Topic #21- Education of Christian Children

Government Schools are Succeeding! But are We?
by Eugene Clingman
Executive Administrator

Copyright 2006, International Church Council Project

www.ChurchCouncil.org

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It was the time of “Ozie and Harriet,” and “Father Knows Best,” of “Leave it to Beaver” and “Andy Griffith.” Things were pleasant in America. We were living on the cultural capital of the Christian society inherited from generations past. America had the outward appearance of Christianity, but not the reality. Since then the outer shell has eroded to reveal the twisted face of humanism glaring through this American culture in decay.

America is rotting culturally! Undeniably, one of the primary facilitators of this decay is the government schools which, contrary to the assumptions of most has not failed, but succeeded in its mission. John Dewey is acknowledged as one of the main, if not the main mover in establishing the American government school system (AKA public school). Dewey is one of the authors of the Humanist Manifesto. In one of his writings, “My Pedagogic Creed,” he shows that by changing what goes on in the classroom, society can be reshaped. The government schools, largely formed and set on course by John Dewey and his colleagues have indeed succeeded. They have systematically reshaped American culture by purposefully excluding the Creator God, Christ, and Christianity from the institution that more than any other forms the worldview of the nation’s children.

About 85% of children from Christian homes attend government schools. In so called public schools Christian children (all children) are continually taught (implicitly or explicitly) that there is no Creator God, or that if there is a Creator out there somewhere, it is not worth the time or energy to learn anything about Him. The records show that more than 80% of Christian children who attend the government school system come out of that system thinking like humanists, essentially paganized, and by adulthood are no longer Christians.

In the days of Ozie and Harriet it might have been excusable for Christians to send their kids to the government schools which at that time had at least a form of godliness – today there is no excuse! We Christians have been slow to ask some basic questions about the all important area of life – the training of our children – so I will ask a very basic one. Into what worldview are Christian parents required by to immerse their children?

When I ask this question, it is not a moralistic question springing from my own prejudice. I ask the question in light of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (read and carefully consider this passage). This passage is crystal clear that the children of faith should be immersed in the thought patterns of the faith, day and night. On the contrary, Christian parents place their children under an ungodly system to be propagandized (30 hours a week) with the fairytale of the humanistic evolutionary worldview. That worldview says the universe and everything in it formed by accident through random processes during whatever billion number of years they currently claim it took (this number changes periodically)! This fairytale humanistic naturalistic worldview is taught not only in the science classroom, it is implicit in nearly all the curricula. It is subtle yet pervasive.

Shouldn’t Christian parents be purposeful in training their children in all aspects of life into the Christian worldview, whether in scientific investigation, social studies, history, or the arts? Shouldn’t Christian parents immerse their children in reality rather than the make believe universe propagated by government schools? Reality is this – God created, and there is no fact that is a fact apart from Him? To remove God, the one and only God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from education is to indulge in the education of the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God!” (Psalm 14:1). We steal from our children the very essence of knowledge when we have them trained by a system that systematically excludes God from knowledge. Please note that I said “system.” I understand there are Christian teachers in the government schools whose goal never is to remove faith from children and whose ambition it is to be a witness in that dark system. Nevertheless, these Christian teachers are normally required to agree (contract in writing) to use the system mandated curriculum, which mandate also forbids the teaching of Christian faith; and which curriculum is designed to systematically and purposefully remove Christianity from the students by subtly assuming or explicitly affirming “there is no God!”

 The Bible Gives Direction for Education of Our Kids
            The Bible says of itself that it is sufficient to equip the man of God for every good work (2 Tim 3:16, 17). In other words, the Bible is adequate to train us for all of life. I don’t mean that it is a manual for learning auto mechanics or a how-to on brain surgery. But it gives us what we need to successfully live a life pleasing to God. The Bible is – “profitable…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Surely raising godly children is included in the “every good work”! In other words the Bible is sufficient to instruct us how to train our kids. There is sufficient instruction and insight within the pages of Holy Scripture for this major task.

The Bible is neither silent nor neutral on the “good work” of education of our children. The Bible never indicates that the responsibility for forming the worldview of children belongs to the state (i.e. civil government). God never lays the responsibility of education at the feet of the state, but always at the feet of the father or single mom, and at the feet of the Church in general (thus the need for Christian schools; Deut. 6:1-9; Eph. 6:4). It is the responsibility of parents to control the education of their children and Christian parents are never authorized by God to have them indoctrinated into an anti-God worldview such as permeates the American government school system (Exodus 34:12-16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

 Hope and Encouragement
            The overwhelming majority of Christian families have placed their children into the government school system. To break loose from reliance on that system is no little thing. Whenever a Christian family decides to educate their kids either home-school or Christian school, it is a giant challenge. Patterns of life must be altered, finances must be redirected or new finances found, and much more. I promise you, no, rather God promises, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you!” If we have the right priorities and move forward in faith to do what is right (“righteous”), God will give what is needed. I promise you that God will work miracles for you. He is faithful.

Pray for us as we work to help move the Body of Christ toward greater faithfulness in the education of our children. May God guide all of us Christians in a purposeful and fruitful future for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children for God’s Kingdom’s sake, and for his glory! Please consider being a part of our financial support team. I hope you will become a regular supporter. A very easy way to do this is through regular monthly electronic contribution. You can donate on our website at www.ChurchCouncil.org.