BIBLE: Online Home Study Courses BUSINESS & COMMUNITY VALUES: Value Added CHRISTIAN BOOKS: Catalogue CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Class Education DOCTRINE: Westminster Heritage Centre NEW BOOK: Cosmic War Survival NEWS: NEWS - NEWS - NEWS ONLINE MAGAZINE: Ultimate Truth ORIGINS: Creation Lab RTC Reformed Theological College Curriculum RESEARCH: Online Encyclopedia WORSHIP: Psalms
NEW - MEL GIBSON'S APOCALYPTO AND THE ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE'S CREATION HISTORY audio presentation at sermonaudio.com
The ancient teacher cries: 'Hear, ye
children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight
of my mother. He taught me also,
and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and
live.' (Proverbs 4.1-4)
These words imply:
(a) The writer is in possession of a
universally valid knowledge, which has to do with moral absolutes and an
unchangeable reality.
(b) The writer is able to communicate this
knowledge to those under his instruction even as he learned it under similar
nurture.
(c) Attention, retention and action with
respect to this body of knowledge on the part of the instructed will involve
the good life.
The irreducible core of the educational
curriculum is consequently the nature of the good life, what is involved in
living it and the most significant facts in connection with it.
A truly Christian education proceeds on the
basis of the accessibility of universally valid knowledge. It does not regard
everything as being merely relative. It maintains that there are moral
absolutes and an objective reality. It accepts the validity of the scientific
method within its proper limits but it also affirms that the ultimate
reference point is the Triune God who is absolute, eternal and unchangeable.
All of the facts of the universe relate to him and it is consequently
inevitable that any interpretation of these facts which is a contradiction of
that which God is must be false and is to be rejected.
We do not expect to find the Bible to be a
textbook of astronomy, geography or science. Professor E.J. Young (Thy Word is
truth, p.103) explains: 'The Bible is not a textbook of geography; when,
however, it speaks upon geographical matters, it speaks with absolute
authority. The Bible is not a textbook of geology, when however it speaks upon
matters of geology it is infallible in what it says. Human theories of
astronomy, geology, and geography have changed and do change. The Bible, in
what it says upon these subjects, is not in any sense in disharmony with the
facts. That it may disagree with certain theories is, of course, granted; it
does not disagree with the facts, since those facts also were given of God.'
The Bible then is reliable and our ultimate standard of authoritative truth,
but we must ensure that our interpretations of it are reliable too.
The overall educational aim must be to
enable the children to attain to man's chief end which is to glorify God and
to enjoy him forever. This aim is elaborated in the Statement of
Foundational Concepts of Geneva College in the USA. 'The educational goal
is to prepare children for the fulfillment of the calling of God. This
vocation or calling is forst defined by the creation of man in God's image as
lord of the world, heir of life and son of God. Through sin man became
incapable of fulfilling this calling, but God has renewed His calling in
saving power through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, applying the finished work
of Christ, renews the people of God in the image of Christ to fulfil the
calling of a redeemed humanity in work and worship.'
Such Christian education as is referred to
in this educational goal:
'1. Seeks to develop the learner's ability to know God and to relate himself and the created universe to God, through the study of his word and works.
2. Emphasises Christ in order that the learner may be yielded to him as saviour from sin and that he may see in Christ the ultimate purpose and meaning of the whole universe;
3. Seeks the realization of the potential of the individual as the image of God through the development of God-given capacities. The fulfillment of those potentialities is reached insofar as the learner devotes those capacities to god's glory in his vocation and life;
4. Endeavours to develop the student's capacity for the enjoyment of the world as God's creation, in all its cultural richness, realizing that all life as a coherent whole is related to God and his redemptive activity;
5. Seeks to train young people dedicated to God who will serve their neighbours, their country, and the world for Christ's sake.'
The above stated educational aims will now be utilised to provide a basic framework for tuition preserving Christian orientation with an emphasis upon knowledge and commitment from which stems fulfilment, enjoyment and service. This framework will be specified in detailed educational objectives to preserve the Christian character of the education and provide for the writing of annual schemes of work designed to cover the objectives at a level appropriate to the needs of the children in each class. The framework will be specified in an introduction on the subject of wisdom followed by 'seven pillars' concerning God, the universe, man, history, divine institutions for human society, work, now and beyond respectively. Each section will provide a rationale, objectives, topics and links with examination courses.
'Blessed is the man that heareth me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that
hate me love death.' (Proverbs 8.34-36)
To lead the children:
* to make progress in that true wisdom which begins with the fear of the Lord;
*
to be committed to Christ as the one in whom are hid all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge;
*
to seek in true faith that conformity to Christ by which one is
restored to true wisdom in order to a devoted service to God bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
*
to see that all life is a coherent whole and that all things are to be
related to God in Christ; and
*
to appreciate and experience the practical effect of true wisdom, to
fear God and to keep his commandments.
Sound wisdom – The absence of true wisdom – Two kinds of wisdom – Nature of true wisdom – Source of true wisdom – Pursuit of wisdom – Limits of true wisdom – Benefits of true wisdom – Sum of true wisdom – Content of true wisdom – Tools of wisdom – Wisdom and philosophy.
Communication
English Language
Foreign Languages
Philosophy
Wisdom: God's Gift to those Who Seek It
A study course covering the objectives and topics of
this section. The lessons are as follows: (1) Sound wisdom (2) The absence of true
wisdom and the two kinds of wisdom (3) Nature and source of true
wisdom (4) The pursuit of wisdom and its limits (5) The benefits and sum of true wisdom
(6) Content of true wisdom (7) The tools of wisdom (8) Wisdom and philosophy
and your digest of true wisdom. Click on title above for links.
The knowledge of the only true God is life eternal. Without this knowledge all other knowledge is ultimately futile: 'for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' (Matthew 16.26) It is thus necessary to set forth that God is, that he can be known and that which can be known about him and his purposes.
To lead the children:
* to know the God of the Bible as the one living and true God and to reject atheism, agnosticism and all false conceptions of God;
*
to consider the universe as a divine creation through which God makes
himself known;
*
to appreciate the Bible as the Word of God and to accept its authority
with respect to all areas of life and to live by it as a sure guide;
*
to come to that only appropriate response to the manifestation of the
divine perfections by repenting of sin and committing themselves to God in
Christ;
*
to understand the divine purpose as all comprehensive and to see that
they have a place in it; and
*
to understand that God has created all things for his own glory and to
desire to glorify him through a life of devotion to him.
The existence of God – Knowing God – The Bible – The divine perfections – The purpose of God.
Religious Studies
God Is
A study course covering the objectives and topics of
this section. The lessons are as follows: (1) God
is: (1) There is a God (2) Some Types of Denial of the True God (3)
What is it to be a Fool? (2) Invisible
Things … Clearly Seen: (1) Seeing the Invisible (2) The Nature of
General Revelation (3) The Content of General Revelation (4) The Insufficiency
of General Revelation (3) A More Sure
Word: (1) The Nature of the Bible (2) The Importance of the Bible (3)
The Usefulness of the Bible (4) Given by
Inspiration: (1) Inspiration (2) Full Inspiration (3) The Accuracy of
the Bible (5) A Light to my Path: (1) Guidelines
for Using the Bible
Scripture not only recounts the origin of the universe with its spiritual and physical aspects but again and again refers to our various parts and those of the world about us and commends them to our contemplation. It does not encourage such investigation merely to add to the body of knowledge but in order to spiritual improvement and service to God. We investigate the world around us as God's stewards to his glory and to better serve him.
To lead the children:
*
to be aware of the different parts of the universe: spiritual, mineral,
vegetable and animal;
*
to appreciate the relationship of this universe to God as his creation;
*
to value the creation as a general revelation of the Maker displaying
his perfections;
*
to be encouraged to observation of the world as a divine creation
manifesting the divine glory;
*
to develop the ability to classify information collected from
observations in order to better understand and evaluate their own findings;
*
to rejoice with wonder, admiration and praise at the provision of such
an adequate and richly furnished home for man;
*
to grieve over the corruption of sin in the world; and
*
to recognize that as God is the Creator, in him alone is the only hope
of restoration.
Creation – The heavens – The earth with
its seasons, atmosphere, weather – Water – Continents etc – Matter and
energy – Vegetation – Animal life.
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Geography
Physics
Zoology
CREATION LAB The Creation Lab contains a series of research
projects on the creation of the universe. For each project a research area is assigned, resources are specified
and research questions are given. There is an an optional review of your
research report so that you can have comments upon it. Details are provided for
this at the end of each project. (1) Research Project 1 – The Big Bang
(2) Research Project 2 – Uniqueness of the Genesis Account of Creation (3) Research Project 3 – The Bara' Constant
(4) Research Project 4 – Six Day Creation (5) Research Project 5 – The Seventh Day.
Click on CREATION LAB above for links.
The excellent glory of the Lord caused the
psalmist to marvel at the regard that such a great God paid to man (Psalm
8.5-6). The special position of man is emphasized in the record of the
creation (Genesis 1.26). The question: What is man? Must be answered by
consideration of his origin, nature, role and relationship to God both before
and after the fall of Adam. Unless this is done any appreciation of man's
cultural development and our place in relation to it will be superficial.
To lead the children:
* to understand the significance of being God's workmanship created in his own image;
*
to value man's spiritual and physical endowments;
*
to appreciate the purpose of man's existence and to grieve over the
woeful effects of the fall of Adam;
*
to cleave to Christ in true repentance and faith as the only Saviour;
*
to understand the development of the human race as a conflict between
the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent;
*
to see that all life is related to God, the creator and redeemer and to
enjoy the world in the light of this; and
*
to see the futility of a selfish life and to give all in the service of God.
Man in his original condition – The Fall and its significance – The human body and its care – Human consciousness – Music, art and literature – Personal development.
Art
English Literature
Human Biology
Music
Much of the Bible is taken up with
historical records and most of the remainder consists of interpretation of
these historical events. Among the true people of God, history has always been
regarded as very important because it is the out-working of the divine
purpose. All human culture is to be judged in the light of God's redemptive
word and works (Psalm 78.4,7).
To lead the children:
* to understand the significance of being God's workmanship created in his own image;
*
to value man's spiritual and physical endowments;
*
to appreciate the purpose of man's existence and to grieve over the
woeful effects of the fall of Adam;
*
to cleave to Christ in true repentance and faith as the only Saviour;
*
to understand the development of the human race as a conflict between
the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent;
*
to see that all life is related to God, the creator and redeemer and to
enjoy the world in the light of this; and
* to see the futility of a selfish life and
to give all in the service of God.
The world before Christ – The times of
the Messiah – The world after Christ.
History
God lays claim not only to the
determination of man's relationship to himself but also to the government of
the relations that exist between men. Ultimate sovereignty belongs to God and
in his word he has promulgated his Law and his authority structures. Scripture
gives clear instruction with respect to the functions of the family, the
church and the civil magistrate and the standards of each generation must be
examined in the light of God's Word.
To lead the children:
* to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and the mediatorial kingship of Jesus Christ as the source of all legitimate authority in human society;
*
to accept and value the Law of god as the ultimate rule of duty;
*
to understand the divinely ordained functions of family, church and
civil magistrate;
*
to appreciate the ways in which the believer is to devote his
capacities to God's service in connection with family, church and state;
*
to see the importance of God's redemptive activity in connection with
his own institutions;
*
to serve God in their own family, congregation and country through the
renewing influences of the Holy Spirit.
Ultimate sovereignty – The Law – The
Family – The Church – The Civil Magistrate – British Constitution –
Principles of law – Erroneous views of family, church and state –
Prospects of kingdoms.
British Constitution
General Principles of English Law
Sociology
Resources
British Constitution: Bible Background - Magna Charter - Henry VIII - Elizabeth I - Gunpowder Plot - The National Covenant - Cromwell v Charles I - Revolution Settlement - The Monarchy Today - Parliament Today - Church and State
Scripture defines the place of work in the
life of the human race. It has much to say about the necessity of work and the
conditions under which it will take place in a fallen world. It does not leave
untouched the subject of the organization of the factors of production and
many other associated topics. As it is our duty to use our time to the glory
of God, preparation for adult life requires not only an understanding about
work but also preparation for it.
To lead the children:
*
to appreciate man's position as God's steward;
*
to regret man's rebellion and consequent selfishness and covetousness
in connection with labour and its fruits;
*
to be submissive to Christ as Saviour through whom our daily labours
can be acceptable to God;
*
to analyse economic systems to determine the extent to which they are
consistent with the Word of God and contribute to man's chief end;
*
to understand the national and international aspects of the world today
in which dedicated believers are to serve.
Work as a divine institution – Indirect production using specialization of labour – factors of production – The market place – The theory of money – Wealth and its uses – Rent, interest, wages and profit – Master-servant relationship – The civil magistrate in relation to work including economic activities and limits of public enterprise – International economic practices.
Business Studies
Commerce
Economic Geography
Economics
Personal and Business Finance
The writings of the Apostle Paul evidence how awake he was to the world in which he lived. He was aware of its geography, social and political structures and its cultures and religions. He could see the challenges of the situation in which god had placed him and he spent his life seeking to meet those challenges. No Christian should be willingly ignorant of the world in which he or she lives now and each must live in it with an eye to the future.
To lead the children:
*
to acknowledge God as the Lord of history and of each one's present and
future;
*
to own Christ as the one who reigns till all his enemies be made his
footstool;
*
to face the challenges of the present in Christ and to God's glory;
*
to enjoy the legitimate things of time as gifts of God;
*
to be stirred by the urgencies of the times and the opportunities of
the present to serve God with mind, heart, soul and strength in ministering to
the needs of others.
Christ's lordship over the present and the
future – The terminus of history in the second coming of Christ – Events
preceding the end – Present challenges such as evangelism, missions and
Christian principles in society, law and order, social needs, education, the
arts, science, economy and media – Personal contributions possible within
the areas of challenge – A new heavens and a new earth.
Religious Studies
Sociology
The book Train up a Child available from
truthzone.co.uk (£5-00 including post and packing) covers in more detail
a numbers of the matters referred to.