It should come as no surprise that in a conversation pertaining to educational philosophy, conservative fundamental Christians tend to lean toward the traditional. The traditional philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas resonate more with Christian sensibilities. While an individual with a biblical worldview will find more in common with traditional philosophies, he would do well to analyze the more modern philosophies of pragmatism and existentialism through the lens of Scripture, accept those ideas which align, and reject those that do not.
Pragmatism holds to the view that flexibility due to an ever-changing society is the key to education. John Dewey’s man-centered humanistic thought serves as the foundation of pragmatism. A pragmatist holds that right and wrong constantly change based on what works to solve a particular problem. In the classroom, this view is evidenced through a very child-centered approach, a lack of a strong authoritative teacher, and a wide variety of highly experimental teaching methods.
Scriptural principle clearly steers believers away from the vast majority of pragmatic thoughts. The Bible reminds readers that truth is not an always-changing, unknowable, concept. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccles. 1:9 [King James Version]). Peter and the apostles directly contradict the principle of conformity to society when they charge believers to “obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). The concept of pragmatism receives a most definitive blow from Scripture when Paul reminds readers “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (I John 2:16).
There is no room for a pragmatic philosophy in the life of a Christian educator. The philosophical orthodoxy of Christianity informs the setting of goals, the role of the teacher, and the choosing of materials and methods. It prohibits a philosophy where anything that works is right because it works.
Although pragmatism stands in direct and total opposition to true Christianity, another modern philosophy, existentialism, has some facets that run congruent to biblical truth. Existentialism (specifically Kierkegaard’s brand of Christian existentialism) has some points in common with a traditional Christian philosophy. Christian educators would take issue with most existential thinking, but they would agree with its labeling of the world as absurd, its emphasis on an individual’s choice, and the individual’s responsibility to live with the consequences of those choices.
The existentialist views the world as absurd and hopeless. While Christians would agree that the world is a system void of hope in itself, they look to Christ as the eternal hope: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). While existentialists and evangelical Christians may start with the same view of the world system, they end in very different places.
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| John Dewey, pragmatist |
Scriptural principle clearly steers believers away from the vast majority of pragmatic thoughts. The Bible reminds readers that truth is not an always-changing, unknowable, concept. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccles. 1:9 [King James Version]). Peter and the apostles directly contradict the principle of conformity to society when they charge believers to “obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). The concept of pragmatism receives a most definitive blow from Scripture when Paul reminds readers “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (I John 2:16).
There is no room for a pragmatic philosophy in the life of a Christian educator. The philosophical orthodoxy of Christianity informs the setting of goals, the role of the teacher, and the choosing of materials and methods. It prohibits a philosophy where anything that works is right because it works.
Although pragmatism stands in direct and total opposition to true Christianity, another modern philosophy, existentialism, has some facets that run congruent to biblical truth. Existentialism (specifically Kierkegaard’s brand of Christian existentialism) has some points in common with a traditional Christian philosophy. Christian educators would take issue with most existential thinking, but they would agree with its labeling of the world as absurd, its emphasis on an individual’s choice, and the individual’s responsibility to live with the consequences of those choices.
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| Soren Kierkegaard, existentialist |
In addition to the absurdity of the world, existentialism and Christianity align in their view of choice and individual responsibility. The Old Testament clearly shows readers the importance of individual responsibility and the consequences of choices with the story of Lot (Gen. 13:5-18). Lot was given the freedom to make a choice regarding which part of the land he and his family would inhabit. He chose and then had to live with the heartbreaking consequences of those choices.
Although pragmatism and existentialism are philosophies that followers seek to put into place to replace the truths of Christianity, believers have a responsibility to examine them under the light of God’s truth and make conclusions about their merit from a biblical perspective. While Christian educators will reject pragmatism and its overtly humanistic elevation of society, they will see some measure of truth in Christian existentialism. Christian educators know that truth in all forms belongs to God and lies are from Satan. This idea is seen clearly in a careful analysis of the ideas of existentialism and pragmatism.
Although pragmatism and existentialism are philosophies that followers seek to put into place to replace the truths of Christianity, believers have a responsibility to examine them under the light of God’s truth and make conclusions about their merit from a biblical perspective. While Christian educators will reject pragmatism and its overtly humanistic elevation of society, they will see some measure of truth in Christian existentialism. Christian educators know that truth in all forms belongs to God and lies are from Satan. This idea is seen clearly in a careful analysis of the ideas of existentialism and pragmatism.
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