The mind is a terrible thing to waste” was the slogan of a television commercial when I was young. This commercial presented the premise that an uneducated mind is a wasted mind. There is much truth to this conjecture, but what about the Christian mind? In Luke 10:25 a lawyer asks Jesus a very important question, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus leads the lawyer to give an answer that is a quotation of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 with a simple phrase added. The added phrase is “to love God with all your mind.” Jesus then tells the lawyer, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” Now we know that it is impossible to love God this way apart from the life-changing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But we must not downplay the importance of developing the Christian mind. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 tells us to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” The renewing of the mind and loving God with our entire mind go hand-in-hand. In this very important truth we find one of the primary purposes of Christian education.

Non-Christian education attempts to explain reality and define truth apart from God or it attempts to judge God and His word through the lens of man’s knowledge. Christian education involves helping students learn to see the world as God sees it. Students are taught that all truth is God’s truth. Knowledge without truth can give a person the tools to be an economic success, but does not further a love for God. Students educated in a Christian environment and from a Biblical perspective are taught that all knowledge proceeds from God. These teachings help students develop their love for God and help renew their minds to think and reason according to God’s Word.  Man in his godlessness attempts to explain creation without God and calls this education. Man attempts to define values apart from God and calls it instruction.  The list could go on and on. Christian education is not perfect, but with God’s help we are training and equipping a generation to love God with their entire mind, soul, body and strength.

At this time of year many families contemplate their commitment to Christian education. As we begin enrolling for the new school year the sacrifices, the costs and the shortcomings (yes, there are a few—we are all human) may cause some to question the value. Remember, Christian education is an investment – an investment that pays eternal dividends. Also remember that Christian education helps fulfill the commands of God (Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, Proverbs 22:6, Isaiah 54:13).  At BCS we are committed to a Christ-centered education. We are striving for excellence in every area and we are partnering with parents and churches in the education of their children.