British and Christian Values

“It shouldn’t take any intervention from my department to say that young people should be learning the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and respect  because these British values are fundamentally a good thing.  Fundamen-tal British values are the attributes that have in this century and the last, made our country one of the greatest forces for good. They’re the values that bind us together, that mean despite the many differences in our nation, we’re united as one people. … so I’m unapologetic in saying that no school should be exempt from promoting fundamental British values, just as no school should be exempt from promoting rigorous academic standards.”     (Rt Hon Nicky Morgan: Why Knowledge Matters, 27 January 2015)    

“… the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today.”  (David Cameron)

The requirement for schools to prepare pupils for modern life with a focus on British values is relatively new, but Church schools have long been familiar with the need to articulate their fundamental Christian values.  Both sets of values overlap and one can clearly argue that the government’s stated British values have emerged from Britain’s long history as a Christian nation.  

The key Christian beliefs that underpin both Christian Values and British values are that:

•God is a God of order, and that his world should reflect a sense of purpose, not chaos

•Every person is made in the image of God, known, loved and valued as a unique creation.

•Humans are designed to be interdependent, supporting others and being supported, like a body with many parts.

•The Bible provides laws to govern human affairs, but these also show up human weakness and the need for forgiveness

•The greatest command is to LOVE – God, oneself, one’s neighbour, and even one’s enemy – and, for a Christian, to love as Christ loved us.        

The Bible and British Values    

The following Bible passages and stories could be linked to the British value headings.  

Democracy  

•“See I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction now choose life that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30 v.1519  

•Calling the disciples Matthew 4 v.1821  

•The quarrel about who should sit at Jesus right and left hand in heaven   Matthew 20 v.2023  

Rule of Law  

•“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”  Romans 13 v.1

•Jesus teaches about the law Matthew 5 v.1720  

•Paying taxes to Caesar Luke 20 v.2125  

•Be “in” the world not “of” the world  Isaiah 2,3,11  

•The wisdom of Solomon 1 Kings 3 v.1628  

•Zacchaeus Luke 9 v.110  

•Moses and the Ten Commandments Exodus 20 v.120  

•Jesus’ new commandment John 13 v.34  

Individual liberty  

•Christ has set us free - Galatians 5 vs 1  

•The truth sets us free  John 8 v.32  

•Adam and Eve – free to do wrong Genesis 2 v. 3  

•Ten Lepers freed from the constraints of their illness  Luke 17 v.1119  

•Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane debating duty  Matthew 26 v.3646  

•The rich young man imprisoned by his own riches   Matthew 19 v.1622  

•The two builders and choosing your lifestyle   Matthew 7 v.24-27  

•Zacchaeus  Luke 19 v.110  

Mutual respect 

•Be devoted to one another, love one another above yourselves   Romans 12 v.10  

•We are made in the image of God  Genesis 1 v.27  

•Good Samaritan freely helps his enemy  Luke 10 v.2937  

•Creation is good   Genesis chp 1  

•The soldier’s unexpected faith in a “subject” teacher    Luke 7  v/110  

•Mary and Martha, the importance of listening to others   Luke 10  v.3841  

•Jesus washed the disciples feet like the lowliest servant   John 13  v.120  

•Story of Ruth, respect for relatives and for the poor  Ruth 14  

Tolerance of different cultures and religions  

•Do not judge others and you will not be judged  Matthew 7 v.1  

•Naaman learns respect for other nations  2 Kings 5  

•Good Samaritan   Luke 10 v.2937  

•Jesus and the children his disciples tried to push away  Matthew 19 v.1315  

• The woman at the well, despised by her village yet Jesus got into a theological debate with her   John 4 v.126