PHILOSOPHY
The Christian school movement represents a grassroots approach to presenting Jesus Christ to a world that needs him desperately and brings back a level of literacy and morality that is vital to the survival of our society. It is impossible to correctly understand the educational process apart from the revelation of Himself and His plans in the person of Jesus Christ in the Bible. Scripture, therefore, becomes the ground upon which the Christian school is based. God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth, which reveals the principles and process of education for all humanity.

Education has been defined as, “the provision and development of knowledge, training, or skill especially through formal schooling”. However, to talk about education apart from the word “truth” violates the educational process according to the Christian view. One can be educated in that which is false, but the Christian will always question the validity of an education that ignores truth. Following are the principles upon which Cambria County Christian School bases its “Philosophy of Education”:

1. The authority, authenticity, and reliability of the Bible as the complete and final revelation of God concerning all matters of faith and practice. This principle stands above all other principles. If this is compromised, everything will begin to crumble. The Bible is the very Word of God and the Christian must develop his philosophy of education on the actual words and teachings of the Bible.


2. The centrality and authority of Jesus Christ in all that is believed, said, or done. Clearly, Jesus Christ is regarded in the Bible as the source of wisdom and knowledge. In Colossians 2:3, 9&10, we read this remarkable statement about the person of Jesus Christ: “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. For in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form and in Him you have been made complete and He is the head over all rule and authority” (NAS). Without Christ at the center of everything that is done, said, and believed, the entire Christian philosophy of education is broken down.


3. Clearly defined goals and objectives that are found in the Bible. The knowledge of the Bible and of Jesus Christ is essential to the development and growth of each person. Further, we must learn to apply the principles of scripture in every situation.


4. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ on the part of all who are involved in the educational process. If those who are involved in the education process are not deeply committed to Jesus Christ, then the philosophy of education is weak and insufficient to accomplish its goals.


5. The ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the true authority of the Scriptures. He is also the one who teaches an individual His Word.


6. A proper relationship between the family, church and school.
   • The family is the basic unit of Christian education. The Bible is quite clear on this matter (Proverbs 22:6) and continually stresses the responsibility of the parent (especially the father) to teach and train their children. Our philosophy of education is not to take that role and responsibility away from parents, which would be in violation of the plain teaching of God’s Word.
   
   
   • The church is an extension of the educational process of the home. It provides a support basis of encouragement to the family in this basic responsibility. The Word of God emphasizes the teaching and training of the believers in a local church to the point where they can effectively minister.
   
   
   • The family and church control the Christian School. Christian education is fundamentally built on the premise that it is the family’s responsibility to provide the education of their children and the church, which is composed of families, is to support this effort. Hence, the Christian school is both an aid to and an extension of the family and the church. An educational system, which is not reflecting the responsibility of the family and church, is falling short of a proper Christian philosophy of education.


7. The sovereignty of God in all His affairs of men and throughout all of history is truly “His Story”. God predetermines the length of time that nations remain in power and the amount of territory they will conquer (Acts 17:26). He elevates and brings down kings and kingdoms. God is in control.


8. The creation of man in the image of God apart from any so-called evolutionary process. There is no compromise on this issue. The creation of man brings dignity, worth, and value. His life is meaningful, having purpose and value. In recognizing the creation of man, we further accept that man fell from perfection when sin entered the human race through Adam. Man is, therefore, in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, to be redeemed in the sight of God.


9. The moral principles of the Bible. The Christian view stands in refreshing contrast to the world’s philosophy that has no voice of authority for what is morally right and wrong. The Bible is our absolute authority on every moral issue. We use the following as a summary:
   • Distinctions between right and wrong are stated in the Scripture. (I John 3:4)
   • Man possesses a sin nature, which forms the root of all sinful actions and thoughts. (James 1:13-15)
   • Man is not morally good. (Romans 3:10-12)
   • The ethical precepts, which govern human actions not specifically, covered by Biblical teaching firmly rest upon the law of love and the principles of Christian liberty. (Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8-10)


10. Christian teachers who understand these basic principles of Christian education, who are committed to them, and who demonstrate effectiveness in their ability to communicate them. The excellence of the educational process is tied inseparably to the excellence of the teacher. A truly Christian education will be hindered if the teaching is characterized as follows:
    • A teacher who is NOT a Christian.
    • A teacher who does NOT understand the Christian philosophy of education.

(This “Christian Philosophy of Education” is summarized from Chapter 1 of The Philosophy of Christian Education by Paul Kienel. Some material was added as deemed necessary by Cambria County Christian School.)