Teaching from a Biblical Perspective
At one time in America, education was centered on God’s Word. It was read daily in schools, and textbooks were filled with Biblical illustrations. Now the Bible has been replaced with humanism and evolutionary philosophies. While public school teachers may no longer have the freedom of teaching from a Biblical perspective, Christian school teachers and home school parents should strive to keep God’s Word at the center of their classrooms. Presenting every subject from a Biblical perspective. While the Bible may not have all the necessary information to function as an academic textbook, it contains foundational principles that can be applied to every subject.
A Biblical Framework
The key difference between secular education and Christian education is the worldview upon which it is based. “A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world.”[1] According to David Noebel, “The term worldview refers to any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement, or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and man’s relations to God and the world.”[2]
The Bible as the Foundation
Teaching from a Biblical perspective or worldview is more than just adding a couple of verses at the beginning or end of a lesson. It is the entire framework from which the lesson is taught. A teacher’s view of God will affect not only how each lesson is presented but the content as well. It is important to use Biblically based textbooks whenever possible in the classroom. This may be more difficult for those on a foreign field teaching in other languages, but America has been blessed with a vast amount of Christian based textbooks. The necessity to use a secular textbook should be rare indeed and should be done with a great deal of discretion.
“When the word of God is at the heart of a teaching ministry, no one alive can fully imagine the impact it can have.”[3]
Every subject should be taught from a Biblical viewpoint and based upon the principles of God’s Word.
Noah Webster said, “Education is useless without the Bible.”
A Biblical Worldview
A Biblical worldview involves several areas. It includes a correct view of God, man’s purpose for living, a proper view of sin and the depravity of this world. The world has tried to convince man that there are no absolutes, that there is no right or wrong. These concepts can have a great influence on how one teaches. If there are no absolutes, then there can be no right or wrong answers. Anything goes. This will lead to chaos in the classroom as everyone does “that which [is] right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Absolutes are necessary, particularly in the area of mathematics. In math, two plus two equals four. This fact is unchanging. It is important for students to see how God’s principles never change no matter what the world may try to say.
One key question to ask in regards to each subject is “what interest does God have in this topic?” Knowing and understanding God’s thoughts on a given topic will guide the teacher in presenting the subject from a Biblical worldview. Showing students that God is concerned about every subject taught within the classroom.
Belief and Behavior
“A biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do.”[4] The worldview from which we teach will be reflected in the character, thoughts, and actions of our young people.
It is important for a teacher to always be looking for ways to make learning relevant to the student’s life, not just filling his or her head full of information. The ultimate goal of Christian education is to bring about life change. The more a teacher can make learning relevant to real life situations, the more a student will remember. If a student does not see the practical application, he will toss out the information as useless.
One vital component of making learning relevant is to help students discover a Biblical perspective for themselves. Too often, pastors and Christian teachers simply tell their students what to believe instead of helping them to discover the truth. There is a place for telling students what the Bible says, but they must also learn how to study and apply God’s Word to their lives personally. God commended the church of Berea for searching for the truth.
Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Christian teachers need to develop students of the Word – students that search for the truth in every subject matter.
Truth should not just be information but also application. Students need to know how it applies to their lives. The more learning is made relevant, the more life change will be taking place.
A Spiritual Battle
A key difference in the philosophies of Christian teachers and secular teachers is seen in the length of their impact. The secular teacher is seeking temporal external change. Whereas, the Christian school teacher is seeking an everlasting internal change. A secular teacher is looking to make productive members of society through education and perhaps even through teaching character. A secular teacher may succeed in producing students of character. However, the Christian teacher has the opportunity to reach the souls of her students. And therefore making an impact that will last for eternity.
Ephesians 6:12-13, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
The battle we face is not merely a conflicting of ideas, but rather Satan’s attempt to overthrow a holy God. It is not a physical battle but a spiritual one.
A Victory Already Won
II Timothy 1:7-9, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”.
If you are a teacher, it is a holy calling from God. Claiming the victory Jesus already won helps us overcome whatever battles we face. He has given us the power to be an over-comer.
Teaching one’s students to see life from a Biblical perspective will affect how they live their lives. Obviously, the goal of the Christian teacher is to guide students in becoming born-again servants of God. Using the Bible as the foundation for everything said or taught in the classroom will help in achieving this end. God promises that His Word will not return void.
Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Teaching from a Biblical perspective involves applying the principles of God’s Word to every academic area. As a result, God accomplishes that which He desires in the lives of Christian young people.
Sources:
- Tackett, Del. “What’s a Christian Worldview?” Focus on the Family 20 Aug. 2016. http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian-worldview/whats-a-christian-worldview/whats-a-worldview-anyway
- Noebel, David A. The Battle for Truth. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2001, p.2.
- Hendricks, Howard. Teaching to Change Lives. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 1987, p. 28.
- Tackett