The concept of Christian Enculturation is at the root of Christian Paideia. Paideia is the transliteration of a Greek word (παιδεία). It is a term that is becoming more and more familiar as the Christian Classical Education movement grows. BDAG defines the word as, “The act of providing guidance for responsible living, upbringing, training, instruction, chiefly as it is attained by discipline, correction.”[1] The noun form of the word is used six times in the N.T.[2] Another noun form that is used twice in the N.T. is paideutes (παιδευτής). Bill Mounce defines it as, “a preceptor, instructor, teacher, primarily of boys.”[3] The verbal form paideuo (παιδεύω) is used 13 times in the N.T.[4] Louw and Nida define it as follows, “to provide instruction, with the intent of forming proper habits of behavior.”
The concept and practice of paideia have been significant throughout history in Hebrew, Greek, Roman, and even early American thought. David Goodwin writes, “Paideia simply defined, represents the deeply seated affections, thinking, viewpoints, and virtues embedded in children at a young age, or, more simply, the rearing, molding, and education of a child.”[5] Paideia is the underlying culture and way of life. It involves the values, morality, and desires of the people. It could be described as the culture that shapes the way of life. It begins taking hold at a very young age. Historically, parents and the Christian church provided the paideia that shaped the children as they grew up. It is this emphasis on the formation of proper habits of behavior that I would like to focus on. Paideia in a Christian setting speaks of Christian enculturation.
Deuteronomy chapter six provides us with a clear example of how O.T. Israel was supposed to enculturate their children in the things of the LORD. The people, their children, and grandchildren were to fear the LORD, by obeying his commands (Deut. 6:1-2). If they obeyed then things would go well for them (Deut. 6:3). They were to love the LORD with their whole being (Deut. 6:4-5). God’s Word was supposed to be on their hearts (Deut. 6:6). In verses 7-9 and 20-25, the LORD details for them how they were to go about enculturating their children. They were to teach their children:
- when they sit in their house (7).
- when they walk by the way (7).
- when they lie down (7).
- when they rise (7).
- by the Word of God permeating their life (8).
- by the Word of God permeating their home (9).
- by answering their children’s questions with the Word, how he redeemed them; the covenant he made with them (20-23).
- by teaching them about the covenant obligations, and to live in obedience to them (24-25).
This way of life was to shape the hearts and minds of those growing up in a believing Israelite home. It provides us with a model for how it should occur today in Christian homes.
The book of Proverbs, especially chapters 1-9, gives us more examples of the concept of shaping hearts and minds (i.e. paideia). Proverbs 1:7 reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The wisdom and instruction mentioned here provide the paideia. It is what you want shaping your children, your church, and ultimately, your nation.
Let’s take a look at Proverbs 1:8-19 for another object lesson in paideia. Whose teaching is delivered (v. 8)? The father’s instruction and mother’s teaching. What is the value of the teaching (v. 9)? It is a graceful garland on the head. It is like pendants for the neck. What is the instruction (v. 10)? Don’t consent to the enticement to sin. The godly parents are setting forth the reward of living in a way that honors God. Then they portray what it is like to be enticed to ungodly living.
The lesson is very vivid. How does the tempter make the sin seem attractive here (vv. 11-14)? He sets forth the enticement of finding all the precious goods. He urges the hearer to fill his house with plunder. He promises that we will all have one purse. What is the hook? Wealth, lots of it. Together. Why does the tempter always make the sin seem so appealing? It wouldn’t be tempting if it wasn’t appealing. But, what is the reality (vv. 15-19)? What is the true cost of succumbing to such sin? The Scriptures say those who do such things are dumber than birds. They are sabotaging their own lives. So, what is the righteous path? Work for your living. Honor the Lord in your work and your pursuit of making a living. This is the godly way to live and think. Why are these lessons so important? They are real-life situations. Get-rich-quick schemes are tempting but they are not normally wise or godly.
Proverbs 2 provides us with more material. Once again, who is teaching here (v. 1)? The father is the teacher. What is the most important pursuit in life, according to verses 2-5? It is the pursuit of wisdom. It is inclining one’s heart toward understanding. More important than pursuing money, promotion, or fame? Yes. This has been an essential part of Christian Paideia. You learn and live not just to make money. You learn and live not just to have fun. Some people make a lot of money but they are not the type of people you want to be. Don’t be greedy (Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5). There are people who have a lot of fun but they are not the type of people you want to be. Don’t be a fool (Eph. 5:4-6; Isa. 5:22; 56:12).
How many times do you find the words understand and understanding in Proverbs 2? Do you notice the words wisdom, insight, and knowledge? We read that true wisdom and insight will lead to the fear of the LORD. Wisdom will be found by seeking it (vv. 2-5). Who is the source of true wisdom (vv. 6-11)? The Lord is. Does he appear to have a limited supply? Why or why not? What does wisdom do for those who find it (vv. 12-19)? It delivers them from evil. What does it deliver you from? It delivers you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech (vv. 12-15), and from the forbidden woman, an adulteress (vv. 16-19). Finally, wisdom will help you to walk in the way of the good, in the paths of the righteous (vv. 20-22). Why? Because wisdom helps you to resist sin and choose obedience to the LORD.
In my next post, I will discuss the history of Christian Paideia in the West.
[1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 748.
[2] Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 12:5, 7, 8, 11
[3] William D. Mounce, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 1230.
[4] Acts 7:22; 22:3; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:32; 2 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 12:6, 7, 10; Rev. 3:19; Luke 23:16, 22
[5] David Goodwin and Pete Hegseth, Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation (New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2022), 44.