THE

HISTORY OF
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION

PRINCESS A. BARIQUIT
Education in Ancient Civilization
Five major cultural system of the ancient world
made significant contributions in education.
3500 B.C. in connection with the development of
written language, formal schools were establish
in Sumer (present day Iraq)
 The Persians
Adopted the educational heritage of the Sumerians,
whom they conquered. Basic academic subjects and
vocational education were continued, but more emphasis
was placed upon the character of male students and
preparation for military and political service.
In Persian education, however, the tenets of Zoroastrian
religion were central and preparation for the hereditary
priesthood was a major factor in schooling
 China
Formal schools were
establish as early as 3,000
B.C. A broader cultural
enrichment was present
with character education,
music and poetry
predomining.
Egypt
School were emerging at ca.
500 B.C School sponsored by
the government emphasized
vocational and military
training. Temple schools
focused upon scholarly
pursuits such as reading and
writing.
China
Education
Egypt
education
 Hebrew
Hebrew education was focused upon monotheistic
beliefs that shaped the culture of the community.
The nation was God’s treasure possession.
The standard for righteous behavior in the nation
was not a set of arbitrary character traits, it was the
character of God.
 The Law: (including the Ten commandment and the
entire regulatory system of Israel)

Was actually a revelation of the character of God in terms

of human behavior. The Law was God telling man how He
would act if He were to become a man. (The History of
God’s people in the old testament Scripture is an integral
part of the history of Christian Education.)
It is not only know the commands, decrees and laws of
God, but to obey them in every aspect to be sincere
commitment of every parent.
Hebrew education pervaded the lives
of all the people. The nation was to be
separated from the influence of the
nation (Gen. 12:1; Duet. 4; Ezra 10:11)
 Education in the Greek and Roman
Periods
Education in Western civilization is largely a
product of Greek philosophy and it’s
corresponding educational system. Much of
the educational progress that was
accomplished at Athens was due to the
affluence of the city.
 Athenian Golden Age
Athens emerged from Persians Wars (5th century
B.C.) with a prosperity that was able to subsidized a
significant scholarly community and elite class of
citizens with the leisure time necessary for
advanced learning. Athenian education was
theoretical, elitist and ethereal.
 The Greek
Produced a culture that was rich in philosophy,
literature, and an thought of Socrates( 469-399 B.C),
Plato 9420-348 B.C.), and Aristotle(384-322 B.C.)
shaped human critical reasoning in such a focused
manner that many educational historians believe the
Athenian period provided the foundation for the
Renaissance as well as the modern scientific age.
 The Romans
Conquered Greece in 146 B.C. but they did not
obliterate Greek civilization. Instead, they recruited
(enslaved) Greek educators to develop the Roman
educational system. The Roman carried the Greek
educational impact to the farthest reaches of the
known world. And the goal of this Formal school
system was to produce citizens with strong character
and allegiance to the state.
Formal education among the Hebrews developed slowly
during the Greek and Roman period. Hebrew culture
develop to a point beyond which the home or even the
synagogue were considered sufficient educational
vehicles. Schools were created for formal instruction in
the theological and cultural values that were considered
important by the temple leadership.
But the Hebrew education became as man-centered
and aristocratic as the surrounding Greek culture.
The temple leadership led the nation into a
condition characterized by the ritual and self
defined righteousness
At the time of Christ, the fully subsidized
Roman educational system was expanding.
Christianity, did not appear to offer much in
the way of educational innovation. It’s Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, claimed to be the
Messiah of the Hebrew, but was rejected by
the leaders of the nation.
As Christianity spread, the contrast between the
teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and the philosophy of
the Age of Pericles became apparent. Pinar and
Grumet expand upon the revolutionary impact of
Christianity and relate it to the theory and practiced of
education: “For the Greeks, contemplation was
reserved for the prosperous male. For Christians even
the poor can be saved.”
Unfortunately, the History of Christian
Education is littered with educational
theory and practice based upon the wisdom
of the rulers of the age rather than the Lord
of the age.
Early Christian education (to A.D. 476)

In the early years of the church, the aim of

Christian Education was to provide doctrinal
instruction and to provide training in godly
behavior after the model of Jesus Christ. As in
Hebrew education, teaching began in the home. It
continued in the gathered assemblies of the
believers.
A blending of pagans thought and Christian Education
began to take place. Frist, “catechumenal” instruction
was instituted for adults wherever Christianity
reached, providing foundational doctrinal orientation
and moral education as well as instruction in reading
and writing. It was opened by Pantaenus in the large
Christianity community at Alexandria, Egypt.
The first 500 years of Christian education
were characterized by a gradual
institutionalization of instruction. Origen
(185-254), who developed the catechetical
school at Alexandria, sought to fully integrate
Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine.
By the fourth century, training of the professional
clergy was conducted in cathedral and monastic
schools that in addition to teaching Christian
doctrine, provided instruction in the seven liberal
arts ant training for formal worship in the church.
To God be all
the Glory!