Fore Dec 2019

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).

In The Republic, Plato presents a striking picture of education. Inside a cave lives a shackled group (the students); they are darkened in their understanding of reality. However, a Philosopher (the teacher) makes the sacrifice to enter the cave and lead out the bound. In the light of the sun, the once imprisoned can truly see and are set free. At the Rafiki Christian Classical School, the teachers and I frequently reference this allegory because it so beautifully portrays what is taking place in the classrooms—students being set free in the light, wisdom and knowledge of Christ. Read on and see…

From my office I can hear our first graders as Teacher Francis leads them in hymns, math facts, phonics, songs, and chants throughout the day. Carol is one of Teacher Francis’ students. At the start of the year Carol lacked basic phonics skills and struggled speaking English. Carol’s mother recently visited Teacher Francis and shared: “Carol asked to have a Bible at home so she can read it for herself. I am going to buy her one right away! I can’t believe she knows how to read and that she desires to read God’s Word!”

Carol and Teacher Francis

Prior to Maktum and his brothers attending the Rafiki Christian Classical School, they were enrolled in several schools closer to home. Now, they travel a considerable distance every morning to attend our school. Their father recently shared why, “I have never seen a school produce in my children what your school is producing. My boys have a new love for learning and a zeal for their studies. They present themselves with such confidence and can reason well. They will never leave this school!”

Maktum and His Brothers

Joy had to leave our school and attend another school due to outside circumstances. Her parents met me recently. They shared how Joy’s new teachers are amazed at her ability to think critically and problem solve on a level beyond her new classmates. They were thankful for the education Joy had received at our school and that she was equipped with logic.

I am thankful, too. So often modern education crams students’ minds with facts soon forgotten after a test is passed. Classical Christian education seeks to do so much more! It develops appetites in students for all that is good, true, and beautiful (like Carol’s desire to read the Bible); instills a love for learning (like Maktum and his brothers’ new zeal) and equips them with the tools of learning (like Joy’s ability to think critically).

Classical Christian education is simply a reflection of what our Savior did for us—reaching into our darkness and pulling us into glorious, all-satisfying light. May you rejoice in that light this Christmas.

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