1. Josh
Harstine
Philosophy
of
Christian
Education
The
time
of
education
in
our
lives
is
much
more
than
learning
facts,
dates,
and
theories.
It
is
where
students
learn
how
to
learn
and
how
to
think.
It
is
the
time
when
young
people
are
taught
not
only
information
but
also
truth.
Students
learn
about
existence
and
creation
in
the
sciences,
about
emotion
and
communication
in
language
arts,
about
mankind
and
human
nature
in
history,
about
order
and
problem
solving
in
math,
and
about
so
much
more.
School
is
also
where
students
learn
about
God,
no
matter
the
setting,
from
home
school
to
public
school.
Education
encompasses
much,
so
it
requires
much
care
and
intentionality
in
its
delivery
and
execution.
It
is
my
desire
and
belief
that
education
should
ensure
that
all
of
the
areas
of
study
and
all
of
the
gained
knowledge
and
wisdom
be
given
fully
in
respect
to
and
in
support
of
truth.
Truth,
contrary
to
today’s
cultural
understanding,
is
not
relative,
but
absolute.
Truth
is
the
foundation
for
both
knowledge
and
wisdom.
Truth
ultimately
finds
its
genesis
in
God.
God
has
revealed
truth
to
man
kind
in
two
ways,
general
and
special
revelation.
We
learn
(in
most
part)
about
God,
his
character,
his
standards,
and
his
plan
for
mankind
and
redemption,
through
scripture
–
his
special
revelation.
The
rest
we
learn
through
general
revelation
and
the
study
of
it
(though
studying
general
revelation
also
teaches
us
a
great
deal
about
God).
Looking
at
education
as
a
pursuit
of
God’s
truth
gives
a
deep
motivation
for
excellence
and
forms
how
both
educators
and
students
approach
education.
It
challenges
both
with
a
higher
motivation
and
call
to
excellence;
all
study
is
the
study
of
God’s
work.
We
learn
to
know
and
understand
his
creation
better,
and
as
a
result
know
Him
better.
In
addition,
working
hard
as
a
way
to
glorify
God
gives
a
deeper
purpose
to
Christian
educators
and
students
alike.
The
work
ethic
at
a
Christian
school
should
be
higher
because
excellence
is
a
standard
held
by
those
who
seek
to
please
God.
When
education
becomes
not
mere
facts
but
truth
it
gives
deeper
understanding
to
each
subject
of
study
as
well.
Science
is
not
just
cells,
elements,
and
pulleys
but
a
chance
to
study
God’s
design.
Students
will
look
at
the
detail
of
the
cell
and
vastness
of
the
universe
and
understand
that
God
is
a
God
of
detail
and
order
as
well
as
unimaginable
awe
and
greatness.
Students
will
learn
to
see
the
nature
of
man
and
how
sin
has
ruled
throughout
history.
Not
only
that
but
they
will
see
the
‘image
of
God’
bearing
qualities
of
man
in
the
selfless
acts
of
war
heroes.
In
English
class
students
will
understand
that
mankind
was
created
to
be
unique
and
expressive
as
they
read
and
write
creative,
emotional,
and
philosophical
prose
and
poetry.
Students
at
Christian
schools
will
learn
the
truth
about
God,
if
that
school
is
doing
its
job,
through
bible
classes.
All
areas
of
study
are
unique,
but
all
teach
about
God
if
they
are
taught
by
educators
who
love
Him.
Christian
educators
mainly
serve
a
two-­‐fold
purpose.
First,
like
all
educators,
to
make
sure
that
their
students
understand
the
content
of
their
class.
Next,
Christian
educators
exist
to
make
sure
students
know
how
their
subject
teaches
truth
and
what
it
teaches
about
God
and
about
man.
Beyond
that,
it
is
important

2. that
educators
have
a
mastery
of
their
subject
area.
Teachers
must
be
able
to
ensure
that
their
students
have
been
given
the
information
they
were
intended
to
be
given,
challenged
in
their
understanding
of
it
and
execution
of
that
understanding
where
applicable.
In
addition,
teachers
should
instill
in
each
student
why
it
is
important
that
they
are
learning
what
they
are
learning.
Teachers
serve
several
roles
that
are
different
from
their
educational
purposes.
Educators
set
examples
for
the
students,
in
general
what
it
looks
like
to
live
as
a
follower
of
Christ,
they
are
examples
of
character.
They
also
are
examples
of
what
it
looks
like
to
be
a
Christian
scientist,
or
Christian
mathematician
or
Christian
writer,
and
so
on.
Educators
often
also
serve
as
mentors.
Teachers
should
be
eager
to
help
their
students
grow
not
only
in
knowledge
but
also
as
young
people
and
young
Christians.
Christian
education
exists
to
give
meaning
to
knowledge,
to
teach
students
in
light
of
God
and
who
He
is.
It
exists
to
provide
students
with
examples
of
Godly
men
and
women.
It
exists
to
hold
students
and
educators
to
a
higher
standard
and
a
higher
work
ethic.
It
exists
to
give
knowledge
as
it
was
intended
to
be
given,
as
a
pursuit
of
wisdom
and
understanding
of
God’s
revelation.