Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, write their endeavors to renovate the age, by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inoculating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and, in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self government, without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies, great or small; in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system and the art of self government.

— Samuel Adams, Boston, October 4, 1790

LESSON 8 — ASSIGNMENTS

Reading

Lesson 8
“The PEERS Test” Trend Chart, p. 102

Reflections

Carefully evaluate the Distinctives of Principle Approach® in Education, p. 86.

Writing

Complete Word Studies on “consecrated mind” and “intellectual virtue.”
Apply definitions, principles, and distinctives gleaned from this lesson to your “Educational Philosophy Chart”; found on pages 103-104.

THE PRINCIPLE APPROACH®: EDUCATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Principle Approach® Education Distinctives:

Is characterized by the supremacy of the Bible and its teaching methodology in all instruction.
Applies Biblical principles in scholarship, reasoning, character formation, and developing Christian self-government.
Acknowledges America’s Christian history and Biblical form of government, teaching them in every subject.
Uses Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to provide the vocabulary of liberty in learning that is consistent with biblical truth.
Acknowledges parents as those mandated by God for the education of their children and helps form homes and schools into communities of learning.
Values the worth and dignity of each one to achieve his fullest potential in Christ.
Cultivates the teacher to be the “living textbook.”
Employs a classical, Biblical Curriculum.
Acknowledges individual learning styles and aptitude.
Produces a Biblical Christian worldview.
Holds the student accountable for his learning.
Places the responsibility for the character and preservation of our Christian constitutional republic upon the parent and educator by demonstrating the consistent classroom government and self-government that respond to the admonition of America’s founding father, Sam Adams, “to teach our little boys and girls the exalted virtues of the Christian system and the art of self-government,” (as quoted above; emphasis added).

What is the Product of American Christian Education?

American Christian Education lifts every student to the standard of Christ through the ideals of the Principle Approach®, calling forth the fullest expression of his value in Christ. As each student is instructed, mentored and challenged with an enriched and diverse program of study, he is able to grow spiritually, academically, aesthetically, and socially. Educated to enter a world of diverse challenges with Biblical solutions, each graduate is equipped with the necessary tools to articulate and defend his worldview as an ambassador of Christ through his Christian scholarship, character, and ability to govern himself. Include the following qualities in your educational vision:

High School Graduate Ideals Internal Qualities:

“To know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, Joh. 17:3. and therefore, to lay Christ at the bottome as the only foundation of sound knowledge and Learning.” (New England’s First Fruits, Harvard College, 1648)
To bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5), therefore building the foundation of Christian liberty (John 8:32).
To honor parents and to be prepared to build a Christian family where government and education are taught and practiced.
To be made complete and adequate, able to fulfill the calling and purposes of God in his life (Hebrews 13:21).
“To develop a wise and virtuous man, fit to be trusted with the liberty of his country” (Sam Adams, Colonial Patriot).
To be found capable of being an independent scholar, able to articulate a defense of the faith, and to apply Biblically-based and governmental principles, thus prepared to take dominion of domestic and civil responsibilities.

External Qualities and Skills: Stewardship

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”

— I Corinthians 4:2

To wisely govern one’s personal God-given internal and external property in a manner reflecting the character of Christ.
To have an understanding of Christian economics and its effect on society.
To be properly equipped and apprenticed in a tent-making occupation, having learned the principles of an entrepreneur.
To embrace the Biblical work ethic as a way of life.

Scholarship:

“Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

— II Timothy 2:15

To embrace the Word of God as the only rule for faith and practice.
To be able to reason Biblically and logically.
To demonstrate the basic skills and technology of research.
To have full knowledge and understanding of:

America’s Christian history and government
Universal history and literature
The Providential Hand of God and the history of liberty in Western civilization
Great classical literature and languages
Mathematics and sciences
The fine and performing arts and the aesthetic components of life

To have mastery and an appreciation of a foreign language beginning in primary school, with an emphasis on Latin in the middle school experience, and choices of the Romantic and classical languages in high school.

Servanthood:

“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”

— Matthew 20:27

To demonstrate a love for God through service to others.
To be able to demonstrate civic concern and voluntarism.

Statesmanship:

“We are ambassadors for Christ.”

— II Corinthians 5:20

To honorably represent Christ, family, school, and nation.
To be trained in leadership skills.
To be able to give a defense for the hope that lies within.
To demonstrate vision for local and national effectiveness in witness and mission.