Reflections on Christian Schooling in Korea on the Basis of Calvinist Day School Movements in North America

Abstract

This article explores a study on the Christian Schooling Movement in Korea through a discussion of Calvinist Day Schools in North America. The Calvinistic Day Schools were the cradle of God’s church and the origin of Christian Schools in America. This paper describes the roots of Calvinist Day Schools, their biblical foundations, and the distinctiveness of the Calvinistic Day Schools Movements. It also offers some reflections for Christian schooling in Korea. The first chapter explains the two roots of Calvinist Day Schools which are discussed in this paper: the cultural and ecclesiastical roots. The second chapter describes the biblical foundations of Calvinist Day Schools. Sovereignty of God and social spheres, covenant, revelation, and cultural mandate are all important aspects regarding biblical foundations. The third chapter relates the distinctiveness of the Calvinist Day Schools which focus on the locus of educational authority, the aim of education, curriculum integration, and concerns about Christian community. Finally, the fourth chapter of this paper attempts to reflect on the implications of Christian Day Schools in Korea: parent’s education, teacher education, developing textbooks, and supporting parents and Christian schools. In conclusion, this paper suggests that the Christian schooling Movements in Korea should be based upon biblical foundations and parents must learn theological foundations for Christian schooling in order to be successful. The Korean church needs to encourage Christian schools and support parents to have a mission of Christian schooling.