People choose all sorts of educational options (public, private, parochial, homeschooling) for very different reasons. Christians at times intentionally choose each of these options because of their faith. Some even choose all the options at different times because of their faith. And we should not seek to be judging others for the options that they choose.
Regarding the issue of formation, the biggest issue is what sorts of things are we training ourselves towards: in how to see, in what we desire, in what motivates us. This world is no friend of grace in this, but instead our secular culture embeds skepticism, a critical spirit, selfishness, and a scoffing of all things religious. Our screens are the biggest carrier of shaping how we think and what we long for. This worldview that excludes God and celebrates self is often embedded in our schools and peer groups.
For ALL students, secular ways of thinking and desiring are at play to form them in ways that are contrary to human thriving, to thinking Biblically, and to living for the glory of God, from what they take in through screens, to things that we say and do as parents, to influences of peers, to the own sinful desires and practices, to unhealthy things that happen to them in schools and churches, to secular influences (which can even come from churches and Christian schools as well...to understand my what I am getting at read James KA Smith's How Not to Be Secular...which is a very insightful and non-moralistic book despite the title).
What is going to counteract and overcome these things that so powerfully shape how we see life and what we live for?
The most powerful influence, especially as children are younger are parents. Yet as parents, we are going to screw many things up, which is why we need a village to help us disciple our children towards Christ. As kids get older, their peer group has a primary shaping influence. Beyond that there are many other formative means: school, family, friends, etc. In this array of options, healthy Gospel-centered Christian schools can be a great formative tool, as Melissa and I have witnessed through Providence. And yet the most important and potentially transformative, IMO, is the church. Over the last 15 years, we have seen the church, in all its not flashiness, awkwardness, and yet faithfulness and Gospel-centeredness radically transform many lives.
I think this is one of the most important discussions that we as God's people need to have. As we work through how to pursue healthy positive formation In this, we should be very slow to judge one another or to suggest that we have arrived on the surefire answer. As Isaiah 7 says, "unless we are firm in faith (resting in the Lord), we are not firm at all." God alone is the Rescuer and Transformer, yet He uses means to accomplish His work, to formatively shape His people, so that we will not be conformed to this world, but that we would be transformed by the renewing of our mind (and desires and motivations) to test (and pursue) what the will of God is: what is good, pleasing to the Lord, and His intent.
No comments:
Post a Comment