Does Time Spent on Scripture Memory and Other Spiritual Instruction Detract from Instruction in Math, Science, Etc.?
Absolutely not. Making God’s Word an integral part of education does not mean you get an inferior education, but a superior one. The Scriptures state repeatedly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom and understanding. [See, e.g., Prov. 1:7; 9:10] A student who does not fear the Lord can never quite achieve his academic potential because his perception and judgment at some level is distorted. It follows then that spiritual training ought to be integrated with academic disciplines because the former enriches the latter; it does not compromise it. If the Scriptures are Truth, then their study cannot possibly detract from one’s education. As stated in Harvard’s “Rules and Precepts” of 1646 (original spelling retained): Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foun
