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Foundations of Christian School Education
is an excellent and essential book to develop a philosophy of Christian
education, which is a crucial undertaking for every Christian educator. This
book explores a diversity of perspectives on Christian education and teaching
and was written by many authors with a wide variety of experiences and viewpoints
of Christian education. Foundations of Christian School Education
was edited by James Braley, Jack Layman, and Ray White and has contributions by
over 16 other authors, providing a myriad of insights on Christian education.
Foundations of Christian School Education
begins by exploring Biblical and philosophical foundations of Christian
Education. This first section has the
same title as its subject matter, Biblical
and Philosophical Foundations. In
this first section of the book there is an important introduction to philosophy
by Paul Spears, Introduction to
Philosophy, which sets the stage for exploring the need and the function of
a Christian philosophy of education. Next, Jack Layman looks at the Early History of Educational Philosophy,
which lays the groundwork for correctly thinking about education from an
accurate historical perspective. Then,
Jack Layman explores Modern Educational Philosophies,
which have shaped educators and education, as we know it. From here, Kenneth O. Gangel constructs the
groundwork for Biblical foundations of education in Biblical Foundations of Education.
In conclusion of the first section of the book, Richard J. Edlin
navigates us through Core Beliefs and
Values of a Christian Philosophy of Education.
In looking
more closely at the first part of the first section, an Introduction to Philosophy, we see the foundation of a Christian
school education is the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word. The importance of this solid foundation in
Christian education cannot be over emphasized.
In the beginning of Foundations of
Christian School Education, this is clearly stated, “We must identify our
core beliefs and values, and we must reiterate our philosophical and biblical foundations
(p. 1).” It is this Biblical foundation
that sets the Christian school apart and makes Christian education different
from other philosophies of education.
Paul Spears
notes the importance of having and understanding a philosophy of education in
chapter one, Introduction to Philosophy, when he says, “Ideas about education
are grounded in foundational beliefs that construct how humans interact with
reality.” Our worldview shapes what we
believe, how we live our lives and how we teach. As stated at the beginning of
chapter one, “Philosophy examines what underlying commitments we make regarding
our beliefs and how our views come to be understood as knowledge, the concepts
that form our worldview (p. 5).”
While many
Christians resist the idea of philosophy and see it as contrary to scripture,
taking Colossians 2:8 out of context, it is invaluable to develop and maintain
a Christian Philosophy of education.
Christianity, as Paul Spears points out in Chapter one, deals with major
life topics, questions and issues surrounding and including metaphysics, logic,
aesthetics, ethics, and epistemology. Biblical truth addresses these philosophical
topics and they are not contrary to what we believe as Christians and what we should
teach as Christian educators. As is stated at the close of chapter one, “We as
educators endeavor to teach our students truth, and philosophy endeavors to equip
us with the proper tools to do so (p. 15).”
The second
section of Foundations of Christian School
Education, Psychological Foundations,
addresses human growth and development and the way this shapes the learner and
forms the tactics and methodologies of the educator. Gloria Goris Stronks begins the first section
of Psychological Foundations by examining The Nature of the Learner.
Barbara Bode follows up with The
Nature of Learning. Next, W. Philip
Bassett and Eddie K. Baumann look at the all-important topic of Teaching Methodologies. Section two of the book concludes with The Teacher, by Ellen Lowrie Black, and
investigates the multitude of important roles that the teacher plays in
education. These roles include spiritual
leadership, Biblical role model, reflection of Christ, mentor, and academic
leader. This vital chapter concludes by
stressing the importance of a commitment to learning, the characteristics of
effective teachers and the very helpful section listing the common mistakes of
beginning teachers.
In the
chapter on Teaching Methodologies,
Philip Bassett and Eddie K. Baumann look at the all-important topic of teaching
methods. In this chapter the authors
stress the importance of varying teaching techniques and methods and not using
“the same tool” for every “job,” but the “right tool for the right job.” The authors say, “Like good carpenters,
expert teachers possess a number of tools, are competent in their use, and
select those that are best designed for the particular tasks that need to be
accomplished (p. 141).”
The third
section of Foundations of Christian
School Education, Instructional
Foundations, looks at the process of teaching through looking at teaching
philosophy. In the chapter on Instructional Philosophy, by Marti
MacCullough, teaching philosophy is the focus.
Curriculum is the main topic in the chapter on Understanding Curriculum Design, by Harro Van Brummelen. Assessments are addressed in the chapter
called Christian School Assessment:
Philosophy and Practice chapter, by Timothy L Heaton and Brian Coon. Character development is the topic of focus in
the chapter on Moral and Character
Development, by Milton V. Uecker.
And lastly, discipline is addressed in the chapter Discipline: Philosophy and Practice, by Jerry L Haddock.
In the
chapter on Moral and Character
Development, by Milton V. Uecker, the important issue of morality and
character, which is often neglected by other philosophies of education, is
addressed with some detail. As Christian
educators, we are to make a commitment to the goal of spiritual formation in
our students. It is not enough to stop
at conversion. The Christian must be
growing and developing in his or her relationship with Christ and this includes
moral and character development. As
stated in this chapter, “For the Christian school, moral and character
education is inseparable from spiritual formation. The goal of Biblical instruction is always a
changed learner (p. 224).” Milton V.
Uecker also makes the case that we must understand affective development,
articulate affective standards, describe character, create a caring community,
provide a moral community, allow opportunity for moral action, make learning
meaningful, facilitate critical thinking, provide time for personal growth, and
consistently evaluate character education in our schools.
The fourth
and last section of Foundations of
Christian School Education, Cultural
and Sociological Foundations, considers education from a cultural and
sociological perspective. The first
chapter in this section, Understanding
Cultural Context, by Daniel J. Egeler, stresses the need to understand the
cultural contexts of education. In the
next part of section four, Exceptional
Students in Christian Schools, by Sharon R. Berry, the very important topic
of addressing students with disabilities and special needs is discussed with
solid details and suggestions for accommodations and aid. Berry stresses our responsibility as
Christian Educators to these students.
In Urban Schools: A Christian
Philosophy That Impacts Culture, by Vernard T. Grant, Grant looks at
urbanization, poverty, and economics, which shape and effect education in the
“urban environment.” Next, Philip M.
Renicks considers international schools in International
Christian Schools. In the last part
of the fourth section, James W. Braley looks at Training World Christians.
In the
second to the last chapter of Foundations
of Christian School Education, International
Christian Schools, Philip M. Renicks looks at international Christian
schools and the benefits they promote through offering schooling to missionary
kids abroad. This rich history of
schooling is over 150 years old and has provided missionaries the opportunity
to keep their families together while in the field. As mentioned in the chapter, “[The] vision
for keeping missionaries’ children on the field cannot be over emphasized (p.
310).” Also in this segment, Renicks
talks about the international Christian school whose primary goal is serving
the international community. “The
international Christian school is often found in major cities that have a large
concentration of international families (p. 311).” The chapter concludes with an emphasis on the
value of faith-based education stating, “Faith-based education has become an
effective tool for reaching other cultures for Christ (p. 313).”
The last
chapter of Foundations of Christian
School Education, Training World
Christians, by James W. Braley, closes by summing up the purpose of the
book and “four important foundations for Christian school
education—philosophical, psychological, instructional, and
cultural/sociological—all built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and God’s
truth (p. 319).” Braley asserts that
most Christian schools can develop “self-centered believers” (p. 320), but the
task at hand is to develop “World Christians” and not “Worldly
Christians.” “[This] is an awesome task,
but the Christian school is in the position of presenting ministry in such a
way that the Holy Spirit can reach into the hearts and lives of young
Christians and call them to a life of service.
It is the Christian school’s spiritual mandate and challenge (p. 330).”
Foundations of Christian School Education
is a great read, especially for teachers just starting out in Christian
education who are developing a philosophy of Christian education. This book comes highly recommended and is a
very practical tool to work on both hard skills for teaching as well as the
philosophical, psychological, instructional and cultural/sociological aspects
of Christian education.
This book review has also been published on Amazon.com, Goodreads, and examiner.com.
Bibliography
Foundations of Christian School Education on
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Christian-School-Education-various/dp/1583310592/ref=pd_cp_b_1
