week 5 responds
1 day ago
Dwight Rutledge
Changes in Christian Education in America
COLLAPSE
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Many people In Europe desired a better life but found this was difficult to obtain due to the constraints. They desired political liberty, religious freedom, and economic entrepreneurism. So, one of the only alternatives was to flee the land. “A new world awaited those who were daring enough to cross the Atlantic and plant their dreams in the fertile sole of colonial American (Anthony & Benson, p. 291).” These early colonies consisted of a church, a jail, essential stores, and a schoolhouse. These early settlers understood the importance of education, so they established laws to enforce apprenticeship training and to encourage parents to teach their children the scriptures and the laws of the land.
This New World focused on making sure individuals were able to read, write, had acknowledge of the bible and English catechism. Which gave way to public and private schools and an increased desire for higher education. Also, in this New World you saw individuals purchasing large land masses for farm production. Some of the other things that were seen in this time included labor unions, bible colleges, ivy league institutions, a revivalist movement, philosophical foundations and well as a list of other things. All of these things have had an important on Christian Education in American.
Today, we have political liberty, and this can be traced back to leaving Europe and desiring a new way of doing things. This has caused much controversy over the years and is one of the sources of division among Americas. I think about this past Presidential Election and although it’s over there is still no peace. Also, today we have religious freedom you’re able to choose what you want to be apart. This is a source of controversy among church people, families and those that have different beliefs. Lastly, economic entrepreneurism has had a tremendous impact on American today because you can decide to start a business, become an owner, and ultimately control how you will make revenue. These have been effective and beneficial but among some, they’re still a source of controversy.
Dwight Rutledge
Dreher and Carson
COLLAPSE
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To properly answer the question, we have to first identify The Benedict Option. Rod Dreher writes about why things are heading downhill in American, especially for Christian society. The Benedict Option calls Christians wherever they live and work to “form a vibrant counterculture” by cultivation practices and communities that reflect the understanding that Christians, who are not citizens of this world, need not “prop up the current order,” We should be offering those who come to us a new and different way of life. A way of life that is rooted in biblical foundations. Dreher believes we need order, prayer, work, asceticism, stability, community, hospitality and balance in our lives today.
I think the Benedict Option would fall under the last category of Niebuhr’s five-fold paradigm which is Christ the transformer of culture. It recognizes human culture as initially good and subsequently corrupted by the fall. Since Christ is redeeming all of creation, the Christian can and should work to transform culture to the glory of God.
Carson would agree with most of what Dreher had to say because he believed the problems that have challenged the church during the course of its entire existences include : How are Christians to engage and relate to the surrounding culture? How should we then live? What does it look like to be in the world but not of it?
Dreher had several ideas that are worth us considering. First, he points out that American Conservatism is not Christian. Meaning that our political affiliations are not Christian in their fundamental nature. He believes that we should trust Christ as our Supreme Creator because when we put our trust in anything else it brings nothing but disappointment. Also, he stated that Christian living is not just about Sunday Morning but about a lifestyle. Another thing he mentioned is that Christian Education in American is lacking. Often parents fail to teach their children about the Bible and why they should follow its principles. Singles in American are often looked down upon because many feel the only way to find happiness is through marriage. Lastly, cell phone usage has become an addiction in our culture which has really hindered communication. All these things are things that we need to look closely at to make sure we are doing all we can to make sure God is pleased with our actions.
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Bottom of Form
Teaera Raines
Changes in Christian Education in America
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
This week we learn the impact of Christian education in Colonial America as well as the 19th and 20th century. Firstly, it is important to emphasize that education was an important component of un the lives of the children and adults in colonial America. The children were expected to learn scripture as well as other life skills. Anthony and Benson (2018) highlight the fact that “the primary textbooks for these early schools included the Bible and the English catechism. Consistent with the Puritans’ reason for coming to America in the first place, religious freedom, and the ability to study the Scriptures were hallmarks of elementary education in the early colonies” (p.294). This still rings true in American society today, however since then, there has been a separation of church and state which prevents scripture from being taught in public schools.
In the nineteenth century the Bible School Movement gained significant traction. According to Anthony and Benson (2018) “in North America, the Bible institute/college came into being in part to provide a biblical education for lay workers. Courses were offered in urban areas in both daytime and evening programs, by correspondence, and at off-campus locations” (p. 230). This allowed people from all walks of life to attend, however it seemed that older people were more attracted than the younger people. Anthony and Benson states ““At the heart of the fundamentalist configuration of education was the Bible institute, which became one of the most influential types of Christian school of the twentieth century” (p. 320). Bible institutes still exist today, they are now called Seminary school and other names. This is proof of how significant the contributions from the nineteenth century are still impactful today.
Christian education in the twentieth century faced its challenges. According to Anthony and Benson (2018) “rejecting the doctrines of evangelical theology and embracing both Protestant liberal theology and many of the features of progressive education, the religious education movement attacked revivalist piety and education provided by the traditional Sunday school” (p. 346). The was a period of restructuring and redefining the way Christians learned. Anthony and Benson states “the religious education movement held an evolutionary viewpoint of the world and embraced the application of modern historical methods to Bible study. These modern forms of higher criticism undermined the authority of Scripture and rejected the notion of a degenerative human nature. To these liberals, the world was changing, and biblical passages written thousands of years earlier could not possibly have foreseen the kinds of issues facing society at the time” (p. 347). These internal conflicts still exist today with many liberals feeling the same about the scripture not being relatable to current times.
Anthony, M. (2018). Exploring the History and Philosophy of Christian Education: Principles for the 21st Century. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
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17 hours ago
Teaera Raines
Dreher and Carson
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
Niebuhr’s fivefold paradigm provides readers with insight from five different perspectives involving Christian culture. This week we have been tasked with comparing Niebuhr’s fivefold paradigm with “The Benedict Option” which sheds light on the idea of Christian education and what it takes to build a successful Christian village. After reading about the Benedict option and considering Niebuhr’s five-fold paradigm, I would say that the Benedict option fits in the Christ vs. Culture Paradox describe by Niebuhr. These people are considered dualists, Carson (2018) describes them as “ the fundamental issue in life is not the line that must be drawn between Christians and the pagan or secular world, but between God and all humankind — or, “since the dualist is an existential thinker — between God and us; the issue lies between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of self” (p. 22). This thought process creates the illusion of thinking that all human culture is corrupt. According to Carson states “Hence the dualist joins the radical Christian in pronouncing the whole world of human culture to be godless and sick unto death. But there is this difference between them: the dualist knows that he belongs to that culture and cannot get out of it, that God indeed sustains him in it and by it; for if God in His grace did not sustain the world in its sin it would not exist for a moment.” And thus, the dualist “cannot speak otherwise than in what sound like paradoxes” (p.23).
It seems that in the Benedict Option, the author seeks to establish a subculture filled with a sore of Christian Utopia that supports all the foundational Christian beliefs. According to Dreher (2017) “to compartmentalize education, separating life from the church, is to create a false distinction” (p.146). The Benedict option supports the Christ Vs, Culture Paradox by rejecting the culture that exists today through creating and establishing a life rooted in Christian beliefs without any secular considerations. It provides a roadmap for how to successfully live within the world and still live a Christian life. According to Dreher (2017) “the separation of learning from virtue creates a society that esteems people for their success in manipulating science, law, money, images, words and so forth” (p. 147). This level of thinking is what makes them fit perfectly into Niebuhr’s Christ Vs. Culture Paradox. The thought of creating a world separate from sin as a salve to save the Godless world.
DA Carson (2018). Christ and Culture Revisited. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
Bottom of Form
Teaera Raines
Changes in Christian Education in America
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
This week we learn the impact of Christian education in Colonial America as well as the 19th and 20th century. Firstly, it is important to emphasize that education was an important component of un the lives of the children and adults in colonial America. The children were expected to learn scripture as well as other life skills. Anthony and Benson (2018) highlight the fact that “the primary textbooks for these early schools included the Bible and the English catechism. Consistent with the Puritans’ reason for coming to America in the first place, religious freedom, and the ability to study the Scriptures were hallmarks of elementary education in the early colonies” (p.294). This still rings true in American society today, however since then, there has been a separation of church and state which prevents scripture from being taught in public schools.
In the nineteenth century the Bible School Movement gained significant traction. According to Anthony and Benson (2018) “in North America, the Bible institute/college came into being in part to provide a biblical education for lay workers. Courses were offered in urban areas in both daytime and evening programs, by correspondence, and at off-campus locations” (p. 230). This allowed people from all walks of life to attend, however it seemed that older people were more attracted than the younger people. Anthony and Benson states ““At the heart of the fundamentalist configuration of education was the Bible institute, which became one of the most influential types of Christian school of the twentieth century” (p. 320). Bible institutes still exist today, they are now called Seminary school and other names. This is proof of how significant the contributions from the nineteenth century are still impactful today.
Christian education in the twentieth century faced its challenges. According to Anthony and Benson (2018) “rejecting the doctrines of evangelical theology and embracing both Protestant liberal theology and many of the features of progressive education, the religious education movement attacked revivalist piety and education provided by the traditional Sunday school” (p. 346). The was a period of restructuring and redefining the way Christians learned. Anthony and Benson states “the religious education movement held an evolutionary viewpoint of the world and embraced the application of modern historical methods to Bible study. These modern forms of higher criticism undermined the authority of Scripture and rejected the notion of a degenerative human nature. To these liberals, the world was changing, and biblical passages written thousands of years earlier could not possibly have foreseen the kinds of issues facing society at the time” (p. 347). These internal conflicts still exist today with many liberals feeling the same about the scripture not being relatable to current times.
Anthony, M. (2018). Exploring the History and Philosophy of Christian Education: Principles for the 21st Century. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
Bottom of Form
17 hours ago
Teaera Raines
Dreher and Carson
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
Niebuhr’s fivefold paradigm provides readers with insight from five different perspectives involving Christian culture. This week we have been tasked with comparing Niebuhr’s fivefold paradigm with “The Benedict Option” which sheds light on the idea of Christian education and what it takes to build a successful Christian village. After reading about the Benedict option and considering Niebuhr’s five-fold paradigm, I would say that the Benedict option fits in the Christ vs. Culture Paradox describe by Niebuhr. These people are considered dualists, Carson (2018) describes them as “ the fundamental issue in life is not the line that must be drawn between Christians and the pagan or secular world, but between God and all humankind — or, “since the dualist is an existential thinker — between God and us; the issue lies between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of self” (p. 22). This thought process creates the illusion of thinking that all human culture is corrupt. According to Carson states “Hence the dualist joins the radical Christian in pronouncing the whole world of human culture to be godless and sick unto death. But there is this difference between them: the dualist knows that he belongs to that culture and cannot get out of it, that God indeed sustains him in it and by it; for if God in His grace did not sustain the world in its sin it would not exist for a moment.” And thus, the dualist “cannot speak otherwise than in what sound like paradoxes” (p.23).
It seems that in the Benedict Option, the author seeks to establish a subculture filled with a sore of Christian Utopia that supports all the foundational Christian beliefs. According to Dreher (2017) “to compartmentalize education, separating life from the church, is to create a false distinction” (p.146). The Benedict option supports the Christ Vs, Culture Paradox by rejecting the culture that exists today through creating and establishing a life rooted in Christian beliefs without any secular considerations. It provides a roadmap for how to successfully live within the world and still live a Christian life. According to Dreher (2017) “the separation of learning from virtue creates a society that esteems people for their success in manipulating science, law, money, images, words and so forth” (p. 147). This level of thinking is what makes them fit perfectly into Niebuhr’s Christ Vs. Culture Paradox. The thought of creating a world separate from sin as a salve to save the Godless world.
DA Carson (2018). Christ and Culture Revisited. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
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