Battlefield of Worldviews in Education
Education is depicted as a battlefield of worldviews, where the clash between different philosophical and religious frameworks unfolds. The text emphasizes the importance of teaching worldviews within a Judeo-Christian framework, highlighting the contrast between earthly wisdom and wisdom from above. It explores the role of prophetic ministry in challenging dominant cultural norms and values. The content also delves into the goals of education, emphasizing values such as wisdom, justice, compassion, and integrity. Christian schooling is presented as an alternative foundation with distinct objectives. Overall, the narrative showcases the intricate interplay between diverse worldviews within the educational landscape.
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Schools: Battlefield of Worldviews Luc Bussi re SOLAS. Novembre 2013 Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS.
1) Education: a battlefield Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 2
Battlefield of Worldviews Jeremiah 1: 10 See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. Walter BRUEGGEMANN: The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and percep- tion of the dominant culture around us (The Prophetic Imagination, Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2001, p. 13) Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 3
Education = Teaching Worldviews Education never takes place in moral or philosophical vacuum. If the larger questions about human beings and their destiny are not being answered within a predominantly Judeo- Christian framework, they will be addressed from within another philosophical or religious framework but not one that is neutral Richard A. Baer, 1984
A war between two kinds of Wisdom James 3. 15; 17 : This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic ( ) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy . 1Co 1. 19-21 For it is written : I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well- pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe . Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 5
2004. Curriculum for Excellence. Scottish Executive. Goals of education. To enable all children to develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society. The starting point for this process of change is the set of values which should underpin policies, practice and the curriculum itself. Wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity: the words which are inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament have helped to define values for our democracy. (www.educationscotland.gov.uk) Christian Schooling: other foundations, other ways, other goals. Luc Bussi re SOLAS Nov 2013 6
The first task of the church ? The great commission is the second most important task of the church. The first is for believers to be prepared spiritually to spread the message. TOZER Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 7
A war between two trees, two sources (Gen 2. 9) the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 8
1 Samuel 13. 19-22 Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears. So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his ploughshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe. The charge was two- thirds of a shekel for the ploughshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the hoes. So it came about on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan . Blacksmith charash = masons, stonemasons, workers, carpenters, artisan, (Zacharie 1) Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 9
To teach: a weapon To teach = Yarad in hebrew= to send arrows Deuteronomy 6 : These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently (= sharpen) to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up Psalm 127. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one s youth. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 10
2) Where are the Signs ? Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 11
Where are the reference points, the signs? Change of definitions: the word Family for example. What about the words Father and Mother ? UNIVERSITY OR MULTIVERSITY ? The word UNIVERSITY . The modern idea of the school, in particular as it comes in focus in the university, is very plainly Christian. The classical world had a few academies, but the idea of the university was alien to it. The presupposition of the university is a universe, a unified entity. This is clearly the world created by one God, with one law, and one universe. From top to the bottom, there is a unity. Truth is the same everywhere, because God created all things. Mars and Venus do not have another system of truth than we do. This seems so obvious to us, that we forget that this concept is alien to antiquity, and increasingly alien to many in our midst. Clark KERR, as president of University of California, denied the idea of a universe in favour of a multiverse. He denied a unifying truth in favour of the equal validity or invalidity of all ideas. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 12
Epistemology: a battlefield To resist this assault of humanism, a Christian must gain epistemological consciousness; he must be aware of his theological roots. Christian education presupposes one God, one law, one truth, one universe. The Christian educator does not claim to have the absolute truth, but he insists that truth is absolute, and it is real. His body of truth has its canon, the Scriptures, as the rule of faith and practice. To teach discipline from a Christian perspective therefore means to presuppose, not a polytheistic multiverse, but the triune God as Lord and Creator. It means that the world Is not a product of man s will and idea, but of God s creative fiat. It means that there is a universe of coherency and meaning, that, instead of brute or unintelligible and meaningless factuality, we have a universe of total meaning, because it is totally the handiwork of God. The universe is not only a universe of meaning but of law. There is necessity in that law and meaning, violations of which produce unhappy consequences. That order of necessity comes from God, not man . Rousas John RUSHDOONY. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 13
Where are the signs? Psalm 74 : 3-4. Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; The enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary. Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own standards for signs. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 14
Where are the signs? Psalm 74 : 7-9 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name. They said in their heart, Let us completely subdue them. They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land. We do not see our signs ; There is no longer any prophet, nor is there any among us who knows how long.. Judge 17: 6: In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes . Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 15
A boat in the midst of a storm. Acts 27 Acts 27. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. When we lose signs, points of reference to drive our lives, we lose. Acts 27. 29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. Hope is an anchor of the soul. Hebrews 6. 19 Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 16
In France, Government wants to put another foundation for the schools. Vincent PEILLON, minister of Education, said that the goal for secular morality is to make students free from all determinism, family, ethnic, social, intellectual, for the student to be emancipated, because the goal of the public school has been always to form free individuals. The Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira said in front of the Parliament that in our values, Education has to make the student free from all social or religious determinisms to make them free citizens. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 17
Gender Theory in all schools. The new foundation for school in France is to teach about gender s theory for students who are 6 years old. The goal is to fight against all gender stereotypes, and to destroy this ideology of complementarity between men and women for more equality in the society. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 18
To change definitions The official instructions say: Don t use more words like boys or girls , use now words like friends or children . Stop telling stories to the children with dad and mam Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 19
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children . (Art. 26.3). European Convention on Human Rights Everyone has the right to go to school. This right is crucial to the exercise of the other human rights, and to the freedom and independence of every person. The State has a duty to respect the right of parents to ensure this education and teaching in accordance with their religious and philosophical convictions . Article 2 of Protocol No.1 Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 20
3) Greek Wisdom and Hebraic Wisdom Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 21
The conception of Truth Greek perspective Christian perspective Truth is a person, Christ Truth is a fact. What about your relation with truth? What truth do you know? Truth is a point Truth is a way Truth is static Truth is living Truth can be what we say Truth is more how we live than what we say Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 22
Education? Hebrew point of view Greek/ secular point of view Knowing God Knowing man Man exalts man and his knowledge. Education s beginning. Essential quality of education. The exaltation of knowledge. To have a good job, to succeed. God s holiness. To be separated for God. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 23
Education for For all: boys and girls, and not only for privileged persons. for priviledged persons. Education to develop the whole person, body, soul and spirit. . Abilities and talents. To worship God To understand, to succeed To learn for what goal? The content of education. To know God, His Word, and to live in submission to him. To know ourselves Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 24
Greek Hebrew Reality What is important is what is measurable. Container is more important than content. What I can see is important. What is important is content, character, essence. 1 Samuel 16. 7 God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance . Truth has to be revealed. Truth is not in mankind, Truth is not outside mankind. Mankind is in truth. Man don t possess truth and he is not dispossessed All are sinners. Nobody is righteous. Man needs to be saved Truth Truth has to be uncovered. Truth is in mankind, man has to remember to find it. He can identify himself with God. Virtue Virtue is a knowledge. To judge well= to do well. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 25
Individual and person Person is created by God, is an image of God. Because of that, person needs respect and love. Individual s value is to be part of a whole: nature, city What kind of love? This kind of love is focused on qualities: beauty, abilities, intellect This other kind of love is focused on the person. God s love is free. God loves man because he is a person, and not because of qualities or abilities. To be and to do To do is more important than to be. Man has to dominate and possess nature. He can be saved by works. To be is more important than to do. Focused on identity first. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 26
Knowledge. Two points of view.(a) Secular point of view Biblical point of view Knowledge = more informations Knowledge is active, and needs an answer to God who is speaking through his creation. 1Jn 1 :16. Revel 22 :15. Knowledge is deeply linked with love. God knows us in His love. We know people when we love people. Knowledge has nothing to do with love Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 27
Knowledge. Two points of view (b) Knowledge is impersonal Knowledge is personal Knowing God is not the same thing as knowing about God. Knowledge and Covenant are linked Knowledge doesn t need a frame Knowledge s sources are sense, reason, intuition, authority. Knowledge s source is also revelation Knowledge and practical application are linked Knowledge doesn t need a concrete application. Knowledge engages my responsibility Knowledge doesn t engage my responsbility Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 28
4) The goal of education: to impart wisdom! Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 29
David and Solomon 1Chro 22:5: David said, My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it. So David made ample preparations before his death. 1 Chro 22: 11-12 Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the Lord give you discretion (= WISDOM) and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 30
Solomons prayer 2Ch 1:10-12 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours? God said to Solomon, Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honour, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honour, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 31
Wisdoms manifestation 2Ch 9:3-6 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, she was breathless. Then she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 32
What about WISDOM? I ) Wisdom s seat . II ) Wisdom has three main aspects. III ) Wisdom s foundation IV ) Wisdom and Kingship Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 33
I ) Wisdom s Seat : human heart Proverbs 2: 10-11 For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. 1 Kings 3: 9-12 : I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, Jeremiah 24: 7: I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart. 1 Kings 5: 9-14: Wisdom interprets reality Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 34
Think about: Education s heart is the heart of education It s because of the choices of my heart I believe in this philosophy or in this pedagogy, I interpret creation like this or like that. Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another . Gilbert K. Chesterton Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 35
Heart is: Will s seat Intellect s seat Emotional life s seat Ps 51: 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit (= heart) . Mat 5. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 36
II) Wisdom has three main aspects a) Practical, experimental aspect a) Didactic aspect a) Theological aspect Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 37
a) Wisdom: Practical, experimental aspect Proverbs 1: 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (= tachbulah= guidance, to guide a boat for example) 1 Kings 7:14 : he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze. Exodus 31: 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 38
b) Wisdom: Didactic aspect Proverbs 1:8 : Hear, my son, your father s instruction and do not forsake your mother s teaching Proverbs 4:1-2: Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding, for I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction. This didactic aspect speaks about a content of wisdom more systematic, more intellectual. Wisdom here shapes culture, interprets it (1 Kings 4). Cf Jesus You have heard but I say to you (Matthew 5) Ephesians 3: 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 39
Wisdoms interprets reality 1 Kings 4. 29-34 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom . Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 40
C) Wisdom: Theological aspect Wisdom belongs only to God :Job 12 :13, Job 28: 21 - 28 ; Es 31 : 2 ; Dn 2 : 20-23, Romans 16: 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. The universe and mankind have been done by this creative wisdom (Ps 3 : 19; 8 : 22-31; Jeremiah 10 :12; Job 10 :8 ; Ps 104 :24 : O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions. ) Natural and historical processes are governed by God s wisdom. (Es 28 :23-29; Es 31 : 2 ) Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 41
III ) The fear of the Lord: the beginning of wisdom Pr 1: 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ; Pr 9:10 Three meanings: Religious : faithfulness in front of the God of Covenant Moral : a personal behaviour Meaning linked to the law : obedience to the Law The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom, it teaches also wisdom. Prov 15:33. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom ,Wisdom teaches. Job 28:28: Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 42
What Reformers said about the fear of God and education. Martin BUCER : Teachers don t only teach reading and writing to their students, but they educate them in the fear of God, discipline and good manners. Guillaume FAREL : teachers needs to have the gift of teaching with the fear of the Lord . John KNOX: Earl Morton at Knox s funeral pointed to his grave and said, There lies a man who never feared the face of any man . Was that not the secret of his great success? He feared nobody because he feared God. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 43
IV) Wisdom and Royalty Pr 1 : 8 Hear, my son, your father s instruction and do not forsake your mother s teaching ; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck. Pr 8. 15 By me (wisdom) kings reign, and rulers decree justice. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 44
Proverbs 4: a generation of kings and Queens Pr 4: 1-9 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law. For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live; Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 45
IV ) Mordecai and Esther: how to prepare queens? The book of Esther in the Bible. Mordecai, the WISE man Esther: the training of a queen. Pr 21. 22. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 46
Two crowns A crown of thorns The crown of wisdom Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 47
A glorious exchange 1 Corinthians 1 : 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption James 1. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 48
5. The Sign of Immanuel Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 49
Gods answer: Immanuel Isaiah 7. 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a SIGN :Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Schools : Battlefield of Worldviews. 2013. Luc Bussi re. SOLAS. 50
