The manner of educating young people has been a concern of every civilized society. The expressed need to educate children according to the principles of God's Word is not new, either, nor are God's commands and promises to do so. The Lord instructed the children of Israel approximately 3,500 years ago:

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Solomon penned the difficult command and yet at the same time beautiful promise of God found in Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Our early Church Fathers stressed Christian instruction. Augustine wrote two volumes on the subject: one entitled The Teacher (389 A.D.) and the other The First Catechetical Instructor (400 A.D.). In them he stressed: "God, Thou hast made us for Thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in Thee" (The Confessions of Augustine).

The Reformers emphasized the necessity of Chris­tian education. Martin Luther wrote:

The foremost and most general subject of study, both in the higher and the lower schools, should be the Holy Scriptures …Works of Luther 2:151-2

John Knox taught: "Every master of a household must be commanded either to instruct or else cause to be instructed, his children, servants and family, in the principles of the Christian religion" (Early Protestant Educators).

John Calvin stressed: "To understand the Scriptures is man's ultimate objective. Such things as philosophy, science, and eloquence had as their ultimate purpose man's deepest comprehension of what God says through the Scriptures" (Calvin's Institutes 1:401).

Our doctrinal standards, liturgy, and more recent forefathers strongly taught the necessity of sound Christian education. The Heidelberg Catechism in Lord's Day XXXVIII, Question and Answer 103, states:

Q. 103. What doth God require in the fourth Commandment?
A. First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained."

In preaching on this Lord's Day, Rev. Kersten explains that here:

The elementary schools are also included. We greatly need our own elementary schools, be­cause there the word of God is taught. How willing we should be to sacrifice in order that our children may be taught the pure doctrine. How willing we should be, not only to support the ministry of the gospel with material gifts, but also entrust our children to the official ministry which the Lord Himself ordained.The Heidelberg Catechism: Kersten, 2:170

Our Church Order states, in Article 21: "The Consistories shall see to it that there are good Christian Schools in which the parents have their children instructed according to the demands of the covenant."

In explaining this article of the Church Order, Rev. DeGier writes: "Which task now rests upon Consistories? They must insist upon having good Christian Schools even though they are sponsored by independent organizations, and they must urge parents on the basis of their baptismal vow to provide for a Christian education and a good Christian School" (Explanation of the Church Order, p. 35-6).

Our form for Church visitation, in section 6, entitled Education asks the following four questions to Consistories:

1. "Is there a Christian School in this area?
2. Do all the children of the congregation attend the Christian school?
3. How does the consistory deal with parents who send their children to the public school?
4. Is there a tie between the Church and the Christian School? Does the consistory supervise the educational process?"

Rules for Church Visitation: Neth. Ref. Cong. – p. 5

Our Baptism form asks of all parents who are presenting their children for baptism in Question 3:

Whether you promise and intend to see these children, when come to the years of discretion (whereof you are either parent or witness), instructed and brought up in the aforesaid doctrine, or help or cause them to be instructed therein, to the utmost of your power?

The Lord has blessed us as a denomination in the United States and Canada that at present seven congregations are operating their own Christian Schools, and others are actively planning for it. We may be thankful that most members and parents realize the necessity of Christian education and do support this cause wholeheartedly. Yet, despite the commands of God in His Word; the practice and teaching of our early Church Fathers and Reformers; the stress of our Doctrinal Standards and Liturgy; and the instructions of our more recent forefathers and present-day ministers, there are also members who do not support their own Christian school whole-heartedly and even, in some congregations, there are parents who do not send children to their own church school. Why is this? What are the reasons given, for which some do not support their own school? The answers given to these questions are generally one or a combination of the following:

1. "The public schools in this locality are not that bad."
2. "The quality of education is higher in the public schools here", or: "In the higher grades more courses are offered in the public school", or: "The teachers are more qualified in the public school here."
3. "We should not want our children to be so protected. They have to learn to meet the world sometime."
4. "Our children are not any better. They should not be separated from other child­ren."
5. "There is a danger with learning all that Biblical head knowledge."
6. "I can't afford it. It would cost me about $2,000.00 a year to send my children."
7. "I am satisfied with another Christian school in town."

Let us strive, together, to seriously examine these seven answers of "No" to the question posed in the title of this article "Are our own Christian Schools really necessary?"; for this question is a most urgent question.

Objection Number 1: "The public schools in this locality are not that bad."⤒🔗

The greatest danger in public education is not what is done, but what is not done in schools. The main purpose of a Christian school is not to do away with wrong teachings and practices of certain public schools (which sometimes can be very important) but to provide God-centered instruction which is missing in all our public schools. A Christian school is much more than opening with prayer and Bible reading. God is to be honored and His truth is to be followed in all aspects of life; school life also. In science, we are studying God's creation and laws of the universe; in history: the unfolding of God's plan; in literature: the beauty of God's gift of language to be used to His honor; in Bible: God's Word to be followed as the rule of life; in all aspects of discus­sion and guidance: God's revealed will to be our guide. In short, the entire school day from opening to closing is extremely different in a public versus a Christian School setting. Even if no objectionable thoughts, words, or events ever took place in the public school setting, we should still strive for a Christian school setting for our children: for the public school attempts to teach knowledge without God. This is directly contradicting the truth of God's Word which states:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.Proverbs 1:7

Further, let us never be deceived and think that the public school is neutral concerning religion. Most teachers are dedicated to their work, whether public or private; dedicated to a sense of values, if not Christian values, then to their own beliefs, even if it is a belief in no absolute values, which is so prevalent today. Dr. Getzels of the University of Chicago writes: "Taking the place of 'Puritan Morality' or moral commitment as a value, most new tea­chers hold relativistic moral attitudes without strong personal commitments. Absolutes of right and wrong are questionable. In a sense, morality has become a statistical ra­ther than an ethical concept: morality is what the group thinks is moral."

To live without God, to teach by ignoring God and His word, to leave God out of school is a religion: it is atheism. In a sense this teaching is more dangerous than a direct atheistic approach, for in a direct attack of God and His Word, the student is aware of what is taking place and may be more on their guard to challenge what is being taught. But secularization of education, leaving God out, of education, is atheism in practice: more dangerous because it often is not felt by its victims. Rev. James A. Pike, former attorney for the U.S. Supreme Court, expresses this danger in this manner: "What is secularism anyway? Secularism is things and man without God, and that's precisely what the frame of reference is in most public education. This secularism by default is in the long run the most effective type. A direct challenge to a child's or an adult's faith may be stimulating. A subtle leaving of God out of the meaning of life is dehydrating."

The English Divine, A.A. Hodge, writes on this subject: "It is capable of exact demonstration that if every party in the state has the right of excluding from the public schools whatever he does not believe to be true; then he that believes most must give way to him that believes least, and then he that believes least must give way to him that believes absolutely nothing, no matter in how small a minority the atheists or the agnostics may be. It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and wide-spread instrument for the propagation of atheism which the world has ever seen."

Our children, during their school age years, spend ten times more time in school than in church. Can we ignore the great influence their schooling has on their life? Let us examine God's Word and the viewpoints of some of our forefathers on this matter:

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:27

Beware lest any man spoil you through philo­sophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

John Calvin writes: "No man can have the least knowledge of truth and sound doctrine without having been a disciple of the Scripture."

Those who are well catechized, are well fortified against temptations to atheism and infidelity, which, under pretence of free-thinking, invite men to false and foolish-thinking: … and under pretence of a free conversation, allure to vice and immorality, enslave the soul to the most brutish lusts, and by corrupting the morals, debauch the principles.Matthew Henry: "Catechizing the Youth", Complete Works 2:164

Possibly Martin Luther was not speaking too strongly when he wrote: "I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth."

Objection Number 2: "The quality of education is higher in the public schools here."←⤒🔗

Across the United States and Canada, Protestant Christian Schools consistently score higher on standardized achievement testing than their public school counterparts. (This is heavily influenced by differences in: socio-economic status, parental concern, school-home cooperation, family life stability, etc.) Yet, let us examine this issue and suppose that the reverse was true: that in your area students scored somewhat lower in academic basic skills in your Christian school than elsewhere. Student academic progress, course offerings in the higher grades, teacher qualifications, school facilities, textbooks, and educational equipment are very important. All schools, including our own Christian schools, should strive for a high standard of education in these areas; as we are preparing our students for their life in society. However, when we speak of "quality education" there is something which ranks higher yet in importance than any of these items listed, and that is the Biblical basis of our courses, textbooks, and teachers. For we are not only preparing our students for their life in the world but also stressing their need to be prepared for the life to come.

If we should be forced to choose, either better "temporal educational quality" or better "Spiritual educational quality" when comparing schools and teachers, what should our choice be? Let us examine the Word of God and the thoughts of our forefathers,

1. Concerning teacher qualifications:

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.Ephesians 4:11-12

A diligent and pious school teacher or master or whoever it is that faithfully trains and teaches boys can never be sufficiently rewarded … If I could leave the preaching office and other things, or had to do so, I would not be so glad to have any other work as that of Schoolmaster, or teacher of boys, for I know that it is most useful, the greatest, and the best, next to the work of preaching. Martin Luther, Works 4:173-4

Let the Church never lack men qualified to teach the young. See to it that there are aca­demies where they may be taught, and teachers that rightly divide the Word of Truth. Smytegelt: Heidelberg Catechism, Kersten 2:170

2. Concerning educational quality:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

True and substantial wisdom principally con­sists of two parts, the knowledge of God, and knowledge of ourselves … John Calvin: Institutes

We should study what services will be most pleasing to God: and undoubtedly these are the very ones which He Himself renders to us, righteousness, fidelity, and mercy. Zwingli; Zwingli and Bullinger – p. 108

Unless you preserve letters, religion and good laws cannot endure; moreover, may God grant that you instruct your children for virtue and religion. Melancthon: History of Religious Educators – p. 146

Any system of training which does not make a knowledge of Scripture the first thing is un­safe and unsound. J.C. Ryle: "The Duties of Parents"; – The Upper Room – p. 291

Objection Number 3: "I do not want my child to be so protected. They have to meet the world sometime."←⤒🔗

We must prepare our children for life: both for temporal life and for spiritual life. We must take part in this world, and yet be separate from the world. The Lord Jesus taught this truth so clearly in His High-Priestly Prayer saying:

I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.John 17:15

If our Christian schools tried to be monasteries or convents, and kept students from being prepared for life in this world, this objection would be somewhat valid. However, the opposite is the case: our Christian schools attempt to deal with all aspects of life. Students are not sheltered from dealing with world issues and concerns. Christian school students deal with the same subject content as public school students, except with this great difference: that in the one setting the issue is dealt with from a Biblical viewpoint, and in the other from a secular, humanistic viewpoint. In this sense, public school students are also sheltered: they are prevented from hearing true Biblical explanations. Paul Harvey, a well-known U.S. national news commentator, made this statement:

Years ago it was argued that students maturing in a sheltered private school environment would be like hot-house plants, and be unprepared for the cold outside world. Now, more and more Americans are realizing that it is in fact the public or state school student who is over-protected. He is 'sheltered' from religious instruction and exposed to all forms of non-Christian philosophy and behaviour.

As we strive to teach and protect our children from all sorts of physical danger: fire, traffic, poisons, dangerous practices, etc., not to stifle their growth, but that they might grow and function in our society; so let us strive to teach and protect our children from all sorts of spiritual danger. Young tomato plants in a greenhouse is not "overprotection", but an attempt to provide an environment in which the plant may grow strong and later produce after its transplanting out of the greenhouse. Such is the prayerful attempt of our Christian schools.

Further, Christian school students are not so thoroughly "sheltered" from the world; especially our teen-agers. Each one is influenced plenty by our present day worldly customs, dress, ideals, etc. Sometimes this influence is to such an extend that an opposite argument against Christian education is heard: "I think the kids at the Christian school are not better than the public school kids: there's no difference." Sadly, this is true: by nature there is no difference between Christian school and public school students. We all carry the world in our heart. A Christian school does not have all truly Christian students: neither in principle nor in practice. Nor does it produce all Christian students. God is sovereign, and is not bound by our weak endeavors. Christian instruction may bring God's Word to the ear but God alone can bring it in the heart. However, the same rule applies here as when examining a church; one cannot properly judge a church by some members of that church, for then judgement of a church will always vary; but a church must be judged by the truth taught there and by the practices which are stressed. Likewise, when judging schools, we must ask what truths and practices are taught and promoted there?

Objection Number 4: "Our children are not better. They should not be separated from other children."←⤒🔗

The first statement of this objection is true: by nature, we or our children are not better than any other human being; however, the second statement contains a wrong conclusion. The children of Israel were not any better – yet they were separated. Church-goers are not any better – yet they are separated. Our children are not any better – yet they are separated. God has made a separation, where by nature there is no separation. In the Old Testament, God separated the children of the church by the sign of circumcision, and now in the New Testament times they are separated by baptism. Is there an advantage or profit in this separation? Paul writes to the Romans:

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every-way: chiefly, because unto them were committed the oracles of God.Romans 3:1-2

God gave His Word to His church and commanded them to daily instruct their children, (Deut. 6:7), and so He commands us yet today. Our Christian schools are not established because our children are better, but to instruct them that they are not: to instruct them that we are all sinners and that we all need to be saved through the work of a Triune God. Nor is it true that a Christian school, of itself, will make students better. The Sovereign God alone must bless the means. Our Christian schools are formed because of God's command; His command to:

Train up a child in the way he should go.Proverbs 22:6a

An opposite argument here is also in error: that students of Christian parents should attend public schools as a good influence. First: children of Christian parents are not better of themselves than other children; second: we cannot assume that all are Christians; and third: the basic principles of Christianity need to be developed to a certain level of maturity for a student to testify of his convictions. The purpose of the Christian school is to teach, develop, and strengthen these basic principles, praying that God may bless the instruction given to the heart, that the last part of the text just quoted may be proven to be true:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6

If God blesses the Christian training given during a child's formative school years, then a person is able, by grace, to testify in the world in which he or she will function later.

In this same line of thought, the assertion that: private Christian schools are not in the spirit of the country, that they are not promoting equality or our freedom, or that they are Un-American or Un-Canadian, is also a misjudgment. Our freedom includes the precious freedom to select what type of philosophy of education my child should be subjected to. Rev. J.A. Pike writes on this issue: "I believe that the most American thing is not the melting pot, but the freedom to be dif­ferent. If I want to educate my child a Moslem and have that permeate his whole life, Americanism means I'm free to do it. The insistence upon a totalitarian, state-controlled, monolithic (all-the-same) school system does not savor of Americanism; it smacks of Nazism and of Fascism and of Communism. The first thing Hitler did was to get rid of all schools except the state-controlled ones. The first thing the Communists got rid of was any opposition to the state-controlled school system."

Our Christian schools attempt to promote good citizenship, love to God and to our neighbour, and respect for God-given authority, based on the Holy Scriptures. In this manner we must strive to prayerfully walk according to God's own command in training our children.

Objection Number 5: "There is a danger with learning all that Biblical head knowledge."←⤒🔗

There is a danger involved with any possession of knowledge; also with Biblical knowledge. The danger, however, is not in the learning of knowledge, but in the misuse of the knowledge acquired. There are still Scribes and Pharisees today (also in our own hearts) which desire to pride themselves in their Biblical knowledge which they have acquired and view themselves as prominent in the Kingdom of Heaven. Others have removed God from His throne, by teaching that good Christian instruction, of itself, will make true Christians. But, because some have misused Biblical knowledge does not mean that we should promote Biblical ignorance. Biblical ignorance is directly warned against in God's Word and in the teachings of all the Reformers. We are diligently commanded to "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39a), but never are we told that it is acceptable to be lazy or to remain ignorant of the teachings of God's Word. Study the revivals in Israel's Old Testament history: so often a revival included a whole-hearted effort to instruct all the people in the truth of God's Word. Think of the times of Moses, Joshua, David, Jehosophat, Josiah, Ezra, and several other God-fearing leaders: they certainly laboured diligently to instruct their people. How often God has shown that He delights to bless even the weakest means.

While the misuse of Biblical knowledge can be very dangerous; ignorance of God's Word is even more alarming. The Lord instructs us in Hosea 4:6a "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The Reformation was a battle to again bring the Light of God's Word to all people. An all out effort was made to educate all people to read, that they might be able to study God's Word. Our Reformed Fathers speak out strongly against Biblical ignorance and solidly promote sound religious education. John Knox felt this point so strongly that he even recommended the excommunication of all parents who do not provide a sound religious education for their children.

Those who suffer their children and family and servants to continue in willful ignorance, the discipline of the church must proceed against them unto excommunication …John Knox: Early Protestant Educators p. 294

John Calvin instructed his Consistory:

… to discover whether he teaches his children constantly as a Christian should do and sends them to school.Calvin's Institutes 2:635

… the home of every citizen, the most prominent as well as the least, stand open at all times for the members of the consistorium … At least once a year … shall every residence in the city be visited, in order to gain information through questions, examinations, and observations in regard to the religious training.Calvin: Institutes 2:634

Melancthon, Luther's fellow-laborer, expresses his views concerning education:

By our example we must excite youth to the admiration of learning, and induce them to love it for its own sake, and not for the advantage that may be derived from it. The destruction of learning brings with it the ruin of everything that is good – religion, morals, and all things human and divine. The better a man is, the greater his ardor in the preservation of learning: he knows that of all plagues, igno­rance is the most pernicious … To neglect the youth in our schools is just like taking the spring out of the year. They, indeed, take away the spring from the year who permit the schools to decline, because religion cannot be maintained without them.Melancthon: History of Education p. 150

Our more recent Church fathers also spoke out against Biblical ignorance and strongly promoted good Christian education. A few examples are as follows:

A second way to hell, in which multitudes are found hastening to their own damnation, is the way of affected ignorance. The generality of people, even in a land enlightened with the gospel, are found grossly ignorant of Christ the true and only way to heaven, and of repentance and faith, the only way to Christ; and thus the people perish for want of knowledge.(Hos. 4:6) John Flavel: "A Treatise of the Soul of Man" Works 3:186-7

Now these things hath God done, (revealed His Truth through prophets, angels, writers, and His own Son), not only for the instruction of ministers and men of learning; but for the instruction of all men, of all sorts, learned and unlearned, men, women, and children. And certainly if God doth such great things to teach us, we ought to do something to learn." "… If God hath been so engaged in teaching, certainly we should not be negligent in learning; but should make growing in knowledge a great part of the business of our life.Jonathan Edwards: "Exhortation to Gain Christian Knowledge" – Works 2:160

You cannot make your children love the Bible, I allow. None but the Holy Ghost can give us a heart to delight in the Word. But you can make your children acquainted with the Bible; and be sure they cannot be acquainted with that blessed book too soon, or too well.J.C. Ryle, "The Duties of Parents": The Upper Room – p. 290

Objection Number 6: "I can't afford Christian education."←⤒🔗

Christian education is expensive. It does call for sacrifices, especially for financial sacrifices. When we budget our money, we secure our necessities first, and then, if money allows, other desirables after. What we define as "necessities" reflects our priorities. Are our first necessities church and school? When we speak of maintaining a certain "standard of living", are our standards of life agreeing with God's standards, our priorities with the Bible's priorities? What are the God-given priorities?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Matthew 6:31-33

Further, our Synod has advised that Consistories may help finance Christian school tuition fees from their Relief Funds in cases of necessity. In reality then, the financial question becomes more one of "will we?" than "can we?"

What have some of our Reformed fathers and own ministers written on this subject? Luther, in a letter titled "To the Councilmen of All Cities of Germany that they Establish Christian Schools" wrote:

If it is necessary, dear sirs, to expend annually great sums for firearms, roads, bridges, dams, and countless similar items, in order that a city may enjoy temporal peace and prosperity, why should not at least as much be devoted to the poor, needy youth.Luther: Works 4:106

John Flavel warns parents: "In vain are all your cares and studies for their bodies, whilst their souls perish for want of knowledge." ('A Treatise of the Soul of Man', Flavel's Works 3:134).

How willing we should be to sacrifice in order that our children may be taught the pure doctrine.Rev. G.H. Kersten: Hdlbg. Cat. 2:170

Parents, do not deprive your children of this (Christian) training. All of us should realize that we are obliged to entrust our children to this school. Let us go onward shoulder to shoulder and not withhold the proper education from our children, as we have promised to do at their baptism … May the Lord's people in particular remember the burdens of the school in their supplications at the throne of God, and may we not withdraw when our gifts are solicited for this institution, but support the cause financially also.Rev. W.C. Lamain: Pastoral Letters – p. 56

For ourselves, and for our children, may we prayerfully strive to: "Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23).