LUTHER AND EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION

In a recent series of articles, Mr. J. Beeke, principal of Timothy Christian School in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada, clearly demonstrated the need of our own Christian schools in order that our children may be instructed in godliness and may receive a sound education within the context of God’s eternal testimony. In these articles, Mr. Beeke frequently quoted the Reformers, our forefathers, and also some of our recent ministers, thereby proving that Christian education has always been a matter of utmost importance in the church of the Reformation.

Since our denomination specifically calls itself a reformed denomination, it thereby clearly acknowledges to follow in the footsteps of the reformers and the men of the “Second Reformation” (Nadere Reformatie). It is, therefore, of great importance that, next to God’s Word, we diligently study the writings of these men, lest we lose our true reformed signature. This should also be done in reference to the issue which is becoming increasingly important in our denomination, namely, Christian education.

Relative to this issue, an attempt will be made in this article to examine the viewpoints of the man by whom it pleased the Lord to deliver the church from the Babylonian captivity of Roman Catholicism, Dr. Martin Luther. This article does not intend to give a detailed analysis of Luther’s thinking on this matter, but rather is comprised of a large variety of quotes taken from Luther’s works.

Luther was never a man to mince any words. He always spoke his mind and would often do so very bluntly, which will be evident in some of his statements quoted in this article. Nevertheless, anyone who reads Luther extensively will be impressed by his uprightness and sincerity even though his choice of words may at times be somewhat unfortunate. He wholeheartedly sought the glorification of a triune and sovereign God and the well-being of his neighbor, especially his young neighbor.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

In order to correctly understand Luther’s thinking we must of necessity view his statements within their historical context. The centuries preceeding the Reformation are generally referred to as “the Dark Ages.” Truly, this era must be considered as one of the darkest periods in the history of the Western World. Religiously it was very dark; the truth of God’s Word had been buried deeply under the teaching and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, but also in all other aspects the Middle Ages was a very dark time. Education and scholarship were confined to a small elite group consisting of the clergy and the nobility. The masses were uneducated and consequently very ignorant and superstitious. It is this ignorance which the Roman Catholic Church (as Satan’s instrument) exploited to the fullest and which enabled it to mislead the people and completely dominate the thinking of the masses.

When it pleased the Lord to use Luther and the Reformation to break Satan’s stranglehold on the people of Europe, education necessarily became a matter of great importance in the movement of the Reformation. As Luther began to study the Scriptures and received the illumination of God’s Spirit, he recognized not only how his own ignorance had kept him in bonds for so long but also how his fellowmen continued to be kept in the bonds of superstition and error. Luther realized that with the help of the Lord there was only one answer: Education! He therefore faithfully expounded the Scriptures to his congregation; he translated the Bible in the language of the common people; and he promoted the education of children and young people wherever and whenever he could. Luther understood what a serious vice ignorance is, yes, that its continued existence, in whatever form, is inspired by Satan himself, who thereby seeks to drag millions to eternal destruction.

Throughout his entire life Luther declared an allout war against ignorance; and consequently his numerous writings are replete on the one side with statements about the necessity of educating the rising generation, and on the other side with strong denouncements against the lack of it. It must be understood, however, when reading Luther’s statements, that whenever he speaks of and promotes education, he has CHRISTIAN education in mind. Education of which God’s Word is not an integral part would have been an absurdity to Luther. Luther makes it abundantly clear in his writings, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom (Ps. 111:10), also in education.

QUOTES FROMLOTHER’S WRITINGS

After this brief historical sketch, I will now let Luther speak. The statements given below are by no means all of the statements Luther made about this issue. Of the statements I have found in his works, I have taken a sampling of those which most clearly express his viewpoints and, which in my opinion, are of value in our current situation. All quotes have been grouped under topical headings and are taken from Luther’s Works, American Edition, published by Concordia Publishing House, Vol. 1-30 and Fortess Press, Vol. 31-55.

A. Necessity and Importance of Religious Instruction

“Now that God has so richly blessed us, however, and provided us with so many men able to instruct and train our youth aright, it is surely imperative that we not throw His blessing to the winds and let Him knock in vain.

Let us remember our former misery, and the darkness in which we dwelt. Make use of God’s grace and Word while it is there. For you should know that God’s Word and grace is like a passing shower of rain which does not return where it has once been. It has been with the Jews, but when it’s gone it’s gone, and now they have nothing. Paul brought it to the Greeks; but again when it’s gone it’s gone, and now they have the Turk. Rome and the Latins also had it, but when it’s gone it’s gone, and now they have the pope. And you Germans need not think that you will have it forever, for ingratitude and contempt will not make it stay. Therefore seize it and hold it fast, whoever can; for lazy hands are bound to have a lean year.

The third consideration is by far the most important of all, namely, the command of God, Who through Moses urges and enjoins parents so often to instruct their children that Psalm 78 says: How earnestly He commanded our fathers to teach their children and to instruct their children’s children (Ps. 78:5-6). Indeed, for what purpose do we older folks exist other than to care for, instruct, and bring up the young? It is utterly impossible for these foolish young people to instruct and protect themselves. This is why God has entrusted them to us who are older and know from experience what is best for them. And God will hold us strictly accountable for them. This is also why Moses commands in Deuteronomy 32 (:7), “Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”

Address to the Councilmen of Germany Vol. 45, pp. 352, 353

“Here we are excelled and put to shame by the pagans of old, especially the Romans and the Greeks. Although they had no idea of whether this estate were pleasing to God or not, they were so earnest and diligent in educating and training their young boys and girls to fit them for the task, that when I call it to mind I am forced to blush for us Christians.”

Address to the Councilmen of Germany; Vol. 45, p. 367

“His disciples remembered that it was written: Zeal for Thy house will consume Me.”

This remark gives evidence that the people in that day were well versed in Holy Scripture, and that its study must have been diligently pursued in the synagogues and schools. It was particularly the Psalter which was read, preached, and explained, and with which the people were familiar. Scripture was expounded there daily, so that even the simple folk acquired a fair understanding of the psalms and the prophets, which they also retained in their memory. They heard it read, sung, and preached. Simply by listening to Holy Scripture they familiarized themselves with it; and they learned it so well that they remembred the words and pondered them.

Here we can observe the result of faithful and diligent instruction of the people in the Word of God and of their attention to such instruction.

Commentary on the Gospel of John Vol. 22, pp. 228, 229

(To be continued)

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