Why would parents consider sending their children to a Christian school?

The High Value of Christian Education

by Chaplain (MAJ) Steven Simpson

A few years ago my father-in-law—whom I greatly respect—and I were talking and the subject of a Christian school came up. He said, “It would be great if every kid in America could get at least one year of Christian education.” I reflected on that statement. He was not a highly-educated man, but a wise and godly man who understood the value of important things like education.

Today, I write, not from the perspective of a professional teacher or a Christian educator, but as a parent who has seen my children and many others benefit from a Christ-centered educational experience. I write this article to challenge those who read it to consider a Christian education for children or grandchildren.

Let me say first that I realize, for a variety of reasons, not every Christian young person will be able to attend a Christian school. Let me also say that we still need godly, wise Christian teachers willing to teach in the public school system, to counter pervasive humanism that has crept gradually into public school curriculum. I am sad to see this humanistic culture and evolutionary exposure doom many Free Will Baptist young people to mediocre Christianity, and in some cases, to leave faith and church altogether.

C. S. Lewis, noted British theologian of the last century, witnessed this disturbing trend in 1943 England. That year, he published a book entitled The Abolition of Man in which he confronted the writers of British school curriculum and language (or The Green Book as he called it) for “subverting student values.” He also challenged the “subjective view of values as faulty,” pointing back to the ancient thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine, who believed the purpose of education was to train children in “ordinate affections.” That is, to like and dislike what they should—to love the good and hate the bad. The ancients further believed that these values “must be taught through education.”

What Lewis saw in Britain, and what is happening currently on a wide scale in modern American education is called Moral Relativism. This philosophy is based on the denial of objective truth and reality (such as God’s truth revealed in the Bible). According to Moral Relativism, truth is only true if it’s true for you, making it relative. Free Will Baptist parents should be aware of how deeply this pervasive philosophy of education impacts children and counter it at every level possible, through education in the home, the school, and certainly at church.

Why consider a Christian education? The reasons and expectations are numerous, but consider a few:

1. The Bible is taught as part of the curriculum and not as a literary subject or an ancient religious text to be criticized and ultimately rejected.
   

2. The school shares your values. Can you say this about your local school?
   

3. Safety. Most Christian schools provide a safe physical, emotional, and spiritual environment in which your child can grow and mature.
   

4. The teachers love God. Having a teacher who genuinely cares about your children and their spirit makes a critical difference in life.
   

5. Academic achievement is important. Standardized test scores from Christian schools continue to rise above the curve.
   

6. Christian Schools raise hopes for success after graduation. Not only can students perform well in college, but they are better prepared spiritually to face the tough challenges that life will give them because of a firm spiritual foundation taught in the Christian school.
   

It is time for Free Will Baptist churches to step up and support local Christian education in their communities. If your community has no Christian school, consider starting one with your association or other like-minded churches in your community. It has been my experience that community Christian schools are the strongest, both financially and spiritually. Christian education is education for eternity. It’s worth whatever sacrifice you must bear to make it a reality for your child or community.

I end with a quote from the great reformer Martin Luther: “I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt…I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of Hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth.” Like Martin Luther, it is imperative for Christians to place a high value on Christian education.

About the Writer: Free Will Baptist Chaplain (MAJ) Simpson is married to Patty and has two children, Keri and Casey, both attending Hampton Christian School in Hampton, Virginia. Chaplain Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity Baptist College, a Master of Divinity from Samford University, and a Master of Science in Counseling from Columbus State University. Learn more about the ministry of Free Will Baptist chaplains at www.homemissions.net.