My vision for and calling to classical Christian education has developed from my experiences and what scripture teaches us. Psalm 1:1-3 states: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Like most of us, as students, we encountered the public schools despite the admonishment against them as taught in Psalm 1. We have seen the public schools’ futility and failure as they have denied and removed God along with the absolute revealed truths of God’s Word and Creation. I have also taught in Christian schools and witnessed similar failure as they have merely copied the world’s humanistic models and exist as “Christianized” secular education only to fall short in training students in academic excellence as well as in being Godly. There has been the failure to recognize that we are wonderfully created in the image of God (Imago Dei) and that our hearts and minds must not separate the sacred from the secular, as Christ is Lord over all truth. I believe that just because a school has Christian in its name does not always mean the school is truly Christian if it is not devoted to Christ, His Lordship and holiness. Furthermore, there needs to be a return to Christian educational leadership that sees Christian school leadership as a sacred trust from our Almighty God. Additionally, such Christian leadership also needs to encourage a passionate love for our Lord Jesus Christ with virtuous Christian living and erudite Christian learning to the glory of God (soli Deo gloria).

This is where we must return to the sovereignty of God, Lordship of Christ and final reality of absolute Biblical truth. First, God has created us in His own image and has sovereignly made us to grow spiritually and intellectually. The resurrection of Christ enables the regeneration of our sinful hearts and minds. As educators, when we recognize that classical Christian education has embraced the vision of training covenantal students God’s way will we then be able to yield much fruit. This fruit will be seen in Christlike character and solid Biblical worldviews that are further manifested through academic excellence and lifelong learning. Such lives will be the proper stewardship of hearts and minds which have meaning, value and purpose being after the heart of our infinite and personal God.

Secondly, the Lordship of Christ is found in all subjects. II Corinthians 10:5 teaches us to take every thought captive to Him. Christ was present at Creation and holds all wisdom, knowledge and understanding. As heirs of Christ and children of God, we can partake in this knowledge, wisdom and understanding through the rebirth and obedience of our hearts and minds. Specifically in the trivium, the grammar phase corresponds to the knowledge and acquisition of facts. In the logic phase, understanding and discernment occurs as facts take root in the principles of truth and goodness. Then in the rhetoric phase, wisdom is further developed and presented in a lovely and winsome manner. The classical tools of learning correlate with how God has created us to grow and learn in His image.

Thirdly, the learning and application of God’s dominion, sovereignty and absolute truths are strongly taught in scripture. Romans 12:1-2 urges us in view of God’s mercy, to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is our spiritual worship. We are to no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Furthermore, Colossians 2:8 warns us to see to it that no one takes us captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depend on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

When we have this foundation where we embrace being created in the image of God along with His revelation of the entire Creation and Biblical truth can we truly understand the Lordship of Christ and find God’s will and purpose for our lives. The essence of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission is found in the loving relationship with our Lord and Savior Christ who has redeemed and regenerated our hearts and minds. Additionally, when we realize God’s sovereign hand upon history along with His truths we are better prepared as educators to preserve and build Christian civilization. By being made in the Imago Dei and designed to mature and learn according to the principles of how He created us allows us to train up young disciples to grow in their love and wisdom of Christ. It is this calling to serve as a leader in classical Christian education that I desire to fulfill by the Holy Spirit with enthusiasm and joy to the glory of our personal and loving God.

                                ~ David Ritter