A Nation at Risk... Still!

In April of 1983, the National Commission on Excellence in Education published A Nation at Risk. The study clearly rang an regarding the deterioration occurring in our secondary schools. The study stated,

"Secondary school curricula have been homogenized, diluted and diffused to the point that they no longer have a central purpose. In effect we have a cafeteria-style curriculum in which the appetizers and desserts can easily be mistaken for the main course."

The report was the first of many warnings issued to all regarding the issues occurring within our schools, especially the issue of morality in our public sector and many private sector schools. There was a deterioration of morality taking place in 1983, and things have not improved. Gary DeMar in his book, Whoever Controls the Schools Rules the World states our issue,

"Modern educational theory lacks a comprehensive and cohesive worldview. The lack of a central purpose is at the heart of the problem."

The nature of learning is one rooted in standards and views of the world. Someone has to decide what to teach, how to teach and by what standards to teach. DeMar states that "the development of an educational philosophy will always rest upon some ultimate standard of authority." There is no neutrality when it comes to education; the process will not allow it. Your students will be indoctrinated and encultrated by the school they attend because it is a naturally occurring by-product of the process of learning. There is no stopping it.

We know the created order, just like mankind, is distorted and tainted with sin. Modern man has a dilemma with out Christ and modern education, left unchecked and corrected, will continue to replicate this issue as best illustrated by this story as told by Norman Harper,

"A certain factory worker had the responsibility of blowing the whistle every day at precisely 12:00 noon. In order to be sure of the correct time, he set his own watch by a clock on the wall of the local jewelry store. After doing this for some time, it occurred to him that the jewelery store owner had to have some standard by which he set his clock. Thus, one day when he was in the store, he inquired of the owner, "Sir, how do know what time to set your clock?" The jewelry store owner replied, "Well, you see on the other side of town there is a factory and every day precisely at noon they blow the whistle..."

Education is about history, math and English too, but do not be fooled, it is also very much about worldview, indoctrination and enculturation. George Grant, who will speak at our Alumni Banquet this January, reminds us of this,

"One of the best demands of Christian discipleship, of following Jesus Christ, is to change our way of thinking. We are to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are "not to be conformed to this world but [are to] be transformed by the renewing of our minds" (Romans 12:2). In other words, we are commanded to have a Biblical worldview. All our thinking, our perspective on life, and our understanding of the world around us, is to be comprehensively informed by Scripture."

This is a tall order, but one worth pursuing. How will you instill this idea and way of thinking in your children? Might I suggest praying about Christian education in conjunction with a Christ-centered church and regular family devotions. Dr. Grant reminds us that a "Biblical worldview in not optional. It is mandatory." Blessings!