Christianity And Education

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1949, Page 4

Christianity And Education

"Jesus found his disciples arguing about who were to be the important peopie in the Kingdom of Heaven in much the same way as you and your neighbours discuss how so-and-so's boy must get on now that he has passed university entrance or some such examination," said Rev. A. Salmond, preaching in St. Andrew's Presbyterian ' Church on Sun'day. I By arguing as they were, the disi ciples showed that they had failed to realise the nature of God's Kingdom. When men and women in New Zealand thought that the most highly educated must of necessity receive the biggest salaries and hold the best jobs, they were showing' that they failed to see the true purpose of education in terms of power to live richly. Jesus had dramatised His rebuke to His disciples, continued the preacher. ' He had cailed a passing cni.d and to d His disciples they wouid not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless, -like the child He placed among them, they lost all their confldent self-importance, learned to deal honestly with.facts and gave evidence of a ready willingness to iearn. Honesty and humility were' qualities of soul that every true scholar | and every honourable teacher had to have. A professional teacher ( should be able to guide his pupilst through the various examinations theifprbgress required, but the good teacher was one who also made his pupils feel something of the vaslness and power of knowledge, and the humility of soul that was needed in the face of life's mysteries. Where a people lacked honesty and humility, no true education was possible and the stage /was set ■ in their shops and their schools for ■ the growth of attitudes and practices that were unworthy of profes- 1 I sing Christians, whdse way of life I eame under the cairn judgment of i 'Christ, concluded Mr. Salmond.