Martin Luther had a lot to say about education. Like many of his fellow reformers, he knew how important biblical literacy was for the people of God. In one of his sermons, he exhorted his parishioners with the following: “For we certainly want to provide not only for our children’s bellies but for their souls as well . . . I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme.”

Luther’s concern is consistent with the clear teaching of the Bible for parents: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

First, notice the inclusive demand of God: all of our heart, soul, and strength are to be devoted to loving the Lord. That’s pretty absolute. Second, we are commanded to impress God’s commands – which inform us as to how we are to love the Lord – on our children. In other words, we are to teach these things diligently, consistently, thoroughly. Third, the use of sit, walk, lie down, and get up certainly drive home the point that we are to be teaching at all times and in all contexts – yet another very inclusive command from God.

Luther understood this command, so he advised no one to send their children to a place where the Holy Scriptures were not supreme. How are you doing with these commands? How is your church doing? How is the PCA doing? We are so careful about where we are on Sunday morning – that the theology and governance and sacraments and worship are all faithful to the Word of God. Do we apply that same diligence Monday through Friday? Are we just as concerned for all levels of our covenant children’s education?

Jim Drexler is Dean of Social Sciences and Master of Education Program,
Education Department Chair at Covenant College.