Distinguishing Principles and Methods

Sometimes, we Christians get caught up in the little things.  We classical Christian school parents recoil with horror at home school parents who don't teach their children Latin.  Home school parents shun Christian school parents who use Bob Jones University curriculum.  I don't like you because you send your child to, you know, that inferior school.  You don't like me because my kids' uniform has a button down collar and a string tie.

Silly, isn't it?

We get hung up on methods and lose sight of the fact that we agree on principles.  This article makes the point abundantly clear.  Here is an excerpt:

Principles are the things that God lays out for us. Love your children. Serve the Lord. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children are a blessing. Be fruitful. Methods are the tools we use to try to accomplish these things. 

Methods vary, even when the people involved are all following God. Do not get caught up in method camps and chisel away at the number of saints you can fellowship with every time you read a new article about that thing that has become the most important thing. Do not build for yourself an arsenal of inflammatory topics. Do not be quick to fire off heated comments.

The thing about principles and methods is that if you agree on the principle, the method is not such a big deal.

We who are "navigating" the education maze need to remember the difference.  If friends and family are educating their children from a Christian perspective, that is the main thing.  Whether it is through a home school or Christian school is a dispute about method.  Not principle.