by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

True Education

December 29, 2010

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19)

This is a very important verse comprising the first direct reference in the Bible to what we today would call education, and it is given in connection with God's approving testimony concerning Abraham. Note that nothing is said concerning degrees or diplomas, the sciences or humanities, school buildings or textbooks.

It does tell us that God's highest priority in the training of the young is that they learn to "keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment." Such instruction is the responsibility of the home, especially the father--not of the government or some educational association. It is to be given in the context of God's promises and plans (thus in the context of divine revelation) and is to be framed in terms of "commands."

This is also the teaching of the New Testament: "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).