Laying Waste Our Heritage

[From the soon-to-be-released book by RJ Rushdoony, In His Service: The Christian Calling to Charity (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 2010)]

Children are a God-given inheritance for our conquest of the world for Christ. They are a means of subduing the earth and exercising dominion under the Lord. If we give our children to state or private schools which are not systematically Christian in all their curriculum, we are then giving the future to God’s enemies, and He will hold us accountable for laying waste our heritage. We thus must have Christian schools and Christian homeschools for the Lord’s children. We are commanded to “bring them up in the nurture and the admonition of the LORD” (Eph. 6:4). This is a necessary step for that great consummation of God’s will, announced beforehand for us in Revelation 11:15:

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

"Learning" from Liars

Many homeschool graduates venture into the world of college and university. For a variety of reasons, they often do not end up in Christian colleges. Finances, distance,or career focus issues send them to secular settings.

A walk through college bookstores reveals that, for the most part, they are religious bookstores thriving because of a monopoly over customers (students) who have to pay outrageous sums for indoctrination materials.

Take, for example, biology texts. One example with nearly 1000 pages “connects the concepts” for its students:

Before the 1800s, most people believed that each species had been created at the beginning of the world, and that modern organisms were essentially unchanged descendants of their ancestors.

… Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle….had ample time during his five-year voyage to reflect on the ideas of [various] authors…. From them collectively, he built a framework that helped support his theory of descent with modification.

One aspect of scientific genius is the power of astute observation – to see what others miss or fail to appreciate. In this area Darwin excelled… [emphasis added]

…The theory of evolution has quite rightly been called the grand unifying theory (GUT) of biology….*

The Bible has this to say about Darwin’s astute observations:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23)

Christian students, rightfully, are dismayed at the prospect of going through science classes forced to “learn” and “spit back” concepts they know are false at their root. So, what should a student do who feels called into a specific profession that requires a college diploma?

First, it is important to view these classes as comparative religion rather than science. As I said to one student, “You wouldn’t take it personally if you were studying Islam and discovered that a Muslim’s faith and practice were different from yours. You would be studying to understand its theology and application. Likewise, you should view a required science course as a religion course in the belief and practices of secular humanism.”

In order to help this student further, I contacted a number of graduates of secular colleges asking their advice, based on their experiences. Here are some of their answers:

From a woman with a BS in Biology who is currently working in veterinary medicine:

Been there and loved it! It just gave me greater ability to counter evolutionary theory. During my courses, my professors were very open about stating that there are areas requiring further study and/or theories that were proving incorrect based upon new research. In essence, they were furthering my knowledge regarding the fallacies of evolution because their theories were not holding valid. Student truly only have to regurgitate what they are being asked for, and use the scientific information to support discussions about Creation. They can always preface their answers with "according to evolutionary theory..." rather than agreeing with the professor or otherwise stating evolution as fact.

Another student who recently completed a masters program in nursing said:

The first advice I would give would be to be scrupulous in doing the homework required. Go above and beyond what is required. Read every assignment and be able to discuss it fully. Never be faulted for incomplete work. That should also take care of any problems with a grade in the class, if the instructor is fair, and it will prepare the student to discuss and refute the material. Most professors just want to have the material repeated back, so students should be prepared to do that.

Then I'd suggest books like Ken Ham's The Lie
and Bahnsen's Always Ready. These will suggest key questions to ask the teacher and challenge the material. In addition, students should be studying the Bible so it is fresh in their mind.

Also, remember that God created the world to run on orderly principles -- principles that can be discovered through scientific study. Students should view a biology class as a means to acquire the tools of beginning scientific inquiry and not consider it a total loss. But over all, going to a humanistic school will require self study if one really want to learn anything in that subject.

I faced almost complete opposition philosophically in school and used these techniques to survive. I even received an A + in one class where I completely disagreed with the instructor and told her so. Nicely, of course.

Another student who is currently attending law school suggested:

Think of this as an opportunity to learn the other side. Looking at the class as a way to bolster one’s own position by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the other side might help with the mental hurdle of actually learning the material.

I suggest a student change his frame of mind about the testing situation. Is the test really an attestation of belief or is it a demonstration of knowledge about a particular subject that he has been taught by the professor? If he looks at it as the latter, that might help.

Take advantage of office hours. Go to office hours and talk with the professor. The time to discuss in great depth personal issues about class material is definitely not during class and I would be careful to not use the office hours as a time for debate, but rather use it as a time to learn. A good professor will be open to teaching and answering questions if a student comes in with a genuine desire to learn. Office hours are an appropriate time to discuss things like this. A one-on-one discussion alerts the professor to the fact that this is not just a sassy college kid wanting to talk in front of a class, but rather this is an important issue that the student feels strongly about and wants the professor to know that his personal beliefs differ from the class material.

Another graduate who now works in the dental field had this to offer:

Oh the joys of secular education! It has been a while since my science classes, but I approached it in the following ways:

I maintained a high level of respect for my instructor, regardless of our differences...Meaning, that I never "confronted" her in class or belittled her in any way. There were a few outspoken creationists in the class, but they were annoying and disrespectful, and very poor testimonies to Christianity. I made it a habit to thank instructors after their lectures.

I strove to be the best student that I could, so that the instructor would respect me for my efforts, and consequently, respect my differences of opinion. This is not as much about getting an A or B, but rather, that the teacher notices that the student is doing his best. I would encourage other students to humbly go to the teacher with questions, so that the instructor knows that they truly wants to do better...that they’re not lazy, etc. I made it a point to go to office hours, even when I wasn't struggling, because I became a face to the instructor; it allowed for a relationship, and he knew that I was interested in his class (and in him as a human being too).

If the exam/homework were in essay form (not scantron, where you cannot write on the paper), I would write, "The BOOK says..." etc. I would sometimes write a little something in the margin as well, such as ..."I do not agree with this, however" ...but always in a respectful way.

I used these approaches in my bio class, and because of the respect that my instructor had for me, it opened up doors for deeper conversations...including creation, God, etc. One of our last written assignments was something about evolution, and I chose to go out on a limb, risk my grade, and write my opinion. Again, I maintained a respectful attitude throughout the paper, and I had already established a friendship with my instructor. She ended up giving me an A in the class, despite the paper, and she and I maintained contact even after the class was over.

These suggestions are offered in the hope that those confronted with similar situations can learn from the experiences of others. However, this should never cloud the reality that evolutionary scientists are suppressing the truth of God’s creation more than most other people, in spite of the fact that their profession is about investigation and observation. As Psalm 19:1-3 proclaims:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

God’s call to dominion and the Great Commission is operative in the secular realm. Christians called to battle in this realm need to connect daily with their Savior and make use of Christian mentors who will help them through the morass of these “academic deceptions.” In addition, they would do well to recall daily:

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Romans 3:3-4)

* Mader, Biology (McGraw Hill, 2010).

An Army in the Making

This past weekend I spent a day and a half representing the Chalcedon Foundation at our local homeschool convention. This year the overall attendance was less than last year, which was down from the year before. Many long-term attendees were saddened by this fact. Some attributed the smaller numbers to the economy. Others felt it had to do with many homeschoolers casting their lots with public school independent study programs that lured them with cash-in-hand for music, swimming, or horseback riding lessons. Still others felt that prospective homeschoolers were concerned that the political climate would soon turn nasty toward those who homeschool.

Although the numbers may have been less, the dedication and resolve of those I spoke with are as strong as ever. It was encouraging to see how many fathers were actively participating in curriculum decisions. (Years ago, moms carried most of the weight.) I had wonderful conversations about biblical law, the need for a Christian curriculum, and the new Chalcedon Teacher Training Institute for homeschool moms.

Many other exhibitors came to our booth thanking us for our presence, as we were one of the few booths that provided material that would equip parents to be better teachers. One of the featured speakers and Chalcedon’s good friend, Israel Wayne, expressed gratitude for our presence as he gladly picked up a copy of the newly released Sermon on the Mount. He also brought attendees from one of his sessions to our table to purchase Mathematics: Is God Silent? saying “This is the book I was telling you about. It will explode your mind – in a good way!”

For many , this was their first introduction to Rushdoony’s materials. Many homeschool dads commented, “This man wrote on just about every subject, didn’t he?” One woman who had purchased The Messianic Character of American Education last year told me, “You were so right about that book. What an eye-opener.”

So the number of attendees may have been down, but a small army is awakening – awakening to the fact that homeschooling is not an end unto itself, but an activity that is integral to seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. How do I know this to be the case? This past weekend, I saw more pregnant women walk through the exhibit hall than I see in a month in the general public. Moreover, there were more strollers being pushed around with books and curriculum brimming out the sides, which included the recently released Chalcedon Position Papers:

Education, Liberty, and the Bible,

Economic Crises and the Bible

Judgment, Politics, and the Bible

Taxation, Liberty, and the Bible

National Defense and the Bible

Chalcedon is positioned to be an integral part of the growth and instruction of this future army, not to mention the present one made up of its parents.

To God Be the Glory!

Another Good Reason to Avoid the Public Schools

Informed Choices

Tough economic times cause people to make choices. Families that take regular vacations or frequent restaurants look for respite in other activities. There are varieties of righteous options that do not compromise the moral and ethical standards of Christianity.

Sometimes, the choices that are presented by a culture at war with God are not really choices at all. An example would be the options given young women in dealing with unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Rather than encourage the most basic and foolproof method -- abstinence until marriage – society offers “solutions” to these “problems” which include over the counter medications, various devices and vaccinations, and surgical murder. Like I said, not a good choice in the lot.

Cultural assaults begin even earlier when the fashion industry becomes an accomplice in the moral degradation of young girls and women. It is no accident that it is nearly impossible to find clothing that does not entice or provoke sexual response. Either the neckline is so plunged as to make imagination impossible, or the bottom of the top is significantly separated from the skirt or slacks to draw attention to this portion of a woman’s anatomy. The clothing selections in major department stores are deliberately abysmal so that one’s standards must be compromised if one is going to purchase anything. Is it any wonder that as a society we are seeing an ever-increasing number of families and individuals torn apart by pornography, promiscuity, and all sorts of perversion? What would have been categorized as degradation and humiliation in decades past, has now become fashionable.

This is another arena where Christians can reclaim and reconstruct the culture. In the entrepreneurial spirit outlined in Proverbs 31, worthy women can provide godly choices for their sisters in the faith. There are many possibilities, whether creating patterns that are easy to follow while being attractive and economical, or setting up shop and making custom clothing. IF Christians are willing to be both the proprietors and the customers, new cottage industries could spring up. Sewing and tailoring would become more than hobbies or family necessities, they could become a means by which we provide godly alternatives in the midst of a sea of poison.

I know women are out there with an eye for fashion. I also know that there are those who have talent in marketing and advertising. Further, there are those with capital looking for businesses to invest in that seek to honor God and keep His commandments. In these uncertain times, domestic skills like sewing and design should be included in any serious curriculum.

I Once Was Lost….But Now Am Found

A number of years ago I acquired a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) to lessen the amount of time I spend getting lost. Prior to this, I would call for directions or print off point-to-point directions from internet-based maps. If I were traveling to a museum from my home, I would print out the directions with my home as a starting point. However, if I left for a museum from a relative’s home, I would have to print out the directions from that starting point. This meant I had a binder full of directions for all the possible stops I might make.

Now with my faithful GPS system that makes use of satellites, I key in my location and get step-by-step instructions to my destination. The GPS takes my destination location and calculates directions, driving time, and provides a map showing me my progress along the way. If I should happen to make a mistake – for example missing an exit – the program immediately alerts me and begins to “recalculate” the correct route from where I happen to be. With this device, I am assured of getting to my destination with less stress, confusion, and lost time. It is a great feeling when the GPS program announces I have arrived at my desired location.

The Word of God is much more than a GPS system, although there are similarities that bear mentioning. The satellites that make a GPS system work are positioned above the earth to be able to cover the entire globe. God, being the Creator of space and time, exists outside of them, and thus has the omniscient view that allows Him (and His law-word) to be our only reliable set of instructions as to how to glorify and enjoy Him. In addition, God’s Word has a “recalculating” function, alerting us when we have strayed from the narrow path that leads to life, and providing instructions for the way to return to it. Moreover, we are assured of arriving at our ultimate destination (heaven), free from the self-inflicted stress of indecision or autonomy that makes the journey more complicated than it need be.

Hands-on parenting, especially in the homeschool setting, provides the opportunity to help children make use of the Word of God in every area of life and thought. The Bible is the Christian’s – G.P.S. -- God’s Positioning System.

"Education and Sovereignty"

The following is an excerpt from RJ Rushdoony's Sovereignty.

Our culture is in sympathy with the devil because it resents the claims of the sovereign God of Scripture. As a result, it will stomach any absurdity in the name of education; it will continue to tolerate the destruction of its children morally and intellectually; it will continue to tolerate crime in the streets and in every corner; it will continue to tolerate degenerate men as politicians. It will continue to do these things and more because it has said of the sovereign, Jesus Christ, “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).

Let me highly recommend a lecture series that speaks to the heart of this issue, The Crown Rights of Jesus Christ.

Targetting the Family

As if the death of 40 million plus babies at the hands of the abortionists were not enough, there are now societal protocols in place to eliminate more and more children with the net result of further weakening the institution of the family. In spite of all society’s pressure to kill her baby, if a woman decides to remain pregnant, there is the bill making its way through the halls of Congress called the Mothers Act, designed to “help screen new mothers for depression” and mandate treatment if indicated. Here is a description from a website critical of this legislation:

The MOTHERS Act, a bill that clearly violates informed consent and places mothers and children at risk. This bill would mandate the government to screen all new mothers for subjective mental conditions. This special interest bill entitled The MOTHERS Act should fool NO MOTHER into thinking it is harmless! It is truly lethal.

One shudders to think how the questionnaires might read to determine “fitness for parenting.”

With the economic situation we face, is it surprising to note that some in the media elite are touting abortion as a recession survival tool? In a recent blog entry Bonnie Erbe, contributing editor to U.S. News and World Report and host of PBS' "To the Contrary," included these "pearls of wisdom" to her readers:

But in the long run, can we not agree that an unwed couple's decision not to bring a fourth child into the world when they are having trouble feeding themselves and three children is no tragedy? It's actually a fact-based, rational decision that in the end benefits the three children they already have and society as well.

As in the days of the Hebrews in Egypt, there is a concerted effort underway to eliminate more and more children. Recall that Pharaoh’s agenda was put in place to prevent opposition. Truly, our society is similarly hell-bent, repeatedly countering the biblical notion that children are a blessing from the Lord and a full quiver is a good thing. All one has to do is note the antipathy to women who mother more than one or two children. They hear quaint remarks such as “Don’t you know how to prevent children?” or “How many more of those do you plan to have?” If women do not voluntarily kill the fruit of their womb because of peer pressure, how long before deeming them “psychologically unfit” will be the rule of the day?

Do not be fooled into thinking that because you homeschool these realities will not touch your children. These wicked ideas are contagious and few of us are free from exposure to them in some way or another. Instead, parents need to be pro-active in educating their sons and daughters into biblical perspectives and help them become good apologists (to themselves and others) in order to be ready to share the hope of Christ that is within us.

Additionally, it is imperative that we think twice about all aspects of the educational process, carefully determining how much there is to be learned in “higher education” settings from those whose presuppositions are based on a hatred for God and His word. We must seek and provide alternative methods of further study so that in the process of wanting to serve the Lord, we are not feeding our children as fodder to His enemies. From where will the opposition arise to combat evil, if not from within our ranks?

"Wise People" Program Link

Thanks to those who contacted me to offer congratulations on my recent radio interview on Jim Norman's show, Wise People, which airs Sunday mornings in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Others reported that they attempted to download the interview but the program hadn't been archived yet. I'm happy to report that if you go to the Pastor's Perspective page, you will be able to access the program.

I encourage you to share this link with families in your life who are considering homeschooling. The host asked me many of the pertinent questions surrounding the subject and I was able to address many of the relevant issues fairly extensively.

Since Spring is the time of year when parents make decisions for the next school year, this is a good time to get people thinking in the direction of homeschooling.