Posted in The Principle Approach: A Summary
The Christian Principle of
Self-Government
“He knows not how to rule a Kingdom, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man govern well a Family that knows not how to govern himself; neither can any govern himself unless his reason be Lord, will and appetite her vassals: nor can reason rule unless herself be ruled by God, and (wholly) be obedient to Him.”
Hugo Gratius (1654)
So far this is one of my favorites because it goes right to the heart of discipline. We are learning through this principle that freedom truly lies in one’s ability to govern himself. If you cannot govern yourself then you need someone to do it for you and that someone will place parameters on you taking away your choices. For example, if my children clean their rooms without my telling them, then I will let them choose when they want to do it. However, if they don’t, whatever they are doing, I will make them stop so that it will get done right then when I am thinking about it.
Of course, this principle goes so much deeper but that is one example of how we are applying it to our lives. Through the historical figures, such as, Moses and Paul, you can study how the self-discipline and self-government of these men allowed God to use them in mighty ways.
The four layers of expansion {leading ideas} recommended for The Christian Principle of Self-Government are as follows:
- Learning Self-Government in the Classroom
- Christian Self-Government in Virginia and Plymouth
- Government of the ParentColoniesTownship and County SystemsPennsylvania
- Locke—“Of the Beginning of Political Societies” Government by Consent Majority Rule
In The Noah Plan, this principle is first introduced at the Kindergarten, 3rd quarter. The principles aren’t completely introduced in order.
The following is the description provided by The Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide, p. 68.
The Christian Principle of Self-Government
“Simply stated, the Christian Principle of Self-Government is God ruling internally from the heart of the individual. In order to have true liberty, man must be governed internally by the Spirit of God rather than by external forces. Government is first individual, then extends to the home, church, and the community.
What can self-government mean in the classroom or home school setting? It does not mean relinquishing control to our children. Children need to know the demands upon each one of us, and they need to learn how to live with these demands voluntarily. When there is evidence that an individual can begin to assume more responsibility and become “self-governed-under-God” in a few things, then there will be opportunity for more experience. Fortunately, God has provided parents, adults, and teachers to help boys and girls learn how to make choices and decisions, which are responsible. There may be mistakes, but if the lesson is pointed out, then Christian self-government has been strengthened.”
I’m having a great deal of difficulty being so brief on the principles. However, we will be spending the majority of our time during the Self-Directed Study on the principles. So I’ll wait until then. What I’m probably going to do is go over the remaining principles next week and then the next week or two finish up with the remainder of the Summary including Christian Scholarship. Then we’ll get started with the Self-Directed Study.
Next time…
- The 7 Principles on which PA is based
- Principle 3—America’s Heritage of Christian Character
Staying faithful,
Karen
