The Biblical Mandate for Education - Part III
By Michael Myers, Founder and Headmaster
A large portion of the Old Testament is devoted to describing the rise and fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. I believe the book of Jeremiah offers a window into the past that is very instructive for 21st century American Christians, especially with regards to education. In particular, Jeremiah 6 presents a scathing indictment by none other than God Himself. He accuses the people of not listening to warnings (v. 10), of having no shame (v. 15), of stubbornness (v. 16), and for showy worship without substance (v. 20). In the midst of these charges, He throws out a lifeline: “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls’” (v.16). This short passage is laden with potential! By applying Paul’s earlier-referenced instructions, we can see that God is inviting us to seek Him for something very specific—the ancient paths. He indicates that it is along these ancient paths that the good way lies, and that if we choose to walk there, we will find rest for our souls.
Seeking What is Hidden
The Hebrew word olam is used for “ancient” in this verse. Upon examination, this rich word encompasses not only old or past, but takes a more esoteric turn toward things hidden in eternity past and future. In other words, God is saying: “Seek for My truth, My principles that were drawn out of My eternal existence and follow them. In so doing, you will be blessed.” If He is inviting us (as He did the people of Judah) to seek for these paths, they must be accessible to us. It is up to us to follow them.
Compare this thought with the exhortation given in Psalm 78: 1-4.
Listen, O my people, to my instruction;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
Here again, we get the sense that there is hidden information from eternal resources available to those who seek for it. This Psalm does not end here, but goes on to present a strong case for God-centered education. Before we get to that, though, let’s return to our story about the ancient paths. What do you suppose was the response of the people of Judah to the Lord’s offering? True to form, they replied, “We will not walk in it” (Jer. 6:16).
Has America Rejected the Ancient Paths?
How sad that when presented with a pathway that would lead to peace and blessing, they stubbornly refused and went their own way to destruction. If God does offer prescriptive principles for living, including how to educate our children, how foolish it would be for us to turn aside to our own ways and bear the consequences.
Obviously, there is something amiss in our nation today. America is spiraling out of control and the church has been largely ineffective in turning the tide back to righteousness. Could it be that we have rejected the ancient paths, the good way that leads to rest for our souls? Has our compromise of the biblical pattern for education left us vulnerable? In the next issue, we will forge deeper into Psalm 78 and further explore the ancient paths of education.
Creation vs. Evolution
Facts are facts . . . it’s a matter of interpretation
Dayspring Students to Visit Creation Museum
Families Invited for Summer Trip
“Too many people think we’re looking for different evidences, but we use the same facts. The battle is over the same evidence. We just start with different worldviews, different foundations,” said Randy Gehman, lead upper school science teacher at Dayspring Christian Academy. “Secularists look through the lens of man’s theories. People with a biblical worldview look through the lens of Scripture. Ultimately, our interpretations will be based on the fallible changing ideas of man or the infallible unchanging Word of God.”
For the second year, seventh grade students at Dayspring Christian Academy and a group of their parents are looking forward to “traveling back in time” to view two different views on the origins of life on earth. The three day journey, from March 30 – April 1, will feature stops at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the new Creation Museum near Cincinnati, Ohio. Lead by Mr. Gehman, the students will not only view the displays, but study their underlying assumptions.
“All facts must be interpreted for their meaning,” he noted. “One’s interpretation is driven by one’s presuppositions.”
Mr. Gehman, who teaches middle school Life and Earth Sciences, as well as high school Biology and Anatomy & Physiology, describes the trip as an opportunity for students to experience in the field what they talk about in the classroom. Dayspring, which teaches a literal creation as described in the Bible has a unique approach. “At Dayspring, we believe in God’s Word and base all of our teaching, in each subject, on scriptural principles. We believe in a literal six-day creation. But that does not mean we shelter our students from secular positions. In fact, it is important to look at other views and analyze their arguments.” says Mr. Gehman. “The goal is to teach students how to think critically and evaluate statements and positions that they will encounter in our culture.”
Students will have opportunity to put this critical thinking to the test at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the trip’s first stop. Here students will be required to analyze several museum displays. They are to not only explain the major purpose of the displays chosen, but differentiate between the facts and interpretations made. Students will also need to identify the worldview of the display designers and identify their underlying presuppositions. “Worldview is huge” says Mr. Gehman. “It guides each person as to how he or she views all things. Scientists look at the same facts, but may interpret those facts differently because of their worldview which is in turn determined by their presuppositions.“
Of course the main feature of the trip will be the Creation Museum. The Creation Museum, located seven miles west of the Cincinnati Airport, presents a “walk through history.” This state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life. Murals and realistic scenery, computer-generated visual effects, over 50 exotic animals, life-sized dinosaur animatronics, and a special-effects theater complete with misty sea breezes and rumbling seats all help people understand the biblical account of creation. “The museum is also full of fossils and scientific exhibits designed to show the reliability of Scripture and illustrate the problems with modern evolutionary theory.” says Mr. Gehman.
No stranger to the creation/evolution controversy, Mr. Gehman has studied origins for over 30 years. “I was in middle school when I began to research the scientific problems of evolution. That interest led me to pursue a degree in biology. Sadly, many people are never exposed to the abundance of scientific evidence that opposes evolution and instead speaks for an intelligent creation.”
On the way back to Lancaster, the school group will also stop in Shanksville to visit the crash site of Flight 93, downed on Sept. 11, 2001. “Worldview is everything” reiterates Mr. Gehman. “The terrorists were living out their worldview. It is obviously important that we have a correct worldview. I believe that comes only from the Bible.”
Families invited to take the trip this summer
In addition to its extensive field study program, Dayspring also provides opportunities for others to participate in learning. Mr. Gehman will be leading a similar bus tour this summer from June 22-25. The summer itinerary includes the stops made on the student trip but also includes the Cincinnati Zoo. Along the way, participants are treated to the insightful teaching of Mr. Gehman as he shares from both Scripture and science. Individuals interested in learning more about this fun and informative trip may visit the website: www.webstarts.com/creationtrip or contact Dayspring Christian Academy at 295-6400.
Dayspring Parent and Alumni Go Ice Climbing
to Experience God’s Creation
Article courtesy of Krista Hurley ‘05, feature writer, Engle Printing & Publishing Co.
In January of 2002, (Dayspring parent) Matt Kroll of Marietta, initiated a trip to Mount Washington, NH. “Ever since we (first) summitted Mount Washington, we have been hooked,” said Kroll, adding that he, along with several other friends, have made the trip nearly every years since 2002.
This year was no different with Kroll and friend Dan Kowalski being joined by (Dayspring alumni) Nate Driedger, Willow Street; Matt Irwin, Centerville; Bill Wos, Willow Street; and Matt Shultz, Millersville. “What started out as two people has grown to a small group of . . . guys who share a common interest,” Kroll noted. Most of the members of the group met through attending the Lord’s House of Prayer in Lancaster city, where Kroll is a pastor.
Kroll said that the almost-annual trip is planned for the middle of winter because the time frame provides a different sort of environment. “Mountaineering in the middle of winter is demanding,” he explained. “The payoff is getting to see things in God’s creation that only a few experience, like snow-covered majestic mountains, snow-covered white pines and birch trees, and . . . (the combination of) rock, snow, ice, and wind.”
From Feb. 3 through 7, the group covered a lot of ground in New Hampshire. They climbed Mount Avalon, and several of the adventurers. They climbed Mount Avalon, and several of the adventurers climbed Mount Field Ice climbing in the Flume Gorge was also on the itinerary, with the group using ice axes and crampons to climb a 60-foot-tall pillar of ice. Driedger, Irwin, Shultz, and Kowalski summitted Mount Jefferson, which is 5,216 feet above sea level, and Mount Clay, while was and Kroll spent their time conquering Mount Lafayette, which is 5,260 feet above sea level.
Kroll said that although snow was in short supply due to a mid-winter thaw in the area, the temperatures remained frigid. According to Kroll, temperatures were frequently below zero degrees, and winds ranged from 40 to 45 miles per hour, with some gusts reaching 70 miles per hour. “That makes for a very cold day,” he remarked.
While there were challenges on the trip, Kroll noted that there were many enjoyable aspects, as well. The highlight of the group’s trip was summitting Mount Lafayette. “It was sunny., and the mountains were in the clear,” he recalled. “Very rarely do you have such visibility on the high peaks.”
While Kroll admits that not everyone may be able to enjoy mountaineering, he encourages individuals and families to take advantage of the many hiking trails in Lancaster County, which provide “a great family activity that is low-cost.”
Life was given to us by God, and I believe it is for us to enjoy and live to the fullest in every aspect,” Kroll said. “If you can get out in God’s creation, do it and enjoy what he has given us.”