Philosophy of Education

N. H. Beversluis’ (1971) Christian Philosophy of Education makes the case for Christian teachers’ nurturing more than just the mind of the whole student: he calls for educating the intellectual, moral, and creative capacities of the learner. Education, we know, can also address the physical, emotional, and spiritual capacities of all students.  If education is to produce something good, then there must be an inclusion of morality (which good emerges from) into that system.  If that system of education desires to reject morals or religion, then that educational system will have no possibility of creating a productive moral system whatsoever. Beversluis and others have called for Christian foundations on which to build decisions about what to teach and how–decisions based on Christian views of the person and the world. Unfortunately, many of these philosophers of Christian education stop short of identifying “Christian” curricula and methods. Some Christian teachers may be able to see a relationship between their pedagogical decisions and their views of God, humanity, and society. However, I’d like to provide some guidance for these curriculum and methods decisions with the question: How is one’s educational philosophy driven by faith? Or how is one’s faith fully implemented in the classroom?

I taught high school and junior high students in a Christian school, and I integrated Christian principles and history into the curriculum.  For example, a course on American history could illustrate the intersections between faith and history. What was the message of the Second Great Awakening preachers? How did African-American activists integrate their religious convictions and the Civil Rights movement? What is the role of a Christian in a representative democracy?

God is the source of all truth, be it spiritual, moral, philosophical, or scientific. For this reason, I seek to educate students in God’s truth in all of the courses that I teach. Christian faith and genuine learning cannot be separated; neither is our Christian faith a mere addendum to the liberal learning process. The Bible forms the basis of Christian knowledge, but believers should not be afraid or reject out of hand scholarship that may challenge our beliefs. Christians did participate in the slave trade and own slaves. Americans drove Native Americans from their lands, supported segregation, and denied women the right to vote. A Christian perspective should balance both the positive and negative aspects of American history.