Here at Green Point Christian College, we work to unfold all our teaching from a Christian perspective. But what does that mean in the context of the various subjects? To consider that question, I thought over the next few Messenger articles I would consider a Christian perspective on several different subject areas. I am beginning with History, as it is a favourite subject of mine.

“Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”

African Proverb

History is about stories; it is these stories that shape our present existence and future direction. The quote above is a great reminder that the stories of history are complex. Studying History helps us understand how the things that have happened in the past have helped shape our present, and how they may move us into the future. It also reminds us that history is multi-sided and that the predominant view of history is written by the dominant culture of the time in a way that supports their worldview and what they would like truth to be.

As Christian educators we bring a story to this study of history. The story that we bring is the idea that history is in truth God’s Story, or His Story. The Bible makes the clear claim that at the heart of all things - including history - is God.

Our God is not a distant and uninterested God. He created this world with His word and continues to uphold it. God also cares for His world so much that He stepped out of eternity and into history in the form of Jesus, to bring salvation to us all to demonstrate His love and His character. The Bible tells us this moment was not an aberration, but rather an extension of God’s involvement in His Story, as evidenced throughout the Bible.

So, what does this mean for the Christian History teacher?

Well not only do they endeavour to work to unfold the many and varied, dominant and non-dominant historical narratives that vie for our attention (such as Modernism, Democracy, Fundamentalism, Feminism), they also look to understand and unfold how, “His Story”, the story of the gospel, impacts history. This is a great challenge for teachers and students, yet it provides a depth of understanding that much of our current instant gratification dominant culture cannot do as they do not have the ability to step back and consider a different story or worldview. In working to do this at GPCC we can begin to understand history as the clash of worldviews and stories will afford our students a deeper understanding of our past, and in doing so give them a clearer picture of the future that our God continues to unfold according to His plan.

Joel van Bentum