Educating to Produce a Christian Worldview

Christianity and Culture outlines key elements in educating to produce a Christian worldview and includes an evaluation on the nature and integration of Word centered(Bible-based)learning across the curriculum. What is a worldview? In its simplest form, a worldview is an all-inclusive perception or view of the world; hence, a collection of beliefs about life. A thorough analysis of the relationship between worldview, knowledge and practice helps us to understand or reflect on our thoughts about God, man, humanity, philosophy, spirituality, religion and everything that pertains to life and godliness.

How can the people of God (Christians) honor God with their minds? In order to achieve the God-centered goal of teaching to produce the Christian worldview, the Christian church must adhere to the call to “study to show yourself [ourselves] approved unto God.” The words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-3 and Colossians 2:8 are relevant for today: “…And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God…” (Romans 12:2) and “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8) often echo in my mind.

As I studied the above scriptures and examined various texts related to the history of education, Christianity and culture; and it was then that I realized the connection between conflicting worldviews in our time. According to Church history, Rome conquered the world militarily, but it is said that the Greeks conquered Rome intellectually. This is precisely what has been occurring in America and the western world for the past century. America has conquered the world militarily for the cause of freedom, but has lost the greatest battle of all, that of the minds and souls of what was once considered a Christian nation. In many ways, the moral decline and ethical scandals that we have recently witnessed are all a result of our acceptance of secular humanism and secularism as a nation. Consequently, the infiltration of various liberal philosophies is evident in our schools, our courts of law, our scientific endeavors in medicine, our culture as a whole and even within the fabric of our churches and houses of worship.

It is my hope that this book would serve as a catalyst for change and an antidote to the current trends in our society beginning in our educational institutions. Human philosophies and secular worldviews are often spread through the vehicle of teaching and learning. No society has ever experienced change (transformation) without the active contribution of Christians within the moral fabric of the culture. Jesus commanded us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19 – 20); and He said to “…Do business till I come” (Luke 19:13). The reader will find that this book conveys a commanding sense of purpose, passion, and appreciation for the teaching profession.