Running head: Secular vs Biblical
The difference between a Secular Approach
and a Biblical Approach in Special Education
Samantha Hewitt
Liberty University
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Secular vs Biblical 2
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 are inspired to teach
and help children succeed no matter the cost. When you answer your calling, does it occur to you
how you may favor a biblical approach to your teaching methods, of do you follow a secular
approach? This research paper will discuss the difference between a secular approach and a
biblical approach to special education. Throughout this research the goal will help education 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. This paper will shed light on these two topics play a
significant role in how and where parents choose what schools they prefer to send their children.
This paper is not meant to cause any confusing and saying which method is better no not, but just
to touch up on the difference.
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There are many approaches when dealing with special education. In this research we will
touch on what is considered the “secular approach” and the biblical approaches when dealing
with special education. Let’s start with definitions. One may define a “secular approach” by “of
or relating to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred;
temporal.” (secular. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from
Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/secular. Compared to the definition
of the “Biblical Approach” “evocative of or suggesting the Bible or Biblical times, especially in
size or extent” (biblical. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from
Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/biblical.”
When we relate secular and biblical to the real world, some may consider the Public
School System the secular approach because most of the values and morals and rules Public
School systems are based on federal and state laws. For instance the one law we all should be
well aware of, “IDEA”. IDEA is the Individual with Disabilities Education Act. 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 in relation to humanism it is the belief that whatever a man does or feel "right in
his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). When discussing content of education the secular focus on
humanism which has different or no values. As mentioned the school systems are ran by man
and laws that man has created, not all rules are the same for each school district. Rules and laws
differ from city and state. In the secular setting you have teachers and students from all different
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background that have a variety of religious, sexual and even moral codes. In a sense a lot of
diversity in the secular field. “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. Within the later years the school system started to focus
on more on socialization skills and more social things that is happening in the modern day.
Some may feel that the school system prepare children to fit and confirm to the needs of society.
(Michael Laitman,2015 ) 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 the
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 understanding Christian
perspectives in relations 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 is said to begin 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 curriculum is
based on the word of God just like the rules and laws are based on the bible and more also
parental values and morals which may be related to their beliefs. In Christian schools the beliefs
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is that God is the Creator of all things. In Christian schools it is believed that all teachers have
been Born-again, and has committed to being believers of God, and seeking to model Christ
before their students, also the students come from Christian homes who most 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.”- (http://christian.fmpsdschools.ca” 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 to frame of minds do not conflict and making sure that they ask themselves “ what
would Jesus do”. It will be a tough task but, in the biblical approach you have to examine
yourself and learn to be insightful making sure to accept the difference that may occur often. It is
crucial for Christian special education teachers to understand what their true mission in relation
to what teaching for them is about. Being agents of change, teachers are charged 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. One of the most important
jobs of all teachers is to teach students that they are not helpless. The most important aspect
about Christian special education teachers is their mission which includes being an advocate for
their students. Like all teachers Christian special education teachers are important agents of
change for students and serve as the main catalysis which collaborates the teacher and other
colleagues. They are charged with the task of including all students in the educational process
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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)
It is believed that the Christian Education is supposed to differ from the Public School
Education with a purpose. The biblical approach as a purpose that is primarily to benefit God,
while the secular approach is to benefit the State. One of the main differences that the public
schools is different from Christian Schools is the curriculum. In recent years the public schools
omitted the Word God with in the school system, when back in the day you used to say the
pledge of allegiance but because it mentions God it was taken out. It is because of this that
people feel that the Public School have focused the curriculum to fit the thoughts of Humanism.
Where as in Christian School the Word God is intertwined in the curriculum in many ways that
cannot be avoided. A large belief that biblical approach follows based on parents is that “children
are an heritage of the LORD" (Psalm 127:3 New International Version) and because fathers are
instructed to bring up that heritage "in the nurture and admonition of the LORD" (Ephesians 6:4
New International Version), "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15)
After reading and getting into detail about this topic the only differences between the
secular approach and the biblical approach to special education is the mandate. The secular
(public) school systems 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). After about 50 years these laws and regulations are said to be the oldest. These laws will
have to continue to change and mature which also includes modifying to fit the ever changing
economic limits and high demand for services. It is a must that the Public school follow all
changes if not this can result in lawsuits and such. The instruction for the Christian school is
indeed different but both systems put in a lot of work.
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Ackerman has interesting points when it comes to her G.U.I.D.E. Acherman's G.U.I.D.E.,
the Great Commission which calls for educators to reach ALL people and understanding
differentiation which means understanding that every child has a different way of learning. She
states that learning is no longer based on the teacher or the textbook or the curriculum; it is based
on the student. I have to agree with her because no matter how the teacher is teaching it is up to
the student to comprehend the teaching. The teacher can teach but it’s up to the student to apply
themselves. Now since most states focuses on test scores rather than grades, it’s up to the student
to make sure that they understand what they are being taught. She also states that it’s up to the
teacher to adapt to the student. For example if the student is visual then the teacher much become
visual. The teacher had to adapt to every student learning style. All in all, both secular and
biblical approach focuses on serving the students with special needs.
Weintraub, F ( 2005). The evolution of ID policy and future challenges. Learning Disabilities
biblical. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com
website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/biblical
Anderson, D. W. (2006). Special education and spiritual formation. Journal of the International
Community of Christians in Teacher Education, 2(1). Retrieved
from https://icctejournal.org/ICCTEJournal/vol2issue1andersond
Nworie, B., Latunde, Y., Lee, H., Freeman, M., DomNwachukwu, C. S., & Hetzel, J. (2016).
Integrating faith and special education: a Christian faith approach to special education practice.
Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock
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References
secular. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 9, 2017 from Dictionary.com
website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/secular
Ackerman, B. (2012). G.U.I.D.E. Differentiated Instruction for Christian Educators. Lynchburg, VA:
Liberty University Press.
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/
Secular vs Biblical
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? Leiden: Brill.
Wodon, Q. (2014). Education in sub-saharan africa : comparing faith-inspired, private secular,
and public schools. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu
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