Learning to read is important and necessary for functioning in this world. Math helps us budget, plan and work. Science helps farmers do their work and health professionals to care and bring healing. Music and art are useful for expression and comfort.
However, none of the disciplines and subjects are an end to itself. Science needs math. Music needs science. Reading supports all subjects.Lutheran schools have long been confined and even sabotaged by textbooks. From evolutionary thought to biases that lead to strongly humanistic morals, Lutheran schools have struggled to have strong resources to support its unique educational ministry. Over 20 years ago, Silver Burdett Ginn edited their elementary science curriculum to provide a Christian tone but for many the attempt seemed awkward.As curriculum mapping is used to demonstrate subject matter in our schools, the awareness of standards is more pronounced. The next steps of the process of mapping for our schools includes hearty discussion on the need for our curriculum to be uniquely Lutheran. It’s wise to consider the wisdom of God’s word and how it relates to the work of educating students in our schools.Psalm 8 could serve as inspiration for a discussion on curriculum. This is the first of three articles that include some quick thoughts on this need.Biology (Psalm 8:2)- Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes to still the enemy and the avenger.Out of all the ways God could have come and redeem the world, He chose to enter through the miracle of birth. To man, He gave the intimate contact of “breath[ing] into his nostrils the breath of life.” How does this choice by God impact our dealing with life issues and with care for children of all ages? How does this fact impact our direction and content for biology lessons at every level? It’s important to share the intricacies of the human anatomy and not avoid it. It’s important for students to see for themselves the cellular development of a baby in the womb- from conception to birth. What else would be requirements for a Lutheran biology curriculum?From sociological and psychological development, It’s important to share the unique ways in which God provides for babies and children through a mother and father. At what age does curriculum necessitate this content? Knowing that non-Christian morals are aggressively taught elsewhere in our kids' lives, it’s best we address this topic.It’s also important to pay careful attention to bias against marriage- marriage between a man and a woman, the way God designed. Resources that Lutheran schools, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom, need careful consideration of how they support God’s design for family and how family continues.This is not a political issue for us as Lutheran schools. This is a matter of being faithful- faithful to Scripture, faithful to the church, faithful to our Lord.
