Running head: Secular vs Biblical
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The Difference Between a Secular Approach
and a Biblical Approach in Special Education
Samantha Hewitt
Liberty University
Secular vs Biblical
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Abstract
Most teachers, specifically special education teachers, have to respond to a calling to teach
children with disabilities and many other special needs. These teachers inspire to teach and help
children succeed no matter the cost. When individuals answer their calling, does it occur to
individuals how he/she may favor a biblical approach to their teaching methods or do they follow
a secular approach? Upon completion of reading the difference between a secular approach and a
biblical approach to special education, the reader will have a better understanding. Throughout
this research the goal will help educate the reader on how a secular approach and biblical
approach can or may have an effect on how a teacher teaches and how the students learn. The
goal is to shed light on these two topics and how small details between these different
approaches help parents in deciding which schools will best fit their children. The intent is not
meant to cause any confusion or to say if the secular or biblical approach is better than the other,
just to touch on the differences between the two.
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There are many approaches when dealing with special education such as “secular
approach” and the “biblical approach” when dealing with special education. One may define a
secular approach by or relating to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious,
spiritual, or sacred; temporal (Dictionary.com, 2017). Compared to the definition of the biblical
approach which indicates that, evocative of or suggesting the Bible or Biblical times, especially
in size or extent (Dictionary.com, 2017).
When relating secular and biblical approaches to the real world, some may consider the
public school system the secular approach because most of the values, morals and rules of the
public school system are based on federal and state laws. For instance, one law indicates that all
should be well aware of Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free
appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education,
employment, and independent living. The purpose of education in the secular approach is to
prepare citizens for a humanistic society that tolerates all lifestyles and choices. When addressing
the humanistic thoughts in relation to humanism, in the bible it is the belief that whatever a man
does or feel "right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25 New International Version). When discussing
content of education the secular focus on humanism, which has different, or no values. As
mentioned the school system mainly ran by men and men also created the laws; not all rules are
the same for each school district. Rules and laws differ from city and state. In the secular setting
there are teachers and students from all different backgrounds that have a variety of religious,
sexual and even moral codes. There are a lot of diversity in the secular field.
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Secular people believe that the world is governed by laws of nature and there is nothing
else except what we see and discover through science. The secular approach to life means that
the world should be taken such as it is, according to one’s feelings, without relying on any upper
forces, destiny, life after death. Any unsolved phenomena are no more than a figment of our
imagination and fantasy.” When talking more the secular approach to see how it includes a more
structured approach to learning “factual knowledge”, which also focuses on reading, writing, and
math.
The last few years, the school system started to focus more on socialization skills and social
skills. Some may feel that the school system prepares children to fit and conform to the needs of
society.
In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul quoted Isaiah 40:13 and explained that all believers “have the
mind of Christ” (Isaiah 40:13 New International Version). Most Christians are said to have a
Christ-like frame of mind. In Christian schools the teachers in special education also have to
integrate their faith into their own teaching methods, which makes teaching more relatable as
well. This is a huge process of having to understand Christian perspectives in relation to the
discipline of special education and also having to adapt to the continuous changes in special
education. The biblical approach some may feel deals with a lot a pressure and less freedom.
Teachers in Christian schools believe they have to uphold the laws and values of the Lord and
they have to teach what the Lord says. For Christian schools the purpose of education were to
prepare the students for the Kingdom of God and learning leads to the children to be able to
spread the Gospel to others as well. The curriculums that are being developed are based on the
word of God just like the rules and laws are based on the Bible and more so the parental values
and morals, which may be related to their beliefs. In Christian schools the belief is that God is
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the Creator of all things. In Christian schools people may believe that all teachers have been
Born-again, committed to being believers of God, and seeking to model Christ before their
students; also the students who comes from Christian households are more likely attend a
Christian school because their parents support Christian values and prefer their children to be in
a Christian school to uphold their beliefs. “All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on
our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on
certainties found in God's Word.” “Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should
provide a godly education 24/7” (Deuteronomy 6 New International Version)
To be able to teach in a Christian setting in special education one must have Christ-like
thoughts. These teachers have to not only beware of the teaching but also their own perceptions
of people with disabilities making sure these two frame of minds do not conflict and making sure
that they ask themselves “ what would Jesus do”. Referring to the tough task, in the biblical
approach teacher’s may have to examine themselves and learn to be insightful making sure to
accept the differences that may occur often. For Christian special education teachers, it can be
difficult to understand what their true mission in relation to teaching special needs students.
Being agents of change, teachers maybe equipped with the task of teaching value and being able
to empower their students the way Jesus did throughout the Bible. Teachers must be able to
motivate and teach all students no matter what the disability or learning struggles about self-
worth and how to develop their gifts from God. The most important job of all teachers is to
convince each student that because they have a disability that they are not dependent on others
but also too able to realize when they need help. Like all teachers Christian special education
teachers are important agents of change for students. Teachers all serve a purpose to be the main
catalysis that collaborates with the teacher and other colleagues, to be on the same page to
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provide the needed and correct services for their children with special needs. They are charged
with the task of including all students in the educational process those disabled or not, but most
importantly, Christian special education teachers are to have the upmost of compassion “The
Lord is full of compassion and mercy,” (James 5:11 New International Version)
One may believe that having a Christian education may differ from the public school
education. One of the main differences between the public school and Christian Schools is the
curriculum. The biblical approach as a purpose that is primarily to benefit God, and following
Gods laws, while the secular approach is to benefit the State and following the rules of that State
request. In recent years since they omitted the word of God within the school system, because
people feel that the public school should focus the curriculum to fit the thoughts of Humanism.
Whereas in Christian schools, the word God is still used and found throughout the curricula,
because in the school setting God is the center of everything.
The difference between secular approach and the biblical approach to special education
is the mandate. The public school system (secular approach) are driven by federal laws, such as
the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which mandates Free and Appropriate Education
(FAPE) for all students (Weintraub, 2005). These laws will have to continue to change and
mature which includes modifying to fit the changes in economic limits and high demand for
services. The public school system should follow all changes if they do not comply it can result
in lawsuits. The instruction for the Christian school is indeed different, because in most Christian
schools rules and laws are made up in the likenesses of God, and students are taught to see
themselves like God and do as he did. No matter how one may see thing both systems put in a lot
of work and dedication.
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Ackerman has interesting point’s inference to her Ackerman’s G.U.I.D.E. Such as “As
Christians, differentiated instruction includes teaching and reaching out to students with varying
abilities” (Ackerman, 2012) this is very important in being a teacher, to be able to meet the needs
of all students across the board. Ackerman’s G.U.I.D.E. the Great Commission calls for
educators to reach all people and understanding differentiation, which means understanding that
every child has a different way of learning. Ackerman states that, “learning is no longer based on
the teacher or the textbook or the curriculum; it is based on the student.” With the statement
above, as an educator her teaching resonates well with many teachers such as myself because no
matter how the teacher teaches, the student has to comprehend the lesson being taught. The
teacher can teach the lesson in various ways so the student can understand the lesson but in
retrospect it is always up to the students to apply themselves. Today, majority of the states
focuses on test scores rather than grades, now students have to be aware that their progress in the
classroom not only affects their grades but also their test scores in order to excel therefore the
student have to make sure they understand what they are being taught. Ackerman also states that
it is up to the teacher to adapt to the student. For example, if the student is a visual learner then
the teacher have to adapt to the student’s learning style and become a visual teacher. The teacher
has to adapt to every learning style there is possible such as incorporating technology in there
teachings. Both secular and biblical approach focuses on serving the students with special needs.
At the end of her book Ackerman says “As educators, we need to determine what we
value in education. What is successful instruction and learning?” (Ackerman 2012) This is
something that all teachers can ask themselves. At the end of the day whether you are a teacher
in the public school or Christian school, the main objective remains the same and that is reaching
and teaching students. How one may go about teaching may be different, which is ok because not
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all students learn the same. As the teachers you should be flexible and have the power to reach
all students. No matter the background and school setting we are all seen to be a part of the body
of Christ. “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3 New
International Version). Upon doing the research there are a few points that I understand about the
difference between the Christian school and public schools, my only comment would be that,
you have people of faith that work in the public school systems and they are able to still practice
and incorporate their beliefs in the school system as well. I found it a little weird that at times
the research made it seem that Christian people should only attend Christian schools in order to
do Gods work, as to say that Gods work cannot be done in the public school system despite the
needs to humanize students. We must remember that “For God shows no partiality.” (Romans
2:11 New International Version) As educators we may take different roads, but the destination
will be the same.
References
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Secular. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com website
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/secular
Biblical. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com website
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/biblical
Laitman, M. (2015, May 30). The Difference between the Secular and Religious Approach [Web log post].
Retrieved December 8, 2017, from http://laitman.com/2015/05/the-difference-between-the-
secular-and-religious-approach/
Ackerman, B. (2012). G.U.I.D.E. Differentiated Instruction for Christian Educators. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty
University Press.
Anderson, D. W. (2006). Special education and spiritual formation. Journal of the International
Community of Christians in Teacher Education, 2(1). Retrieved from
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Weintraub, F ( 2005). The evolution of ID policy and future challenges. Learning Disabilities
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faith and special education: a Christian faith approach to special education practice. Eugene, OR:
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Bakken, J. P., & Obiakor, F. E. (2016). General and special education inclusion in an age of change: roles
of professionals involved. Bingley, U.K: Emerald
Byrne, C. (2014). Religion in secular education: what, in heavens name, are we teaching our children?
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