Foundations
Knowledge is not neutral.
All knowledge claims are based on an assumption about the “nature” of things; Created or un-created.
Knowledge requires both the correct identification of facts and the correct interpretation of facts.
Christian education is more than secular education with prayer and bible study added. Christian education begins and ends with Christ – Christ is both the Source of all knowledge and its Object.
Christ is revealed in scripture, therefore Christian education must be distinctly and uniquely Biblical.
Definition
The Principle Approach is a method of biblical reasoning whereby we identify the biblical foundations or “principles” of every subject and are enabled to correctly Identify and Interpret the facts.
Tools used in the Principle Approach.
Bible
Exhaustive concordance
A “reliable” English dictionary
Other aids
The four Rs in the Principle Approach
Research
Reason
Relate
Record
The Principle Approach procedure:
Research
Identify the Key Words in dictionary
Define Key Words until you have a comprehensive list.
Find Key Words in concordance
Create a definition of the subject using the Key Words and their definitions.
Reason
Review the biblical references to discern the Principles of the subject.
Relate
Apply the biblical Principles to the “facts” of the subject.
Record
Develop a personal record or notebook your Reasoning and Relating.
Principle Approach Sample - Anthropology
Biblical vs. Evolutionary
Definition: “A discourse upon human nature.”
Key Words:
Discourse “a communication of thoughts by words.”
Human “Belonging to man or mankind; pertaining or relating to the race of man; having the qualities of man.”
Nature “the essence, essential qualities or attributes of a thing which constitute it what it is.”
Thoughts; words; man/mankind; qualities; essence; essential; attributes; constitute.
Biblical references:
Man Genesis 1: 26 – 28; Genesis 2: 7;
Genesis 3: 19, 22 & 24; Genesis 6: 5; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:27
Thoughts/knowledge Proverbs 1:7
Statement:
“A discourse (study, investigation) of man (created in the image of God, fallen into sin and tending to corruption apart from submission to God’s law, and temporally and eternally lost apart from God’s redemption).”
Relating:
1. What is true of the individual is true of the race.
2. Man sins and is corrupt in his personal and social actions.
3. Men and societies will become more corrupt the farther they move from God and his word.
4. This corruption is the outworking (manifestation) of the “death” that is in man because of sin.
5. The end of this corruption is self-destruction and the extinction of the race.
6. Man is at war with his Creator and, therefore, at war with the entire Creation – himself, others, the environment.
Interpreting the “facts/data”
1. Mankind is not progressing from a primitive to an advanced state.
2. Mankind is degenerating from his created nature and purpose.
3. Primitive cultures are not the result of technological or scientific ignorance, but of the progressive and cumulative effects of rebellion against the Creator.
4. The end of such primitive cultures is not slow progress, but continued and inevitable deterioration ending with extinction.
5. Mankind cannot avoid this calamity or improve his condition through his own efforts.