Why CHRISTIAN Education?
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
The Bible opens with a glorious classroom, showcasing the wonder of what is in (and what is beyond!) this world - all just waiting to be studied and explored!! And the Author-Creator of all this wonder? – “In the beginning, God created...” This truth definitively answers the question, “Why Christian education?”
God is the Creator, therefore when we are learning about creation, we are studying God. When God is “removed” from education, it is no longer true education. True education teaches us to “think God’s thoughts after Him”. For instance, in true education, we recognize and acknowledge that mathematics is a language given to us by God to express His creation absolutes. The arts imitate and mirror the beauty of God’s creation, the languages are given to us to speak back to God and to ourselves of the reality of what is good and right, and to shine a light on what is unholy and unprofitable to man. The sciences uncover the breathtaking details and intricate designs of God’s physical world.
All creation sings of God, its Author-Creator, and when children are veered away from God as being the Author-Creator (as they are in government schools), they are veered away from God as being the Absolute One, the Savior, the One to Whom they owe all allegiance in mind, body, soul, and spirit.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Christian education, whether via homeschooling or through Academies like CHESS, is true education. I am thankful for each hour in which our students, either here at CHESS or at home or at church, are under Christian tutelage. Our minds need continual renewal to think God’s thoughts after Him, and the Scriptures are replete with exhortations to constantly pursue that renewal (see Proverbs, 2 Corin. 10:3-5, etc.) and to forsake worldly philosophies:
Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1
In that light, I encourage all of us to carefully consider what other “classrooms” we and our students may be attending. At the touch of a screen or click of a button we can easily join the world’s “classrooms” and be catechized by worldly instructors who say to us, “Did God really say?”, and who repeat the devil’s mantra lies of, “Here is what is true and right and how you ought to think and live.”
We must constantly guard against attending these worldly and devilish classrooms and instead, exhort ourselves and our children to daily and hourly “carefully keep our hearts (and minds) with all diligence, to attend to know understanding, to get wisdom, to not forsake her, for she shall preserve us, making our steps sure, taking fast hold of instruction, not letting go, for this is true life, and is the path to Life.” (Proverbs 4)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
CHESS is blessed to celebrate its 35th year of serving homeschooling families with Christian education. We are thankful for God’s care and provision as, together, we seek to exalt Him as the Author-Creator, Savior and Redeemer. - Principal Brown
Image of child by tarasyasinskif, Pixabay.
