The most recent surge in the number of Christian schools has occurred in the last forty years.  Yet, the question in the title is still timely.  It is appropriate to review those things that make a school Christian. 

            Two great truths from the Word of God are foundational in answering that question..  The first is found in John 18:37.  Note the words of Jesus as He replies to Pontius Pilate, “…To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.  Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”  The greatness of that declaration cannot be overstated.  Jesus came to establish truth once and for all.  It is affirmed in John 14:6 where Jesus replied to Thomas with these words, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”  These passages say:  God has established truth and that truth is foundational to all of life, especially to a school purportint to offer a Christian education.   

            The second of these declarations is found in Acts 2:26, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, who ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”  The word translated “Lord” is “kurios,” which speaks of supremacy, of One who is the Controller, of One who is the Sovereign.  The word that is translated as Christ is “Christos,” meaning the Anointed One.  That can only mean that the One referenced, Jesus, governs every sphere of human life, even though we may not fully understand.  Moreover, it can only mean that Christian leaders must strive to make every area of life truly Christian, including the church, the state, the family, the school, and all other things.   

            Since the two proclamations cited above are so pervasive and foundational, they compose a framework of principles which must guide the development of a Christian school program.   :

            First, the sovereignty of the triune God is the starting point in designing a Christian school.  He is Lord; He is Ruler over all things.  Mankind is responsible and accountable to Him.  It further means that those in charge of Christian education programs must judge a school on the basis of conformity to God’s Word.   

            Second, the Person of God and the Word of God is accepted as truth.  A “what works” philosophy must be discarded and replaced with revealed truth.  A philosophy that does not accept clear definitions of right and wrong based upon this truth must also be discarded.  Rather, all parts of the curriculum must be understood in terms of truth growing from Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. 

            Third, education is discipline under this body of truth.  The word “discipline” is used in the Biblical sense of child training.  For the several areas of the curriculum, research is finding yet undiscovered information that is consistent with the Word of God. The several areas of the curriculum must be kept current with research that is consistent with revealed truth.

            Fourth, it is the Word of God that must define all standards for the Christian school.  It is interesting to note in the Bible how major declarations from God are followed by very practical applications of that truth.  One prime example is the major declaration in Deuteronomy 6.4, “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.”  The writer then follows that declaration with instructions to parents and many practical applications.  

            Fifth, the will of the child must be broken to conform to the purpose and plan that God has for the life of each child.  The basic need of each child is to be re-born by God’s grace.  That involves a breaking of the human will, a will which is a part of the human soul.  That will must be broken as stated in John 12:25, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.?  The word “life” is used three times in this verse.  The first two times, the word is “psucho,” which speaks of soulish life.  The latter use of the word is “zoe,” speaking of a new life in Christ. 

            Sixth, a student’s basic problem is sin and a sinful nature.  Therefore, he must be re-created by an act of God.   It requires a new birth, an act of God whereby God intervenes and creates a new person.  That must be the ultimate goal of all of Christian education. 

            Conclusion:  It is easy to gradually move away from those truths that make a school truly Christian.  Moving away from those truths can only mean one thing – the school is taking on the flavor of the principles of secular humanism.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon a school staff, especially the leadership, to frequently review the extent to which the core Christian truths are being followed by the school, including the teaching of these truths in the curriculum.