291 Theology of Disclosure for Christian Citizenship Formation 9 other and take each other with them, daring to interrupt the tight schedule and supporting the learner in getting a grip on what is happening and growing as a person in it. In the mini-society of the classroom, each child has something to contribute from their person. It is important that teachers do not ignore this; rather, they should notice and make use of it. This requires Christian teachers to take an exciting and, therefore, courageous step. They have to learn that allowing (a high degree of) diversity does not have to represent a threat. From a strong reliance on the socialising effect of one’s own, homogeneous circle, this fear is historically understandable, but it does not have to be so theologically. Openness and faithfulness belong together Biblically, and this becomes possible when Christian teachers learn to interpret and approach their work spiritually. Not by force or violence, but only by God’s Spirit will the Christian message and way of life have recruiting power. Very importantly, Christian teachers must realise that they do not hold the truth within themselves. Regarding truth as a system of conceptions of reality that should be guarded and defended tooth and nail by Christian teachers is a modern rather than a classical Christian approach. In fact, the classical Christian stance involves confessing truth as a person and recognising that human knowing will always be partial and have more to learn. All this leads us to embrace a thoughtful epistemology (doctrine of knowing) that is neither modern nor enlightened; rather, it is relational. For knowing, man needs others and, ultimately, God. God reveals Himself, as the Belgic Confession elucidates in the first two articles based on the Bible, in nature (cosmos) and in Christ (unto salvation). This confession indicates that people never have a monopoly on truth and can always learn from each other, no matter how contrary their views may be. As people of other faiths and beliefs also think carefully about the cosmos and the meaning of existence, the supernatural and what their deity asks of people, it is good to have the conversation with dissenters and to let older elementary school students bring their questions and insights into the classroom. That redemption and salvation really belong to Christ as the Truth in Biblical terms encourages teachers to specify in this conversation (pedagogically) what is peculiar to the Christian faith. Doing so is entirely legitimate in the context of a Christian school and the constitutional freedom of education in the Netherlands. In this way, it is necessary for teachers to know how to distinguish between things that concern the core of the Christian faith and are, therefore, unnegotiable, and things that are good and useful in themselves but cannot or need not be required in every situation.
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