But What About the Establishment Principle?

C A Webster

Over the years I have come across a number of very fine Christians who by reason of their attachment to the Establishment Principle have either opposed or expressed serious reservations about parent-controlled Christian schools. As an upholder of the Establishment Principle myself I have always taken their views seriously and attempted to refute what I respectfully consider to be their mistaken understanding of it.

The Establishment Principle

The establishment Principle is enshrined in most of the major reformed Confessions and has its most classical expression in chapter 23 of our Westminster Confession of Faith. Its position has been called the 'Theory of Co-ordinating Authorities'. In this, the Church and State are seen to be divinely ordained authorities under God both of which owe allegiance to Christ as King of the Church and King of Nations. They are therefore to be supportive of each other in the service of Christ in their respective spheres but they are not to interfere with each other's areas of responsibility.
Perhaps a brief comparison of alternative and opposing views will help us understand it more clearly.

The Voluntary Principle:

This is the total separation of Church and State. This view is held (probably without being aware of it by many modern evangelical churches and fellowships, but it is in reality a denial of Christ’s headship over the State.

Erastian Principle:

The State controls the Church. This is the position of the Church of England whereby the Queen through Parliament appoints the Bishops etc. It was also for a time the position of the Church of Scotland until the Patronage Act was repealed and contributed to the cause of many divisions and secessions in Scottish Presbyterianism.

Papal Principle:

The Church controls the State. This is the position held by the Roman Catholic Church whereby it teaches that the Pope as the Vicar of Christ has claim to the allegiance of civil rulers.

The Home:

Another area of authority mentioned in the Bible but not directly referred to in the Establishment Principle as stated in W.C.F chapter 23, is the Home. Like the Church and the State, the home is of Divine origin and has an area of responsibility into which the Church and State may not intrude. each has its God appointed authorities. The Church - Ruling and Teaching Elders; the State - Civil Magistrates; and the home Fathers/Parents. It is at this point that we must stop and ask ourselves a fundamental question. Biblically speaking, which of these three spheres of authority has been given the responsibility for the education of children?

THE BIBLE LAYS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EDUCATING CHILDREN WITH THE HOME AND PARENTS

To the best of my understanding, the answer is clear, the Bible lays the responsibility fairly and squarely with the home and parents.

I addressed this subject at the HCST Public meeting in Dingwall in September 1996 and refer readers to the tape of that address for consideration of the case I argued there. Since it is the home and parents who are responsible, the Establishment Principle does not apply directly to this matter further than to say that the Church and State are required to be supportive of parents for the education of their children. Nowhere in our Reformed Standards do we find that either the Church or the State are to control the schooling of our children.

Those who send their children to state-controlled schools (and oppose parent-controlled Christian schools) as upholders of the Establishment Principle are in fact denying their own preciously held beliefs. State-controlled schools are an expression of the Erastian Principle within the field of education. I can understand Presbyterians who are in denominations separated from the Church of Scotland thereby seeking to defend the purity of the Reformed Faith including the Establishment Principle.

What I cannot understand is why some of those who hold such a view then have their children educated in state controlled schools that are an expression of Erastianism. Parent-controlled Christian schools having the W.C.F as part of their constitution and seeking to uphold the Headship of Christ in, over and through all things are anxious to provide their children -with a truly Christ-centred education. They therefore are truer and more practical upholders of the fundamental basis of the Establishment Principle in our society.

WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY SOME OF THOSE WHO HOLD SUCH A VIEW THEN HAVE THEIR CHILDREN EDUCATED IN STATE- CONTROLLED SCHOOLS

Finally a word about the question of accepting state/taxpayers funding for parent-controlled Christian schools. Should we or shouldn't we accept it? For as long as the Civil government is involved in the funding of education in our country and provided there are no strings attached - a big ‘IF’ - I cannot see an absolute objection to the acceptance of such funding. Beware however, for the acceptance of such funding may lead to a dependence on the state. At some future stage state funding may be withdrawn with difficult consequences for the schools.

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