There was a time, in the 1500s, when it was possible to read every classical work that was extant. Today however, there is more to read than can ever be learned in a lifetime. New works are created every day. How are parents to navigate the Information Age? What does the next generation need to know from this vast ocean of knowledge?
The Paideia of the Lord
Thankfully, there are guideposts for believers in educating their children. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger. But bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The word discipline might bring to mind some unpleasant childhood memories. The Greek word translated as discipline would have been familiar to the Ephesians at the time, but it actually does not have an adequate translation in English. This is why translations will vary in this verse between discipline, fear, nurture, educate, admonition, or training. That original Greek word is paideia and Paul often used this term. The idea of paideia referred to the cultural ideals passed down to the next generation. The goal was to preserve the nation and raise children to be virtuous citizens. If in Athens, the ideal Greek would be more academic, with an emphasis on philosophy. If in Sparta, the ideal was militaristic, and more centered around athleticism. Teaching children the Greek way of life happened not only through formal academic study in school and at home, but also through participation in the daily activities of theaters, sport arena, temples, market squares, and government buildings. Paideia was an all-encompassing cultural endeavor that started with beliefs and values and spilled out into every aspect of life.
In contrast to the Ephesian paideia, Paul instructed fathers to bring their children up in the paideia of the Lord. Their children were to be brought up in a Christian culture, discipled in the ways of God. This was a remarkable command as a Christian culture did not exist at the time this instruction was given, but it is the duty of fathers (biological as well as spiritual fathers) to labor in developing a Christian paideia that encompasses all of life.
Making Disciples Who Rule the Earth
We tend to think that bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord is limited to Bible stories and imitating particular character traits of Christ, like His patience, kindness, and goodness, but the foundation of our faith rests in the fact that Jesus is Creator and Lord. Because Christ made the world, He is therefore master of it. He did not need to read a science textbook to learn how to walk on water or turn water into wine. He simply commanded and it obeyed. Likewise, Christians are to teach children to imitate Christ’s traits of creativity and rulership as they study creation and learn to use it for His good purposes. It is God’s mandate to procreate the earth and rule over it (Genesis 1:28).
In order to rule over the earth, we must first understand how it works through various fields of research. We can then take the raw knowledge and build something with it, whether in engineering, agriculture, or medicine. Commercialism then makes the goods available to all. Law and civics imitate God’s justice after sin entered the world while the arts and humanities are reminders of His love for the world. Every field of discipline is authorized for Christian discipleship and when put together forms a Christian paideia, a Christian way of life.
Someone may say that paideia seems like another way of saying Christian nationalism. If by Christian nationalism, they mean governance by Biblical principles, then yes, Christian nationalism is Christian paideia; however, paideia is much more than national politics. How will we worship? How do we manage our businesses? How do we parent? How do we decorate our homes? What kind of clothes do we wear? What type of music do we consume? What do we celebrate? How will we educate our children? How we answer these questions reveals our paideia.
