Good question....

...Are Christian academic institutions optional or necessary?


[created 4/8/97]
Someone wrote in...

question: To be consistent with a Christian World view - is it necessary to have the institutions for Christian Education. Is having such institutions neccessary or optional?
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[I assumed the author was talking about academic institutions (as opposed to Sunday School programs)]

Strictly speaking, they are 'optional'--we are not commanded to have chartered organizations focused on academics in scripture...

However, they are also 'necessary' [:>)]...for the training of leadership...

In the NT, for example...

It is also important to note that Christianity inherited a school system and orientation from Judaism...the 'houses of learning/writing' (beth sefer) were relatively academic institutions in Jerusalem before Christ.

So, given the need for trained leaders, the various forms of "rabbinical schools" in the NT provide at least an EXAMPLE or PATTERN that can be emulated--(not 'commanded' but 'optional')--in our culture in which knowledge is prized, necessary, and useful to His work...

this is brief, but I hope this helps...

glenn


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