Freedom and Classical Christian Education, Part 1

The Bible has a lot to say about and to slaves. We read, for example, in God’s Law in Leviticus 25:44 that God told Israel, “From the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves.” The New Testament gives a number of commands that relate to slavery. We read in Ephesians 6:5, “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling.” And in Colossians 3:22 we read, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh.” We also read in Colossians 4:1, “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

What do these verses about slaves and slavery and bondservants have to do with students at a classical Christian schools? Are these verses a description of the work of teachers? What do these passages on slavery have to do with our school and the hard work that goes on in it?

This year students will come to school every day and work very hard. They will toil and struggle and labor at the command of their teachers. They are required to obey them in all things with all their heart and to do what they ask without hesitation.

So I ask again, what do these passages from the Bible on slavery have to do with students at a classical Christian schools?

The answer: absolutely nothing.