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Biblical Philosophy regarding the School Atmosphere Terry Gallivan Liberty University EDUC 672 June 29, 2012

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION Biblical Philosophy regarding the School Atmosphere

Todays education has moved miles from its roots of the early American colonization era. The values the founding fathers had in mind for educating the youth have been departed from and are now but a distant memory in the minds of present day politicians. The reality is in the words of C. S. Lewis Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. (Brainy Quotes, 2012). It seems to be a fashionable precedent for educators to leave their values and beliefs at the front door of the school. As children of God we must bear in mind our responsibility is great. It has been written but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:33, KJV). The question, which needs to be address, is what roles should the family, church, government,
society, learner, and teacher have in the development of the curriculum?

The family is the heart of a childs education. In raising a child, Gods word is plainly stated Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6, KJV). When the family values are well established in the word of God the student will know the expectations, which should be their guiding force in the school environment. Unfortunately, in todays fast-paced world, children are too often left to raise themselves through television, movies, videos, and the computer to guide their beliefs. For instance, careers come before spending time with their child (ren) and their interests. Or the parents spending time with their child (ren) but not including Gods word. Parents and extended family members should involve themselves in the educational setting of the children. Communication is the key to knowing the needs of the student, if the needs are being met, and how the family can assist at home. Parental involvement in school activities whether sponsoring,

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION supporting or participating will help students be motivated. Parents can, additionally, observe their child (ren) interacting with peers. When viewing the churchs role in education the separation was well established in recent decades. Our nation was grounded on the belief Gods word should be a part of the education curriculum for the youth. Noah Websters Primer books illustrated the popular belief in Gods word in schooling with over two million copies sold just in the 18th century. The founding fathers supported religious teachings with moral lessons for the establishment of an educated citizenry. Benjamin Rush was quoted to say; if the bible is taken from the schools crime is raise and the laws of God are the soul of our government. One can look around to see crime did raise and now the prisons are overcrowded. The United States constitution has undergone attack in recent years unlike any other time in history. Thomas Paine, the least religious of our founding fathers, criticized the French school system for its secular teachings.

Science was instructed as accomplishments made by individuals and left out the credit to God as the ultimate creator. The Christians need to take a stand in the education of the youth and demand the curriculum for the secular system to include Bible education. Until this takes place, Christians need to become involved as role models and mentors in their local school districts. They need to become a strong voice that is heard throughout the nation. The United States government is in a state of crisis. There was a time if the legislators made a law against Gods word the citizens would not allow passage. The Connecticut Illiteracy Law required the Bible would be read as part of the religious and moral teachings to all students. Dallas ISDs had bible courses in schools until 1974 as credited courses for graduation. The church provided education but as the population grew the church surrendered education to the states. A Kansas superintendent stated that if religion was not part of the educational system

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION then the church should be reinstated as the sole provider of instruction. In 1890, 90% of the universities had church services, 50% of those were mandatory, and 25% required church attendance. Religious beliefs were encouraged, for the major portion of the United States history, in the school curriculum. It would seem the problem begin arising with the Supreme

court decision of McCollum v. Board of Education in 1948. An atheist, Vashti McCollum, filed suit complaining for a variety of reasons why religion should be eliminated from the schools. She won solely based on the school funds contributed to the religious courses. In 1952, the Supreme Court made another decision, in Zorach v. Clauson, that religious courses were permissible in school curriculum as long as public tax funds were not contributed to the programs cost. In 1963, Abington v. Schempp, the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional for the school to read from the Bible during school hours. As the founding fathers predicted crime would increase and literacy would decrease. Proverbs 1:7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction has fallen to the wayside for secular influences instilled into the children of present day. Society is to blame for the state of the current educational system in the United States. We have allowed ungodly influences to plague the minds of the youth. Moral values have been set to the side to appease the secular world. It would seem many Christians have been affected with the doubting Thomas syndrome. How do we explain to God that we will not fight for Him? How can He fight for us when we deny His existence in our secular schools? Has this nation become a Selman and Gomorrah? A nation founded on God - will fall without God. We must bring the light of God back to our schools. The students, as stated above, have the largest stake in the instruction taught to them. Students of the past where Gods word was part of the curriculum soared in integrity with moral

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION values instilled. They knew to respect authority or there would be consequences at school as well as at home. Students around the nation are allowed to lessen the expectations for their

education. This is witnessed daily by the disrespect shown during the Pledge of Alliance and the moment of silence. Fashion had made its way into the schools by allowing the oversized pants for boys and low-cut tops for girls. Students are allowed to disrupt the class knowing the consequences will be either insignificant or non-existed. Although, there are students who are legitimately disabled and need assistance there are those who work the system to become delinquents of the future. Students have been spoiled due to the lack of the rod as stated in the Bible. This is due to the lack of Gods word and moral values being instilled. For four centuries, the United States flourished by implementing and requiring God to be part of our educational system. In the last fifty years, the raise of crime and the ranking decrease in international, national, state and local test scores can testify to the decline of the United States educational system. Society certainly has inflicted the sins of the nation upon the future of world. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, KJV). Just as God created all that surrounds us and beyond; He gave us the ability to create from a blank slate and offered the eraser just in case. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:71-72, KJV). It is essential students have positive role models to draw on for support and guidance. This is where teachers have a responsibility beyond the curriculum to model and teach desirable virtues. By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge selfcontrol, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:4-7, KJV). It is possible to be a

Christian teacher by not judging our students but counsel, care, love and being Christ-like in our teachings. As written in Walking with God, teachers must be disciples for Christ. God gives teachers authority to perform their task of guiding and enabling student. He endorses them in their calling as teachers and gives them the abilities that make it possible for them to establish personal authority. (Van Brummelen, pg. 186, pp 1). The light of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit should be within the teacher and must listen to God as He teaches how to teach his children. Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:11-13). There are rough paths to cross in teaching children but with the love of Christ in your heart the path will become smooth again. A teacher should be held to a higher standard of integrity in the classroom and community. There is much to consider in becoming a teacher but if God directs you the tasks become easier, the challenges are solved, and the reward is great in the end. An important realization for the teacher is ultimately the students have the power to gain knowledge through the teacher. It is possible to be a Christian teacher in a secular school system if only you desire to be an example of Christ by your works. The conclusion is not to be written until the light of God shines upon our nation once again. The family, church, government, society, learner, and teacher have an obligation to God for
all the grace He has bestowed upon our nation. It is not the time to turn our backs on His word to satisfy the few who corrupt our schools and youth. One teacher cannot change the nation but can influence one child at a time on this journey. If all the Christian teachers were to walk hand and hand across the campuses change would emerge victorious to God.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION References Brainy Quotes (2012). Education quotations. Retrieved June 29, 2012, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/education.html Gutek, G. L. (1995). A history of western educational experience (2nd ed.) Long Grove, Il: Waveland Press. ISBN: 0881338184Moreland, J.P. (1997). Love your god with all your mind: The role of reason in the life of the soul. LOCATION: NavPress Publishing. Slavin, R. E. (2012). Educational Psychology, Theory and Practice (10th ed.). The Bible, King James Version. (n.d.). Van Brummelen, H. (2009). Walking with God in the Classroom (3rd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publication.

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