Biblical Classical Math

There’s math which teaches mathematical principles and applications. Then there’s Biblical Classical math which teaches students how to think and reason Biblically about the subject.

Teaching with context is a part of thinking and reasoning Biblically about math. Comprehending the Biblical worldview of math within its God-given context aids the student in real-world application.

Mastering the Biblical Worldview of Math

Students take steps to master the Biblical worldview of math by defining the vocabulary of math with Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Additionally, they research the Scriptures for applicable Biblical principles to learn about God’s purpose and providence for math. Words and worldviews matter, even when it comes to math.

Learning About the Math Keys

There are Key Individuals, Key Events, and Key Purposes involving math, from the beginning of Creation. For example, students consider Reflection and Reasoning Questions like the following, regarding Scripture and God’s Creation:

• “Where on the History of Liberty Timeline do we place the academic subject of math? Why?”
• “How can we deduce from Genesis 1 that math originates from Creator God?”
• “What examples do we read in the Genesis 1 account of God using math?”
• “How do we observe in Creation that math is an absolute?”
• “What does math teach us about the attributes of God?”
• “How did God use a particular math to move the Gospel and Liberty forward for individuals and nations?”

Biblical Classical Math: Geometry

A math curriculum of some kind is needed to teach abstract concepts with concrete examples. However, we can apply the Biblical Classical Approach to Geometry in the following way:

Mathematics, Is God Silent? by James Nickel is a helpful aid, along with our a math curriculum. His book is helpful for teaching God’s hand in history through mathematics and cause to effect.

Plato: Advance or Hinder Math’s Gospel Purpose?

Let’s consider Plato as an example of applying the Biblical Classical Approach to Geometry. We can create a lesson plan like the following:

• Presupposition: God is personal and we can know Him through General Revelation and Revealed Law.
• Premise: “Since the biblical God created the physical world and declared it good, it is not to be shunned or considered irrelevant to life.” -Mathematics: Is God Silent? by James Nickel, p.31
• Biblical Principle: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” -Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
• Read: The Ideal World of Plato, pp. 29-32 in Mathematics: Is God Silent? by James Nickel.

After covering the above, teachers can have Biblical Classical discussions with their students. These discussions are based on Reflection and Reasoning questions which aid the teachers and students in questions which reason from absolute truth. Furthermore, they can discuss the cause to effect of when mathematicians acknowledge and honor Creator God, or when they don’t.

Reflection and Reasoning Questions:

Jesus asked questions of those whom He taught. In this way, individuals were responsible for their education, reasoning, and convictions. Below are some Reflection and Reasoning questions that can accompany the above Biblical Framework for a lesson on Geometry:

• “How did Plato’s worldview affect his attempts at Geometry?”
• “How does Plato’s cave allegory conflict with the Biblical worldview? Compare and contrast.”
• “What attributes of God does Geometry teach us?”
• “How did Plato’s worldview of Geometry delay the advancement of the Gospel and Liberty to individuals and nations?”
• “How and when did God use Geometry throughout history to help advance the Gospel and Liberty to individuals and nations?”

Forming Biblical convictions about math is more than being told a presupposition, premise, and principle. Students need to have Reflection and Reasoning questions so they can practice thinking through ideas that are presented to them.

In Summary

Biblical Classical Education offers teachers and students the ability to learn math skill sets. Plus, it offers them the ability to master the Biblical worldview of math. Additionally, it offers them the ability to answer Reflection and Reasoning questions. The latter help them form convictions and reason from the truths of God’s Word to the subject

Biblical Classical Fractions for Kids Course

Fractions for Kids is a 10-week self-paced, online course for Christian kids ages 10-16 to learn the biblical foundations of math, the straightforward methods for solving fraction problems, and the techniques to explain their work. Topics include converting, reducing, simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing proper fractions, mixed numbers, and improper fractions. Simply start with the first lesson, practice each concept to mastery, and go at your own pace. This course is a gentle introduction to some of the basics of Biblical Classical math, which implements some of the concepts addressed in this article.