This past week, the Apostles’ faculty traveled to Sacramento for teachers’ conference. The keynotes stressed the importance of Lutheran schools and provided practical methods for school improvement.
Upon initial reading of the title, one might think it a bit dramatic. Good! It is. The title comes from President Mark Zarling of Martin Luther College who presented “Christian Education: A Matter of Life and Death”. Is it really a matter of life or death? When we consider the church’s mission (and by church I mean the body of believers not a physical building or specific denomination) as presented in Scripture, yes, it is. Really? How can such a claim be made?
Let’s see what Scripture tells us. First, we look at our spiritual condition. Scripture is ripe with God’s law which points out our sinfulness. In Romans 3 and 6, God tells us through the Apostle Paul that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (3:24) and “the wages of sin is death” (6:23). Scripture is very clear; we are naturally sinful individuals who, try as we might, are unable to keep God’s law. The consequence for sin is eternal death in hell. This message is sometimes glossed over in some Christian circles. In Lutheran schools, and Apostles being one, that message is broadcast loudly and clearly.
Yikes! That sounds horrific, doesn’t it?! It is. But, that’s only half the message. The importance of Christian schools does not lie in God’s law; man is born with a conscience — a natural knowledge of God’s law. The importance lies in the Gospel with which Scripture is also ripe. It is found by identifying the second part of each of the aforementioned verses and seeing the treasure that is revealed through God’s Grace. Romans 3:23-24 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The gospel message is a matter of life and death. Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The Gospel preaches sins forgiven, salvation secured, and life everlasting. We hold to that Gospel by Faith. Faith is created by the regular teaching and hearing of the Word and the Holy Spirit working through it. How will our precious children be aware of this life giving message if they are not placed at the feet of the Word each day in their classrooms and home? Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Why a Lutheran school? I’ll quote President Zarling, “The Lutheran school, by God’s grace, is a place where the Word of God is taught daily and young hearts and minds learn Jesus revealed as our Life, who is the Truth. Jesus our Life! What joy to know that each teacher in a truly Lutheran school shares a common Spirit-worked worldview, a Biblical worldview centered in Christ Jesus, our Life and our Lord. … Each Lutheran teacher prays that each child leaves with another “E” on the grade chart — “E” for eternity as the child has again heard the news of eternal salvation in Christ.”
Our school’s mission “to serve families of our congregation and community with excellence in Christ-centered education” goes beyond the boundaries of our campus. It prepares our students for life. It is not just preparation for the next step in their educational path; it prepares them for life eternally with Jesus.
A matter of life and death? When we consider it as a matter of eternity, most certainly, yes. Of course we want our students to be well educated. We want them to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, and to express themselves articulately. Above all, though, one thing is needed (Luke 10:42) – to be continually nurtured at the feet of Jesus, our Life and our Savior.
“Wisdom’s highest, noblest treasure, Jesus, lies concealed in Thee;
Grant that this may still the measure of my will and actions be,
Humility there and simplicity reigning, In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.
Oh, if I of Christ have this knowledge divine, The fulness of heavenly wisdom is mine.”
One Thing’s Needful by Johann H. Schroeder
