XII. Education
Christianity
is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ
abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound
learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new
birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for
knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of
Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general
benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal
support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian
education is necessary to a complete spiritual program for
Christ's people.
In Christian education there should be a proper balance between
academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any
orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never
absolute. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school,
college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus
Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the
distinct purpose for which the school exists.
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14;
6:1-10; 31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11;
Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19;
Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31;
Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy
1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.
