It is the purpose of the school to provide a sound academic education integrated with a Christian view of God and the world. The Bible is clear in stating the principles that underlie Christian education. The apostle Paul gave a comprehensive principle when he wrote of Christ, “For by Him are all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth . . . and He is before all things and by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:16, 17).
The apostle John said, “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Foundational to a Christian philosophy of education is a God-centered view of man and truth found in the Word of God.
The purpose then of Christian education is to reveal God and to bring the student into conformity with God’s revealed will. The authority for such an education comes from God’s command that children be taught to love God with all their hearts, love their fellow man, and conform to the image of Jesus Christ. The following more specifically outline some underlying beliefs that form the OCS educational philosophy:
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A God-centered worldview and biblical values create the centerpiece of child rearing. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
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Children are a gift from the Lord and that they find wholeness in God’s grace and love. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
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A critical directive of Christian education is teaching God’s priorities. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33)
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Jesus imparts the greatest truth of the universe. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . .You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40)
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Education must encompass the fundamentals of the Christian faith. . . . sanctify Christ as Lord in hearts, always being ready to make a defense . . . for the hope that is in you . ..I Peter 3:15)
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Education serves a higher purpose than earthly gain. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).
The main failure of education is that it has not prepared people to comprehend matters concerning human destiny. The requisite is that education addresses the meaning and purpose of life (Tim Keller).
Simply acquiring knowledge of facts and figures is barren of purpose and meaning unless it is aligned with truth. At OCS, we believe that the Gospel of Christ is the foundation of ultimate Truth. Because all truth is God’s Truth, it is through the lens of Christ that all learning is rightly ordered to reveal meaning and purpose. Thus, Biblical integration is the process of illuminating Christ in all aspects of learning and living.
Biblical integration is not about securing one “right textbook” or one “right curriculum”. Rather, it is about cultivating the right response to Truth. This right response must be taught, modeled, and encouraged for true integration to occur.
