The Need for a Christian Philosophy and Education

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Here's an article critique I did for uni recently.
It concerns the education system and how Christian philosophy needs to be included in the curriculum amongst many other things.

I hope you enjoy it and learn something from reading it.






Author and educator Dr. Albert E Greene, Jr. penned the journal article, 'The Need for a Christian Philosophy and Education.' The article researched is taken from his book, 'Renewing the Mind in Learning.'

Dr. Greene Jr.'s speaks of the view that the idea of 'separation of church and state' has transformed into 'separation of religion and state' and having proved detrimental to the health of American schools has led them to abandon religion altogether.

The Renaissance period was the beginning of the age of Enlightenment and Sir Francis Bacon, a man of many skills - lawyer, philosopher and historian among others, asked his peers to gather scientific facts and avoid speculation. He later decided facts were unnecessary and that it was more important to look for the immediate physical causes, perhaps not knowing this would give untold influence and power to researchers. Facts were no longer held in high regard. (The Need for a Christian Philosophy of Education 2006, p. 41)...

Jacques Ellul, a Christian theologian and professor, called this process, 'the great modern Moloch.' (The Need for a Christian Philosophy of Education 2006, p. 41)... The Moloch was a pagan deity worshipped by the Israelites around the time of King Solomon's reign. Parents would sacrifice their first-born children to the idol in an effort to keep the sun burning bright. To ensure that no-one heard the cries of the infants as they burned to death, priests would beat loudly on drums and various instruments (Krista 2004).

Ellul's quote sums up the article well. The offering of sacrifices to Moloch can be likened to the secular school systems being given the authority to teach children and youth, but instead of teaching facts, they teach individual 'truths', they abuse their position of responsibility. Even those in ages past recognised that belief in higher power was necessary to give purpose to one's life. By abandoning the concept of religion altogether, society sets their children up for both intellectual and spiritual death. With no solid foundation on which to build, students experience a world-view lacking hope, direction and purpose. When God is no longer 'needed,' society is given power to do what they wish. (Greene, A 1987)

The problem with many Christian schools is that there is no underlying Christian philosophy to support the school's foundation. The majority believe theology alone is enough, that philosophy isn't necessary, and some go so far as to say the concept is pagan. (The Need for a Christian Philosophy of Education 2006, p. 44)...

Dr Greene Jr. argues that human feelings hold little credibility went it comes to teaching/learning/interpreting something and that is why it is important to hold onto facts. There is no bias with facts, no room for interpretation, they just are. (The Need for a Christian Philosophy of Education 2006, p. 45)...

In writing the article, Dr. Greene Jr. attempts to show the reader that providing students with facts is necessary in providing a sound and healthy future for them. He sees an urgent need for both philosophy and theology to be integrated into the curriculum. His audience is the Christian community as the article alludes to the Bible, church history, concepts of faith and includes a number of biblical references to back up his personal opinion. His approach is largely factual, appropriate given that he is drawing attention to the idea that facts illustrate the reasoning and credibility lacking in many schools, Christian and otherwise. The article's extensive use of facts promote good research, sound reasoning and purposeful credibility.

As religion has become more private, often seen as offensive in the public domain, and it becomes more difficult for Christians to believe something society does not, many Christians have either tried to escape the reality of life, abandoned the faith altogether or blurred the line between biblical thinking and the secular views. Some have attempted to justify themselves in society's eyes by combining the two. The Bible clearly reveals creation only occurred as a result of God's intervention and that He is constantly involved in our lives. Compromise is not an option. Teachers need to give students the skills to live out their faith. If Christian schools can't be trusted to encourage children and youth to seek Truth who can be trusted? After all the children of today are tomorrow's future.

Dr Greene Jr. hypothesises that it is the stake-holder's collective duty to bring theology and philosophy together in order for the truth to return to the educational system. One arrives at the conclusion that if philosophy is to be integrated with theology, one should begin with the concept that there is a divine power, God, and work from there to discover who He is and what He is. To share Christ's love with others is an enormous blessing. As Christian teachers we need our own ideas of truth, so we won't be swayed easily by the lies and half-truths we may encounter in our lives. If philosophy and theology are used in classroom in an authentic manner it will enable Christian teachers to teach students differently – with solid facts and a God focus.