by Tim Masters, MLHS Social Studies Teacher
In one study by the Barna group, only 4% of American Christians could be said to have a Christian worldview. In the Social Studies department, we hope that our graduates will be among that 4%. The lies and hate that are tossed around from our news agencies and “leaders” require a stronger, more tactically equipped Christian. Each year we are blessed with a new set of students and a world that feels increasingly chaotic.
Newsworthy events in the U.S. and around the world seem to occur on a daily basis. In some respects, the events are nothing new—but their scale and frequency seem greater than in our youth. In history classes at Mayer Lutheran, we work to help the students understand what it means to have a Christian worldview and give them the skills to analyze the deluge of “news” and commentary that floods every media outlet they watch or listen to. Whether discussing Kim Jong Un or Hurricane Irma or violent civil unrest in the U.S. we hope that students will learn to analyze the news they are receiving (starting with the very healthy question—“Is this really true?”).
More than just analysis, however, we want students to be able to discern the motives and worldviews of those providing the narratives we listen to. This isn’t always easy, but in a world where more and more people are being “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:14), we continue to encourage and exhort our students to grow in their faith. Part of that growing (or maturing) is equipping. Not just for that great scholarship, but more importantly, so the body of Christ may be built up.
