Our Educational Philosophy
1. “Ad fontes”
We believe passionately in Christian Classical Education. We believe in a classical education rooted in the historical tradition which has proved it’s inestimable value in nurturing godly generations for 1,000s of years, from the early church fathers, including the monasteries, as well as the great Reformers and Puritans. Throughout the Bible, great emphasis is placed on training of the next generation in the historical faith of our fathers. See for example Ps. 78, Jer. 6:16, Acts 7 and 1 Tim. 6:20.
Especially in the last 100 years, the mainstream of education has rejected and opposed classical education, and been captured by the ideas of modern philosophy and progressive thinking, which is characterized by pragmatism, scientism, rationalism, skepticism and positivism, as well as all sorts of ungodly, even anti-Christian ideology. “Ad fontes” expresses the vision of the Renaissance and the Reformation. Every reformation is a return to what has been embraced and believed on in the past. We seek a pathway which is lost and forgotten.
2. Paideia of the Lord
Paideia is the Greek word used by Paul in Eph. 6:4 which is a renewed mission for parents originating from the OT principle in Deut. 6:4-9. Paideia means full enculturation and training up of a child. It’s a rich word which illustrates the vision and method of CCE. CCE is grounded in piety and governed by theology. Piety to God is prescribed in the first four Commandments, and piety to our elders in the fifth Commandment. CCE believes human beings are not only highly developed animals but are created by the Lord with a soul. This is completely different from modern anthropology.
CCE employs the historic curriculum and pedagogy of the seven Liberal Arts which are the Trivium (consisting of grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and the Quadrivium (consisting of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy). The Liberal Arts have been proved by history, and cultivate man’s intellectual virtues. Languages and numbers are things deeply rooted in man’s nature and existence which make man different from animals. We believe to master the seven Liberal Arts are vitally important, beneficial and basic in the formation of man’s soul. They form a child’s character and equip them with wisdom, virtue and eloquence. Only God’s grace by His Holy Spirit can renew the heart of a child, but God is pleased to use the means of a godly education to bless the rising generation with true godliness.
3. Virtue—right-ordered love (Augustine)
We are what we love. The main purpose of education is not merely to fill the mind, but to tune the heart, to form the affections, so that students will learn to love what is lovely, and to hate what is evil. CCE inspires students in wonder, so that everything becomes a miracle, even a spider’s web. CCE doesn’t explain everything away like modern natural science does, but it draws children to love the beautiful. Such sense of wonder will lead children to worship and praise the Author of all wisdom and knowledge. It encourages students to work and serve their generation as a mature and well-formed adult.
4. Great Conversation
CCE also emphasizes on the study of great books headed by the Bible. Reading great books is taking part in a great conversation. Truth reveals and knowledge grows, relationship and fellowship builds up in the godly conversation. Reading an old book is communing with old friends in the past who can be our tutor through their writing. Great ideas are in great books.
