What is the Purpose
of Education?
By Dr. Donald Larson
W
HEN I HAVE ASKED different groups about the
purpose of education, I have heard many different
answers, but there are several consistent themes. One is
gaining the knowledge necessary to pass the end of grade
tests. Another is to get a good job so a person can make a lot
of money. Rarely have I heard biblical reasons. Our underly-
ing beliefs or presuppositions on the purpose of education
are defined by our worldview.
Horace Mann, considered to be the father of public
schools, believed that education was required for the perfec-
tion of society. He stated, “If American taxpayers
could provide education for every child in America,
within a short period of time the effect of the public
school system would empty all the jails and prisons
in the country.” Dr. Whitehurst, an Assistant Secretary
of Education for the U.S. Department of Education,
stated, “The predictability of reading for life success is
so strong, that if you look at the proportion of middle
schoolers who are not at the basic level, who are really
behind in reading, it is a very strong predictor of prob-
lems with the law and the need for jails down the line.” 1
There has been no link established between reading
and the number of jail cells required by a state, but these
statements are based on an underlying assumption that
education is the universal remedy to all of the world’s
20
problems. This is a tenet of secular humanism with which
a majority of American adults agree, including many Chris-
tians. This is not biblical. The Bible teaches that man is a
sinner, and the goal of education is salvation and discipleship
in order to glorify God. Glen Schultz, in his book Kingdom
Education, gives three desired outcomes from education: 1)
to know Jesus Christ as Savior, 2) to be continually trans-
formed into the image of Christ, and 3) to be fully equipped
to serve Christ in everyday life. 2
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