You: I want my students to apply a Biblical perspective of the course content I teach. I want them to apply a Biblical perspective to the subject, to what we study, and to what comes up as we study. Like issues, different religions, and different worldviews. What do my students need to learn?
Me: Before I answer your question, can you give me some examples of subjects, issues, religions, and worldviews?
You: Yes, I can. As a matter of fact, I have a list of things some colleagues and I brainstormed. Here it is:
- Subjects: art, Bible, computer, English, health, language, math, music, PE, science, social studies, vocational arts
- Issues: abortion, abuse, birth control, capital punishment, civil disobedience, common grace, competition, creation and science, crime, dance, death, disabilities, discrimination, divorce, drug abuse, ecology, entertainment, euthanasia, exploitation, film arts, fair trial, gambling, health, homosexuality, labor unions, law, perjury, pornography, poverty, power, property, race relations, success, technology, war, wealth
- Religions: animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism
- Worldviews: theism, pantheism, monism, deism, nihilism, existentialism, modernism, post-modernism
Me: A good list. Now let's get back to your question, "What do my students needs to learn?"
For your students to be able to apply a Biblical perspective to subjects, issues, religions, and worldviews, your students need to understand 3 things: Biblical principles, Biblical values, and Bible verses. The principles, values, and verses they need to learn depend on what you want them to apply a Biblical perspective to.
You: Can you give me some examples?
Me: Sure
- Biblical principles: God created everything good. God reveals His creativity, power, orderliness and precision through His creation. Sin has affected all creation. We are to use God?s gifts to serve God and others, and to care for His creation.
- Biblical values: Love, obedience, excellence, community, respect, faithfulness, peace, goodness, humility, perseverance, wisdom, mercy, stewardship, thankfulness, integrity, diversity, truthfulness, unity, service, holiness, responsibility, contentment, honesty, discernment, patience, justice, kindness.
- Bible verses: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-18, Genesis 3:1-19, Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Leviticus 19:13-16, Job 1:21, Psalm 19:1-4, Psalm 72, Psalm 139, Proverbs 1:7, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Isaiah 61:1-2, Isaiah 61:8, Micah 4:1-5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 8:19-23, Romans 13:1-6, Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 1:17, James 1:22, II Timothy 3:16.
If your students understood pertinent Biblical principles, Biblical values, and Bible verses, how would this affect their application of a Biblical perspective to subjects, issues, religions, and worldviews?
You: I think they'd do a better job.
Me: So where are you now?
You: I have a list of subjects, issues, religions, and worldviews that I want my students to apply a Biblical perspective to. I have an answer to my question. To apply a Biblical perspective, my students need to know Biblical principles, Biblical values, and Bible verses.
Me: How are you feeling?
You: I'm feeling good because I am confident I can identify and teach my students the Biblical principles, Biblical values, and Bible verses my students need to know. Now what I need to do is help my students learn and apply Biblical principles, Biblical values, and Bible verses. I think I'll work this into next week's unit.
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© Michael B. Essenburg 2007
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