WHAT IS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 10, 1 December 1941, Page 10

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?

Maiming For A Post-War Christian England .;■:. . . . "What is Christian Education?" is the title of a, leaflet just published 'by the Christian Education Movement and obtainable from the Press and Publications Board of the Church Assembly, 2 Great Peter Street, Westminster, S.W.I; -price Id, by post 2d; 25 copies Is Bd, by post Is lOd; 100 copies 6s Bd, by post ,7s 2d' :':.;. ■ ■ : -'* : \,-v .;..■'■., '■■■:'.■', ..*,• . The leaflet gives a series of pointed "questions for discussion on the responsibility r of the home, the

■ ■ -.■ .. ■"' ■_■':'' .■'..■'•■•■■■.■■.' .■'■■'. :'l;:.'V ■ • qhurch, and thd schppl," and should, prpye of real iise,iiot only to discussion groups and" study circles, but; to clergy, ministers, teachers, parents, and indeed all who are endeavouring to think out plans for the future of education m this country. The questions deal not only wjth Christian arid i;aise somevery fundamental issues/ of \ which the following [questions are a sample: ; (l) z "Christian educatipn is something, very much more than\ 'Religious; Instruction/ It is f the training of children', m a way of life which, is rooted m a commbn. faith, sust tamed by a common worship, resulting m a common concern for the common good." ■'■". '" -'- Can we accept this as a' working hypothesis of the nature arid purposeof Christian education? (2) If so, what are the chief Pbstacles'to the achievement of : it? (a)j "A Common Faith/ How -far can we assume that parents accept, and desire to have ; their children taught the Christian . view of * Grpd and man? What '^difficulties do> teachers themselves feel about teaching this "commpn faith?" i ■ : (b). "A Common Worship." Can, we' have Christian educatipn until the problem of the division of "tileChurches is faced and pvercpme? (c) "A common concern for the common good." At what points -are . our educational system frustrated by the fact that it reflects an uhChritian social order? What, for instance, "on a iChristiari view, would "equality of educationai opportunity" ; involve? :; ■'. ' ■ ': - ■;. "•• "'■ '■ r V : , - The leaflet is a sequel tp the leaflet "Why Chritian Education Matters," which has had an enPrmpus circulation throughout the country, and should do much to help the thousands of tninking people everywhere who have recoiled! from the spectacle; presented by Germany x>f a" deChristianised country, who are determined that England shall remain : a Christian country', but who realise that this can onjty be. secured through Christian education, but who are doubtful -of ways .and means. The secretary of the Chrrtiait Education Movement is Canon R A. Cpckin, 1 Amen Court, London, E.C.4., and the* chairman is the s headrhaster ,pf Winchester./ ;' " ■; ■'.•". " '•■': '. -" ; : v .. ■ ■/■■- ' .