Biblical Integration Educator Conference Liberty Christian Academy November 2012 Samuel J. Smith, Ed.D.

What can a Christian school guarantee? To: Message: Students will all get rich someday Finish this statement: “Christian schools can guarantee...” Use your phone to text your answer to Begin your message with and then text your response.

All things created by God and for Him (1:16) –Concrete things –Abstract concepts He’s the “cosmic glue” holding everything together (1:17) We can be enemies of God in our minds (1:21) His objective is for our complete understanding (2:2) In Him are ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3) Be a critical thinker –Don’t be deceived by fine-sounding arguments (2:4) –Don’t be captivated by human-based philosophy (2:8) Let the Word dwell in you richly as you teach (3:16) “Failure” is not forever; try again (4:10) What does Colossians say about Education? … and SO MUCH MORE!

What’s the difference? In groups of 4 brainstorm as many differences you can think of.

What can a Christian school guarantee? Let’s see how you responded:

Another Individual’s Lens Society’s Lens Biblical Worldview Lens The Student’s Personal Experience Lens

Dr. Roy Lowrie’s model of biblical integration. World’s Knowledge God’s Knowledge

A “Theo-centric” Conceptual Framework

Seattle Pacific University A Student- Centered Conceptual Framework

“There is no longer a Christian mind... “... There is still, of course, a Christian ethic, a Christian practice, and a Christian spirituality. As a moral being, the modern Christian subscribes to a code other than that of the non-Christian. As a member of the Church, he undertakes obligations and observations ignored by the non-Christian. As a spiritual being, in prayer and meditation, he strives to cultivate a dimension of life unexplored by the non-Christian. But as a thinking being, the modern Christian has succumbed to secularization. He accepts religion—its morality, its worship, its spiritual culture; but he rejects the religious view of life, the view which sets all earthly issues within the context of the eternal, the view which relates all human problems—social, political, cultural—to the doctrinal foundations of the Christian Faith, the view which sees all things here below in terms of God’s supremacy and earth’s transitoriness, in terms of Heaven and Hell.” Harry Blamires

Nancy Pearcey’s View of Biblical Integration Every subject area should be taught from a solidly biblical perspective so that students grasp the interconnections among the disciplines, discovering for themselves that all truth is God’s truth. One of our most important tasks is to teach students how to identify and critique worldviews.

Some thoughts on “Integration of Faith & Learning” Click above to read Dan Bereens’ blog post.

Vishal Mangalwadi’s View of Biblical Integration Personhood: Though fallen, all people are made in God’s image and therefore are deserving of dignity. Purpose: People are to have dominion over this world that was created by God.

What does Biblical integration look like? Click on the picture above for a 2-minute video of Mr. Gary Olsen of Hawthorne Christian Academy

How do you Biblically integrate learning? Types of Integration Topical – Example: insects Values – Example: perseverance Principles – Example: Nature and purpose of... God World Humans Life

Visible Invisible ACTIONS VALUES BELIEFS Character Worldview God Man Knowledge Right & Wrong Future

Living Curriculum: The Teacher Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)