Theme: CHRISTIANITY AND SECULAR EDUCATION
Text: “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom … And in all matters of wisdom and understanding…” – Daniel 1:17, 20.
Comment: That education is beneficial even from the Christian perspective cannot be denied. It should be noted that God Himself gives man the understanding of the world He had created so that they could harness its resources and beautify their environment. When the four faithful Jews were subjected to many questions, the king “found them ten times better than all the magicians in his domain.” (Verse 20). As a result, they had preeminence over all other wise men in Babylon.
True knowledge comes from God, even if it is seen as secular. The Christian should be able to use his knowledge for the promotion of the work of God and avoid such applications of knowledge that are opposed to God and His work. Ezra the Priest had adequate education which enabled him to perform the function of enlightening the people so effectively that they resolved to repent of their sins. (Nehemiah 8:5,6,8) St. Paul’s secular education was meaningful and spiritually beneficial. He declared:“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. – Ephesians 3:8-12