PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Veritas Evangelical Seminary believes that all truth finds its source in God (Jn. 14:6), whether it is discovered in general revelation (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:19-20; 2:15) or special revelation (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16). Therefore, any education which seeks to discover the source and foundation for truth must have as its primary focus God Himself, since “in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Therefore, Christian education integrates God’s truth into every discipline of life, so that there is not a dichotomy between secular truth and religious truth (Phil. 4:8). As redeemed individuals, we may know biblical and extra-biblical truth which provides spiritual and intellectual freedom (Jn. 8:32), while offering a bulwark against any tyranny over the minds and hearts of man (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
Christian education deals with teaching and learning based on the inspired Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16) and continual submission under the authority of the Bible; conducted by Christian teachers primarily for Christian students and empowered by the Holy Spirit bringing all truth into living relationship with the truth of the Word of God. Christian education integrates the whole of the student’s personality with a Bible-centered Christian worldview to enable the student to better serve and glorify God.
A Christian worldview acknowledges the existence of the triune personal God, the Maker of heaven and earth; man’s creation in the image of God, an image ruined by the fall beyond human power to repair, but not beyond God’s power to regenerate; the incarnation of God the Son, His death, burial and bodily resurrection; the Holy Spirit calling out of this present world an organic community of believers which is Christ’s Body, the Church; and the end of earthly history via the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
A Christian worldview acknowledges the existence of the triune personal God, the Maker of heaven and earth; man’s creation in the image of God, an image ruined by the fall beyond human power to repair, but not beyond God’s power to regenerate; the incarnation of God the Son, His death, burial and bodily resurrection; the Holy Spirit calling out of this present world an organic community of believers which is Christ’s Body, the Church; and the end of earthly history via the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
There is no Christian education without Christian teachers. Every teacher has a worldview which expresses the convictions by which he or she lives. The worldview of the teacher will gradually influence the worldview of the student. It is for this reason that good Christian models are an absolute necessity for Christian education. Jesus spoke of fully developed disciples being like their teachers (Lk. 6:40). Therefore, a Christian teacher is one redeemed through Jesus Christ; conducting a pure life enabled by His Spirit; called and gifted to teach; and demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit-the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:1ff).
As a Christian educational community we endeavor to offer students the opportunity to form a biblical worldview founded on Scripture that provides the educational content for intellectual and moral development. We believe that students and instructors combine to form the educational environment while being dependent upon God's grace and revelation of Himself for the discovery of truth (Dt. 29:29; 1 Cor. 2:6-15).
As a Christian educational community we endeavor to offer students the opportunity to form a biblical worldview founded on Scripture that provides the educational content for intellectual and moral development. We believe that students and instructors combine to form the educational environment while being dependent upon God's grace and revelation of Himself for the discovery of truth (Dt. 29:29; 1 Cor. 2:6-15).
VES Educational Objectives
1) To develop the student's spiritual, moral, intellectual, and
devotional understanding of God, His Son Jesus Christ,
and the doctrines of orthodox classical Christianity.
2) To develop in the student an awareness that worship of
God involves the total life of faith and practice independent
of one's circumstances or environment.
3) To develop in the student a sense of awareness,
responsibility, and engagement in church planting,
evangelism, and global missions.
4) To equip the student with the understanding necessary to
skillfully and humbly defend the Christian faith and proclaim
the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
5) To assist the student in developing a biblical worldview
centered in Christ which will provide the interpretive
framework through which to understand the world and
provide enduring solutions to its problems.
6) To increase the student's understanding of church and
para-church ministry related to biblical studies, theological
studies, and apologetics.
7) To assist students in gaining an appreciation for godly
knowledge and wisdom, not as an end in itself, but as a
means to clarifying, defending, and sharing the gospel with
skill, and to help the student live the Christian life as a
thoughtful individual.
8) To help students embrace a life of Christian humility and
sacrificial love, which are the greatest visible and relational
testimonies one could offer fellow Christians and the world.