This Sunday, as we reflect on Martin Luther and the Reformation, we’re reminded not only of his bold stand for biblical truth but of his deep concern for the spiritual formation of children. Luther didn’t merely challenge corrupt theology—he championed Christ-centered education. His Small Catechism was written not for scholars, but for families, for fathers to teach their children, for pastors to shepherd their flocks, and for schools to anchor their instruction in Scripture.
Luther warned with sobering clarity:
“I am much afraid that schools will prove to be great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount.”
The Crisis of Modern Education
Today, Luther’s warning echoes louder than ever. Government-run schools have not only removed God from the classroom—they’ve replaced Him with ideologies that deny His authority, distort His design, and undermine His truth. Children are taught that truth is relative, identity is self-defined, and morality is subjective. These are not neutral positions. They are spiritual battlegrounds.
Jesus said,
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” (Matthew 19:14)
To educate without Christ is to scatter. To hinder children from coming to Him is to invite confusion, despair, and spiritual decay. Luther called such institutions “great gates of hell”—not because they lacked academic rigor, but because they failed to anchor knowledge in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
The Power of Classical Christian Education
In contrast, classical Christian education—like that offered at Our Savior New American School—restores the rightful place of Christ at the center of learning. It doesn’t merely add Bible class to the schedule. It integrates Scripture into every subject, every discussion, every pursuit of truth. Math reveals the order of God’s creation. Literature explores the human condition through the lens of redemption. History traces the providence of God across nations and generations.
At Our Savior New American, students are not just taught facts—they are discipled. They are trained to think biblically, speak winsomely, and live faithfully. The classical model, rooted in the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric), equips students not only to know what is true but to defend it with clarity and conviction. It’s an education that forms the heart as well as the mind.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
We live in a time when children are bombarded with messages that challenge their identity, their purpose, and their faith. If we do not intentionally shape their worldview through the Word of God, the world will shape it for them. And the stakes are eternal.
Education is never neutral. Every curriculum has a worldview. Every classroom has a culture. Every teacher is a guide—either toward Christ or away from Him.
As parents, pastors, and educators, we must ask:
- Are we placing our children where the Scriptures reign paramount?
- Are we laboring diligently to engrave the Word of God on their hearts?
- Are we preparing them to stand firm in a world that calls good evil and evil good?
A Call to Action
Martin Luther didn’t just protest corruption—he built something better. He called for schools that would raise up children in the fear and knowledge of God. That legacy lives on in institutions like Our Savior New American School, where Christ is not an afterthought but the cornerstone.
Let us follow Luther’s lead. Let us heed Christ’s call. Let us give our children an education that doesn’t just prepare them for college—but prepares them for eternity.
