ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1 – EDUCATION & HISTORY 2
Abstract
An interdisciplinary approach through a biblical orientation is the only way to integrate the
totality of different disciplines. Interdisciplinarity has its beginnings in the story-telling of
mankind. Following the Biblical principles, one can successfully find God’s plan in the story of
humankind. The ability to integrate the has its roots in the biblical traditions and theology from
the beginning of time. When students intersect their disciplines with biblical theology, the
outcomes are limitless. Seeing from different fields, the interdesciplinarian is able to see the
multifaceted paths throughout the story of man. The ability to see across multiple disciplines
allows for a more complete story. Being able to see across subjects, the interdesciplinarian has
the ability to bring together a world that is dividing more and more each day. Telling the history
of mankind through the lens of God’s plan will share the story of where humanity has been, and
where it is going. This story is the revelation of God’s plan for mankind though education and
history.
Keywords: Interdisciplinary, Biblical Theology, Education, History.
ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1 – EDUCATION & HISTORY 3
• Article Critique 1: Interdisciplinary Education Within Biblical Theology – A Scriptural-
Philosophical-Educational-Practical Overview
Mark Eckel, in his article “Interdisciplinary education within biblical theology: a
scriptural-philosophical-educational-practical overview,” lays out a biblical argument for
interdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary education begins and ends with a Biblical approach.
The unity of knowledge is the basis of a Christian understanding of truth. The integration of
interdisciplinary truth is a search for God and Jesus in the workings of the path. Education is a
perennial process of adjustment is higher for the creatures that have evolved physically, mentally
free and conscious of God as manifested in the environment, intellectual, emotional and
willingness of humans[CITATION Lea19 \l 1033 ]. History is a chronological record of
significant events (such as those affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation
of their causes [ CITATION Mer20 \l 1033 ]. The author shows how a biblical approach is the
only approach to both education and history.
Education
According to the article, “education is not simply an access to knowledge but a
development of wisdom” [ CITATION Eck15 \l 1033 ]. In Romans 12:2:, we are told “Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (NIV).
Interdisciplinary studies are the way to find God in all things. An interdisciplinary approach is
how to show explore the reason and intelligence. These God-given instruments help the
historians tell the truth and educate the world in interdisciplinary fashion. Interdisciplinary
approach fuses together the eternal knowledge of God with human experience. In Colossians
1:17, we are reminded that “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (NIV).
ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1 – EDUCATION & HISTORY 4
Knowing that all things under the sun are united in the intersection of academic disciplines and
knowledge. Within education, there is an inherent reflection of God’s wisdom [ CITATION
Eck15 \l 1033 ]. Humans are made in the image and likeness of God; therefore, humans are
capable of learning reason and understanding.
In education, teaching happens. In 1 John 2:27, John reminds us that “As for you, the
anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But
as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as
it has taught you, remain in him” (NIV). Understanding that interdisciplinary teaching leads to
an understanding that is grounded in Scripture and above reproach, historians can search for
God’s hand in the events, people, and shifts in history. This understanding allows the Christian
to interpret life and its happenings [ CITATION Eck15 \l 1033 ]. This understanding is based in
idea that humans do not realize patterns that are evident in God’s nature.
History
All past events happen because the Creator set them in motion. In Daniel 2:21, we are
reminded “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes
kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding” (NIV). When an
interdisciplinary approach is applied to history, the historian becomes an instrument through
which God’s plan be understood. Reason applied with a revelation by God brings to light the
plan laid forth. This plan is the history or the story of mankind. God establishes the pathway for
man. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this historian can delved into all events and people
across the timeline of humanity. In the Bible, humans are given a code of ethics in the Ten
Commandments. Following these leads the historian to educate others about the story of
mankind or God’s plan. Historian are bound to be ethical and to tell the story of God’s plan by
following the Ten Commandments. Luke, the writer of the Gospel, lays out that historians must
tell the story without bias and without deceit. He writes, in Luke 1:3, “With this in mind, since I
myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an
orderly account for you” (NIV). Interdisciplinary research allows the historian to see the
intricacy of God’s plan.
It has been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The
circular nature of history gives the research the ability to show God’s hand at work. When
humans become ensnared in the failing of mankind, the circularity of history show the plan of
forgiveness in God’s plan. When all that has been written and all that will be written is held
within His plan, historians must show the wholeness of God’s world. The only approach that can
ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1 – EDUCATION & HISTORY 5
show the unity of the heavens and the earth is an educational process infused with Biblical
thought [ CITATION Eck15 \l 1033 ]. In Ecclesiastes 3:11, we are told “He has made everything
beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God
has done from beginning to end” (NIV). When historians understand that the story they tell
demonstrates the transience of life and the reality of eternity waiting, then the historian shows the
unity and wholeness of God’s story for humanity.
Interdisciplinary Education.
An interdisciplinary education is the only way for the wholeness of the story of mankind
to be shown. According to the article, the unity of all things under the lordship of Jesus
necessitates an educational process infused with biblical thought [ CITATION Eck15 \l 1033 ].
Through interdisciplinary education, the wholeness of the story can be seen. By not excluding
one discipline or another, the entirety of the story can be shared. When one part is excluded, the
whole picture cannot be seen. Interdisciplinary instruction traverses all disciplines, all
approaches, and all methods [ CITATION Men16 \l 1033 ]. Learning and teaching about God’s
plan creates a comprehensive and consistent storyline for the tale of humankind. This construct
allows other others to see the unity of the tales that span throughout the history of mankind as a
uniting force rather than a division. The stories told across the generations and across the
communities share similar constructs. Uniting these an interdisciplinary approach, the history
can educate the story of mankind as seen through the eyes of God’s plan.
Conclusion.
The article shows how an interdisciplinary approach is taken through a biblical
perspective. Interdisciplinarity has no cohesiveness without a biblical theology [ CITATION
Eck15 \l 1033 ]. The completeness of God’s plan shows the connectedness of the story
throughout history. An interdisciplinary approach is the only way to effective educate the nations
about the story of mankind.
ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1 – EDUCATION & HISTORY 6
References
Eckel, M. (2015, September 22). Interdisciplinary education within biblical theology: a
scriptural-philosophical-educational-practical overview. Christian Education Journal,
12(2).
Learng SEO Blogspot. (2020). What is education. Retrieved January 21, 2020, from What is
education: http://what-education.blogspot.com/2013/07/definition-of-education-
according-to.html
Menken, S., & Keestra, M. (2016). An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research: Theory and
Practice. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2020). History. Retrieved January 21, 2020, from Merriam-
Webster DIctionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/history
Repko, A. F., & Szostak, R. (2017). Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Theory. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
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