Responsibility, Liberty, and Educational Options
Gregg Harris offers some wise words on Christians and educational options.
"Educational choices have always been a matter of parental responsibility, not of some extra-biblical standard. Every householder should make an informed decision before God. All should research their local schools, public and private and become fully convinced in the way in which he (or she) decides to use his God-given liberty under the Lordship of Christ to bear the best and most abundant fruit he can for the glory of God.....I can honestly say that every option, including home schooling has its problems (as you well know). So, pick your problems, and by the grace of God deal with those problems as they arise."Read the whole thing.
(HT: Challies)
Comments
I love Gregg Harris and all that he stands for, and I suspect what I would add here wouldn't go against his thoughts...but he did leave out the most critical point.
He states, "all should research their local schools, public and private...." That is absolutely and completely secondary! The very first research should be in God's Word for what He has to say about raising, discipling, and educating one's child. What a parent will find is NOT "Thou shalt homeschool" or "Thou shalt public school" but rather he will find principles that need to be applied.
My own understanding of those principles leads me to believe (conviction?) that educating at home is the best option to do what God asks of a parent. Secondarily would be a solid Christian school. And government school...well...it pretty much violates most every principle of raising a child in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Charley
HomeDiscipling Dad Blog
Posted by: Charley | May 14, 2008 08:39 AM
I think Mr. Harris is saying this to reach out to those parents who educate their children differently from the way he did, to encourage them that they aren't necessarily abusing them by delegating the education of their children to others.
The thing is, look at what Mr. Harris in fact did: He examined the educational options, and chose to home school his children. Judging from the way his kids turned out, I think he made a fine choice. And I have to think that he believes his choice to have been better than the other options, despite what his words seem to say here.
Posted by: Ted Slater | May 14, 2008 03:43 PM