The Value of Christian Education

Is Christian education really that important? Does it really impact culture they way we think? Let's consider the first question.

Dr. Peter Hammond is a home schooling father who has written an article on the value of Christian education. He writes that "A truly Christian education is invaluable. It will create an environment of respect for God, for His Word and for authority. It will lay foundations of discipline, moral values and a work ethic that will prepare a student for life."

Dr. Hammond reminds us that "education has become a battleground. Anyone who believes that education can be neutral is mistaken. Ideas have consequences. Actions flow from thought patterns. Parents are not faced with the choice between sending their children to a religious school or to a non-religious school. All schools are religious. Parents must choose which religion will be taught to their children. Will it be Christianity? Islam? Humanism? Or something else?"

Is Christian education really that important? I would have to say that it is. I will again turn to Dr. Hammond's article for the answer to our second question. Does education impact culture? Dr. Hammond quotes Martin Luther,

“I am much afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to hell unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them on the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.”

And then he brings us to scripture,

"The Bible says: “The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1"

"The Bible tells us that God seeks “godly offspring…” Malachi 2:15. As a parent, one of my greatest desires and priorities is to bring up my children “in the training and instruction of the Lord”, to “train a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6. My greatest concern is that my children grow up to love the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind, and with all their strength.

God’s Word makes clear what our greatest priority is: “These are the commands, decrees and Laws the Lord your God directed me teach you to observe…so that you, your children, and their children after them, may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commandments that I give you, and so that you may enjoy a long life…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind their on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates…fear the Lord your God, serve Him only.” Deuteronomy 6:1-13"

The commands, decrees, and Laws that the Lord directs us to "impress" on our children will require more than Sundays and Wednesdays. They will require, what we call at Westminster, the continuity of faith. Families, churches and schools partner with each other to impress these commands, decrees and laws on the hearts of children in quality and quantity. As hearts of individuals change, individuals network with other individuals and culture changes. Does education impact culture? I would have to say... yes! Read Dr. Hammond's article in its entirety and consider his case for Christian education. Blessings!