Christian perspectives on education

There is a great divide in the area of education, between secularists, materialists, and atheists with traditional Christian faith. The factual history of our nation reveals that the founding fathers not only regarded the knowledge of religion, but the practice of religion, an essential prerequisite in qualifying for service in high offices of government.  Some were Christian ministers or at least, sincere Christians, who thought it appropriate and prudent to adopt the principles of Christian faith to political decisions. George Washington for example, testified of his faith in these words. “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” That is why it is astonishing to hear some modern-day lawmakers shamelessly revealing the fact that they have little knowledge of either history or religion and show no interested in acquiring it. It reminds us of the old saying, “They who ignore the lessons taught by history are destined to repeat its great errors.”

Our forefathers believed that passion for our flag and love for our nation was a virtue, not a vice. They also believed that God owned the world by virtue of creation, and He had seen fit to grant the portion of land now called, ‘America,’ to them who had for so long yearned for political and religious liberty. They were unspeakably thankful for basic and simple freedoms that are now often taken for granted and, ironically, some think should even be overturned. Furthermore, no one graduated from early educational institutions who could not read and write as opposed to the depressing illiteracy we find today even among some college graduates. 

The Bible has recorded the bold words of Solomon, the ancient iconic king of Israel known for his remarkable skills in literature and wisdom. He wrote in Prov 12:1 “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” Notice that Solomon uses the word “instruction.” Education is “instruction” not “indoctrination” or merely imparting information. 

One reason why I believe that education is an institution established by God is because of the great stress the Bible lays on it in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, verses like Prov 1:7. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We have seen a trending lack of interest in verifiable facts in society in favor of myriads of whimsical theories based on small-minded motives and selfish personal interests. It seems to me if one has neither knowledge or appreciation for the influence of the largest religion in the world or the founding principles of the greatest nation in the world, they are last person in the world qualified for a role in its leadership. 

The last words of Christ the great Rabbi-Teacher to his disciples was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20) 

Pastor Gene Holman of Living Word Fellowship in Gardnerville is a member of Carson Valley Ministers’ Association