(Much of the following material is taken from Ruth C. Haycock’s Bible Truth for School Subjects: Volume II: Language Arts/English (Whittier, CA: ACSI, 1980). This is excerpted from my school's philosophy statement developed in 2009-2010.)
Because we believe God created man in His own image, we can learn much about man by studying God – His character and actions. This applies in the area of language as in other areas. First, we see that God is a communicating God – He wants us to know His thoughts.[1] In particular, God has communicated with man throughout history, whether to individuals[2] or through prophets to convey His message to others.[3]
There are several ways God speaks to man. First, He speaks through His creation.[4] Second, He speaks through the actions He performs.[5] Third, He has communicated by giving His Word in written form, the Bible.[6] Fourth, God has climactically revealed Himself through His Son.[7]
Since God has spoken to man, man has a responsibility to respond – he must know and obey what God says, because God’s Word is authoritative.[8] Part of God’s plan for humans is to communicate with one another and with Himself.[9] Since God’s Word alone is absolute truth, we must evaluate the truth of all other communication by the Bible.[10] God is also concerned that communication be clear and easily understood.[11]
There are several elements included in the English department, with the first being reading. It is God’s plan that people should be able to read well, since He had His message written so people could read it,[12] and He gave commands for people to read His Word.[13] Christ Himself expected people to read and understand the Scriptures.[14] Reading is of special importance to those who believe and trust God,[15] because it is important to growth in knowledge and understanding of life and our responsibilities in it.[16] However, reading in itself is not enough; it requires understanding[17] and obedience.[18]
Related to the skill of reading is the study of literature. The Bible itself is the prime example of great literature, as evidenced by several characteristics. First, it has endured the test of time.[19] Second, it has universal appeal and therefore has been widely distributed.[20] Third, it demonstrates the artistry of God’s blending together His chosen personalities to present through their word pictures His single eternal canvas. Fourth, the Bible appeals to the emotions and the imagination as well as to the intellect.[21] Fifth, the Bible exhibits individual styles of writing which, though they express the message of God without error, show the personalities of the human writers.[22] Thus, the Bible provides patterns for modern writers and furnishes the criteria by which we judge the truth and wholesomeness of other writings. Because the Bible has molded much of the thinking and literature of man, we cannot understand much of literature without Bible knowledge. However, because the Bible is the Word of God, its authority supersedes that of other literature, and must be approached with a different attitude. Because it is God’s Word, we need not expect to understand it completely.[23] Since man’s writings reflect his inner thoughts and desires, through a study of literature we will understand people better.[24] Our minds must be constantly filled with that which is pure and wholesome. We are responsible for those things with which we fill our minds.[25] Not all literature is good. Some should be avoided entirely, and other writings should be read with careful discernment.[26] Even the knowledge of non-Christian literature may be used by God in His service.[27]
Another element of English is writing. God recognizes writing as a powerful tool to influence people, since He Himself wrote[28] and He commanded others to write as well.[29] Written records enable us to know the past and learn from past events,[30] and enable us to recognize events as part of God’s plan.[31] Written teachings and standards make consistency possible from person to person, and from generation to generation.[32] The use of written materials in teaching makes it possible for learners to review what has been presented in other ways, and to study it more deeply.[33] Writing that follows God’s pattern makes use of numerous techniques, such as similes and metaphors,[34] contrasts,[35] quotations and allusions,[36] rhetorical questions,[37] and parables.[38] There are times when writing is better than speaking.[39] Effective writing demands careful research, documentation, and wise expression.[40]
[1] Jer. 44:2-4; Amos 4:13; Heb. 1:1,2
[2] Gen. 1:28-30; 2:16-17; 3:8-19; 4:9-15; 6:13-22; 7:1-4; 8:15-17; 9:1-17
[3] Ex. 3:4-4:23; Isa. 1:2,18,20; Jer. 1:1-6; 25:3,4; Ezek. 1:3; 1:28-2:7; Rev. 1:1
[4] Job 12:7-10; Ps. 19:1-6; 97:6; Matt. 6:26-32; Rom. 1:18-20
[5] Ex. 7:3,5; 9:14; 11:7; 12:24-27; 19:4; Isa. 41:17-20; 45:3; 49:22,23,26; Ezek. 6:7; Heb. 2:3,4
[6] 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Rev. 22:18-19
[7] Jn. 1:14,18; Heb. 1:1-3
[8] Deut. 27,28; Ps. 119:89,130,140,151,160; Jn. 8:31-32
[9] Gen. 2:20-24; Ex. 4:10-12; Jer. 1:4-9; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 1:3
[10] Deut. 18:9-14; Isa. 8:20; 2 Cor. 6:1-7; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
[11] Deut. 27:2-8; Neh. 8:8; Eccl. 12:9-11; Hab. 2:2; Matt. 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:15,16,19
[12] Ex. 31:18;32:16; 34:1; Deut. 6:9; 11:20; Jer. 36:2, 3, 23, 28-32; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Jn. 5:13; Rev. 1:11,19
[13] Deut. 17:18-20; Josh. 1:8; Isa. 34:16; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:13; Rev. 1:3
[14] Matt. 12:3-8; 19:3-6; Mk. 10:3, 19; 11:17; 12:24
[15] Deut. 17:18-20; Josh. 1:7,8; Ps. 1:1-3; Acts 15:19-31; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:13
[16] Deut. 17:19,20; Ps. 19:7,8; 119:27,42,92-95,99-100,104,130,165; Prov. 22:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:2
[17] Ps. 119:27,34,73,125; Neh. 8; Matt. 12:3,7; Mk. 7:14-18
[18] Ex. 24:3,4,7,12; Deut. 28:1,2,15; 1 Sam. 15:22,23; 2 Kings 22:8-20; 23:1-25; Neh. 8:14-18; Acts 2:14-41; James 1:22-25
[19] Deut. 17:18-20; Ps. 119:89,100
[20] Ps. 108:3; Jer. 1:5; Matt. 24:14; 28:19-20; Acts 9:15
[21] Ps. 1:1,2; 19:8-10; 119:24,77,92,97,103,143
[22] 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21
[23] Deut. 29:29; Isa. 55:8-9; Rom. 11:33
[24] Prov. 16:23; 18:4; Matt. 12:34-37; 15:18-20
[25] Deut. 17:18-20; Ps. 1:1-3; Phil. 4:8
[26] Prov. 19:27; Jer. 10:2; Acts 19:18-20; Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7
[27] Dan. 1:4,17; Acts 7:22; 17:28; 22:3
[28] Ex. 31:18; 32:16; 34:1; Dan. 5:5,25-28
[29] Ex. 17:14; 34:27-28; Deut. 6:6-9; 17:18-20; 31:19,21,22; Jer. 30:2; Rev. 1:11,19
[30] Ps. 102:18; Isa. 30:8-11; Lk. 1:1-4; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6,11
[31] Isa. 8:1-4; 48:3-5; Jer. 29:1-10; 30:2-3; 32:6-44; Dan. 9:2-4; 9:13; Lk. 24:25-27; Acts 13:32-35
[32] Ex. 24:3,4,7,12; Deut. 27:2-8; Esth. 9:25-32; Acts 15:23-29
[33] Lk. 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 4:14-17; Eph. 3:3-4; Col. 4:7-9; 2 Pet. 3:1,2,15,16
[34] Jer. 1:18; 2:2,13,18,20,24
[35] Jer. 2:2-8,32-36; Matt. 11:10; Rom. 1:17
[36] Note in the New Testament the many quotations and allusions to the Old Testament
[37] Jer. 2:5,11,14,17
[38] Judg. 9:8-15; 2 Sam. 12:1-6; Matt. 13; Lk. 10:30-37
[39] Acts 15:20; 2 Cor. 13:10
[40] Eccl. 12:9-12
Because we believe God created man in His own image, we can learn much about man by studying God – His character and actions. This applies in the area of language as in other areas. First, we see that God is a communicating God – He wants us to know His thoughts.[1] In particular, God has communicated with man throughout history, whether to individuals[2] or through prophets to convey His message to others.[3]
There are several ways God speaks to man. First, He speaks through His creation.[4] Second, He speaks through the actions He performs.[5] Third, He has communicated by giving His Word in written form, the Bible.[6] Fourth, God has climactically revealed Himself through His Son.[7]
Since God has spoken to man, man has a responsibility to respond – he must know and obey what God says, because God’s Word is authoritative.[8] Part of God’s plan for humans is to communicate with one another and with Himself.[9] Since God’s Word alone is absolute truth, we must evaluate the truth of all other communication by the Bible.[10] God is also concerned that communication be clear and easily understood.[11]
There are several elements included in the English department, with the first being reading. It is God’s plan that people should be able to read well, since He had His message written so people could read it,[12] and He gave commands for people to read His Word.[13] Christ Himself expected people to read and understand the Scriptures.[14] Reading is of special importance to those who believe and trust God,[15] because it is important to growth in knowledge and understanding of life and our responsibilities in it.[16] However, reading in itself is not enough; it requires understanding[17] and obedience.[18]
Related to the skill of reading is the study of literature. The Bible itself is the prime example of great literature, as evidenced by several characteristics. First, it has endured the test of time.[19] Second, it has universal appeal and therefore has been widely distributed.[20] Third, it demonstrates the artistry of God’s blending together His chosen personalities to present through their word pictures His single eternal canvas. Fourth, the Bible appeals to the emotions and the imagination as well as to the intellect.[21] Fifth, the Bible exhibits individual styles of writing which, though they express the message of God without error, show the personalities of the human writers.[22] Thus, the Bible provides patterns for modern writers and furnishes the criteria by which we judge the truth and wholesomeness of other writings. Because the Bible has molded much of the thinking and literature of man, we cannot understand much of literature without Bible knowledge. However, because the Bible is the Word of God, its authority supersedes that of other literature, and must be approached with a different attitude. Because it is God’s Word, we need not expect to understand it completely.[23] Since man’s writings reflect his inner thoughts and desires, through a study of literature we will understand people better.[24] Our minds must be constantly filled with that which is pure and wholesome. We are responsible for those things with which we fill our minds.[25] Not all literature is good. Some should be avoided entirely, and other writings should be read with careful discernment.[26] Even the knowledge of non-Christian literature may be used by God in His service.[27]
Another element of English is writing. God recognizes writing as a powerful tool to influence people, since He Himself wrote[28] and He commanded others to write as well.[29] Written records enable us to know the past and learn from past events,[30] and enable us to recognize events as part of God’s plan.[31] Written teachings and standards make consistency possible from person to person, and from generation to generation.[32] The use of written materials in teaching makes it possible for learners to review what has been presented in other ways, and to study it more deeply.[33] Writing that follows God’s pattern makes use of numerous techniques, such as similes and metaphors,[34] contrasts,[35] quotations and allusions,[36] rhetorical questions,[37] and parables.[38] There are times when writing is better than speaking.[39] Effective writing demands careful research, documentation, and wise expression.[40]
[1] Jer. 44:2-4; Amos 4:13; Heb. 1:1,2
[2] Gen. 1:28-30; 2:16-17; 3:8-19; 4:9-15; 6:13-22; 7:1-4; 8:15-17; 9:1-17
[3] Ex. 3:4-4:23; Isa. 1:2,18,20; Jer. 1:1-6; 25:3,4; Ezek. 1:3; 1:28-2:7; Rev. 1:1
[4] Job 12:7-10; Ps. 19:1-6; 97:6; Matt. 6:26-32; Rom. 1:18-20
[5] Ex. 7:3,5; 9:14; 11:7; 12:24-27; 19:4; Isa. 41:17-20; 45:3; 49:22,23,26; Ezek. 6:7; Heb. 2:3,4
[6] 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Rev. 22:18-19
[7] Jn. 1:14,18; Heb. 1:1-3
[8] Deut. 27,28; Ps. 119:89,130,140,151,160; Jn. 8:31-32
[9] Gen. 2:20-24; Ex. 4:10-12; Jer. 1:4-9; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 1:3
[10] Deut. 18:9-14; Isa. 8:20; 2 Cor. 6:1-7; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
[11] Deut. 27:2-8; Neh. 8:8; Eccl. 12:9-11; Hab. 2:2; Matt. 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:15,16,19
[12] Ex. 31:18;32:16; 34:1; Deut. 6:9; 11:20; Jer. 36:2, 3, 23, 28-32; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Jn. 5:13; Rev. 1:11,19
[13] Deut. 17:18-20; Josh. 1:8; Isa. 34:16; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:13; Rev. 1:3
[14] Matt. 12:3-8; 19:3-6; Mk. 10:3, 19; 11:17; 12:24
[15] Deut. 17:18-20; Josh. 1:7,8; Ps. 1:1-3; Acts 15:19-31; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:13
[16] Deut. 17:19,20; Ps. 19:7,8; 119:27,42,92-95,99-100,104,130,165; Prov. 22:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:2
[17] Ps. 119:27,34,73,125; Neh. 8; Matt. 12:3,7; Mk. 7:14-18
[18] Ex. 24:3,4,7,12; Deut. 28:1,2,15; 1 Sam. 15:22,23; 2 Kings 22:8-20; 23:1-25; Neh. 8:14-18; Acts 2:14-41; James 1:22-25
[19] Deut. 17:18-20; Ps. 119:89,100
[20] Ps. 108:3; Jer. 1:5; Matt. 24:14; 28:19-20; Acts 9:15
[21] Ps. 1:1,2; 19:8-10; 119:24,77,92,97,103,143
[22] 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21
[23] Deut. 29:29; Isa. 55:8-9; Rom. 11:33
[24] Prov. 16:23; 18:4; Matt. 12:34-37; 15:18-20
[25] Deut. 17:18-20; Ps. 1:1-3; Phil. 4:8
[26] Prov. 19:27; Jer. 10:2; Acts 19:18-20; Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7
[27] Dan. 1:4,17; Acts 7:22; 17:28; 22:3
[28] Ex. 31:18; 32:16; 34:1; Dan. 5:5,25-28
[29] Ex. 17:14; 34:27-28; Deut. 6:6-9; 17:18-20; 31:19,21,22; Jer. 30:2; Rev. 1:11,19
[30] Ps. 102:18; Isa. 30:8-11; Lk. 1:1-4; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6,11
[31] Isa. 8:1-4; 48:3-5; Jer. 29:1-10; 30:2-3; 32:6-44; Dan. 9:2-4; 9:13; Lk. 24:25-27; Acts 13:32-35
[32] Ex. 24:3,4,7,12; Deut. 27:2-8; Esth. 9:25-32; Acts 15:23-29
[33] Lk. 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 4:14-17; Eph. 3:3-4; Col. 4:7-9; 2 Pet. 3:1,2,15,16
[34] Jer. 1:18; 2:2,13,18,20,24
[35] Jer. 2:2-8,32-36; Matt. 11:10; Rom. 1:17
[36] Note in the New Testament the many quotations and allusions to the Old Testament
[37] Jer. 2:5,11,14,17
[38] Judg. 9:8-15; 2 Sam. 12:1-6; Matt. 13; Lk. 10:30-37
[39] Acts 15:20; 2 Cor. 13:10
[40] Eccl. 12:9-12