Welcome

This week we come to the final in our series on the Biblical worldview of the subjects that we teach, and we are looking at the Biblical worldview of the Arts and Personal Development, Health and PE

The Arts

This subject area has been much admired and, at times, much maligned in Christian history. There have been times when dancing, acting, painting, and music have been banned or restricted. However, we believe that our God is creative. He created the world with beauty, colour, moods, rhythm, and seasons. He created us in His likeness, and we are, therefore, creative beings with God-given creative ability. Because of this, we study The Arts here at Wagga Wagga Christian College.

The Arts are a fundamental means of expression and communication in all societies. Through the Arts, we gain a sense of our social and individual identity. Study in the Arts gives students access to the cultural diversity in their immediate community and the broader Australian and international context. They learn to recognise and value the cultural forms and traditions that constitute artistic heritage.

In the Arts, students learn ways of experiencing, developing, representing and understanding ideas, emotions, values and cultural beliefs. They learn to take risks, be imaginative, question prevailing values, explore alternative solutions, engage in art criticism, develop, practise and refine techniques, share opinions and extend the limits of the arts.

God gives a variety of artistic abilities and will use the various artistic talents He gives, as we submit to Him. It is important for us to recognise that no object created by man or God is to become an object of worship. We see people today worship Hollywood celebrities, musicians and singers, it is important that we encourage our students to appreciate the gifts and talents of famous people but not to worship them as they are fallible humans just like us. A study of the Arts can teach our students that due to the distorting effects of sin and rebellion, God’s intention for works of art has been tainted. We need to be mindful of this as we create, view and appreciate the works of others.

‘Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

We should yield our abilities to God to be used for His glory, whether in enjoyment and appreciation or in creating, using the talents He gave us. We must not over-emphasise physical beauty at the cost of spiritual beauty or beauty of character. That can be a very difficult task in today's prevailing culture.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

As a Christian school, our goal is to prepare students to live full and purposeful lives, contributing to the wellbeing and blessing of their families, communities, and the world. Ultimately, that students, staff and families may participate in God’s creative and kingdom mission, being sustained in life-giving relationships with God, with others, and with all of God’s creation. PDHPE provides fertile soil for these aims to be enacted. A foundational principle of the Christian story is that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). 

As we grow more in our understanding of God, so we can grow in our understanding of self.

1. As we consider issues around identity, it reminds us that in a complex world, where there are many other cultural stories that would seek to shape our sense of self, our ultimate identity is found as an image bearer of God (Gen 1:26; Col 2:8; Eph 4:24), redeemed in Jesus Christ. Underpinning any cultural expression of human identity is the reality that our humanity as part of creation is very good, and as such is more fundamental than its expression in any cultural story. 
2. As we explore relationships, it reminds us that we are created in the image of the triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit; the eternal God whose nature is mutually reciprocal self-giving love (1 John 4:8). 
3. Consequently, we are created in His image to live beyond ourselves and to establish and realise flourishing relationships with others (Mark 12:31; John 13:34-35). 
4. As we consider our personal wellbeing and the shalom of others, we are reminded that to be truly human is to live in a harmonious relationship with God, with each other, with ourselves, and with our environment. While following Jesus does not automatically mean an easy or uncomplicated life, Jesus says that he has come to give us life and life to the full (John 10:10). 
5. As we explore human movement, teach skills, and play sports, it reminds us that our physicality matters. God has not simply created us in the spiritual realm, but with bodies that we can use creatively, and confidently, across the spectrum of physical activities. In turn, this promotes personal wellbeing, lifelong healthy attitudes to physical activity, and contribution to the flourishing of our society. 

The curriculum content of PDHPE allows for many of the big questions of life to be explored, and for students to celebrate life through developing teamwork, empathy, humility, creativity, discipline, resilience, and joy. It provides a valuable opportunity for student voice and agency. The shape of the subject allows for this to take place in a relationally rich environment – in classrooms, on the sports field, and on camps and excursions – where teachers can act as mentors and guides. This opportunity should not be underestimated, as it is crucially important in the discipleship of young people. 

Nevertheless, the Bible also reminds us that “the fall” has impacted every dimension of our society and culture, and PDHPE is no exception. People may attempt to construct and express their identity independently from God. Relationships can become manipulative and self-serving, wellbeing can be compromised by destructive behaviours, and sport and physical activity can become a breeding ground for unhealthy competition, identity confused with body image and a sense of self that is unhelpfully tied to performance and reward. In contrast, the role of Christian PDHPE educators is to teach and model a perspective that is shaped by redemption and restoration. As such, we do not shy away from exploring challenging issues and different and sometimes difficult worldview perspectives but instead seek to provide scope for students to engage in these conversations within the framework of a Christian worldview. As this is enacted within our PDHPE classes, we are inviting students to taste God’s restored future in the present and to participate with God in his restoration project in the world.

Source: https://compass.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Resources/GBS_2.0_HPE.pdf

Lisa Dumicich

Interim Principal