There has been some correspondence recently on a small
corner of Facebook surrounding an article written on the BBC website about
Christian education and in particular the use of ACE (Accelerated Christian
Education) as a school curriculum.
Now I would be the first to agree that as a curriculum ACE
has some difficulties but to say, as some would suggest, that it is ‘a system
of indoctrination for fundamental and anti intellectual ideology’ or ‘fascist
ideology wrapped in Christian language’ is giving the system more kudos than it
deserves.
I would rather my children were educated using ACE than
brought up in a system that believes nothing, has few morals and no values; a
system that permits everything and then wonders why there are so many problems
created by the freedom it cherishes so much.
I may be thought to be narrow minded because of these
statements. The reality is I am very broad minded because I believe in a God
whose love knows no bounds and whose plan and purpose for both individuals and
mankind is so good, so awesome, so incredible and so far reaching that it is
worth pursing with an energy and passion.
God does not want us indoctrinated into some sort of
religious system and he certainly does not want to limit our knowledge, understanding
and experience. God wants to expand our minds from the limitations of human
knowledge and experience to the endless possibilities available to those who
dare to see things his way.
ACE may be fallible and ‘narrow’ but it has the potential to
open minds not only to God himself but also to the wonders of an awesome God who loves his creation because he
made it. Creationism is not the last resting place of a few deluded,
educationally lacking, intellectually challenged individuals but the only
possible conclusion to a universe finely tuned and perfectly balanced for life
on earth.
Scientists both Christian and non Christian marvel again and
again at the precision of the dimensions and make-up of Earth, our solar system
and the universe. It takes a far greater leap of credibility to believe in the
random creation of the universe than a universe designed by an awesome Creator,
smarter and infinitely more intelligent than his creation.
It is interesting that those who are most vehemently opposed
to ACE and sometimes Christian education as well are those who want to exclude
God from their lives and the planet. Unfortunately God is too big and too
loving to permit that. He never has and never will wash his hands of any of us
but will pursue each one of us extravagantly, recklessly and relentlessly till
our dying day. His grace and love know no bounds.
ACE may be flawed but God is flawless, loving, kind, good,
intelligent, gracious and everything than anyone from any culture, nation or
time could ever desire. In him and him alone are found ‘all the treasure of
wisdom and knowledge’ and he and he alone will satisfy our very souls.
