Comments on: The measure of a Christian education http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/ If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do? --Psalm 11:3 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:03:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Principled Discovery » Roots of Christian education http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-130200 Principled Discovery » Roots of Christian education Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:16:24 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-130200 [...] Pulpit Magazine brought up the issue of how Christians should educate their children again last week, in response to the response they got to their previous entry that even got discussed here in The Measure of a Christian Education. [...] [...] Pulpit Magazine brought up the issue of how Christians should educate their children again last week, in response to the response they got to their previous entry that even got discussed here in The Measure of a Christian Education. [...]

]]> By: February 15 (or so) Carnival or Christian Women | Dandelions and Daydreams http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-122982 February 15 (or so) Carnival or Christian Women | Dandelions and Daydreams Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:04:35 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-122982 [...] suggests that The measure of a Christian education involves parents being involved in their children’s learning. Education is not just limited [...] [...] suggests that The measure of a Christian education involves parents being involved in their children’s learning. Education is not just limited [...]

]]> By: Looking For The Magic Wand? « A Woman On Purpose http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-88423 Looking For The Magic Wand? « A Woman On Purpose Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:20:17 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-88423 [...] Well, there has been a discussion on Principled Discovery about Christian education, sparked by questions from JJ about the compatability of Christian home education and unschooling, as well as a potent post by [...] [...] Well, there has been a discussion on Principled Discovery about Christian education, sparked by questions from JJ about the compatability of Christian home education and unschooling, as well as a potent post by [...]

]]> By: Principled Discovery » How, then, are we to teach our children? http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-85010 Principled Discovery » How, then, are we to teach our children? Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:53:56 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-85010 [...] has.  And timely if you have been following any of the conversation we have been having about Christian education (with a follow up here).  Anyway, Internetmonk has managed to intercept a letter, of the Screwtape [...] [...] has.  And timely if you have been following any of the conversation we have been having about Christian education (with a follow up here).  Anyway, Internetmonk has managed to intercept a letter, of the Screwtape [...]

]]> By: Principled Discovery » Christian education and unschooling http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-61352 Principled Discovery » Christian education and unschooling Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:24:40 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-61352 [...] my entry regarding Christian education, JJRoss of Cocking a Snook asks an interesting question. As a radical unschooling mom but not a [...] [...] my entry regarding Christian education, JJRoss of Cocking a Snook asks an interesting question. As a radical unschooling mom but not a [...]

]]> By: Dana http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-59936 Dana Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:41:03 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-59936 Oh well. I was hoping for an inroad on the conspiracy, Sunniemom. : ) JJRoss, I've spent enough time contemplating an answer, I decided to just make it a post. What I planned to post will be as relevant next week as this. But that get started after I finish doing what I'm supposed to be doing right now. : ) Oh well. I was hoping for an inroad on the conspiracy, Sunniemom. : )

JJRoss, I’ve spent enough time contemplating an answer, I decided to just make it a post. What I planned to post will be as relevant next week as this. But that get started after I finish doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now. : )

]]> By: Sunniemom http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-58074 Sunniemom Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:45:41 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-58074 Well, JJ, I think it is. Even though the Bible is known for its "Thou shalt nots", those commandments are not just beneficial to others, but to oneself as well. I don't want to be allowed to kill or steal from others, 'cause I don't want nobody killin' or stealin' from me! The Bible never commands one to be a mindless robot- there is verse after verse about how to build knowledge and wisdom- "line upon line, precept upon precept", and how not not only gain knowledge, but <i>understanding</i>. Do you know how many times in the Bible people argued and reasoned with God? Have you ever read the Acts account of Paul standing before the most powerful world leaders of his day and defending himself against a death sentence? He makes The Dream Team look like toddlers throwing Legos. Sorry- I get excited about the things I have learned reading the Bible and how it relates to our lives and its role in world history. SO cool, IMO. :D Anyhoo, a 'Christian' education doesn't have to look a certain way any more than home education needs to have a particular method or face. Christians, while bound by certain foundations of faith, are free to live their lives in an expression of their own enthusiasms. That is why a place like my church, chock full of <i>very</i> individualistic folks can be so cohesive when it comes to accomplishing a purpose. We endeavor to live out our liberties and yet still serve a 'whole' in a unity of purpose. Picture 14 women in a kitchen happily making dinner for 400 people, and having a great time doing it. IT'S A MIRACE! :p Which may explain in part why some Christian groups got to the 'forefront' of the homeschool movement as they did- it wasn't IMO a conspiracy or plot to take over the HS movement, but just Christians being themselves about something they believed in. Well, JJ, I think it is. Even though the Bible is known for its “Thou shalt nots”, those commandments are not just beneficial to others, but to oneself as well. I don’t want to be allowed to kill or steal from others, ’cause I don’t want nobody killin’ or stealin’ from me!

The Bible never commands one to be a mindless robot- there is verse after verse about how to build knowledge and wisdom- “line upon line, precept upon precept”, and how not not only gain knowledge, but understanding. Do you know how many times in the Bible people argued and reasoned with God? Have you ever read the Acts account of Paul standing before the most powerful world leaders of his day and defending himself against a death sentence? He makes The Dream Team look like toddlers throwing Legos.

Sorry- I get excited about the things I have learned reading the Bible and how it relates to our lives and its role in world history. SO cool, IMO. :D

Anyhoo, a ‘Christian’ education doesn’t have to look a certain way any more than home education needs to have a particular method or face. Christians, while bound by certain foundations of faith, are free to live their lives in an expression of their own enthusiasms. That is why a place like my church, chock full of very individualistic folks can be so cohesive when it comes to accomplishing a purpose. We endeavor to live out our liberties and yet still serve a ‘whole’ in a unity of purpose. Picture 14 women in a kitchen happily making dinner for 400 people, and having a great time doing it. IT’S A MIRACE! :p

Which may explain in part why some Christian groups got to the ‘forefront’ of the homeschool movement as they did- it wasn’t IMO a conspiracy or plot to take over the HS movement, but just Christians being themselves about something they believed in.

]]> By: JJ Ross http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57983 JJ Ross Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:17:35 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57983 Sunniemom, maybe such a non-coercive, relaxed approach to thinking and reason is closer to real education and natural learning than schooling is, and actually MORE reflective of biblical precepts -- wouldn't that be a discovery? :) Sunniemom, maybe such a non-coercive, relaxed approach to thinking and reason is closer to real education and natural learning than schooling is, and actually MORE reflective of biblical precepts — wouldn’t that be a discovery? :)

]]> By: Shawna http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57574 Shawna Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:45:22 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57574 **They feel that the black-and-white nature of Christianity is “too judgmental” and often “hateful”.** This SO WHAT describes me... and yet I am not anti-Christian nor God-hating. I have a strong relationship with God. My faith has been a part of me since I can remember. I guess that is why these things raise such questions for me: I love my God and yet I see much judgement and intolerance in those claiming my same Christianity. And I really like the question regarding unschooling in Christian families! **They feel that the black-and-white nature of Christianity is “too judgmental” and often “hateful”.**

This SO WHAT describes me… and yet I am not anti-Christian nor God-hating. I have a strong relationship with God. My faith has been a part of me since I can remember.

I guess that is why these things raise such questions for me: I love my God and yet I see much judgement and intolerance in those claiming my same Christianity.

And I really like the question regarding unschooling in Christian families!

]]> By: Sunniemom http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57542 Sunniemom Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:28:07 +0000 http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/07/the-measure-of-a-christian-education/#comment-57542 JJ, I think the disconnect is in the use of the words 'teach' and 'train'. Because of our own experiences in school, we think of teaching as being some kind of separate activity involving force and restriction. Teaching takes place any time we model a behavior (like reading) or demonstrate a skill. We tend to think of training as system of rewards and punishments, when IMO it is about developing the ability to reason out why certain activities and behaviors are desirable, while others are not. 'Teaching' by example is a Biblical principle. The Bible deals very much with heart issues, as the thoughts and intents of the heart are the reason for our behavior, not the other way around. <i>1Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. </i> I am not a radical unschooler- I suppose I am an eclectic/relaxed hybrid of some sort. I use what works for our lifestyle and toss what doesn't. But I have not had a problem being a relaxed homeschooler and still remain faithful to Biblical precepts. Most folks who have come out of the PS system tend to recreate 'school-at-home'. It takes time to deprogram or deschool parents just as much as the children. Christians are no different in this respect. JJ,
I think the disconnect is in the use of the words ‘teach’ and ‘train’. Because of our own experiences in school, we think of teaching as being some kind of separate activity involving force and restriction. Teaching takes place any time we model a behavior (like reading) or demonstrate a skill. We tend to think of training as system of rewards and punishments, when IMO it is about developing the ability to reason out why certain activities and behaviors are desirable, while others are not.

‘Teaching’ by example is a Biblical principle. The Bible deals very much with heart issues, as the thoughts and intents of the heart are the reason for our behavior, not the other way around.
1Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

I am not a radical unschooler- I suppose I am an eclectic/relaxed hybrid of some sort. I use what works for our lifestyle and toss what doesn’t. But I have not had a problem being a relaxed homeschooler and still remain faithful to Biblical precepts.

Most folks who have come out of the PS system tend to recreate ’school-at-home’. It takes time to deprogram or deschool parents just as much as the children. Christians are no different in this respect.

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