word, and His world to bring glory to His Name (Colossians 3:22-23).
|
