Although I am ever-so-careful to only criticize the institution of public education and not the people who work in it, I am often asked "can you not just talk about the value of Christian education without putting down public schools?"
In a word? No.
Christian parents don't need Christian schools to bring their children up in the Lord. Yet, I think two things:
1. Christian schools complement nicely the worldview being taught in the home of solid Christian parents.
2. Most Christian parents don't have the first idea the worldview that is being imposed on their children in the public schools.
It isn't about criticizing the institution of public education - it's about trying to educate parents as to what is really going on. It's not wrong for Christian parents to place their kids in public schools. But you had better bring your parenting A-game to counteract what they are going to be learning.
For example, this week President Obama appointed Kevin Jennings as head of the national Safe and drug-free schools organization.
I cannot link to anything with Mr. Jennings for fear of what you may have to read. I'll let you do it: just google "kevin jennings" with "obama" or with "GLSEN." Sorry.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Reformed approach
Members of the Southern Baptist Convention have for years been trying to pass a resolution advocating its members to exit the public schools. Albert Moehler, president of the SBC Seminary has led the charge in articles like this one.
While "exiting the public schools" has not been warmly received by the majority of Baptists, it has spurred discussion and debate and recently led to a recent article, written by Morris Chapman, that frames the issue in a more positive light (perhaps more "Lutheran" if you will). Read it here.
He advocates the Southeran Baptist community raising up more schools: In recent days, two questions have weighed heavily on my soul. If Southern Baptists don't do it, who will? If we don't do it now, do we risk forever losing the opportunity to build schools for God's glory and the future of our children, grandchildren and the land we love?
For whatever it's worth, I do believe that Christian education will only be truly be valued by Christians when the church makes a strong call for its members to partner with its schools in the spiritual development of children. It seems the Baptists are headed towards that call - when will other denominations follow?
While "exiting the public schools" has not been warmly received by the majority of Baptists, it has spurred discussion and debate and recently led to a recent article, written by Morris Chapman, that frames the issue in a more positive light (perhaps more "Lutheran" if you will). Read it here.
He advocates the Southeran Baptist community raising up more schools: In recent days, two questions have weighed heavily on my soul. If Southern Baptists don't do it, who will? If we don't do it now, do we risk forever losing the opportunity to build schools for God's glory and the future of our children, grandchildren and the land we love?
For whatever it's worth, I do believe that Christian education will only be truly be valued by Christians when the church makes a strong call for its members to partner with its schools in the spiritual development of children. It seems the Baptists are headed towards that call - when will other denominations follow?
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