As a psychologist-in-training I view psychology and theology/Christianity as fields that have common concerns, and elements of focus such as: humanity, purpose, meaning, the human soul, emotions, the mind, reasoning, human behavior, philosophical perspectives on suffering, goodness, badness, and human potential. As a Christian, I am not concerned with the question of whether it is right to try to integrate my theology with psychological theory and findings; instead, as a Christian, I find that I can not in good conscience divorce my faith from my practice of psychology. As a Christian psychologist-in-training it is important for me to find ways to think about how I can integrate my faith with the practice of psychology, to continue to grow in my faith and as a professional in the field, and to find ways to communicate in an intelligent way with other professionals as well as laymen about integration.

I am committed to integration and appreciate what I can draw from both theology and psychology, and what both fields have to contribute to the world. I believe that we can draw from Scripture, and theologians’ teachings, both Catholic and Protestant, to inform us about the care of the soul, the human condition, and how to operate in this life. I believe that we can also draw from the many branches of psychology to inform us about the mind, human behavior, emotions, mental illness, disabilities, human potential, relationships, resiliency, and healthy living. I believe that each field can inform the other, and that writings, teachings, research, and other clinical applications of integration are a move in the right direction. We as humans will make mistakes along the way, in the integration enterprise, but I believe it is important for dialogue to exist between fields regarding integration, and that each field be open to gleaning what it can from the other. Theology, and Scripture have much to offer to shed light on the human condition and on human psychology. We don’t want to have a soul-less or God-less psychology, and vise-versa; as Christians (or as theologians) we can draw from what some refer to as the general truth revealed through research and the study of humans in the field of psychology, while not letting the general truth override, overtake, or take precedence as the final authority over the revealed truth from Scripture. Theology, is man-made and therefore not without error, and so is psychology. I think it is important though that Scripture, God’s revelation to us through the Scriptures, always take precedence over general truths discovered in the field of psychology through research, experience, or observation.

When working with clients, although I have only worked in secular institutions where I was not encouraged to address faith unless the client explicitly expressed that he or she would like to discuss it, my faith still influenced my practice. When working with clients, I hoped to be a Christ-like model, showing acceptance, compassion, kindness, and listening to them. My counseling approach was informed by my clinical psychology training as well as by my theology. During therapy I would sometimes share biblically-based concepts that could be applied by anyone.

In the introductory sessions with clients, along with a number of questions I asked to learn about their background, I often asked clients about their religious background and whether they embrace a particular faith tradition, and find help from God in their life. If a client expressed that he/she was Christian, and also expressed an interest in discussing faith, then I would have the freedom to discuss biblically-based principles with this person. There were times when working with non-Christian clients or clients who didn’t adhere to any faith tradition, that I would mention to them that some people find support from a church community and their relationship with God, along with mention of other means by which people might find support.

When working with clients, I hope to embody some of the characteristics, values, and qualities of Christ. I want my clients to experience me as a supportive, empathetic, compassionate, trustworthy, honest, ethical, just, realistic, balanced, insightful, discerning, counselor who is a good listener. I privately invite God to be present during my sessions with a client, and think of my time with the client as sacred, and as a time in which God is intervening. My approach as a therapist is informed by my clinical psychology training as well as by the principles, knowledge, wisdom that I have gained from Scripture. I believe that my experience in relationship with God, knowledge of Him, and love that I have experienced from Him, impact who I am as a person, and who I am with a client during the therapy hour.

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I once held the belief that selecting a Christian Liberal Arts College would prevent me from being a witness to the unsaved, and jeopardize my education. Several churches that I attended and friends I respected supported a Non-Christian education for two basic reasons: Academic standards could be lower at a private college and there would be little or no opportunity to win others to Christ.

I have learned through my first few weeks here at California Baptist College in the Fall of 1986 that this theory about no witnessing opportunities is absolutely untrue. First of all, there are more rules to be broken on this campus, so the men of the world who want to be radical are going to try everything they can to break them without getting caught.

That’s where I come in. These guys may be cool with the majority of the guys on my dorm wing, but when they come around me they know I stand up for my Christian beliefs. I may have a priestly nickname by the end of the year, who knows? When guys come down the hall cussing up a storm at one o’clock in the morning there needs to be some kind of mediator. Those sources and associates that had me believing everyone in a Christian College was saved must have been on L.S.D.-”A Low on Common Sense Diet.”

The second belief that concerned me the most was low academic standards. Many students are paying almost seven grand a year to attend college, why on earth would a Christian teacher fail a student? This would lower enrollment, make the school look bad to the public, and give teachers a bad name. Academic standards must be lower in a private college, right?

Wrong! Professors who teacher here at California Baptist College have degrees from Baylor University, Pepperdine, University of Southern California, and University of Illinois, to name just a few. I enjoy listening and learning from those who have had hard core “upper class” educations and include this into their Christian faith. Also, with low academic standards it would have been very difficult to receive the accreditation that this college has obtained.

Miraculous changes can take place on a Christian campus. Continuous Bible reading and teaching leads to greater knowledge. After all, Solomon in the Book of Proverbs does state: “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The students, professors, and faculty that I’ve met in my first few weeks here on campus have been people whose sole purpose is to serve God with all their heart.

That’s big for me, because I believe that without the positive influence of Christian friends I do not believe that I can reach my full potential in college or in my life’s goals and dreams for that matter.

Though once led astray, I now believe that the Christian Liberal Arts Education is superior to universities that are based solely on academic standards. My decision on this issue may sound very one-sided. I have to agree with you. However, my thesis is summed up most eloquently in the book of proverbs: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge.”

Online business owner Don Alexander, http://www.leading-online-business.com writer and published poet has two online missions: Sharing his writing and “Helping ALL to Succeed” in online business. Don feels that online business is the financial answer for ALL Americans today.

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It was only in 1852 that Massachusetts first mandated compulsory schooling for all children. While the law was good in theory, in practice many children from outlying areas were to far from schools to be able to attend schools and education in the house continued. Things slowly changed and by 1918 every state had its own laws on the compulsory education of children. With the spread of schools, formal education became a reality and by the middle of the 20th century, education provided by the school system was accepted as the norm. By the 1960s however, parents began to have doubts about the standard of formal school education, the values it taught and the harmful influences their children were being exposed to. Looking for an alternative, people started educating their children at home and today home schooling is legal in all 50 states and an estimated 2 million children are being homeschooled today. Among the various options for home schooling available today is the Christian home school.

There are no hard and fast rules in regard to what constitutes a Christian home school. Some families create the formal school environment at home with a room reserved as a class room, fixed study times, recesses and even home work for the children to do on their own. Others integrate schooling into their Christian life style and place less emphasis on a formal education environment and more on the teaching of life skills and values through example and the active participation of their children.

A search of the internet will reveal a variety of Christian home school programs that parents can adopt. All these are designed around the idea that an important part of education is providing children with a strong foundation of Christian values, ethics and morals. But it is not necessary to use these programs in a Christian home school. Many parents use non religion based home school programs and add their own religious teaching to these. That’s the advantage of home schooling – the curriculum can be adjusted (within the applicable state laws) to provide the kind of education that parents want their children to have.

The basis of a Christian home school is that Christian values are passed on to the children, either in a formal structure manner of a specific program or in a way and by using methods that parents feel are more suitable for their families.

There is no right or wrong way to create a Christian home school. As long as part of the education encompasses teaching the children the Christian values that the parents believe in, the home school becomes a Christian home school.

Visit Home School Jewel today to join our free community on Home Schooling. Come today for a free offer to sign up and then receive a free ebook about Home Schooling. Home School Jewel is the brand new community for homeschoolers everywhere. Stopy by today to get your free ebook on home schooling.

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How can mathematics possibly be Christian or unchristian, redeemed or unredeemed? This is a great place to start the discussion of Christian mathematics. In more formal terms, the question could be phrased, “Is mathematics neutral?” Most people have assumed mathematics is neutral for so long that the question is usually phrased as a wavering statement such as “Mathematics is neutral, right?”

Neutrality implies that the knowledge and structure of mathematics is not influenced by religious belief, or that it should not be. Another way to state neutrality is to say that mathematics would be the same whether God existed or not. The claim that mathematics would be the same with or without the existence of God is an antichristian statement, because the Scriptures declare that God created and holds all things, which includes mathematics, together. …God, who created all things by Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:9 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:17

Neutrality also denies that God can reveal truth about mathematics, where the Scriptures never represent the world as operating by laws independent of the Creator. Also, since there is one Creator, we look for and can expect to find unity and harmony between spiritual life, creation, history, philosophy, and mathematical knowledge. The Scriptures even inform us about what kind of mathematics is legitimate, the kind with the source of truth as revelation, verses any secularized version of revelation.

Since mathematics in general and Christian mathematics in particular is still under development, it is important for Christians to include mathematics in their view of the Christian dominion mandate. Just as reading, writing, and arithmetic permeate and influence a person’s life and every field of endeavor, so the impact of distinctly Christian mathematical thought has the potential to transform the student into the image of Christ for a greater influence in the Christian family, church, and society. Since most Christians desire a Biblical worldview in every other area of life, why not include mathematics?

A student fully trained in Christian mathematics has their inward thoughts and attitudes consistent with God’s Word. The student will boldly express his or her faith in their work, words, and writings; even the elusive areas where mathematics comes to bear, as in engineering and science. In other words, the student won’t be a secret believer when doing mathematics (Matthew 12:34b-37). Some say that the student who ignores God as he does mathematical tasks is not neutral, but even rebellious and ungrateful toward the Giver of all his knowledge (Proverbs 3:6;Hosea 4:6). It doesn’t take long in the Scriptures to see that God doesn’t promote neutrality in any subject (Revelations 3:15-16; Matthew 12:30; 1 Kings 18:21; Joshua 24:15).

The Christian math student is encouraged to discover and use God’s logic, attributes, power, nature, and glory (Romans 1:20 ; Psalm 111:10), while keeping logic and science subservient to revelation (Romans 5:18-19; Romans 7:17-21; Romans 8:20). Mathematics demonstrates the truth that every idea has an opposite (e.g., addition /subtraction, right/wrong) which has parallel ideas in theology (e.g., narrow way /broad way, righteousness /wickedness), which can declare the glory and attributes of God (Romans 1:20 ). Absolute truth and many other important philosophical concepts are further seen when one recognizes that mathematics reveals God’s nature through His creation. Disconnected secular math is often the cause for the dislike and even fear of math.

Christian mathematics seeks to keep mathematics connected to creation and daily reality while encouraging the student in their knowledge of God, experience in being led by His spirit (Romans 8:14 ), and discerning the times through illustrations of philosophy and truth in mathematics. This also inspires the student and properly motivates mathematical study, improve diligence, and leads to the lifelong acknowledgement of God in the details.

By the deliberate omission of creation and philosophical contexts, most mathematics teaching today denies the reality of the Creator God, where the wonder of creation and cultural implications reveal the fact that real life mathematics is not boring but exciting. One of the Christian math programs available implements the Biblical view of mathematics through special readings, real life projects, discussions, sharing of specific daily uses of mathematics, and helping students see the corresponding theological, personal, and cultural implications of Christian thinking.

Dr. James Bartlett, PhD, PE ret., is President of Bartlett University which hosts the Family University Network with its Christian business incubator. Dr. Bartlett and his wife Lynn homeschool four boys in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota. Dr. Bartlett can be contacted by calling 701-263-4574 or visiting http://bartlettuniversity.com.

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All schools and educational options have something to offer, whether the schools are public, private, religious, charter, home, or non-sectarian. However, there is also Christian Classical Education, which is different in that it is promoting the most proven form of education.

Some of the greatest and most famous leaders, thinkers, and scientists were products of Christian Classical Education. Some of those very leaders and thinkers were also the founding fathers of America.

Respected leaders, movers, and shakers continue to emerge from a shattered version of classical education. Regretfully, the untainted form of classical education includes a Christian worldview.

The reason Christian Classical Education is so successful is because of its basis in Trivium. Children go through three learning phases, regardless of how fast they learn.

Memorization is the focus through grades K-6. Forming arguments based on logical and critical thinking is the focus in grades 7 to 8. Grades 9 through 12 hone in on teaching independent thinking and communication. These phases constitute the Trivium, effectively teaching children to communicate persuasively through speech and writing.

Christian Classical Education involves a variety of subjects, but usually covers history, literature, art, language, science, and math. Students are also assigned to read works that cover Western literature and Western philosophy.

It’s also common for students to learn classical languages like Greek and Latin, which was very common in classical curriculum. Some of the better known teaching methods also include debates, Socratic teaching, and lectures.

There has never been a greater need for Christian Classical Education. The world has become a constantly shifting, changing place: We leap from one technology and pop culture to the next. These along with geopolitical forces are constantly restructuring our daily lives.

The skills necessary to get and keep a job are constantly changing. No matter how the world changes, we will always have need for great thinkers and speakers. People who aren’t afraid to learn new skills and master them quickly are desired in every field. Classical Christian Education has produced the very people needed in a changing world.

Discover the power of a Classical Christian Education [http://www.raisealeader.com/blog] and join the Raise a Leader Revolution. You can finally afford to take control of your child’s future and launch your child into greatness. Join us in saving our nation one true leader at a time.

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Below you will find a number of The Christian Connector (CC) questions and Sara’s responses (SG). Our hope is that Sara’s experience at the Christian college she attended will be an encouragement to you. Sara attended the same Christian college where her dad taught biblical studies.

CC: Did you plan to be in the Christian music industry while you were in college?

SG: Like any girl who grew up singing Amy Grant songs into her hairbrush, I had secret dreams, but no, I did not see myself doing this in any real way.

CC: What led you into Christian music?

SG: Well, it’s a long story, but in a nutshell, my husband believed in me, and felt that the music I was writing in my piano room would be well received by others, and put his time and energy to that end.

CC: What do you most, and least, enjoy about being in Christian music?

SG: I love communicating and meeting with people, and I love the work of writing music. My least favorite part of Christian music is that label. I don’t think music can be Christian or non-Christian. I think Christ calls us to a fully integrated life of faith, and as an artist, I want to write honestly from my worldview.

CC: How would you describe the professors at the school you attended?

SG: When someone has a genuine relationship experience with God it is like a diamond ring that comes in a velvet box. When it comes time to hand that experience down I think sometimes it is human nature and the nature of institutions to hand down, not the ring, but the velvet box thinking, “This is how the ring came to me, it must be how it will come to you too.” It takes a very special place, and very incredible people to pass down the ring instead of the box.

CC: Did you consider schools other than your final choice?

SG: …I never really considered going anywhere else. I practically grew up on the campus, going to games, talking about worldview and “All Truth is God’s Truth”… I don’t remember thinking about any other college.

CC: What did you most enjoy about your college experience?

SG: Having my dad for a class called Essential Christianity. The texts were Mere Christianity and Celebration of Discipline, and the point of the class was to get students to think about their own worldview outside of the way they were raised. I got to see what my dad did every day when he took his briefcase and left the house – I got to see what he was really passionate about. All of our conversations around the table made more sense after that class.

CC: What do you think were some of the advantages in attending a Christian college versus a secular school?

SG: Well, I made every major decision of my life at that time. I met Troy (her husband), I picked a career, and the seeds that many of my professors planted are still with me today. I know many people who made it through secular schools just fine, but I really enjoyed learning about Literature and History through a Christian worldview.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your personal life?

SG: My marriage and friendship with Troy is the most personal and meaningful thing… Our parents both went to (the school we attended), so we had a lot in common. I might not have found that at another school.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your professional life?

SG: The professors … really encouraged me to think about my worldview, to take it apart, and to ask good questions. They believed that God was big enough to handle my questions, and that questions and conversation are a part of intimacy with God. Also, as a Liberal Arts college, we were encouraged to see the purpose of every career path, not just that of a pastor or missionary. These ideas still influence my music a great deal.

CC: What was your major in college?

SG: English and Social Science Education

CC: Can you share any longer term goals you may have, say over the next ten years?

SG: Well, my goals for the next ten years are the same for my life in general: to know Christ more, to continue to build a strong marriage, to be a good mom to these boys.

CC: If you had to do things over again, would you attend a Christian college?

SG: Yes. I feel like that was a formative time, and I was so impressionable. I’m grateful there were so many people who cared about, not just attaining knowledge, but about my becoming a whole person.

CC: What advice would you give to those who will read this in regards to attending a Christian college?

SG: I don’t feel like there is one way to do anything – God is creative in the way he teaches us, but for me, my Christian college experiences, and the friends I made were and still are priceless.

The Christian Connector, Inc. would like to provide a special thanks to Sara Groves.

You can learn more about Sara and her music by visiting her web site: www.saragroves.com

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

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