Or more specifically for us at Trinity, “Why the ‘Christian’ in classical
Christian education?”
Our task of educating students is an honest pursuit of truth, as opposed to propagandizing. Classical is our method of that pursuit, and honest refers to our Christian point of view. To remove “Christian” from a classical Christian education is to leave honesty and integrity out of the task of education. The Christian faith presupposes an absolute and knowable Truth, found in the God who made and sustains all things (Col 1:15-17). An educational point of view, or worldview, that ignores an eternal God is in the same vein as denying Him. Without an absolute truth, educators, students, and parents will over emphasize the method of teaching. We see this in the multitude of educational fads. The result may be fine sounding words and philosophies, but will be devoid of any lasting power to influence and mold a person. Without an understanding of ultimate Truth, students will define truth for themselves, and ultimately be lost. Ours is a method that helps us to avoid trendiness and anchor us to reality.
However, a complete education is more than an honest pursuit of truth. Truth is found in the work and person of Jesus Christ, as opposed to an abstract and impersonal notion of absolute truth. We pray that we do not create outwardly moral students who inwardly are no different from unbelievers. Therefore, we don’t merely study the Creator and His creation and apply moral and ethical qualities to our study. We want our students to know Jesus personally—to be students whose faith and knowledge are fully integrated in their lives. The work of the Holy Spirit in such a life produces students whose internalized morality and ethics show outwardly. However, they are a “side effect” of the love and deep gratitude for their heavenly Father—not an external and changeable cultural ideal.
Jerusalem has everything to do with Athens, for we are not truly honest without it.
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”― C.S. Lewis
Jeanne Wilks
Secondary School Principal