THE STORY OF OUR LUTHERAN SCHOOLS, PART TWO
In last month's lead article, I outlined the history of Lutheran parochial schools in the United States. At the beginning of the article, I explained that we have Lutheran schools because "Martin Luther told us to do that." Now I would like you to see that admonition from Luther in his own words, translated into English from German.
Luther began his reform of education by giving directions to the kings and princes of central Europe for the improvement of the universities in his treatise "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Concerning the Reform of the Christian Estate," published in 1520 (see Luther's Works:American Edition[hereafter AE], 55 vols. [Philadelphia and Saint Louis:Fortress Press and Concordia Publishing House, 1957-86], 44:115-217). The only thing he mentioned about elementary schools in that treatise was that girls should also receive education, which was a revolutionary idea for its day (see AE 44:206).
Four years later, Luther came back to the topic of education, and this time wrote a systematic treatise on the topic of both lower and higher education in 1524 titled "To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany that They Establish and Maintain Christian Schools" (AE 45:340-378). While the Renaissance humanists before Luther had ideas for improving universities and private tutoring, the Protestant Reformation, led by Luther, set as its goal universal, even compulsory, education for everyone. Where the churches could not, or would not, supply education for children, Luther demanded that mayors and city councils supply the need. Here are just a very few relevant quotes from that 1524 treatise that still ring true today:
"It is not surprising that the wicked devil takes a position in this matter [of education] and induces carnal and worldly hearts thus to neglect the children and young people. Who can blame him for it? He is the ruler and god of this world [John 14:30] ... How can we expect him to permit and promote the proper training of the young? He would indeed be a fool to allow and promote the establishment in his kingdom [of this world] of the very thing by which that kingdom must be speedily overthrown, which would happen if he were to lose that choice morsel -- our dear young people ... No one is aware of the devil's wily purpose. No one is on the alert, but just goes quietly along. Even though only a single boy could thereby be trained to become a real Christian, we ought properly to give a hundred gulden [about $1500] to this cause for every gulden [about $15] we would give to fight the [enimies of the German Empire]... For one real Christian is better and can do more good than all the men on earth" (AE 45:349-350).
"My dear sirs, if we have to spend such large sums every year on guns, roads, bridges, dams, and couNtless similar items to insure the temporal peace and prosperity of a city, why should not much more be devoted to the poor neglected youth -- at least enough to engage one or two competent men to teach school?" (AE 45:350).
"Let this, then, my dear sirs and friends, be the first consideration to influence you, namely, that herein [by educating our youth] we are fighting against the devil as the most dangerous and subtle enemy of all" (AE 45:351)
"The third consideration is by far the most important of all, namely, the command of God, who through Moses urges and enjoins parents so often to instruct their children ... Indeed, for what purpose do we older folk exist, other than to care for, instruct, and bring up the young? It is utterly impossible for these [ignorant] young people to instruct and protect themselves. This is why God has entrusted them to us who are older and who know from experience what is best for them ... It is a sin and a shame that matters have come to such a pass that we have to urge and be urged to educate our children and young people and to seek their best interests, when nature itself should drive us to do this and even the heathen afford us abundant examples of it" (AE 45:353)
Yours in Christ, Pastor Martin R. Noland
