{"id":55,"date":"2017-10-31T15:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T20:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/?p=55"},"modified":"2017-11-01T07:40:02","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T12:40:02","slug":"what-would-luther-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/2017\/10\/31\/what-would-luther-say\/","title":{"rendered":"What Would Luther Say about 21st-Century Lutheran Schools?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Paul Koelpin<\/em><\/p>\n

Does Lutheran education in the 21st\u00a0<\/sup>century need a reformation? Lutherans often wonder just what Luther would say about the practice of the church that bears his name today. Would Luther approve of what they teach? Does the 21st-<\/sup>century church rightfully bear the name \u201cLutheran\u201d? Does the mystical concept of \u201cLuther\u2019s spirit\u201d live on?<\/p>\n

The very fact that half a millennium separates us from the time of Luther means that an even comparison is nearly impossible. The time and contexts are so very different. Even so, many of Luther\u2019s thoughts on education still apply.<\/p>\n

If Luther had an overarching principle for education, it would be that education must work to serve the cause of the gospel \u2013 to sustain the sharing of the life-saving message of Christ and to retain the wholesome influence Christianity has on societies engaged in the struggle against evil. In a very real sense the Lutheran Reformation was an educational movement \u2013 a return to biblical truth by teaching <\/em>clearly and correctly what God said in his Word. Error needed to be exposed, and the truth required proper instruction. Luther wrote his catechisms so that instruction could and would happen in homes and churches and schools.<\/p>\n

After reading Luther, one gets the impression that he would have been a good \u201cblogger.\u201d There is something very bold and direct about his expression. He says what he thinks. Maybe I should take a cue. Should I try? Here goes.<\/p>\n

We Lutherans trust that we have something unique to offer \u2013 the truth about God and life, about sin and grace, about the means of grace. With Christ at the center of the salvation story, we are committed to high-quality education for a life of faith and service. We must remain committed to biblical, confessional (i.e., Lutheran) teaching. We also need to be clear about the purposes for which we are maintaining and promoting Lutheran schools. If we lose our commitment to the pure gospel, or if we emphasize preparation for this life over preparation for eternity, then our Lutheran schools need a reformation.<\/p>\n

Ironically, we may live in a time that is confronting issues exactly opposite<\/em> of those Luther faced in the 1500s. In Luther\u2019s day, many questioned the need for any formal education for children. (See below*) Today, society has a near obsession with educational quality. Schools, particularly private ones, promote a competitive environment \u2013 internally and externally. Teachers are driven to find the educational edge that will inspire positive publicity. There is, of course, nothing wrong with educational success \u2013 it is in keeping with our Lord\u2019s directive to be faithful with our talents. And there is no special merit in poor performance. But the devil is crafty. If he can\u2019t undermine education altogether (as in Luther\u2019s day), he would like nothing more than to blur its focus. We could easily fall victim to becoming too distracted by data and forget about the \u201cone thing needful.\u201d<\/p>\n

What makes me most nervous is history. Let me explain. All of us are aware of church-related schools that no longer promote their religious affiliation. Some schools still embrace a religious image, but, aside from name and a veneer of religiosity, maintain little commitment to the theology that gave them birth. They have become, in essence, private schools. How did this happen? Gradually. With the best of intentions. In an effort, frequently, to remain both viable and progressive. Often the impetus for change was a desire to gain greater approval from the world \u2013 to hear accolades for making a difference with the high level of quality of teaching and learning.<\/p>\n

I fear that too often the drumbeat for Lutheran education matches the rhythm of the world\u2019s standards. This is not to suggest that we necessarily do this consciously. But do we fall into the trap of lauding achievement and success at the expense of the clear, biblical teaching for which Lutheranism stands? Do we perceive our schools as being private or parochial (that is, having a clear connection to the community of faith in a congregation)? Are we about making changes in the lives of children for this world or the next? Ideally, both, but does a \u201cthis world\u201d focus predominate?<\/p>\n

On a personal level, we might ask: How might Luther judge the modern teacher? The question must remain in the hypothetical, but we have clues about what Luther might say or ask. He certainly had opinions about pedagogy. And he voiced his views about curriculum. But I suspect he would keep the focus on the gospel. He might ask: Are you teaching the chief parts of the Catechism clearly \u2013 distinguishing between God\u2019s righteous will and God\u2019s redeeming love? Are you clearly teaching how God\u2019s grace comes to us in both the Word and the sacraments? How do you model a life of discipleship (carrying \u201cthe cross\u201d) for your students? For Luther, the Word of God was paramount.<\/p>\n

The training and calling of teachers remains a critical issue. Once a Lutheran school begins to look outside its Lutheran body for teachers, the commitment to distinctly Lutheran education will diminish. This means that Martin Luther College needs to redouble its efforts to recruit and train capable, confessional teachers for schools in our synodical affiliation. And WELS schools \u2013 which rightly perceive that education is critical to the future of the church \u2013 must retain a focus on the cross, not the glory. In the end, my plea is this: stay Lutheran!<\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

Harran, M. J. (1997). Martin Luther: Learning for life.<\/em> St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.<\/p>\n

Luther, M. (1524). To the councilmen of all cities in Germany that they establish and maintain Christian schoools.<\/a> In A. Steinhaeuser (Ed.), Luther’s works <\/em>(1962). (Vol. 45, pp. 347-378). Philadelphia: Fortress.<\/p>\n

Luther, M. (1530). A sermon on keeping children in school<\/a>. In J. Pelikan, & H. T. Lehmann (Eds.), Luther’s works <\/em>(1967). (Vol. 46, pp. 207-258). Philadelphia: Fortress.<\/p>\n

Painter, F. V. (1889). Luther on education.<\/em> Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society.<\/p>\n

Paul is professor of History and Religion at Martin Luther College, New Ulm MN.<\/em><\/p>\n

*Additional Background<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When Luther wrote specifically about Christian education, he wrote to the councilmen of German cities. Why did he engage with political entities? The public\/parochial divide that is part of our church\/state separation did not exist at Luther\u2019s time as it does today.<\/p>\n

What we can say is that Luther was passionate about the subject of education \u2013 especially since he perceived a prevailing attitude in German lands that disparaged the value of \u201cbook\u201d learning\u00a0 In her study titled Martin Luther: Learning for Life<\/em>, Marilyn Harran asserted that \u201cLuther portrayed education as a contest between God and the devil\u201d (192). He warned that neglect of education would have disastrous consequences, both for the welfare of the earthly state and the welfare of souls.<\/p>\n

There is urgency in Luther\u2019s earnest warning to the German councilmen:<\/p>\n

O my beloved Germans, buy while the market is at your door; gather in the harvest while there is sunshine and fair weather; make use of God\u2019s grace and word while it is there!\u00a0 For you should know that God\u2019s word and grace is like a passing shower of rain which does not return where it has once been. . . . You Germans need not think that you will have it forever, for ingratitude and contempt will not make it stay. Therefore, seize it and hold it fast, whoever can; for lazy hands are bound to have a lean year.\u00a0 (LW 45:352<\/em>)<\/p>\n

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