Founded Upon a Rock:

The Philosophy of Education from a
Distinctively Baptist Perspective


I have written this book, soon to be published, to examine the foundation of Christian Education. The Reformed have given us Baptists their theology and philosophy regarding education, and we have taken it and built upon it. Their foundation, however, is not upon the Solid Rock. This book takes us to the true foundation and brings a philosophy that is truly Biblical and Baptist.

For many years, our country has been screaming toward hell with a blindfold on, and most do not even realize the danger that is ahead. Most people have been blinded and deceived into believing lies, desensitizing and numbing them to the reality that has been created for them. Our homes have been destroyed by selfishness, rebellion, disrespect, and divorce - and we seem to be okay with it. Our streets have been flooded with crime, violence, and drugs. Our enemy has infiltrated and corrupted our government through subtle, yet deadly, changes. Our churches, even Baptist churches, have been stripped of the very armor of protection that is necessary to defend them, and their weapons have been dulled down, destroyed, or dismantled behind a false sense of peace and safety.


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Josh Rivers begins the difficult task of defining a true philosophy of Christian education from a Baptist perspective.

He rightly identifies the fact that Baptists are banefully ignorant about their heritage, and were apparently clueless in the beginning of the Christian school movement. Since 1965 or thereabouts, the Christian school movement has produced textbooks, curriculum and workbooks from a more or less ecumenical standpoint. Nearly all of the material has been tainted with a catholic Reformed perspective, neutralizing the distinctive nature of Baptist theology, ordinances and models of ministry.

This short work introduces a better way of thinking for Baptist people, of whom the vast majority of Christian school and home school students are comprised. We hope this discussion will continue.
Numerous books displayed on bookstore shelves outline various education techniques, styles, methods and pedagogy. Some portray the field of education from a pagan standpoint (many simply call it "humanism"), while others show views from different religions and cultures, including a "Christian" worldview. Many of these books contain some good principles, but none seem to present Baptist views from a truly Baptist perspective.

Our Baptist churches, schools, and colleges need books covering many doctrinal issues, solidly stating the doctrines which set us apart as Baptists. There is a great need for Baptist books on educational methodology, teaching styles and techniques, but the purpose of this book is to lay out the underlying philosophy of education. We must first understand the "why" of education before we can tackle the "how" and "what" of education. By understanding the "why", we lay the solid foundation necessary before the building can be erected, and this building must be founded upon a rock.
Throughout our Baptist churches across America, education has been an important element of the ministry. The success story for many of these churches, however, does not continue for very long - many of the families transfer to other churches or schools, move away, or become disconnected. Many of our Baptist families have gone to "Christian" churches, "Community" churches, or other non-denominational churches. While we can all see this trend as we examine our churches, many have failed to realize a main reason for this "falling away."

Our Baptist churches have unfortunately failed to define sure, distinct goals regarding education. Throughout the years, this negligence has darkened the vision of our Baptist churches, and we were subtly given goals by those that did not share our theology. These foreign goals and theologies that are now taught through our Baptist churches have been embraced by our families, and their hearts have been lured away. James Beller says that "we have abdicated our pulpits and classrooms to our enemies without knowing the full background of the so-called culture war."
For many years, our country has been screaming toward hell with a blindfold on, and most do not even realize the danger that is ahead. Most people have been blinded and deceived into believing lies, desensitizing and numbing them to the reality that has been created for them. Our homes have been destroyed by selfishness, rebellion, disrespect, and divorce - and we seem to be okay with it. Our streets have been flooded with crime, violence, and drugs. Our enemy has infiltrated and corrupted our government through subtle, yet deadly, changes. Our churches, even Baptist churches, have been stripped of the very armor of protection that is necessary to defend them, and their weapons have been dulled down, destroyed, or dismantled behind a false sense of peace and safety.