READER REACTION (cont.) INDOCTRINATION and EDUCATION (It is assumed that the readers of this statement have first read both the Christian Life article by Rediger and the editorial criticism by Suther land in January The King’s Business.) Indoctrination, in its simplest and most basic meaning, is the founda tion of education. It refers to the process of teaching the principles of a science or subject matter area. It goes without saying that information is essential and prerequisite to the in terpretation and application of knowl edge. My argument, however, is with the connotation that has been given to the word “ indoctrination” by those who use the classroom to transmit their own interpretations and biases with an arbitrary and inflexible atti tude, and with an insistence upon their “ students’ ” unconsidered ac ceptance of the views presented. Perhaps the “ critic” of my position would like to indicate which slant or bias should be superimposed upon everyone. In my opinion, students should be acquainted with various positions and possibilities, and should participate actively in the pursuit of truth for themselves. Teachers should be guides of learning, not purveyors of views. Anyway, what students merely accept, they do not really be lieve. To believe means more than to give passive mental assent. It presup poses a process of thoughtful investi gation which leads to discovery on the part of the learner. What he finds, he w ill then believe. The very reason for the collapse and shameful capitulation of so many who were “ educated” in so-called evangelical Christian schools is this superimposed doctrinal framework and contagious doctrinaire attitude, which framework they do not believe and which attitude they see in their teachers. They were indoctrinated, but not educated. It was the very pur pose of my article in Christian Life to point out this weakness in much of so-called Christian education — the absence of involvement and par ticipation on the part of students in adventures in learning through which they may come to real convictions of their own. There are more ways of communicating convictions to the growing person than by arbitrary and rigid “indoctrination.” It is unfortunate to criticize a good periodical when the criticism reflects t h e same unenlightened attitude which was under discussion. —M ilo A. Rediger
SOUTH AMERICA HOUROF DESTINY
Thegigantic conflict of forces that are shaking the worldis present inSouthAmerica too.
The destiny of 139million souls is at stake .
God opened Africa's doors to PTL for a eontinent-wide evangeliza tion and Scripture distribution campaign during the most critical period in the history of that Continent. Now He has opened the way for a similar campaign in South America in her hour of crisis. Your prayers and your support are needed for this great task. You have not failed us in the past as we have carried out this same great mission in Japan, Korea, Formosa, Africa and other countries. No continent stands in deeper need of our prayers and missionary effort than South America. No area is more important to the free world. Write for new illustrated brochure on South America . ALFRED A. KUNZ, International Director POCKET TESTAMENT LEAGUE « 4 9 H O N E C K S T R E E T * E N G L E W O O D , N E W J E R S E Y
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JULY, 1961
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