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Introduction
Worldview is a combination of all one believes to be true and is the driving force that shapes
every emotion, decision, and action (Tackett, 2020). As Christian counselors immersed in a
public or private educational environment of secular humanistic worldview, we need to shape a
biblical worldview and lifeview. A solid biblical worldview can lay the foundations of how we
think and live out the truth of the Christian faith, especially as we obey our divine assignment as
educators and counselors. According to the National Center for Education and Economy (2018),
children and adolescents spend approximately forty-five to fifty-six percent of their waking
hours with school educators. In other words, educators, including teachers and school counselors,
have an enormous influence on children and adolescents. As Christians, the main reason for
existence on earth is to love and serve God (Tackett, 2020). This vision for life will influence
everything we say and do, including teaching and counseling students at schools. So, what does
loving and serving God look like in the classroom? Moreover, how can we, Christian educators,
instill the love of God and His character into students daily? This paper addresses the meaning of
a biblical worldview, Christian philosophy on education, and the implications for educational
practice through the lenses of a Christian worldview.
Biblical Worldview
A Biblical worldview is a framework through which the Christian seeks to answer life's
questions through the lenses of Biblical teachings and doctrine. A Christian worldview does not
consist of two types of truth: religious and philosophical or scientific. Biblical thinking applies to
all areas of life and all professions. It is built on the eternal truth of the Word of God, which
shapes the perception of life from a Christian vantage point; it is thinking with the mind of Christ
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(Dockery, 2021). According to Graham (2009), three core tenets, derived from biblical doctrines,
shape a biblical worldview: creation, the fall, and redemption.
The starting point for shaping a biblical worldview is the confession that we believe God
is the maker of heaven and earth and that "in Him, all things hold together" (English Standard
Version Bible, 2001, Colossians 1:15-18). All true knowledge flows from the One Creator and
His one creation (Dockery, 2021). Creation also refers to God's word, which He spoke to make
something out of nothing, making order out of chaos (Graham, 2009). In the doctrine of creation,
God continues to rule over and maintain His creation through the partnership of man (Adam and
Eve) to "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the
sea and the birds of the air, and every living creature that moves on the ground (English
Standard Version Bible, 2001, Genesis 1:28).
The purpose of God's creation is to reflect His glory when it operates according to His
divine law. We, humans, were created in God's image, and as believers in Jesus Christ, we are
given the assignment to give Him glory through our basic everyday living, "So, whether you eat
or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (English Standard Version Bible, 2001,
1 Cor. 10:31).
The fall occurred as soon as an act of disobedience to God's word, and original design
took place (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Genesis 3:6, 7). Through the Fall doctrine, we
acknowledge that God's creation became subjected to pollution and perversion (Graham, 2009).
The fall refers to Adam and Eve's disobedience and rebellion, which led to the loss of their
intimate relationship with God, expulsion from the garden of Eden, and a curse was put on the
earth and the human race: "Cursed is the ground because of you" (English Standard Version
Bible, 200, Genesis 1:17).
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Instead of being utterly dependent on the creator and ruling the creation with Him, the
entire human race, Adam's descendants, became delusional in attempting to take control
independently from God or become gods themselves. Graham (2009) states that sin can not fully
poison God's creation because God still reigns supreme over His creation and His Kingdom.
The third tenet of a Biblical worldview is redemption. Being God's enemies by rejecting
and defying Him, we reconciled to Him through the sacrificial death of His Son. God's Shalom,
inner peace, and realignment were restored. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by
becoming a curse for us (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Galatians 3:13). Such powerful
redemption has legally opened the door for all those who believe in enjoying the abundant life
where Christ manifests His "healing, deliverance, justice, and renewal" (Graham, 2009, chapter, 3).
Christian Philosophy of Education
Christians with a divine mandate to enter the field of public education should develop a
clear philosophy of education based on the truth of the Word of God and a deep understanding of
God's love and desire to reveal Himself to the human race. Bartlett (2007) espouses two realities
on which this philosophy of education should be founded upon God desires to have a
relationship with every individual. He defines a unique purpose for every person. Consequently,
education must aim at nurturing such a relationship and prepare every student to fulfill his or her
divine purpose on earth (Bartlett, 2007).
Graham (2009) proposes that the Christian philosophy of education should also be
founded on grace (process), not the law, which is an outward performance that responds to
reward and punishment. Graham (2009) highlights the process's significance as part of the
content. Education itself is not an end; it is instead a means through which we reflect God's
'outrageous' grace and love and respond to the calling He put on our lives.
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Christian educators and counselors ought to shape their understanding of the key
elements of an educational philosophy based on their knowledge of Judeo-Christian Scriptures.
Christian educators perceive education as a process through which God's character and mind are
reflected. God calls us to be like Him (Jesus) and does as He (Jesus) does: "As He is so also, we
in this world" (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, 1 John 4:17). (Graham, 2009).
The heart of the Christian philosophy of education has Christ-centered core values.
Graham (2009) emphasizes that educators with a biblical worldview will reflect God's image in
all they say and do. Within this educational biblical worldview, God's love, patience, grace,
compassion, mercy, and kindness will be imparted through the process and the content; thus, the
divine calling will be fulfilled. As counselors-educators, we seek to reflect Christ in our daily life
by allowing the fruit of the Spirit to exude from us into our students at schools. In a nutshell, the
task of proper education is to continue to seek to know God and to use that knowledge in
exercising a creative-redemptive dominion over the field over which we are entrusted and the
world in which we live (Graham, 2009).
Implications for Educational Practice
As a Christian school counselor, I have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell within me to
constantly lead me into intimate communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Through the Spirit, we learn how to be God's agents on earth, empowering and caring for his
creation, including our students. Successful educator-leaders know how to guide students toward
God's agenda (Blackby & Blackby, 2011). As a school counselor with a biblical worldview, I will
seek to serve God through my counseling mandate by reflecting God's true nature, traits, and
heart to students and those who work with me in the educational system. I will instill values
based on biblical worldviews in my students so that they can think critically about the
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information they acquire at school. For example, I am called to inspire students to believe that
the world, God's creation, is full of good and beauty. I can also show my students how nature
reveals God's character and His power "His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and
divine nature, have been perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have
been made…" (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Romans 1:20).
Another implication of having a biblical worldview and Christian philosophy in
education is adopting a student-centered education that honors each student's individuality
(Bartlett, 2007). The individual student is the driving force behind educational vision and
methods. As a school counselor with a Biblical worldview and Christian philosophy, I
understand that God uniquely fashions each student for a unique purpose in this life. I, therefore,
will implement multiple intelligences in the classroom and during counseling sessions, including
kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, musical, mathematical, and linguistic (Bartlett, 2007). The
Apostle Paul talks about multiple intelligences and shows us that there are different gifts and
kinds of service but the same lord. The body is not made up of many parts, each part is unique,
but they are all connected…." (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, 1 Corinthians 12:12-15).
The biblical truth has implications on my educational understanding that not all students process
information similarly and that each student must be valued for the intelligence God gave them
(Bartlett, 2007).
Practically speaking, educators/counselors with a biblical worldview are to demonstrate
the fruit of the Spirit to their students, which is a true reflection of Christ's nature and how He
walked on earth: "Love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-
control." (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Galatians 5:22-23). To impact students with
God's love and peace, educators must intentionally engrain such love, grace, and peace in all
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aspects of communication with students daily. Educators and counselors must model God's
creativity, grace, and nature. For example, a teacher or a counselor in school should model self-
regulation and self-control when they feel stressed or frustrated if they want to effectively teach
students self-regulation strategies to calm down and control anger and frustration. Biblical
worldview educators should ask God for wisdom and surrender their temper or stresses to the
Holy Spirit to receive His peace and solve complex problems. Such an outcome can be attained
only by loving God and constantly communing with Him (Graham, 2009).
As a Christian school counselor, I know that I could be some students' only exposure to
the love of God and the Christian faith. One needs to be constantly reminded that students at
such developmental ages are always searching for something to believe in, and we, Christian
educators have the answer (Bartlett, 2007).
Conclusion
In conclusion, as Christian school counselors and educational leaders in an increasingly
secular American educational system, the undercurrent culture can subtly intimidate and render
us silent. Without having a sharp and solid biblical worldview developed through an intimate
relationship with God and His word, we will lose sight of our purpose in life. We quickly lose
our sense of identity as salt and light in this world. A Christian philosophy in education based on
a solid biblical worldview is our blueprint for having a fruitful and effective ministry within the
walls of public or private schools. As a school counselor with a biblical worldview, God is
preparing me to be a champion for Christ, fulfilling my calling in a public school setting.
Finally, we are reminded of God's incredible promise to "instruct you and teach you in
the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (English Standard
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Version Bible, 2001, Psalm 32:8). So, in the same way that God teaches us, we are called to teach
and shape students’ minds to walk towards their God-given destiny and purpose.
References
Bartlett, J. C. (2007). A Christian philosophy of education of a public school educator. Christian
Perspectives in Education, 1(1) Article 7.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cpe/vol1/iss1/7
Blackaby, H. & Blackaby, R. (2011). Spiritual Leadership. B& H Publishing Group.
Dockery, D. (2021, July 20). Shaping a Christian worldview. The Gospel Project. Retrieved
November 9, 2022, from https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/the-importance-of-a-christian-
worldview/
Graham, D. L. (2009). Teaching redemptively: Bringing grace and truth into your classroom.
Purposeful Design Publications. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/E6501
National Center on Education and the Economy. (2018). How much time do students spend in
school in top-performing school systems and the U.S.? http://ncee.org/wp-
content/uploads/2018/02/SchoolYearStatv5.pdf.
Tackett, D. (2020, June 23). What's a Christian worldview? Focus on the Family. Retrieved
November 9, 2022, from https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/whats-a-christian-
worldview/.
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