The End of Christian Education?

K. A. Smith, in his book, Desiring the Kingdom, suggests the following axiom, "behind every pedagogy is a philosophical anthropology." In lay man's terms, Smith is saying behind everything we do educationally is an assumption about the nature of who we are as people. Smith writes, "Thus a pedagogy that thinks about education as primarily a matter of disseminating information tends to assume that human beings are primarily "thinking things" and cognitive machines."

In that same sense, an education that is strictly focused on content and the replication of that content in one form or another promotes assumptions centered on the fact that everyone is equal and the same. The focus on content elevates content above people and attempts to push people down to a point where they will all be the same, and all in the name of equity and tolerance. The truth is that not everyone is the same or equal.

Looking around with open eyes and an open mind will quickly reveal a world of differences. There are rarely two people who look alike; there are no two people who share the same fingerprint. Even when examining twins, that examination will reveal two separate personalities. Everyone is different in some way which brings forth the following question: why the intense push to make everyone the same?

A focus on content is the only way to achieve equity, and it is done by lowering expectations and standards. No one wants to finish last, but only one can finish first. When we try and fix the rules so no one finishes last we have effectively eliminated anyone from finishing first, and we have made a statement regarding our belief concerning the nature of who we are. Smith writes, "In contrast, a pedagogy that understands education as formation usually assumes that humans beings are a different kind of animal. It is not that we don't think, but rather that our thinking and cognition arise from a more fundamental, precognitive orientation to the world."

That orientation is one that is rooted in the world as presented in the scriptures and not rooted in the randomness the current world presents. There will be those who finish first and those who do not. In the current world, there are consequences... if we are citizens of this current reality. Those of us in Christ are not. We know and understand our current reality in a way that only those with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit can, but we also understand where our real citizenship lies. Scripture teaches that the first shall be last and the last shall be first which is a bit abstract unless you understand the truth of the gospels. Our future is not dependent on how much we know or where we finish; our future is rooted in a belief in the King, our Savior, Jesus Christ. This statement does not diminish the importance of education. That is a separate discussion. Our discussion today has to do with our assumptions as presented in the way we teach and instruct.

Smith is right... behind every pedagogy is an assumption. Pedagogy is often related directly to teaching, but a closer examination of the definition reveals a closer tie to the art of instruction. Defined, it has more to do with the principles and methods of the action of instruction than instruction itself. These are rooted in what we believe more than what we teach, and the little secret is that we transfer most of those beliefs in our instruction all the time. As we argue over pedagogy and educational choices, are we also arguing over the future of Christian education? A good question that must be considered! Blessings!