Home, Private, or Public School?
February 5th, 2008
Many Christian families struggle in determining what’s best for their children’s education. Here are just a few thoughts, by way of introduction, to this important issue.
The greatest pitfalls of public education are the humanistic philosophies taught at the expense of biblical truth, ungodly teachers and classmates seeking to influence our children, and the absence of spiritual or moral considerations within the educational process. However, those problems aren’t isolated to the public-school setting (as evidenced by just a few minutes of television-watching).
Within most of our neighborhoods—and even in some Christian schools—there are influences that tear at our desired spiritual standards. Christian schools, for instance, can sometimes be hotbeds for hypocrisy (when everyone claims to be “Christian”) and legalism (when an overemphasis is put on external moral standards).
Also, some Christian schools lack the quality and depth of education that public schools can offer—and that can apply even to the basics. Of course, that’s not always the case, even when the neighboring public school looks bigger and more impressive than the local Christian school. Many times the students of Christian schools have significantly higher scores in nationally standardized tests than do their counterparts in public schools. To make an accurate evaluation you’ll need to make inquiries about the curricula, programs, teacher training, and comparative test results of each school.
Is it wrong to put your children in a public school? Not necessarily. Is it right to put your children only in Christian schools—or home-school them? Not necessarily. It is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis, using biblical principles and prayerful wisdom to make a God-honoring choice. It involves knowing the Word, knowing the schools in your area, and knowing each of your children.
Remember that the ultimate responsibility for the proper education of your children rests upon you—the parents—not the school or the church (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4). Those two institutions are vital to a child’s overall development, but standards, convictions, and moral strength should be implemented at home. Not everything is necessarily good or high quality because it is called “Christian,” nor is everything bad just because it is under the umbrella of public education. Parents need to be especially wise and discerning in that important area.
If high-quality Christian education is available and affordable, that’s usually preferable. However, carefully evaluate all the factors and options of your situation. Seek God’s will earnestly (Ephesians 5:17) and couple that with strong, biblical parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21).
For an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of public, private, and home-schooling please see the extended notes by Carey Hardy on this topic. (If you decide to comment, please read Carey’s notes first.) We also recommend the helpful series on home-schooling by Tim Challies (Part 1 and Part 2).
“Is it wrong to put your children in a public school?”
—Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4 does not just give us parents the responsibility of discipline our children, it commands us to do it. Imagine passing off prayer, evangelism, and Bible to others.
Is Moses saying in that verse, make sure you find a good Canaanite teacher to disciple your children? Is Paul saying take your kids to a Diana temple school?
Jesus said in Luke 6:40 “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
If we send our children to Caesar to be educated, we shouldn’t be surprised when they come home acting like Romans.
Prov 13:20 says: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the
companion of fools will be destroyed. ”
1 Cor 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.””
Sending our children to a public school IS putting our children into the companionship of fools and bad company that God says will ruin good morals. By doing this we are getting other foolish pagan children and teachers to educate and shape and form the minds and morality of our children with Hell deserving immorality, worldly values, and other unbiblical instruction. These people will be spending more time with our children than we are.
As Christians we are commanded to:
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Proverbs 4:14-15 “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
1 Thess 5:19,21-22 “Do not quench the Spirit. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.”
Prov 4:23-27 “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”
So can anyone seriously suggest that we are to force our children into these situations we are commanded to avoid?
Jesus did not say in Matthew 12:30 ‘Whoever is not with me is neutral,’ but rather He said “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters”
The public school that is not trying to “bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” is scattering and actively working against the Kingdom.
“Also, some Christian schools lack the quality and depth of education that public schools can offer—and that can apply even to the basics.”
—That statement shows today that the church today values academics above our children being form being conformed to the image of Christ.
When bringing up a child, which of the following is the most important to have in mind ?
A) Whether they make the soccer team.
B) Whether they do well at school.
C) Whether they get a good career.
D) Whether they have fun.
E) That they will one day stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ.”
I am finding it hard to believe I read these two items in the same context,
“The greatest pitfalls of public education are the humanistic philosophies taught at the expense of biblical truth, ungodly teachers and classmates seeking to influence our children, and the absence of spiritual or moral considerations within the educational process…
…Is it wrong to put your children in a public school? Not necessarily.”
The most important question we can ask in this context is, “Does God want us to raise godly children, or educated ones? Or to put it another way, “Is it alright to set aside a godly education and put in it’s place an utterly godless one?”
The answer is “No”. God wants both. He desires a GODLY education for our children as we raise them in the nurture and admonishion of the Lord. So, for the Christian, a child’s education must be informed and guided by godly principles. No other type of “education” will suffice.
It must be understood, academics is only one aspect of the overall discipleship of a child. We need to come to embrace the idea that all knowledge is either in the fear of the Lord or in hatred of Him. There is no middle ground. No Christian parent with any sense of moral duty towards God regarding their child’s overall upbringing should, in good conscience, send their children into the flames of Belial that is our public school system.
I hope Puplit Magazine will prayerfully reconsider their position on this one.
@Kevin… there’s a balance. Nobody lights a lamp and sticks it under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that it gives light to all who are in the room. It is possible, for even young children, to receive the education and at the same time refuse the lifestyle. For example, did Daniel ever object to learning the literature and language of the Chaldeans? (Daniel 1)
make that @David as well…
Amazing theological confusion by GRACE to say it’s acceptable to put child in a public school. The real issue is that these public schools are now “pagan and godless” by practice and precept. We have 10 Supreme Court cases since Everson in 1947 defining the public schools thus. It’s as if a Christian family put their children in a New Age cult or Unitarian Sunday School week after week. What would the pastors say about that? Yes, it’s a sin to do this and it’s also a sin to public school your children too for the same reasons. See Deut. 6:1-9; Col. 2:8; Eph 6:1-4; Matt 18:6 and 2 Corinth. 4:14-19. You can’t have it both ways, to say in one sentence it is necessary to give children a K-12 Christian education and then in another place say, it’s OK to put them in a “pagan and godless public school.” Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No. If Baal is god worship him; If Jehovah is GOD then worship Him. What about Matt 22: 36-39?
Also, California has recently enacted SB 777 and AB 394 which will increase the homosexual indoctrination of all children in California public schools…Anybody watching over the flock and children there at Grace??
We have come to expect much better than this from GRACE.
(E.Ray Moore, Jr,Th.M.,Chaplain (Lt.Col.) USAR Ret at http://www.Exodusmandate.org)
Jacob,
Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Why would you deliberately put your children into a situation that will make it easy to fall? Not only are the influences of a public school harmful, but the very instruction received at one of these schools will very likely tear down what you try to build up in your child. How can you teach your child about the six days of creation yet put him in a school that will teach millions of years? How can we desire our children to be around godly influences, yet put them in the worst possible peer group?
Amen David R. McCrory!
Jacob Lichner,
Daniel was under captivity, and most likely about 20 year old, but upwards to 30. The earliest he would have been is about 14, but bare in mind that you was an adult at 13 in this culture, so beyond what we would call school age.
The lampstand verse has nothing to do with evangelism, but rather if one’s life is not marked by Holiness then they are lost. A public school is trying to put the light out (and so often does) not let it shine. And in case anyone wonders, I am a 5 point Calvinist, not a hyper-Calvinist, and I say this because one must resort to hyper-Calvinism to use God’s sovereignty as an excuse here.
Jesus said “Do not tempt the Lord your God”.
Matthew 18:6 “but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
What better way is there to try and cause a child to stumble is there than to put the poor child into a public school with all its temptations, lusts, immorality and worldly values.
Brethren,
I hope you all have read Carey Hardy’s notes as requested in the blog. I think there may be an audio seminar by Carey available for those who have been to Shepherd’s Conference.
Let me share my own experience with this issue as a father of three and a Pastor.
We home schooled our two oldest children early on for a couple of years because the school district we were in was very humanistic and poor academically. I’m glad we made that choice for them. It did put them ahead especially in reading.
When we left that district, all three of our children entered the public school where they stayed until high school graduation. I must say that we lived in a fairly conservative place with relatively good public schools. But there were the inevitable godless influences all around them. We dealt with that by being very involved with their education and asking lots of questions and constantly challenging them to biblically evaluate what they were hearing.
My point is this: all three of our children grew to be godly adults. I’m sure that there is more to that than just where they went to school. It included a good measure of prayer, and God’s power and protection.
On the other hand, I know several couples who home schooled their children and not all of those children have grown into godly men and women. These are good parents who anguish over the bad choices their children have made. Home schooling (or private Christian school) obviously cannot guarantee that children will turn out to be godly adults.
My wife and I have talked often about how our kinds turned out in comparison to those of other couples we know and love. We have identified several factors that we think contributed to the results we enjoy. I’d be glad to share them if you want.
I have also seen this issue cause real problems in a church when people take up sides. Though I think those who prefer home schooling or private Christian education make some excellent points regarding the dangers of publc education, I do not believe Deut. 6 forbids parents from sending their children to public school.
Also, suppose it became illegal (as in Germany) to home school. What measures could a Christian couple take to battle the inevitable godless influences their children would face?
Blessing to you all,
Steve
The children in public schools need truth do they not? How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? The principle is a simple one.
There were Christians in my public school growing up who invited me to youth groups, etc. where I was exposed to truth that I otherwise would’ve never heard. I was born again (at the age of 18 and while still in my senior year), in part, because of this! However, as said above, it is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis.
Ultimately, the problem is not with public schools, but it is with your children’s own heart and salvation belongs to the Lord.
I have to respectfully disagree with this article and the previous article on the same topic less than a year ago. Your argument might have been in some way supportable if you had suggested the alternative of either home schooling the child, or sending him to a good (and there are good) Christian school and then, perhaps in the Junior or Senior year of high school sending them to a public school (if they were saved and had demonstrated some signs of discernment and maturity). However, this was not done. Moreover, you seem to have gone into an exercise in moral equivalency…” Not all Christians schools are good, so…
Why on earth would any advocate considering making a decision to send a first grade child, more than likely unsaved, into a secular madrassa that is bent in indoctrinating all children away from God? Here in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in the Mid-west, there was an attempt to introduce a gay marriage curriculum to third graders. It was shelved until a more opportune time.
I appreciate Carey’s notes; however, in the con section, on home schooling the potential for “isolationalism” is often a red herring that public educators toss at home education (and even Christian school education) like a grenade. It is, like a grenade, a broadly destructive, indiscriminate charge, that is the exception rather than the rule. Frankly, the exception proves the rule.
As public education has declined in this country in the last two decades, the reading levels, in one study I read, have gone from that of being equivalent to Romania to Zambia (both are third world, developing nations).
While there are many not so good Christian schools, few perform as poorly as the public schools, porportionately speaking and they don’t dispense condoms, gay friendly indoctrination, or arrange for abortions without parental consent.
A public school should be a last resort. Most children, particularly those who are unregenerate, are more likely to succumb to the full court press of secular humanism from class to class, anti-Christian propaganda, both passive and active, and the spiritual “eye-strain” of immodesty, nor the audio assault of profane language.
As for hypocrisy in Christian schools, there is no more (and perhaps no less) than there is in a public school, or most churches, since we know the elect are not in the majority, typically speaking, anywhere.
Coming back to isolationism. One assumes that most Christians take their children to the store, the mall, and they don’t live in cloisters but in neigborhoods and cities across the US. Exposure to the culture is unavoidable. However, while outside the public school system, we can manage and mentor and disciple that exposure until they grow in grace and wisdom, if saved, or if unsaved, until they can develop the maturity to more carefully weigh their decisions.
Perhaps a better question to ask would have been, “is it wise to put your child in a public school?” The answer is, “not if you can avoid it.” Certainly, there are good public schools, as well as Christian educators. However, realistically, one has to be candid and admit that these are the exception as opposed to the rule.
Pastor Steve Lamm:
God was gracious to you and your family in spite of missing the mark in putting your children in a “godless and pagan public schools.” God is good. But you set a bad example on that particular point. I do think you are a sincere and godly pastor that counts for something.
The fact now is that 70-80% of evangelical children who are public schooled thru most of their careers are abandoning the Church and Christian Faith in early adult years. Some of this information is seen in Barna Research and Nehemiah Institute. Dr Brian Ray’s (www.nheri.org) study of 7,000 children, now adults, who were home schooled shows that 90% continue in the Church and Christian Faith of their parents.
But No, the real issue is who’s responsiibilty is it to educate our children? We think the Scripture is clear that this role belongs to family with assistance from the Church, not government or pagan public schools. What does the Scripture command? What saith the Lord? Try out Matt 28:18-20 too? V. 20 is about “teaching them.” Should we turn our own Christian children over to unsaved and pagan teachers for most of their formative instruction? Let’s put K-12 education back into the Great Commission and perhaps we can begin to right this failing culture and save our children too. Evangelicals are losing their own children to humanism and post modernism and not winning enough of the others either. K-12 Christian education of our children is part of our Christian walk of faith and obedience just as our witness, faithful church attendance, prayers, giving/tithing and not committing adultery. Time to behave like men in our families and with our children. And the pastors need to shepherd their flocks in this area too. Blessings (E. Ray Moore,Jr. Chaplain (Lt.Col.) USAR Ret)
Dear Mr. Lamm,
I read Mr. Hardy’s notes an remain unmoved. His approach (one I’ve dealt with numerous times) is based primarily on pragmatic reasoning, disregarding the Biblical precepts laid out for raising godly children. Most of his “cons” are straw men, and don’t bear themselves out in real life.
The real issue is abdicating parents who are failing to fulfill their God-given responsiblities. Having children is easy, raising them properly is quite another. Our government’s establishing documants make no provision for them to educate children. They understood that task was out of their sphere of responsiblity. And it is.
Only after Karl Marx made his famous statement about “Give me your children, and in a generation I’ll have your country” (That’s not an exact quote) did our gov’t perk up and decide it was in our countries best interest for them to “take over” indoctrina…um educating our children. You get the point. No one really argues the public school system as it stands has failed. Why feed the fire with our blessed children?
Yours in Christ,
David R. McCrory
@Kevin… I used the lampstand verse to illustrate the impact Christians have in a public school just by being there (gives light to all who are in the room. If anybody knows a better verse that I should have used, please teach me.
Jacob,
Here’s a verse for you,
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” ~ Deut 6:6-9
Single parent. One Christian private school in my community. Tuition is $6,000 per year. Do I not pay the light bill or the rent? Home school—then there’s no income at all. I agree with all of your arguments and ideals, but how would you direct me? Do you condemn me for sending my children to the wolves everyday? Are my children damned to hell, never to work out their salvation in public school? Am I failing my God-given responsibilities by working to provide for my children? Do I go into debt to further my education to get a job to pay me more? Who will watch my children while I am in school at night? The list could be endless…
This scenario does not describe me, but I feel for anyone who it does. It is easy to be idealistic when you can afford what you perceive as ideal.
I am removing Pulpit Magazine from my favorites list. I will spend my lunch break at work in the Word or in prayer for single moms and low income, God-fearing families.
“My point is this: all three of our children grew to be godly adults. I’m sure that there is more to that than just where they went to school. It included a good measure of prayer, and God’s power and protection. ”
Good point. To God be the glory.
Thanks for the verse David… now how about a little exegesis, so I can see more clearly where God says no to public schools.
I read Carey Hardy’s notes as requested in the blog. What struck me at the bottom of the page was this:
“DO WHAT IS BEST AND TRUST GOD.
Many seminary students and men in the ministry
came from pagan homes and went to pagan
schools—GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR
CHOICE OF EDUCATION.”
It is as if we are being told to hold seminary students and men as some sort of standard, that just because there are many in ministry positions that have come from pagan schools, it should be an option. Yet at the same time, many in seminary or in the ministry have no business being there in the first place. The statement is meaningless unless there is a presupposition that seminary and ministry is the standard by which we measure spiritual success.
God is bigger than my choice of education? Of course He is, He is also bigger than a woman’s choice to abort a child, but she may do it anyway and it will still have consequences even if she repents of that sin and God uses her for mighty things. But how much more would she have been blessed if her choices were more in line with God’s Word to begin with? It is not a question of whether or not God can use a particular mode of education for His purposes, for did He not use a human King in Israel even though the people’s request for that King was contrary to His desire for them? It is a question of what is God’s intent for His people, not what His people do anyway to which God gives them over.
What is God’s desire for His people? To embrace a humanist-established system that splits the family and teaches a dishonoring world view to children? Doesn’t sound optimal.
Who is our standard? Men? Seminary? Ministry? No. Holding these up as some kind of elevated standard of achievement is faulty thinking.
Obviously I support home schooling because I believe it is a virtually inescapable mandate from scripture. The cons in Carey Hardy’s notes are not all accurate, nor is his interpretation of Deuteronomy 6, saying it is for all parents at all time. Of course it is, but why would we desire to segregate teaching and education from Deuteronomy 6 unless we adhere to some sort of sacred/secular division? Is not all under the dominion of God? Does “when you lie down, when you rise up, when you walk by the way,” etc. stop when the school bus arrives?
I’m not trying to be harsh or mean here, i just don’t see the continued support of public schools as a viable option for a Christian as anything other than short-sighted. Please forgive me, brethren, for any offense, but I stand by my convictions on this and plead that we would ask those questions – Who is the standard? What is the purpose of education? What is God’s desire for families? What is the purpose of His people?
Your brother,
Scott
Fair Warning to Everyone…
There’s obviously a lot of emotion on this topic — and understandably so.
However … a couple of the comments above are in danger of crossing the line we allow on Pulpit — in terms of maintaining a courteous and professional tone. We will be deleting future comments (representing either side of this discussion) that come across as angry or vitriolic.
Feel free to discuss/debate/defend … but do so in a way that is respectful … or else don’t expect your comment to show up here.
Thanks,
NB
Thanks for the urging to charity and a loving tone I do hope my own comment did not cross the line. I admit I am passionate about it, and think that passion and zeal for what we find in God’s Word is a good thing, for what Christian who loves his brethren does not desire to speak truth even if that truth offends or convicts? I do hope that I did not cross the line of the generous hospitality here at Pulpit to post on your blog, after all, I have come to your ‘home’ in a sense and owe you that respect. There is no anger intended, just concern and passion.
Best regards,
Scott
Sandy,
I know of someone in a situation very similar to what you describe above. Fortunately, in her case, she belongs to a church which understands it’s obligation to single/divorced women in their congregation. Another homeschooling family in the church helps her with educating her children in a way she can know and trust what their learning. The church provides the spiritual oversight that might normally come from a husband or father.
But the broader issue, in addition to the failure of parents in regard to their children, is the church in regard to their members. God has established a foundation upon which these issues can be resolved. But we, as God’s people, must be willing to demonstrate the love and sacrifice necessary to make it work.
Thank you for such a poignant example.
Blessings,
David R. McCrory
Scott, it’s better to get kicked off a thousand blogs, than to compromise on truth. Be passionate, but be charitable.
Nate, if you’re the author of this post (I assume you are), I encourage you to look deeper into this issue. I believe you’ll find what many here are saying reflects more of the truth than what even Mr. Hardy has said. May the Lord grant you wisdom as you consider these things.
Blessings,
David R. McCrory
Sandy,
I can’t imagine a harder calling than to be a single mom. My heart sincerely goes out to you.
I am a dad of 2 school-aged children (with 2 more on the way) and my wife diligently and amazingly schools them. I’m often in awe.
But I have considered your situation, and even considered what I’d do if, God forbid, something happened to my wife. I do not believe I’d be able to afford to send my children to Christian school, so I’d have to send them to public school most likely.
It would not be ideal at all, and I would wish I could do differently, but you’re right. Sometimes you just can’t afford what is “best.”
I am persuaded by the arguments on this thread that homeschooling is the best option, but sometimes the best is not really an option. Your scenario is a perfect example.
But the reality is that your work is cut out for you even harder. Your children will no doubt face greater temptations at an earlier age than other children. That does not mean your situation is hopeless. There’s always hope. And by God’s grace, your children will grow up to be godly men and women!
I do hope you have a church family to help you and support you and come alongside you. I also hope you reconsider removing your subscription to Pulpit, as it is an excellent resource.
I’m sure tons of readers are praying for you. I know I am. God bless you.
These are my and my husband’s thoughts (as homeschooling parents of 9 years who were raised in public schools) on points made in the extended notes of cons to home education:
—Potential overwhelming work load for Mom; Choosing curriculum can be overwhelming; Some subjects can be overwhelming as child gets older;Time demands can be overwhelming if younger children are in the home, especially infants.—
I cannot argue that there is a lot of potential for that in the homeschool environment. Frankly, that is the number one reason that most Christian moms that I know don’t want to homeschool. However, being overwhelmed is not listed amongst the list of cons for public education. I feel that, to be fair, it should be. Many of the public school moms that I know also feel overwhelmed. Many of them work, do a majority of the household duties, and then take their children to appointments and extra-curricular activities. In addition, if they have little ones, they might have to drop off and pick up from daycare. I think that being overwhelmed with responsibilities is part of being an American parent in general.
—Academics are overrated among some homeschoolers; Some try to prove something or produce a “superior child”—
I don’t completely disagree with it. However, that it is not listed as a con to public education. To be fair, it should be. Otherwise, he is saying that this is more common with homeschool families than with public school families. I believe that some parents are just more concerned over academics than others, whether they have homeschool or public school students. However, the second part of that point is probably more true of homeschoolers than their public school counterparts. Unfortunately, homeschoolers feel they have to go the extra mile to prove themselves to authorities, concerned family and friends, etc. BUT~ some pubic school parents might want to prove their students are superior too. An abundance of bumper stickers claiming superiority can attest to that! It’s rather slanted to list that as a con to homeschooling but not even consider that public school parents often try to prove superiority as well.
—Potential isolationism; A protected environment can be overprotective; Children can become maladaptive—
Isolationism amongst homeschoolers is so rare. It is a form of abuse. To bring it up in a list of cons about homeschooling might suggest that it is more prevalent than it really is. The fact that possible parental abuse is not mentioned in cons for public school makes this insulting. Within that point, it also states that homeschool children may become maladaptive. That is further insulting. Maladaptive by whose standard? Many many other college professors (or military officers) might say that homeschool students adapt well. There are legitimate studies that have followed a large number of homeschool students into adulthood that disprove that homeschoolers are more likely to be maladapted. Also, I’d say there are plenty of maladapted public school children. Some kids skip school, some defy their teachers, etc. Again, I think that it is unfair to list these things as cons to homeschooling without considering that various types of parental abuse and maladaption that occur in the publicly educated society too.
—Limited situations that could provide opportunity for teaching life lessons.—
Situations can and do come up in the home that allow for plenty of opportunity for teaching life lessons. And to be honest, there are some life lessons that I would rather have missed out on.
—Limited exposure to the teaching gifts of others as well as other spiritual gifts of others; no parent has all the gifts of the body of Christ—
Though our kids don’t spend 6 hours a day, 180 days of the year with other teachers, they are exposed to the teaching and spiritual gifts of others. I didn’t teach my kids to swim, to play piano, etc. Most homeschool families are involved in activities that expose them to the talents of others. Again, this point seems biased. I say biased because I have never met one single homeschool parent that claimed to have all the gifts of the body of Christ.
Finally, I’d like to comment on the use of the word “delude” to make the point that “Parents can be deluded into thinking the child is saved”. I’m sure that can be true of some homeschoolers, possibly due to the emphasis on character training. However, I think that public school parents might also “delude” themselves into thinking their children are saved, though the underlying cause might different. It might just be because they only see their child outside of school. They don’t see how that child might be behaving when away from home. My point is that there remains a potential for ANY parent to “delude” themselves about their child’s spiritual life. BUT~ I don’t see that possibility in the list of cons to public education.
How does a biased list of pros and cons like this encourage unity?
Sincerely in the love of Christ,
Susan
A young child cannot, CANNOT reason and refute things being taught by an adult. To place your children in the care of someone that you don’t even know what they may say is frankly, stupid and quite possibly disastrous. Pour Godly principles and values into them at a young age while they’re like sponges and when they get older, say, ready for college, then would be a good time to turn them loose on the world. An elementary and middle school child will struggle mightily. Why risk something so precious. I’m frankly surprised that this is a discussion at all. Fathers, take your responsibility. You won’t regret it.
Mark,
I think you missed this little caveat from Sandy.
“This scenario does not describe me, but I feel for anyone who it does.”
But you’re right, it would be a very difficult situation.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I’ve been in ministry since long before the home school movement, and my roots go back to Grace Community Church long before Carey Hardy served there. I’m one of those educated in public schools, then saved and eventually seminary educated and called into ministry. And I’ve been a parent, making choices year by year.
Perhaps it isn’t “across the line” to question Hardy’s points (which he does not claim to be authoritative, but suggestions to consider), but my observations in the church make me agree that his points are valid. There are indeed pro and con issues to be weighed for every alternative, and it’s not healthy to blow away all consideration of points he suggests need to be weighed.
There are indeed serious issues of isolationism which are not being addressed by some of our brethren. A man told me last week that his and his family’s service “is to the home school community.” He said this when I urged him to make a commitment to the local church where he attends but never serves. Christ is building His church, not a (fill in the blank) community.
Our commitment as shepherds has to be to supporting godly parents who seek God’s wisdom child by child, year by year, from among the options available to them. Throwing stones at people who follow their convictions before the Lord down a path different than we might choose is like a body eating itself. Very sad.
I’ve been attacked for noting that public schools have gotten markedly worse in direct proportion to having fewer and fewer Christian families involved. That’s a fact, and there is a certain amount of cause and effect we can’t ignore. Maybe God is actually calling some people to be salt and light where there is much sin and darkness. Shouldn’t we support and encourage them as much as we support and encourage those who have the conviction and make the sacrifices to make other choices?
Emotional issue, for sure. But how sad when we see churches labeled and often rejected because of their position on education. Let’s reverse that awful trend and support one another in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:3,
Jim
David,
Thanks for your question. Actually, this is not my article, though I did do a little bit of editing on it before it was posted. It’s an older article from our files here at the church — and we’re not totally sure who the original author is.
But that’s not to say I don’t agree with the thrust of the article. I do.
I do not see any direct command in Scripture that would prohibit a New Testament believer from sending his or her child to public school. For that reason, I believe the question of “homeschool,” “private school,” or “public school” is a “gray area”–meaning an area in which we use biblical principles and wisdom to guide our decision-making on a case-by-case basis (cf. Romans 14-15).
You’ll notice the article does not promote public school. It simply states that public schooling might be a legitimate option for parents depending on the circumstances.
I would further contend that there is no biblical precedent for the modern convention of homeschool — Deuteronomy 6 notwithstanding.
Hope that helps,
NB
I just want to understand the different positions.
Some are saying that it is absolutely wrong for any Christian parent in any circumstance to send their children to any public school (is this where you stand, David?)
Some are saying that for every child in a Christian home, no matter what his understanding, personality, etc. it is not the best.
And pulpit (and I for that matter) is saying that it is to be determined on a case by case basis using biblical principles and prayerful wisdom to make a God-honoring choice and involves knowing the Word, knowing the schools in your area, and knowing each of your children.
Is there any others?
in the second one there at the end to clarify, i.e. *public school is never the best
Jacob,
I think you summarized the situation accurately. I would add that an element missing from the first group and from some (clearly not all) of the second is grace and love toward those of different convictions. That’s what I’m calling for–that we support one another in love and not separate from or limit our fellowship with one another over a gray area issue.
Jim
As a Christian who happens to be a teacher in a public school it saddens me to hear/read blanket statements like “ungodly teachers” when refering to all teachers (at least that seems to be the implication when no other discription is given about teachers). Many of my colleagues are open with their students about their love of God.
In my state, Oklahoma, our legislature made it law that schools open each day with a moment of silence that can be used for prayer (which is mentioned every day during the intro to the moment of silence). The school where I teach is a suburban school and many of my students are not ashamed to declare their love of God. They stand up for their rights on campus which they don’t need to do often because the administration on campus gives our Christain organization the same status on campus as all other organizations, which they are bound by law to do. In saying this there are many teachers, students and staff that are not believers and they are obviously so. Those students who are Christian and take classes with those teachers thankfully are still Christian at the end of the year (and personally I believe stronger in their faith). I will also admit that there are those public schools that are horrific but there are those that are not. It is my hope that those that are good will not continue to be lumped into a category with those that are not. A parallel could be that since there are those churches that preach a false gospel that all churches teach a false gospel. We all know that is a false characterization.
I would also be curious to know how many of those who converse on this blog or others grew up in a public school system and are Christians today?
Wow. I was mulling all of this over, framing a response, but I sat down and read Sandy’s post and kind of lost my train of thought. But now I can sum up my previous thoughts in a new way: homeschooling is a privilege.
Unfortunately, a privilege we aren’t all able to enjoy. For those of us who can and choose not to is the task of self-examination. Why am I not doing this?
Hopefully not for the reasons listed in Carey Hardy’s notes under “cons”. Firstly, these statements are not borne out by the plain facts. Check out the Nehemiah Institute’s results of decades of study. We are losing a generation of youth to worldliness and humanism. Yes, there are exceptions—kids who go into the state system, spread salt and light, and come out stronger Christians on the other side. But for the most part, the salt loses its savor.
Homeschooling isn’t about sheltering kids from reality until we have to let them go, wringing our hands and hoping they won’t run headlong in the opposite direction. It’s about discipling them, winning their hearts for Christ, planting the Truth in them (not just diligently fighting the lies they hear day in and day out at government schools), and then shooting them as arrows into a world that so badly needs the Truth but fears and hates it. Send them out strong, mature—not as tender lambs, hoping they’ll stand up for Jesus in an environment where they’re expected to conform.
Apparently the original post and the attached notes were in response to some disagreement or ill-will within the church in regards to the issue. Homeschoolers should ask themselves: In my passion for this lifestyle, am I coming across as “elitist” or “holier than thou” to the public-school users? Public schoolers need to ask: Am I responding negatively to them perhaps because my conscience is being pricked? Should I look deeper into the issue?
Yes, homeschooling can be overwhelming. Hard work. Many choices. Challenging with babies and toddlers at home. What better than to work for them, with them, together? I can’t describe the blessing.
A sister in Christ,
Kristin Hope
Jacob,
Whatever happened to there being a clearly “right thing” and a clearly “wrong thing”.
There are some things that we don’t need to pray about, research, or adjust to our situation (see the Lord’s response to Joshua in Josh 7:10). If God says do it, do it.
Deut 6 and Eph 6 are pretty clear. If the Lord says to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” and the Dept. of Education doesn’t agree to that, then the choice is pretty clear.
This debate reminds me of Jesus’ response to the question of divorce. By His response, its obvious that God does not like divorce, but the law made allowance for it (because practically speaking the marriage could not work because of an unforgiving, though wronged spouse on one hand, and an unfaithful spouse on the other).
Choosing public school is like choosing divorce. It’s not the best option. There are cases where the other two options are not practically possible, but should be something you are willing to work toward.
David,
Well said. I’m off to an elders meeting which includes our part-time associate pastor who is a middle school teacher. Don’t know how many who read this are public-school educated, but I am and all the elders of our church are.
I regard you as an evangelist called to a special field. May God bless you richly. Most do not paint you with a broad brush of “ungodliness.”
For those of you who have commented about whether a single mom can homeschool,
In this situation, it is the responsibility of the church to provide financially, and it is still the mom’s responsibility to teach her children. Scripture is clear on how the church is to aid a widow and the fatherless, but the scriptures are equally clear on whose responsibility it is to teach the children.
I believe that it is unwise, irresponsible, and dangerous to send your children to a public school. Let’s just put it this way, where in scripture do you see parents sending their children to the heathen for education or for anything else?
I think all of us here agree that home-schooling is the best option, but where in scripture is there ever mentioned another option?
After 35 years as a public school teacher and principal I concluded beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the public schools cannot be changed. Couple that with my observations of the dumbing down movement of public education confirms that classroom teachers are encumbered so heavily that there is no hope to improve the pitiful academic situation in public schools. Even worse, the public schools are controlled by the ACLU, teacher unions , and other left-wing extremists which make the public schools detrimental, even dangerous, to all children–especially Christian children.
We MUST get Christian children out!
Brother Jim,
Thank you for your comments. I very respectfully agree that we need to support each other and have Christian charity toward one another. Perhaps that is why the bulleted list bothers me so much. It seems biased against homeschooling. It seems that instead of encouraging unity, it might actually promote disunity by making presumptive statements that could give public schoolers the impression that homeschoolers are maladapted, deluded, exlusive people who think of themselves as spiritually superior. If my family chose to not attend a church because of making statements like that it would simply be because we might feel a bit unwelcome. It would not be because the church supports all families, regardless of their choice in education.
Again, I agree with you that we should support one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and I also agree that we should get involved in our local church and not limit ourselves to outside ministries. In fact, the greater ministry should be to the local church. But again, I would have to say that if one is going to list isolationism on a list of cons to homeschooling, perhaps the same point could be made of public schooling. Many parents don’t minister in their local church because they are too busy with their children’s public school activities.
The type of isolationism I referred to in my previous post was quite different. I took it to mean a family who cuts themselves off from the world. For instance, out of the hundreds of homeschool families I’ve known over the years, I only knew of one family that I would consider isolationists. They literally built are compound wall around their house and kept their children completely sheltered at all times from any social situations. That is what I thought of when I read that bullet. That is abusive. And it is rare.
Your sister in Christ,
Susan
Amen Daniel, the church could easily help the single dad or mum, by either assisting financially so the mum can stay at home or by another family home schooling their children. But unfortunately this concept of loving your neighbour as yourself is alien to today’s American-pop-christianity.
Sandy,
I’m sad you are taking Pulpit off of your favoirtes. I hope you read both Pastor Hardy’s paper, as well as this entire articlce. Pulpit is on your side. We are the ones who are saying examine each situation with God-given wisdom, and that where you send your son will not determine his salvation. Those who comment, do not always reflect our opinion/view.
Thanks Sandy,
Jesse
Hello Sandy!
If you are still out there, I want to tell you that I know a single (divorced) homeschool mom in my community. She has faced many trials. God has been good to her. Several families in the homeschool community came together to support her with financial gifts and encourgment. She has been blessed with housecleaning jobs that pay well and allow her to bring her two children with her as well. Perhaps other communities would be just as charitable.
I’m not single but I have had to work part time over the years. For a time, I had a homeschool teen come into my home to care for them while a worked. Now they are older and I work less which is a blessing.
I have a very good friend who homeschooled her children for many years. She now teaches in and sends her children to a private Christian school. Her husband is not a Christian and did not like the homeschool life and so they compromised. This friend is still a strong supporter of home education and remains convicted that public school, though it would be easier on her because she wouldn’t have to “work off” the tuition, is not for her family.
None of the above situations are ideal. But we all sacrifice in one way or another.
Your sister in Christ,
Susan
@Rusty K… if the bible makes it clear, as you suppose, that public school is absolutely wrong, then that truth would apply for every Christian, in every circumstance, in every nation throughout time and that simply does not work out.
@Rusty K… if the bible makes it clear, as you suppose, that public school is absolutely wrong, then that truth would apply for every Christian, in every circumstance, in every nation throughout time and that simply does not work out. Many Christian parents do, and have in the past, raised their children up in the admonition of the Lord while having them attend public schools. Again, it is to be determined on a case by case basis.
Most Christians would not allow unsaved, ungodly people into their homes to teach their children. We definitely would not allow them in our churches. Yet some people have no problem sending their children out of their homes to be taught by unsaved, ungodly teachers where it is difficult, no matter how hard you try, to monitor was is being taught–interesting.
In reference to Paul Church’s comment: I am surprised there weren’t more hearty “Amens” to his post. If we want a Christian witness in the school, send the Christian parents, and other spiritually mature church members in to volunteer, get elected to the school board, even PTA’s and other school organizations. Let them be the witness to the unbelievers in the school system, most notably the teachers and administrators. But do not expect to send your impressionable children into an ungodly situation, to do what most Christian adult church members refuse to do, which is witness to others the Gospel of Christ. Once again, we seek more ways to pawn off our responsibilities of evangelizing the lost onto others, rather than doing it ourselves. Now, we excuse our lack of witness by sending our kids to do the job for us. As for me and my house, I will do the witnessing, with my kids looking on, until they are biblically capable of reasoning the Scriptures, namely the Gospel message, to others.
Jacob wrote: “if the bible makes it clear, as you suppose, that public school is absolutely wrong, then that truth would apply for every Christian, in every circumstance, in every nation throughout time and that simply does not work out.”
Does that mean that Calvinism, justification by faith alone and many other doctrines are not applicable because people have disagreed over them? Of course not.
The “in every circumstance” is nothing more than a straw man, as when you’re desperately hungry eat the show bread.
Yes, Jacob Lichner, Rusty is correct. K-12 Christian education via campus Christian or Church schools, co-ops, or family-based home schooling as commanded by the Great Commission and other Scripture should be the norm for the Christian Church and family for all times and all cultures. Yes, I think you got it. How we raise and educate our children is part of our Christian walk of faith and obedience. What saith the Lord? What does the Scripture say? Find a verse that says it acceptable to do otherwise. Moses as a child and Daniel and his 3 friends are not good examples because their parents were under coercion. Today 75-80% of evangelicals voluntarily surrender the principal instruction of their children to a “godless and pagan public school system” for 30 hours per week when many could easily do otherwise. This is a terrible contradiction of the Christian walk of faith, a situation that requires major soul-searching and then repentance. (E. Ray Moore, Jr.)
I think one of the things that is not getting addressed by those that support Public Education is the reality of the evidence that studies are showing between the link of one receiving a Public Education (30-40 hrs a week) and the 80 plus percent falling away of the youth from the Church. We need to get past all of folk’s personal experience and the testimonies of how so and so went through Public School and “turned out fine”. We all know are history and we know that there are folks who survive against terrible odds and are exceptions to the rules, i.e. Corrie Ten Boom. Let’s move the discussion past the exceptions and turn to the rule, and address the vast number (millions) of children whose faith are being decimated. Our gracious Lord has let us see the error of our ways and we now know that the answer is not more children’s ministry sessions (which was developed for children of unbelievers in the first place), or youth groups, or Christian rock concerts, all of which have been bigger then they have ever been in this country’s history.
The answer Brother’s and Sister’s is to obey God, trust God, and watch God work in the lives of our children. I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that God blesses disobedience, hence why we have Hebrews 12.
In response to who ever wrote, “if the bible makes it clear, as you suppose, that public school is absolutely wrong, then that truth would apply for every Christian, in every circumstance, in every nation throughout time and that simply does not work out.” Please remember that the consequences of one’s sin (either individually or collectively) do not show up overnight. God does allow for His purposes to let us see the consequences of our sin, i.e.; David, Samson, Moses.
1 Tim. 5:24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
Keeping it real.
Blessings,
David
Jacob,
You wrote, “@Rusty K… if the bible makes it clear, as you suppose, that public school is absolutely wrong, then that truth would apply for every Christian, in every circumstance, in every nation throughout time and that simply does not work out. Many Christian parents do, and have in the past, raised their children up in the admonition of the Lord while having them attend public schools.”
Does that make it right? I know some Christian people people who would tell you that drinking is okay. Does that make it right? I think it is contradicting ourselves to say that we can raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord while sending them to be educated by those who seek to raise our children with a humanistic and reletivistic worldview. It is defeating the purpose. Sure it is possible for such a child to come away from that and live a godly life. Both my parents were educated in the public school system. However, both my parents would tell you that their parents did not care about them. Again, I don’t see a place in scripture that says, either by principle or example, that sending your children to the heathen to be educated is wise or even acceptable.
I still think the burden of proof is on you guys… haha Find a verse that doesn’t say otherwise. We live in a pagan society and God calls us to be in it, not of it. That includes public schools. It is to be determined on a case by case basis.
Again the proof is there for all to see. The verdict is already in. Please note that excerpts below are from just a couple recent studies. I would highly recommend that you look further into the research.
- “Over 90% of youth from Christian homes are now scoring in the Secular Humanism worldview category…With over 90% of Christian youth holding to Secular Humanism views rather than to Biblical Theism views, the future of the church in America appears troubling.” (Nehemiah Institute) -20 years of research
-Whereas, Sending thousands of PCA [Christian] children as “missionaries” to their unbelieving teachers and classmates has failed to contribute to increasing holiness in the public schools. On the contrary, the Nehemiah Institute documents growing evidence that the public schools are successfully converting covenant children to secular humanism, and Whereas, We are squandering a great opportunity to instruct these children in the truth of God’s word and its application to all of life…” (PCA Resolution)
-”Without question, the lion’s share of converting and witnessing is accomplished through the public education curriculum, peer pressure from other children — most of whom are non-Christian — and educators who implant (either subtly or obviously and conscientiously or unconscientiously) their humanistic, neo-pagan or new age doctrines within the minds and hearts of Christian children. These children, I might add, are a captive audience with little or no chance to speak up or opportunity to rebut their teachers.” (Exodus Mandate)
- In 2005 Christian Smith and his research team at the University of North Carolina conducted the largest study of teen religion to date. “Rather more subtly, Christianity is either degenerating into a pathetic version of itself or, more significantly, Christianity is actively being colonized and displaced by a quite different religious faith [called] ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’.”
-“ [The researchers] have performed an enormous service for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in identifying Moralistic Therapeutic Deism as the dominant religion of this American age.”- Albert Mohler
The above is just a small sample from the vast research done on this topic. The sad thing is the secular-humanists have known about this for years and knew it was only going to be a matter of time. “Education is thus a most powerful ally of Humanism, and every American public school is a school of Humanism. What can the theistic Sunday-school, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching” —Charles Potter (1930)
The burden of proof has been demonstrated above that due to the Church “marrying” God & Baal in the training up of our children it has led to disastrous results we see today.
Peace,
Dd
(2 Cor. 10:5)
After reading Tim Challies post I have a couple of questions for anyone who might have some answers.
1. How did Christian families build bridges in their communities to open up opportunities for evangelism BEFORE the modern education system as we know it existed?
2. How can a family committed to Christ and to home education be salt and light?
Answers are welcome from home, public, and private school supporters. Please, if you be so kind, give practical answers that will be supportive and encouraging.
Your sister in Christ,
Susan
Question for those who think it is wrong for believers to put their children in public school:
If the U.S. government required that all children be enrolled in public school, do you believe that Christians would have a moral obligation to disobey the government out of obedience to God? This, I think, helps get at the question of whether you are saying it is actually sinful to put your children in public school.
WOW! According to some posters it seems that we Christians who have our children in public schools are in direct violation of God’s command to raise our children in the admonition of the Lord (Duet. 6).
I disagree.
In our local public school system I know several teachers who are indeed Christians and they join us in the fight against the humanistic/paganistic trends in the public school systems in our country.
One of the things I find uneasy about this thread is that there seems to be a general feeling of:
“if your kids go to public school then they couldn’t possibly be Christians and furthermore, the parents should be punished for violating God’s command.”
My children receive sound Biblical training and instruction at home and at our local body of believers. This training gets put into practice every day at school in real-life situations.
How are they to be ’salt and light’ if we keep them cowering in a corner somewhere because we are afraid they will be told something that’s not true at school OR because they will be exposed to something ungodly there? (yes, there are extremes that we should not cross – for example, we don’t need to send our children to adult stores to understand the wickedness of adultery – but I don’t feel public school is one of them)
I think the issue of whether or not your children should go to public schools is an issue of the individual conscience before God. There is no mandate in Scripture that says public schools are forbidden.
(now if I lived in California I would definitely think about pulling my kids from public schools)
YBIC,
Bill
My pount will not be my own, as are most, but of a greater mind. If you are an advocate of Presuppositional Apologetics, then you know Greg Bansen. Here is a quick paraphrase of his point in “Always Ready” While you won’t find an exact verse that says no public schools, or yes to homeschooling. The same way you won;t find a verse that says word for word any things that weren’t an issue in Biblical times. You have to do your best to apply scripture to attitudes and situations. The problem is whether you say it outright or not to your children when you send them to a public school you are saying that during those hours they are secular. And when they come home they are not. Do they then to become adults who believe that when they go to work that is secular?
If you take the Bible and try to fit it into your life, you cross a scary line instead of making your life conform to scripture. To teach your child that some things are secular provides a basis for a hypocrite later on. Here comes the only question that should matter (and I know some will say what about this and this or what if this) will your child receive daily instruction from the Word of God that applies it to every thing and situation? If you say you have no choice but public school, and I believe that could be the case, you better spend hours nightly instructing your child. Telling them why rocks aren’t millions of years old, why the kid in the story was a thief and a liar, why their class on “Being Gay is Okay” isn’t okay, and how math is just a wonderful way for the Lord to show the workings of his perfectly created world. My wife and I were spending 3 hours a night reteaching my children what they learned. Bottom line we came to was that NOTHING in our lives is secular so how could we expect a 10 year old or the like to understand how his science teacher was teaching him wrong or his english teacher or whoever, and still listen to them. Son well listen if she says this but not if she says this. Thats rough.
And what we learn is the groundwork for so many things. Why do so many Christians not believe in a literal 7 day creation. They are taught against it their whole school lives. How about history? So man is 10 million years old and that each civilization began as a hunt and gatherer society? Noah’s kids were already intelligent and had been advanced pre-flood, so Sumeria and such were never hunters and gatherers, they were advanced. My point is every subject has a definite basis in Christian thought. You can’t seperate the two.
I think the reason most kids are in public schools is because the parents would have a smaller house, old cars and whatever else if one stayed home. My wife and I have had a hard time adjusting to a loss in significant income. We can’t eat out, go on big vacations and we pray daily for our car to work. But nothing will replace the difference it makes in our sons and their lives.
Yes I went to public school. Here is my response to that. They were far different then as we ALL know, and 2 I was saved at 26 through God’s grace. I spent 26 years of my life in outright rebellion, hate, anger, and druggen/drugged hell with no idea that I was being judged by my life. I thought everything was secular and religion was for the uneducated. I would have to say that my life would have been far different had I been homeschooled. I never knew about a “young earth”, proper history and living by a constant God-given standard. While all of that may not have saved me, for the Lord has His ways and timing. However, what a difference Truth could have made on me. Sovereignty will save the elect for sure, but to say we have no responsibility in it is kind of scary.
To say that it doesn’t matter the foundation of a child and where it comes from is scary. We have a responsibiity to raise them in the Word first then everything else is a far, far, far second.
Matt,
If you are asking whether there are cases where disobedience to government is required in order to be obedient to God, I would say yes. Daniel chose to disobey when push came to shove in the matters of prayer, worship, diet (others?).
Conversely, for the issue of taxes, Jesus made it clear to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.
So to whom do we render our kids education and worldview?
And if you wish to take an example like Germany and what I would do in that situation; I would have to follow that same principle – even if it came to fleeing for safety. Flight is not wrong, God told Joseph to flee with Mary and Jesus. The Israelites fled Egypt when government went too far.
Nobody wants to leave areas like Germany without a witness, but there comes a point where there’s no other option.
However, we don’t live in a country like you propose, and I hope we are all committed to keeping it that way. It’s our government after all.
@Matt… exactly, that’s what I was trying to get at with Daniel earlier. He did not object to the education, but where scripture actually draws clear lines, Daniel objected. To say that Deut 6 gives us an absolute no to non-Christian education and also say that Daniel submitted under the learning of the Chaldeans does not make any sense in light of Daniel’s character. Daniel knew the law and he did not compromise what was clearly right. Christian children attending Public schools is a “grey area”, it is not necessarily right and it is not necessarily wrong. Again, case by case.
I’m not sure how to ask my question any more clearly than I did. If people are saying it is “sinful” for believers to put their children in public school, then they must believe that we would have a moral obligation to disobey the government (out of obedience to God) if public education were required by law. I don’t have an agenda with my question, and I’m not trying lead anyone into a trap; I’m just trying to clarify where people are coming from.
I think we would all agree that scripture clearly shows who is responsible for training the children. It is the parents. However, some would say that the Bible doesn’t tell us what we are supposed to do now, in our time. I think that if the Bible places the responsibility to train on the parents, we should not give that resposibility to another.
Who do you want your children to mimic? If you place them under the instruction of someone, you are basicly saying “I agree with the teaching that this person will give.” Isn’t that true? In a public school system, who are the children around the most, their family or their peers and teachers? In that situation, who is likely to have the biggest influence on the child, their family or their peers and teachers? You may say, “well we want our children to be salt and light.” It is true that a child may have some degree of influence over the other children, but almost 100% of the time, the other children have more influence. You may say, “We are to be in the world but not of the world.” While this is true, why would you desire to place your children in a situation that will make it very easy to fall into sin, and hard to keep from it?
Do a word search for anywhere in the Bible where the words teach and children are used together. I think that this shows who is supposed to teach the children.
Christians must think outside the widely-accepted box of the current government school paradigm, something that was successfully instituted by humanists with an anti-God agenda, and return to God’s Word as the authority.
As well-intentioned as the ideas of school reform and evangelism may be, they aren’t working. God’s ways are always better than man’s. We should never have abdicated our role as trainers of our children’s hearts by surrendering to the government schools in the first place. Now that we clearly see the results of our disobedience, isn’t it time we come together as Christians and encourage one another to follow the path of home discipleship that God originally laid out from the beginning?
Does God tell us to thrust our impressionable children into pagan seminaries to be salt and light? Clearly not, and it makes no sense whatsoever to expect them to be missionaries in a place increasingly hostile to the truths of the Bible before they have established strong roots in the Christian faith. Apply the salt and light rationale to other situations—why not enroll our children in Muslim or Jewish schools or send them to African tribal regions? The “in and not of” argument does not and cannot apply to children, something that is evident through the increasing numbers of Christian children who are spending their formative years IN the public schools and becoming one OF them.
The article’s imbalanced and incomplete list of pros and cons is an important reminder that the public school mindset among well-meaning Christian parents is deluded with myths and unbiblical rationale. All the more reason that we homeschoolers must be salt and light among the Body of Christ.
Matt,
The US government has not made that requirement, we are not under such compulsion. They have, by God’s grace, left us an opportunity to educate our children ourselves and in His providence has brought this issue of home schooling to us in a period of time when we have the liberty to grapple with it apart from some extraordinary judgment or yoke. God has not required us to make a decision with more dire consequences, He has been good to us.
But let me ask a question in response. When the Israelites were told that it was God’s desire for them to have no King above them but the Lord, to be a peculiar people, unlike the nations around them, was that was clearly God’s will for them? It was a direct command – be peculiar, do not adopt the world around you. Yet they demanded a King for themselves from the people. God gave them their King, and it was not optimal, indeed it brought great trouble for them. Yet without those Kings we would not have David and Solomon. How much better would it have been for the people of Israel to remain faithful to God’s intent and will for them? What glories and blessings did they rob themselves of by demanding to go contrary to what God had told them to do, yet even in disobedience, God was gracious and merciful to them, but not without a cost.
If I truly thought it was sinful for believers to put their children in public school, I would find my question an extremely easy one to answer. I would simply say: “If the U.S. government were to make public education a legal requirement, then yes, Christians would indeed have a moral obligation to disobey the government out of obedience to God.”
When someone has a difficult time giving a straightforward answer to that question, it makes me wonder if that person truly believes it is sinful.
Parental responsibility is a Biblical absolute, and the church must equip, support and encourage parents–all of them–to take their responsibility.
Where I chafe at some that is being said here and elsewhere is that it appears some in the church are labeling many parents as “sinning” automatically if they do not choose to use the “correct” methodology as they accept their responsibility.
Hardy has strong “con” arguments about public school, too. But for some reason when he (or anyone) says there is a need to honestly address “cons” of other options, it makes him “anti” those things. How can he be “anti” every option when he has used every one personally?
We in our era in our culture have options available to us which have not been available to most believers in most cultures in most centuries. Let’s rejoice in the freedom we have, be good stewards of it, and stop fulminating against fellow believers who make choices (within their freedom) with which we disagree.
It is not our duty or our right to pressure one another to violate personal convictions on matters of wisdom. Healthy dialog is good; judment is not.
@Daniel… I say that Christian parents can still retain (in full) their God-given, God-demanded responsibility over the raising up of their children and at the same time have them attend a public school. Not all children, not all schools, but case by case. Obviously, retaining the full responsibility is becoming increasingly harder to do here in America (parts of California, etc.), but that has nothing to do with where scripture draws clear lines and where scripture does not.
This is not a question of whether we want our children to be indoctrinated by a worldly system and fall away from the truth (of course not!), but whether or not scripture gives a definite no to all public schools for all Christian children and the truth of the matter is that scripture does not.
Wow! A very passionate debate going on here. I will throw in my thoughts for consideration as well if that is okay.
I was raised in public and private school, and my wife was public school educated. We have chosen to homeschool our three sons. They all three went to public school for awhile, but when we saw what the experience was doing to them, we felt obligated to pull them out and educate them at home.
I use the word “obligated” on purpose because we recognized our responisiblity as parents to educate our own children. At first we thought that meant moving into a good school district, being involved in their school lives through PTA, parent-teacher conferences, etc., helping with their homework and raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and we did all of those things.
The problem was that–in our case at least–the public school system is severely broken. I believe broken beyond repair. No matter how hard we tried to counteract what was going on, I watched as my oldest son grew depressed because of the foul language, humanist philosophy, and lack of justice he saw at school everyday. My middle son began saying things like; “I’m so stupid. I’ll never be any good at this.” he said this because that is what his teachers at school kept communicating to him. My youngest son’s character became frightening and he began to say things like; “I hate school. and “I hate learning.”
Someething had to change.
We pulled them out of school and began to teach them at home. My wife gave up running her own part-time business in order to educate them, and we made quite a few sacrifices financially to make sure they are supplied with excellent curriculum, field trips, and extra-curricular activities. But I can honestly say that the difference has been tremendous.
My oldest son is back to his happy, optimistic self and has begun to reach out to the kids our neighborhood with love and grace. Our middle son is now confident in his own abilities and is one of the most godly young men I have ever met. My youngest son recently put his faith in Christ and has been growing in godly character ever since.
I can honestly say that homeschooling has been the BEST if not the easiest choice for my family.
My godly, 25 year old son is a public high school teacher and football coach. He is heavily involved with FCA and incorporates his beliefs and convictions in the classroom.
He had an opportunity to teach on Jonathan Edwards and John Calvin and explained the TULIP to his class and showed the film Luther to his class, at baccalaureate he gave a message from Colossians. These kids were hearing biblical truth and learning theology in an secular high school history class. My son is wise and uses his curriculem as a means to introduce the students to our Biblical beliefs. Some of you sound so self righteous and legalistic, as if no good thing ever comes out of public schools. I wish I could tell of the children who after being private or home schooled, abandoned the faith, walked away, or ran away and turned. Just let each family decide for themselves what is best for their kids, stop putting God into a box, not everyone is meant to homeschool, not everyone is meant to have a dozen children. Some of you sound so judgemental and critical, you don’t know the Lord’s will for everyone, you don’t know everyone’s unique circumstances. Home Schooling is becoming a para church organization, kind of a religious cult, if you will of its own. Not a cult, don’t misunderstand, but shunning those and avoiding those who don’t agree, not letting their children many times associate with those who are educated otherwise. Homeschool groups taking the place of other bible studies and fellowship groups, where all believers can fellowship together no matter how they educate their kids. There are many, many positive, great things about homeschooling, but to shun and judge those who don’t and not associate with other families because of an educational lifestyle is just wrong. See, this post proves how devisive this movement can be. I am glad my son teaches in a secular high school, he and his wife are godly roles models and have influence on not only the students but other faculty members. Oh by the way he went to public school then chose a solid Christian University, on his own, his beliefs and theology are from the home and solid biblical teaching at church. I wonder how he will educate my grandchildren? Thanks pulpit for being sensitive and balanced. Their uproar proves that that many in this movement think their way is the ONLY way and all others are just plain wrong, and not just wrong, bad parents.
Susan,
I’ll take a shot at your first question. Before the modern educational style developed, Christians built connections in their community in many of the same ways you see today: being neighbors, co-workers, shopping in the same places, and sharing in civic responsibilities. However, (and this is obviously a generalization) a much higher percentage of people attended church in previous generations. Thus, when you read Americans like Edwards and Mather, you see an emphasis on building evangelistic relationships with those inside the church, but outside of Christ.
I would love to hear some advice for Sandy from home-school advocates on how to build evangelistic relationships while home-schooling.
Thanks,
Jesse
My pastor once mentioned that I should send my children to public school so they could be “lights” or “salt”. I thought about that one for a while and realized my husband and I needed to be sure (as sure as we could) that they were light and salt to begin with. If the salt is mixed, it has to be pitched.
I also thought of Jesus’ disciples. Here were 11 grown men (not including Judas in my comments) who walked with Jesus, loved Jesus, were personally taught and trained by Jesus. When the time of trouble came, they all left him. They were grown men and they turned away. As parents, we can’t be assured that our children will stand up for God – wherever they may be. And I certainly wouldn’t count on them to be the light and salt as young children.
We homeschool and my children are very involved with volunteer work and also politically. They have been to meet the governor and our representatives,… The “con” listed as “limited situations” and “limited exposure” are not what usually happens. We take advantage of opportunities and they greatly increase our homeschool environment. I think those should be rewritten to be pros of homeschooling. (“Many situations that could provide…” and “Possible exposure to the teaching gifts…”)
I don’t know how I would exactly write the list. Maybe a list of the topics on the left and then 3 columns with checkmarks for each (home school, private, and public)? Many of the things would actually apply to more than one area but were only counted in one. Others are “potentials” in many areas.
I’m wondering what “Issues are “black and white”" means as a pro for public school. It’s no easier to find “black and white” at public school than it is to find it anywhere else so if you’re going to list it as a pro, wouldn’t it be a pro for all three? or maybe not listed at all?
Some families have circumstances that make it harder or impossible for them to homeschool. Church, family, friends,… can help to meet some of the challenges.
I do believe that God is bigger than the choice of education and there are many other things to consider. What bothers me is people who just do “whatever” because that is the way it has always been done. Give some thought to your choices when it comes to the education of your children. Pray about it. Discuss it as a family. Find information about it. May God bless you as you disciple your children.
Susan’s questions were:
1. How did Christian families build bridges in their communities to open up opportunities for evangelism BEFORE the modern education system as we know it existed?
2. How can a family committed to Christ and to home education be salt and light?
My answers are:
1. In times past, people in general were not as worried about evangelism as discipleship. So their lives and the lives of their children reflected that discipleship. They were available to help their neighbor, they lived their lives in their community and people knew the believers by their love.
2. Homeschoolers today are constantly out in the community. Homeschoolers show their love through scouts, community service projects, field trips, drama and singing at retirement homes and hosptials, video contests and movies that are being made by our young people, and taking in relatives that the rest of the family has no time to address, and by helping each other within the larger community.
One single homeschooling Mom in our community was in a horrible car wreck with 2 of her 3 children. The community was at the hospital, at her home, took care of the child not in the wreck, paid her bills, brought the family food. When her parents came, they were amazed at the community of homeschoolers (within a large metropolitan city) that enveloped this single homeschooling mom and carried her for over 6 months.
And yes, there are working couples, single working Moms, single working Dads, and work at home moms who homeschool. Where there is a will, God will make a way.
Blessings,
Jube
homeschool working Mom
Susan,
In our family, most everything we do is as a family. We grocery shop together, go to the library together, the dr’s office, the park, etc. These outings are usually during the day and most always prompt questions from those we meet. We use the opportunities of answering these questions to speak of God and His wonderous works in our life. I remind the children that God exhorts us to love one another and that our love for each other is a testimony of His love in us. We take seriously the command to love our neighbor and we are constantly looking for ways to serve our neighbors in love, whether it is shoveling snow off their driveways(what we are doing today), raking leaves, pet sitting, baby sitting, or just smiling and greeting them as they pass by. There never seems to be a shortage of opportunities to serve others in love. We also invite others into our home for a meal or dessert and this offers a wonderful opportunity of sharing and caring and building relationships. My husband and sons are members of a local sportsman club and that offers them opportunities of building relationships with other men in the community. My daughter and I have participated in the past in a knitting club, that knit hats for preemie’s, thus giving us an opportunity to encourage parents of preemie’s and lift them and their little one up in prayer. We’ve also delivered Christmas gifts to families in need in our area, we’ve delivered gifts of hope to the NICU ward of our hospital and the children’s ward. We’ve served with our local Salvation Army, sorting canned goods and serving food.
This is our version of lifestyle evangelism and since our lifestyle includes our family, most of our ministry and outreach is as a family.
I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
On a side note, I read earlier where someone mentioned that a family was an isolationist because they chose to serve the homeschool community instead of the local church. This does not constitute isolationism.
The following is the Webster’s 1828 definition of isolate:
IS’OLATE, v.t. To place in a detached situation; to place by itself; to insulate.
IS’OLATED, pp. or a. Standing detached from others of a like kind; placed by itself or alone.
Futhermore the body of Christ is the New Testament church, therefore if this homeschool community was comprised of Christians, they would be serving the church. God has given each of us different gifts and callings and as a believer we must look to Him for direction in how and where to use these. By the above referenced application of isolationism, this person would accuse my family of being isolated, despite how involved we are in our neighborhood and community. In our experience most churches make it difficult for a family to serve and minister together, the service opportunities a church offers requires that I either leave my family home or place them in age segregated classes. Neither of which are acceptable options for our family. Our service opportunities in the church have been limited to one time events, preparing and delivering welcome baskets and preparing meals for members in need.
This has to be a personal decision. We put all four of our children through public schools and they all also graduated from a major state university. All are dedicated Christians and all are working and productive and very active in local churches. Those who choose to home school should home school. It comes back to the everyday parental guidance, teaching and example. There are pros and cons from both directions. Be a consistent, faithful Christian parent from the day each child is born. Actaully , it begins before birth in already living a faithful Christian life , being guided everyday and every moment by the word of God.
Jacob,
You said, “I say that Christian parents can still retain (in full) their God-given, God-demanded responsibility over the raising up of their children and at the same time have them attend a public school.”
1) Do you believe that the influences of a public school will encourage your children to godliness or ungodliness?
2) Do you believe that the teaching of a public school will encourage your children to godliness or ungodliness?
3) Who do you think will encourage your children to give you their heart, you or a public school teacher?
4) Which gives you more time to do the Biblical command of teaching your children, home or public school?
5) What world-view do you want your children to have, the one you teach them or the one a humanistic school teacher will teach them?
6) Do you want to have to undo the damage done by all of the above problems with a public school?
I might not go so far as to say that public schooling would be sinful, but looking at the things you would be subjecting your children to, it very well could be sinning against them.
Karie Hays brings up a great point about the kids who were homeschooled or in a private school that have left the faith. I know of a family who does not own a TV to sheild their children from the morality that is found on its channels, they attend church when the doors are opened, have family devotions everyday and have homeschooled their seven or eight children and almost half of their children have left the faith as adults. To be balanced in this discussion there must be mention of these types of situations.
As I mentioned earlier it is an unfair characterization and therefore wrong to put great teachers in the same category as those that are horrific (this is in response to a previous comment describing how his childs teachers told their son “I’m so stupid. I’ll never be any good at this.”) – not all teachers are like this, in fact the majority I know are just the opposite. We bend over backwards, and sometimes to a fault, to make kids feel good about themselves and their ability so that they will become better students and therefore better citizens. Please understand that I don’t mean to put words in anyones mouth but when there are only negative comments about teachers that implies that all teachers are bad.
Like Karie Hays son I have get many opportunites each year to minister to my students and co-workers with the word of God. I pray each day that God will present those opportunities to me. When I have the opportunity to share the gospel that tells me that I am exactly where God has planned for me to be.
Karie, you are right to be proud of the work your son has done within the confines of a secular institution. It is a rare story, indeed. While there are other similar situations sprinkled throughout the government school structure, they are no doubt the exception rather than the rule. And your son, while he may be held up as a salt and light example, is a grown adult in the position of authority over children. Never is it right to put children in a losing battle under the authority of unbelievers (or believers who are basically hamstrung in their freedoms to be Christian witnesses) as is the case in public schools.
I’m a former school teacher and have taught in both Christian and public schools. I’ve also attended both private and public schools in my youth. As a homeschool parent since the ‘90s, I can say without a doubt that the benefits of home education trump any so-called pros of public education any way you look at it—academically, socially, and spiritually. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there to the contrary.
You’ll have to be patient with the passion of many home school families. If any homeschoolers are, in fact, isolationist or legalistic, then that’s an area that needs to change. But please don’t confuse conviction with judgementalism. And please don’t interpret the preference to choose carefully the social setting that we put our children in as elitism. And most of all, please don’t label as cult-like the support systems that we have developed as a means of godly encouragement. The risk of divisiveness runs on both sides of the issue.
Jesse,
A co-worker encouraged me to respond back to you.
You are right. I do want to continue reading the Pulpit Magazine on-line; I just will not get bogged down reading the comments. I read the publication during lunch at work. I can better spend most of that time in prayer. This bantering back and forth has it’s place; it’s just not for me.
As I read the posted comments to this article, I realize that many of the posters must be in wonderful, supportive churches. I can honestly say that I know of no church in my community who supports the Biblical commands to care for “the widows and orphans.” Oh, someone might pay a monthly bill or provide groceries once in a while, but the charity suggested here, i.e., home-schooling someone’s else’s child or paying a single mom’s tuition for the kids, is unheard of. Yes, I know what the Bible says. Yes, I fully believe in it and agree 100%. But I also read some posts yesterday with the heart of someone-in his/her present situation- who might really be unable to make the choices mandated. There was such condemnation in what I read, especially to someone who truly has a heart for serving God. So many people really have strong negative feelings about evangelical Christians. (And don’t attack me…I know we are right and have the Truth.) But when that truth is not undergirded in love, something is lost. Yes, I know the truth convicts. I really do get it. There is no compromise. But if I offend someone who’s struggling or questioning, someone young in the faith, someone without the support that so many have suggested here, what good have I really done? If I read yesterday’s posts as that single mom, I would have felt horrible. Hopeless. Helpless. A failure as a parent. It was good to come back and read the compassion that came from others who offered suggestions. And that’s when I realized that my time can be far better spent praying for those in need regarding this issue, praying for the local churches in my community, praying for the widows and orphans trying to lead Godly lives. My original post was in response to the overwhelming feeling of condemnation for someone who might be in a less-than-ideal situation. You, Jesse, are one of a few who has taken “action” to get Sandy some sound advice for her situation. To me, that’s what it’s all about.
All the Scripture spouting in the world will fall on deaf ears until people encounter the love of Christ. This encounter has to come through one of us. I have been blessed in the past by this site and even corrected in Biblical error. But those corrections were drenched in love, so they were easily received.
May we never be quick to forget the example of Christ. Every word He spoke was what He heard from the Father. Those Words gave life. Even those that brought conviction. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Dear Lord, keep watch over my mouth. Holy Spirit, convict my heart when I speak out of my own stupidity or selfish will. May the example of Christ serve to guide my conversations with people so that I too may be about My Father’s business…building the kingdom until His glorious return.
Thanks, Jesse and others.
From my earlier comment I meant to say that that family sheilds their kids from the immorality found on its channels.
1) depends
2) depends
3) there are godly public school teachers…
4) depends
5) the one I teach them (note: not all school teachers are humanistic)
6) this question is biased because there could be no “damage” done at all
The comment that I referenced about mistyping immorality is being moderated so it may not make much sense until it comes out of moderation, if it will be.
Even among the true (invisible) church, there is so much diversity concerning “secondary” issues. This seems to be yet another imperfection that the church must bear until final salvation… as Spurgeon has said so many times: come quickly Jesus, come quickly
I must admit that I am little disappointed on how this discussion is going. It is clear that everyone is extremely passionate upon their views and how what they did was hands down right. The fact is that God’s word is not clear on this topic. It reads nowhere “Thou shalt no go to public schools” or “Thou shalt only homeschool thy children”. This is clearly a preference view. What is the Bible clear about? 1) We are to love the Lord our God. 2) We are to love our neighbors. 3) We are to love our enemies and to do good to those who persecute us. 4) We are to train up our children. The public school system has many pitfalls to it, but so does homeschooling, and yes, even in christian schools. There is no right or wrong way. I want to address each of the three options and give the problems for each and they way to work through them.
Public Schools: They are worldly, liberal, and are post-modern. Yet, they are necessary, and good. Children have a more broad range of choices in public schools, with arts, sports, and professional training. How do you raise a child in a public school when they are being thrown into the flames of the world’s system. It is simple, talk them through it daily! God does not hold the public school system responsible, He holds the parents. Don’t let the school system raise your kids. As your children come home from school and they tell you that they got in an argument with their teacher about creation. Talk to them about it! Go back to the Bible and show them what scripture says. Remind them that they are to respect ALL authority and it doesn’t matter what the authority believes in. As long as they are respectful to their teachers this really shouldn’t become a problem. The great thing about public schools is that they cannot kick kids out of their class for their beliefs. We know that the Bible is God’s absolute truth, but we are in a fallen world that doesn’t. Train your kids to know how to deal with that! For some parents public school is the only option. There is nothing that can be done about that. God knows your heart, and He blesses a heart that puts there trust in Him. Remember this is a preference issue!
Christian Schools: They have the ability to train children to be hypocrites! Christian schools are also not to raise your kids! Yes they are great because most of them back up what you are already teaching your kids at home. This makes for a great partnership!! But as parents be wise as serpents in this area! Make sure that you go after their hearts!! Don’t be impressed with their good behavior! Christian schools are filled with little Pharisees! They look great on the outside but are dead tombs inside. Also, if you choose to send your kids to christian schools make sure that they don’t develop a christian bubble. Expose them to sin, and the world, so that they are ready for what is to come as they graduate. Don’t overprotect your kids to the point where they are ignorant to the ways of the world. You safely expose them by involving them in community sports where they will see sin and you can talk them through what they are seeing. Take them to public school functions such as football games, concerts, and plays. That way when they see the angry parent swearing at a referee you can talk to them about how that is not being respectful or submissive to the referee’s call and also how that was an example of not being in control or taming the tongue. Bottom principle with this option is the same as above. This should happens daily as you go through life. Keep bringing it back to what scripture teaches. Remember this is a preference issue!
Homeschooling: This option is great for training your kids! Gives you more time with them, you can also train them in the respective roles that God has called them to. Train the girls with a home focus and to train the guys to be hard workers. This option also saves time and money! The main pitfall that concerns homeschooling is overprotecting your kids! It is so easy to fall into this! As parents, we cannot control our children’s environment forever, we can not control who their friends will be, where they will work, or who they will marry. If homeschooling is the option that choose for your kids, make sure that you expose them to sin! This is the only way that they will be ready for the world! Train them to be wise as serpents, and full of discernment! Also, be sure that they are involved somewhere other then your home! There are social skills that need to be developed, and can only be done around their peers. Our church has a big homeschool following, and when the kids come into our youth ministry they usually fall into two categories. The first is that they see church as their social outlet, and not as a place to worship and of learning. The second is that they come to church and actually don’t know how to socialize at all. They don’t know how to hold a conversation, even when you are talking to him or her one on one they don’t know what to do. Other then that, if God has given you the gift of teaching, use it! If you live in an area that the public schools are dangerous, homeschool! Homeschooling is not wrong or right! God knows your heart, trust in Him! Remember, this is a preference issue!
This should also serve as a reminder to remember those who God has called to teach in the public schools! Pray for their safety, patience, and their testimonies! Pray also for the students who are in the public schools, pray that they would be wise as serpents and a glorious light for those who are perishing! Pray for yourselves as parents or prospective parents on what your choice will be. Remember this is a preference issue! As long as you do what you are called to do as parents, I believe that you can raise great, godly kids in whichever option that you choose. God knows your hearts, trust fully in Him!
I have to add another pastoral comment. Kim said “You’ll have to be patient with the passion of many home school families.” Amen!
Anyone who home schools is passionate, almost by definition. They’re the superstars of parental responsibility. Most reap many very positive results from their commitment and sacrifice. All that’s good.
What isn’t good is when “passion” becomes judgmental toward others with different convictions. As a shepherd I cannot excuse judgmental attitudes or calling other believers “sinful” because they hold different convictions. That’s not passion; it’s wrong. I speak not only to some home school brethren, but to anyone who judges others contrary to Romans 14:4-5. Be fully convinced in your own mind, but don’t judge your brother by the standard of your own conscience.
If educational alternatives were a matter of obvious biblical revelation, this discussion would not have happened.
The other point I’ve seen made subtly here (except when I stated it outright!) which grieves us shepherds is when any “community” supercedes the local church. Anyone who thinks that home school, scouts, sports, political activities, academics, or anything else around which people organize and fellowship is a valid substitute for commitment to the local church, or a higher priority than commitment to the local church, is at odds with the plan of Jesus Christ to build His church.
Keep our priorities right, worship together, provoke each other to love and good deeds, speak the truth in love and build each other up in the faith until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, and we will see God do exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think. Keep judging and attacking each other, and . . .
We support Christian parents. All of them. That includes those who choose to accept their responsibility differently than I do it.
From one who has grown weary of exchanges like these…
Are we truly willing to accuse our siblings in Christ who have prayerfully and carefully decided before God to place their children in a public school that they are guilty of sin?
Are we truly willing to accuse our siblings in Christ who are striving to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord; who work hard to interact with their children over the ideas that they are taught at school, and work hard to show them what God has to say about those same things, and work hard to teach them how to think biblically about such ideas and how to respond to such ideas (if in fact they are in opposition with the Word of God) in a loving manner; that they are guilty of rebelling against God and are in need of repentance simply because their children spend time learning about certain things in a public school?
Are we truly willing to say that there is only one obedient and God-honoring option for educating one’s children, regardless of the situation, and that in no case is a parent ever free before God to consider using an outside source to help them educate their children in certain matters?
You see, if Grace’s position is correct, which one is hard pressed to disprove through proper interpretation and careful exegesis (stats and surveys will never cut it), then the only ones in this discussion who need to repent of their sin are those who would answer “yes” to these questions. This must be taken into consideration. Striving for “peace and mutual upbuilding” (Rom. 14:19) is one thing; judging one another is something quite different. And in discussions like these, the latter seems to be much more common.
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother (that is, encourage a brother or sister to do something not in faith).” Romans 14:10-13(parentheses mine)
Let us proceed with utmost caution, and let us love one another more than we love our own personal standards, to the glory of God alone!
Great discussion. I’m seeing a lot of prooftexting to prove that homeschooling is the only “unsinful” way to educate my child in math and writing. Let’s be careful on that. Looking back when I was in High School, a Catholic, I wish I had the gospel preached accurately to me by a classmate. I wish I would have seen godliness shining in the darkness. But I didn’t. And that’s not because homeschooling was taking all the good kids out of school. That was before it really took off. I love my brothers and sisters who homeschool their children. I wish some didn’t though. I am very concerned for the lack of discernment I’m finding swirling around homeschool conferences and publications. Does not the Word make its most strong and cautious statements about false teaching allowed to propogate within the church under the disguise of “Christian.” So homeschoolers be careful. BTW, my children are in public school with a couple of excellent teachers. We participate strongly in our school, and our teachers take careful notice of us.
Some of you have mentioned situations where a family has home-schooled their children and done all sorts of other things to protect them from outside influences, and the child fell away anyway. This happens because, although the protection was there, the training was not. The child was not adequately prepared to refute or reject the ideas and temptations that the world had to offer. This is not the result of home-schooling, this is the result of a training deficiency.
I am not saying that in a public school all school teachers are humanistic, that all influences are detrimental, or that all teaching is dangerous. I am saying that in a public school the teachers will be required to teach from a humanistic worldview, the influences will not turn the heart of the child to his father but to his peers, and the teaching will not be rooted in the Bible. These facts alone would discourage me from sending my children to such a place.
The Bible speaks to every area of life and godliness, so we should not say that the Bible doesn’t say anything about home-schooling. It doesn’t say “thou shalt not go to a public school” but it does say that parents are to teach their children the principles of scripture while in the house, while walking, when lying down, and when rising up. Pretty much all the time.
Since each writer is going back in forth. Each pressing a different point we are getting nowhere with all of the discussion. A homeschooler says “we have better training, more Godly influence, and better control over the material our children learn.” A public school advocate says “not all schools are bad, not all teachers are bad, and that them or other examples have stayed Christian despite public schooling.” That is a weird discussion, 2 people not challenging on actual points but making different cases for each. For the sake of the argument let’s just make it plain. There are many things not listed exactly in scripture, so we have to use our reasoning given to us from scripture.
What is our primary goal for our children?
I hope your answer would be to raise them in fear and admonition of the Lord.
How do you teach them to fear and praise the Lord?
I believe most would agree through the scriptures, lessons, Godly example and other Christ-centered ideas.
Of the different schooling options which one provides the best ability to do those things?
Now if you answer that honestly stop there. Why would you say “well homeschool of course BUT…” What in the world is more important than that? Every person I have read that is pro-public school is more based on kids being ok DESPITE public school. Stories of Godly teachers are great and we should pray for them. But I think everyone would allow that most teachers aren’t Godly. The system overrall isn’t Godly and most of the children in public schools aren’t good examples. Don’t be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals.
You can list all kinds of reasons, and specific examples but if you make an issue ONLY of which way provides the best opportunity for your children to be submersed into the Word of God. Not whether you have this or that, not whether you survived public school, not if you taught or know 1 good teacher. Just bottomline it to the basic question. All other concerns are secondary.
My wife left the public school system to homeschool our sons. In our state (Va) teachers are not allowed to have a Bible on their desk, not allowed to give out Jesus Loves Me pencils, or invite children to Church. The rule is that since children are trained to listen to their teachers, that could influence the children. Stories of teachers teaching about Edwards and watching religious movies are either in small towns or haven’t ran into the ACLU yet. The American Family Association’s site has multiple instances of lawsuits filed against schools and teachers for any type of Christian overtone or of students not being allowed to draw pictures of the cross to put up.
I think most would admit that the public school system is unGodly and not going to be a fertile ground for Christian principles. It’s been said many times above, unless under extreme situations, that all parents have the choice in schooling. If you believe that scripture commands that your children be immersed into scripture above all else, no schooling comes close to homeschooling. It’s not a personal shot at the public schoolers, it’s a basic observation.
Just like I don’t think any would argue that a true pastor is more immersed in the Word than a man who works on machinery all day. Is the machinist a worst Christian? No, but he doesn’t have the same availability and opportunity that the Pastor does. In the same way a child who is constantly surrounded by Christian prinicples, and Christian thought is more trained in fear and admonition of the Lord than a child who spend 3 hours a day with mom and dad before bed. That shouldn’t be inflammatory information, just basic reasoning. Eliminate all the extra stuff, discuss which way teaches the children the most about God. If you say a public school kid can be trained by mom and dad at night, you have to realize that homeschool kids have parents at night to.
This is the same argument for attending church activities regularly. If being surrounded with scripture and Godly example isn’t that important, then why go? You could stay home and study the Bible occasionally for the same effect. If you send your kids to a secular school for 6 hours, how can you justify telling a friend that their kid shouldn’t miss Wed night church stuff for basketball. Your choice is God centered education or man centered education. Yes, elect children will be saved no matter their school. But when it comes to education and which one is more Christ-centered, there is no argument.
This is the first time I feel compelled to submit a blog, but after wading through this emotional debate, I felt I must weigh in for whatever it is worth, and however the Lord would use my comments. I am a former homeschool mother of 20 years, and am currently headed for a public classroom. If I could do it over again, I would never homeschool, and my children heartily agree – they are grown and facing raising their own children. My children have told me they will not homeschool their children, not because I did not educate them well, but due to other issues unrelated to our homeschool within our home. My own limited exposure to the homeschool families in our rather large city, has been of great disappointment. The students graduating out of high school have struggled with the same issues as the public school students: drugs, pregnancy, no truth saving faith in Christ. I have prayed and thought deeply over this, and grieved also. I spent my entire adult life educating homeschool children as well as deeply involved in various activities with homeschool children. I have come to several conclusions, all of which I do not want to bore whoever wishes to read this blog. My main conclusion is simply this: The Lord has before the foundation of the world determined the elect. No amount of homeschooling can change God’s call; God’s call in he life of our children – is just that: His call. Although I am to teach them diligently about Him, I cannot call my children to salvation, only He can do that. There is nothing in Scripture that says I must educate my children on math, science, etc – but my responsibility is to educate them on Him – to evangelize my children as God directs in the Scripture. The very heartache of raising children, is that some will not be saved. Look in the OT and follow the up and down path the nation of Israel had in relationship to God. What about in Revelation – God will be on the throne during the millennium, and yet there will be rebellion – even with a perfect government, a perfect atmosphere – there is still rebellion in the heart. Adam and Eve walked with God – and yet they rebelled. All of the training in the world to resist temptation, etc. cannot redeem the Heart – only Christ alone can do that – and then He alone transforms the heart. It is hard to trust God with our children, but homeschooling often is done out of fear that our children will not follow Him if we don’t homeschool. Yet it is Christ alone who holds our children’s soul in His hand, and it is He alone that will not let them go – is not Christ powerful enough to call our children, and then keep them? It is a matter of the heart, and it is Christ who is the Redeemer of men’s souls – something that homeschooling can never do.
Pastor Jim, and anyone else who holds a position of leadership in the church, I recognize the precarious position you are in with regard to differing viewpoints within the Body of Christ. The more growth we see in the homeschooling movement, the more challenging it will be for pastors who find themselves having to be PC. I pray for you and the flocks you shepherd.
I pray that in your leadership role, you would encourage and exhort the parents in your congregation to seek the path of training their children that would truly build the Body of Christ. As we witness the continuing moral decay of our culture, we are seeing the obvious downward spiral of the youth in Christian families who spend their formative years in public schools. They are leaving the church, dear brother. If you are concerned about people abdicating their commitment to the local church, it’s not the homeschool community you need to be worried about.
If you don’t see it, I pray that you do. Numerous studies and years of valid research are out there and have been mentioned on this thread. I pray that parents and pastors will connect the dots between the godless education most children are getting and the falling away of the next generation. This grieves my heart, and I’m sad that so many parents don’t get it. If sounding the alarm on this is what you would call being judgmental, then I wear the label in good conscience.
This discussion is wearisome, I’m sure we can all agree on that, at least. Well, probably not
Perhaps more than anything, an article such as this serves to inform Pulpit on the composition of it’s regular readership. From perusing these responses, I would say that readership consists primarily of what I think of as Christian “turtles.” I know that I’ve now probably offended many of you. Let me elaborate, and if nothing else I pray you will understand that I do not bear any of you ill will, and that this post is written in love.
I grew up in a very conservative and very “Christian” area of this country. I still live in the general vicinity of that area. I know large numbers of Christian parents from all 3 categories, and have had no paucity of contact with their children. I also have 2 children of my own.
I agree that each education program has pros and cons, and I don’t come here to bash any of them. I tend to agree with Pulpit’s position. There are failures and successes with each method, but the most powerful determinant is the parenting the child recieves at home.
A couple points about homeschooling (hereafter abbreviated HS) I’d like to make:
1) Of the large number of HS children I’ve known (and even worked beside as an adult) I’ve noticed a definite social-adaptive deficiency. This can be overcome, and I’m certain it is not true for every HS child. It is just something I’ve found to be generally true.
2) Unfortunately I’ve also noticed a tendency for Adults who were not raised as HS children to look down on and/or make fun of other adults who were HS’d. Again, this is not always the case, but we live in a sinful world and most workplaces are neither enlightened nor caring of feelings. This makes me sad, more than anything else, and I try my best to combat it when I run into it.
3) I just don’t see how any average parent is qualified to teach a child past perhaps 6th grade up to an advanced competency level in more than perhaps 1 or 2 subjects. This is my belief, but perhaps it just demonstrates my ignorance of HS programs.
Now back to my “Christian Turtle” comment. I know far too many fearful fellow believers who do their determined best to crawl inside a Christian shell and hide from society. They are able to do this through self-employment, working for Christian employers and/or organizations, attending church every time the doors are open, restricting their family’s media access, HS’ing and/or placing their children in Christian schools, only attending “Christian” events, etc., etc. I’ve personally heard some ask for prayer that God would lead an “unsaved” person into their lives, because they don’t know any non-Christians! Then, in conversations, they rail against this country and how it is sliding into immorality, godlessness, atheism, etc. They also have a tendency to recoil from fellow brothers and sisters who make different choices than they do, reacting to them in various unconstructive ways (some of which we’ve seen on display here). The sword of fear has 2 edges in this instance. It causes us to flee percieved and/or imagined danger, but it also incites anger against those who choose not to flee.
IMO, they have already abdicated much of their right to complain. Every time a Christian pulls their children out of a “decent” public school (I recognize that there are many public schools that are very substandard and in those cases I do not begrudge private schooling or HS’ing – in fact I’d not hesitate to do the same) they are merely tossing one more twig on the raging fire being built around the foundations of this nation. Because Christian parents are often just as lazy as their secular counterparts, we have largely ourselves to blame for ALLOWING the degradation we see today in our public school system and in our government. Satan has been granted control over this world, and one vice he does not suffer from is sloth.
My point is this: I do not begrudge any parent their choice in how their children are to be educated. I know everyone here has put much prayer into their decision. Please, whatever choice you make, do not be lazy. If both parents work, don’t expect a Christian school to properly raise your children without you. If you choose to HS, keep vigilant watch over both your child’s social & academic development, and also over your own behavior regarding attachment issues, etc. If you choose to send your children to public schools, keep careful watch over what your children are being taught in every subject and be prepared to spend a healthy amount of time with them in the evenings going over their studies with them.
Above all, the FEAR must stop. There is no place for it in the Kingdom of God. Our GOD is SOVEREIGN. You and your children both are ultimately responsible only to Him.
I find a couple lines of reasoning in the posts very interesting. On one side, you have home-school (HS) proponents telling public-school (PS) proponents that you have a biblical mandate for PS, and to not use secular reasoning to justify PS. But, then some of the same people turn around and use survey responses to justify HS. If you want to base it on facts and data, that’s fine – but no one will have a clear conclusion on the matter. I’ve seen all of Barna’s survey’s – and, all they show is alot of kids who are active in church life discontinue the practice when they go to college. Is this because they go to PS? No one can say without much further research. Could it be the influence of post-modernism in churches rather than in schools? could it be the lack of solid biblical teaching in church? could it be our entertainment driven model for youth groups? could it be lack of family support in their faith, or lack of a Godly example in their family? It is a complicated process to determine a cause and effect in a socio-spiritual situation such as this. So, please, no one should be using these limited statistics (including Vodie Baucham) to justify HS or PS.
So, we return to the text (as we should). If you read Deut. 6 and exposit that to mean it is a sin to send your children to PS, then you have bigger problems to deal with – namely, the dangerous and destructive practice of isogesis. These are exactly the steps the pharisee’s took in their attempt to gain higher standing before the Lord for them and their family. If you exposit the text, and realize you are primarily responsible for the spiritual instruction of your children – then, that is good exposition. How that plays out practically will, and should vary depending on the situation.
I find it very interesting that responses to sfpulpit on justification or prayer receive few posts…but, The Great Homeschool debate receives nearly 100. How about we tie together homeschooling and election so we can get 200 responses to a single article?
Someone early on had it right – salvation is of the Lord. In my experience, I’ve seen no local correlation between HS and PS and the end results of salvation or discipleship. To imply otherwise is a new doctrine (salvation by works, perseverance by works) and subject to rebuking.
I wondered how long before the old “legalistic” “religuous cult” termonology would be used-ref. Karie Hays on 06 Feb 2008 at 11:45 am. Now who is being “judgemental” and critical–but I guess it is OK for some. Name calling is not necessary. For those who argue that I sent my kids to the public school and they came out all right, is that not a pragmatic arguement, the end justifies the means. In response to Bekah statememt “Public Schools: They are worldly, liberal, and are post-modern. Yet, they are necessary, and good.” Worldly, liberal and post-modern yet good. Would you make the same statement about a church. We are not talking about a workplace, but a place of training young minds, hearts and spirits.
Good Morning, and thanks to Pulpit Magazine for allowing this dialogue between brother and sisters in Christ.
Since the 150+ year-old idea of sending one’s children away for a good part of their training is, in light of Biblical history, a relatively new practice, what have other gifted teachers, scholars throughout history had to say about the training up of one’s children in light of clear Biblical teaching? My list is not exhaustive but definitely thought provoking.
JONATHAN EDWARDS (from 1739 and his sermon “Christ’s Agony):
“Herein he hath set an example for ministers, who should as co-workers with Christ travail in birth with them till Christ be found in them. Gal. 4:19, ‘My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.’ They should be willing to spend and be spent for them. …Here is an example for parents, showing how they ought to labor and cry to God for the spiritual good of their children. You see how Christ labored and strove and cried to God for the salvation of his spiritual children; and will not you earnestly seek and cry to God for your natural children?”
CHARLES SPURGEON (19th century preacher/Sermon notes on Psalm 84:3):
“As a rule the children of godly parents are godly. In cases where this is not the case, there is a reason. I have carefully observed and detected the absence of family prayer, gross inconsistency, harshness, indulgence, or neglect of admonition. If trained in God’s ways, they do not depart from them.”
MARTIN LUTHER (Protestant reformer of the 16th century):
“I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount.”
Frankly, I feel that whatever one’s stance is (whether PS or HS) that the Biblical training up the next generation is the most important issue facing the Church today. My prayer is that our gracious Lord by the power of His Holy Spirit awakens millions of good-willed Christian parents to this fact.
Blessings,
David
P.S. I, too, am a man convicted by evident reason and Scripture as to how I, as one bought by the blood of our precious Savior (1 Cor. 6:19) should train up my children. My conscience has to been taken captive by the Word of God and echo what Luther said almost 500 years ago: “Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason … I am bound by the Scriptures that I have adduced, and my conscience has been taken captive by the Word of God”
Thank you anonymous
You are the first person who has spoken what was on my heart. Your comments smell of sweet theology, not fear or bias.
Your comment rings true…
My main conclusion is simply this: The Lord has before the foundation of the world determined the elect. No amount of homeschooling can change God’s call; God’s call in the life of our children – is just that: His call. Although I am to teach them diligently about Him, I cannot call my children to salvation, only He can do that. There is nothing in Scripture that says I must educate my children on math, science, etc – but my responsibility is to educate them on Him – to evangelize my children as God directs in the Scripture. The very heartache of raising children, is that some will not be saved.
I am glad that it is not my ability or inability to teach, or anything I do, or choose for my children that determines if they will be saved or not.
After graduating from high school, where do you send your children? To college? To a secular college? To the very few biblical Christian colleges, which are expensive? I believe the lesson for both sides is to bring the children up in the Lord according to His Word. Live a godly example before their eyes, and teach them wisdom from the Word. Discipline and train their hearts in the Word, and address the sin and rebellion present in their heart. At some point the “bad company corrupts good morals” argument needs to be brought back into its context and not push us to be afraid that our Christian instruction is not enough to counter the influences of the world. Is the gospel not transforming, more powerful than sin and worldliness? So evangelize your children. Is that which is in you greater than he in the world? So evangelize your children and teach them the Word. It’s false teaching in the church that is the “bad company” we disassociate with, not the immoral of the world which we are commanded to not disassociate from (1 Cor. 5:10). Sure our children are vulnerable, easily influenced, susceptible to temptation and youthful passions, and most likely not yet believers…all the more reason to teach them diligently the gospel and the Word, day in and day out. If you choose to do this in the HS environment, godspeed to you, but also in the PS choice, be that much more diligent and watchful that you aren’t lazy in your parenting.
About Edwards and home schooling:
Edward’s pre-university education is quite interesting. His parents (and grandparents) made an interesting decision to rather open up a new school than to home school or send their son to the prestigious Christian school. They felt that the local school, which was the common place for 13-year-olds to attend, was lacking in spiritual fervor. When Jonathan, who was the brightest student at his age, was sent to a new school, it created quite a controversy, and severely diminished his chances of getting into Harvard. This new school is what eventually produced Yale, where Edwards went to seminary, but by the end of his life, Edwards had felt that even that had left the true faith.
Before he was 13, his parents paid for tutors to come to the family. However, being short on money and heavy on kids, this arrangement sort of created its own little school. It was sort of a combination of home-school, public school, and Christian school—open to pretty much anyone who could help out by paying the tutors.
Jesse
By the way, the reason Edward’s parents felt a school was necessary was because they wanted Edwards to master Latin, Greek, Hebrew and geography, which his parents felt that he could learn better in a school than at home. The religious elite of the day accused Timothy (Edward’s father) of sending his kids to school in a tabernacle that wanders around in the wilderness. That tabernacle, of course, eventually became Yale.
Jesse
Jesse,
Jonathan Edwards’ life is pretty easy to track and history shows us how he was trained up by his parents:
” He was an only son, and had ten sisters, some of whom became the wives of eminent men. He was trained by his father and his four eldest sisters (all of whom were proficient in learning) for Yale College, which he entered in 1716, just before he was thirteen years of age.”
“Jonathan Edwards was born into a Puritan evangelical household on October 5, 1703, in East Windsor, Connecticut. He was the fifth of eleven children (ten of whom were girls) born to the Rev. Timothy and Esther Edwards. During his childhood, Edwards and his ten sisters received a rigorous education from both their mother and father. This education included the study of the Bible and Christian theology, as well as philosophy, Latin, and Greek.”
“Jonathan, their only son, was the fifth of eleven children. He was trained for college by his father and by his elder sisters, all of whom received an excellent education. When ten years old, he wrote a semi-humorous tract on the immateriality of the soul”
Jonathan was a child prodigy and he was most definitely home taught by his parents and older sisters. He went to college at age 13.
Just trying to keep the conversation on track and factual.
Peace,
David
“(The) problem is not with your intellect as you’ve claimed, but with your will.”- Dr. John Safarti
David,
I don’t want the conversation to get off track, but I think that happened in about the second comment. Check out Ian Murray’s biography on Edwards. The first two chapters detail his early education, and (I could be wrong on this) but even include a receipt or two that his parents wrote for tutors. From age 13-16 he was studying about ten miles south of East Windsor. That was the “tabernacle in the wilderness.” A group of parents banded together to form what at the time was called the Collegiate School (which is another way of saying it didn’t even have a name). That is what eventually became Yale. But, that only happened after several different families agreed on the staff and make-up of the school. Edward’s father, Timothy, insisted that the tutor he himself hired would receive a teaching position before the East Windsor students would join in.
While he was for sure a child prodigy, his age was not exceptionally young. In fact, according to Murray, many of his classmates were his age. When you picture this, don’t picture what we think of today as college.
I’m not saying the Edwards were in favor of Christian Schools, public schools, or home schools. I am saying that their lives–while not even authoritative–are indeed a model of biblical wisdom. They would be hard to use for either of the sides in this debate.
Jesse
Jesse,
Appreciate your thoughts. The point of sharing what past gifted teachers have said about the training up of the next generation is to bring their ideas into the discussion. My point may have been misconstrued by some to think I was saying that they were promoting HS, but my actual point was that we would see that they too understood the importance of Biblically training up of the next generation.
None of us in this discussion knew any of those men personally but we can read their writings and it appears fairly obvious to any casual reader of their material that they would have strongly supported HS or even Private Christian Schools. I could cite vast more of their writings but that may lead this discussion off track.
Let me make another appeal to the Church of Jesus Christ:
1. Deut. 6 addressing the parents, Proverbs (23 times a father is speaking to his son-”my son”), and Eph. 6:1-4 again addressing parents in particularly fathers.
2. Whether one interprets that as HS or Private Christian Education, one will have to do alot of gymnastics to make it mean to send them away for 30-40 hours a week to a place where the teachings are antithetical to God.
3. We see the tragic results of years of bad decisions as a Church (80% Evangelical parents send their kids to PS). By the way we are almost at 100 comments and still no one, not one person wishes to address the solid research and many studies showing this unprecedented falling away. Well, except for someone who called them “stats and surveys”. I mean no disrespect but the research into this is vast and well documented by many different reputable organizations. If you don’t believe me, that’s fine, do the research yourself on the sad shape of the next generation. Please read the Barna reports, Nehemiah Institute, NYSR study by UNC, SBC study to name a few.
4. I still see those that are opposed to HS basing their opinions on personal experience. We have an incredible amount a research in this area and when folks say that they know of homeschoolers who were isolated, or whose kids turned out wrong, or some other “horror” story, they needed to be reminded that they are pointing out the exceptions not the rule. This is well documented in a thoroughly researched book, Home-Educated and now Adults” by Dr. Brian Ray.
5. Finally, those that hold the postion and write things like, “No amount of homeschooling can change God’s call; God’s call in the life of our children – is just that: His call” or “I cannot call my children to salvation, only He can do that” are 100% correct. Salvation is a gift from God. Still we cannot hide under that defense when God makes it abundantly clear that we are responsible to be obedient and God has called, fathers in particular, to nourish their children in the Word. Taking a closer look at Eph. 6:4 we see something beautiful. Our Lord is speaking to the fathers, that it is their responsibility to train up their children. Yes, many fathers do delegate their authority of this training up of their children to someone, else but they can never delegate their God given responsibility. Interesting thing, the greek word “ektrepho” when translated into English can actually be translated as “rear them [tenderly]“. Fathers, we are responsible for our children’s training and discipline and are to give them counsel, instruction and admonition without provoking them. No one can do this better or more tenderly than God-fearing loving parents.
Again a simple and plain reading of Scripture strongly implies that parents have been given this responsibility. The Bible is sufficient in all areas of orthodoxy and orthopraxy and the bringing up of our children falls clearly under orthopraxy. The Bible’s teaches that we as a redeemed people will live lives that would reflect this through different behavior and attitudes.
As a gifted theologian once wrote: “Paul always moves from doctrine to behavior. In all his epistles in the New Testament we first find great statements of truth followed by a call to behave in accord with truth. …If Christians today were really saturated by and knew the Word of God, when their emotions started to react they would stop and do what they know the Bible teaches to do, not what their emotions would charge them to do, even though their motives might seem to be so good. So let the word of Christ dwell in you.” -John MacArthur
Soli Deo Gloria!
Dd
Col. 2: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Maybe some have forgotten that we will stand before God some day and account for our actions. He will look at our motives for why we did what we did. Was it love of money, pride, intolerance, fear or was it untimately for love of Christ. I try to encourage my friends in this manner because when all is said and done, it doesn’t matter what I think they should do, it matters what God thinks they should do. Now would I homeschool if I didn’t think that it was the best choice in light of Scripture. No, because it is very sacrificing of self, money, time and energy. But I don’t make my decisions based on convenience as none of us should. Believing the way I do, it IS hard for me to understand how others come to completely different conclusions, but again, I will not account for them. I can only encouarge them to search their hearts as God does. Sometimes I wonder if both sides of the issue have a bit of fear that they may be wrong and that is why they attack the other. I do not fret over our decisions since I see God’s leading in it. But it does hurt when opposing Christians inspect us constantly to find fault. I don’t believe God approves of that.
Thanks to anonymous for her comments concerning election & homeschooling, that is the first time I have ever read as weighty opinion concerning those two subjects together.
My wife & I are products of P.S., our stories mirror so many others-church on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s and the secular world filling in all other waking hrs. Athletics & popularity were the only things that we both cared about, academics were last. The thought of walking in humility & obedience to Christ Jesus through salvation never crossed our minds, yet we were in church all the time.
Christ soundly saved us in our late 20’s and as a result we were new creatures with new desires. As we began to be blessed with children, we realized that we had no alternative but to homeschool. We could not rationalize, and we tried, sending gifts from the LORD into a GOD-hating society at a young age.
Our family of five are true extroverts and while I cannot be presumptious and say that the LORD has elected to save all of our children from destruction, I can say with certainty that my wife & I have committed our lives in raising our children in the fear and admonition of the LORD. In turn, He has blessed us so much in our homeschooling!
I believe strongly that this brings honor & glory to the LORD. We live in a metropolitan area and it is no secret to all around us that we are committed to following Christ. GOD has blessed me tremendously to be in a poition of authority in State government and the fact that we homeschool opens the door for many witnessing opportunities.
I have written all of this to lead to this point-If our three children grow up and become the most GOD-hating rebllious adults that have ever walked, it will not be because the Truth and Christian example was not laid before them in all areas of life. My wife & I both will stand accountable for how we taught & raised our children in the ways of the LORD. Elected or not, as soundly converted parents we want to give back to the LORD our best in raising our children, even if it means giving up some temporary, material things of the world to accomplish this. Thanks to all who have posted!
@Kim (I think that means I’m replying personally)
I apologize if the way I worded a concern said more than I intended. There are some I’ve seen in the homeschool movement who place their “community” above their commitment to the local church. My intention was to say that’s obviously sinful, regardless of what “community” it is. And you’re also right that it is the godless infludneces of the world in which we live that leads kids out of the church.
My main point is that it is parents who are the line of defense, and it’s parents who have to accept the responsibility. Parents who do it right produce the greatest percentage of godly members of the next generation, and they do it using the tools of their own choice for each child.
Thanks for your compassionate heart in this exchange.
Thank you Jesse, Jube, and Kristi. I appreciate your replies. I do not ever want to be thought of as an legalist, a hypocrit, or someone who is not concerned about being salt and light. I liked your ideas as well as Jim’s reminder that we must not neglect our local body of believers while we are serving the larger body of Christ and reaching out to the unsaved community.
Your sister in Christ,
Susan Wright
Brother Steven Lamm,
I hope that you read this…I am interested in hearing more from you regarding what factors you and your wife have identified as leading or resulting in adult children who serve the Lord. I understand completely that God is sovereign over all things but also know that He brings people into our lives to teach us as well, and any words of wisdom from one who has already traveled down this road would be very welcome. I am the proud father of four boys and am very pleased with the spiritual fruits I see in them, but anything else my wife and I can do that we’re not already doing would be good to know.
In Christ,
Ezequiel Luna
Dear Ezequiel,
Thanks for your question. It is an important one. I asked my wife to help me write this reply.
To give some perspective, my children are all grown and my two oldest (both girls) are now married with children of their own. My son is in college preparing for ministry. I do believe strongly that God’s love and grace has brought my children to the place they are today in answer to our prayers for them.
Here are some of the factors my wife and I feel contributed to our children becoming adults who love and serve God. Frankly, it would take a book to list all of the factors and adequately explain them.
First, my wife chose to stay home and raise our children in obedience to Titus 2:4-5. It’s my opinion that this was one of the most important factors in the rasing of our children. My wife is a godly woman and a wonderful and wise mother. My children literally adore her. So, let me give credit where it’s due.
We also ate dinner together virtually every night. It was during these regular times that we discussed biblical principles. Believe me, this practice went a long way toward mitigating any negative influence they received from other sources.
We did our best to follow the command in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 to use every situation to teach our children to obey God’s Word. I believe that children will more easily absorb biblical truth when they see how it applies in everyday life.
We took vacations together. My adult children still talk about the great times we had on some of those vacations. These are times of bonding which deepen family loyalty and love.
My wife and I were demonstrably affectionate toward each other in front of the children which gave them confidence that our marriage was solid. Believe me, they greatly valued that security when they saw their friends suffer the pain of family breakdown.
My wife and I also disciplined our children consistently. My children knew that their mom and dad would stand together on discipline. We set down strict, but reasonable rules for them. When they willfully defied the rules, they knew what the consequences would be and they received them.
Now, let me qualify something I said above about setting rules: Every child needs consistent quidelines. But parents need to be careful not to set too many rules, especially for teens. It’s better to teach them biblical principles which they can use to evaluate different situations.
For example, when they were teens, we taught them Phil. 4:8:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
When they asked me if they could see a certain movie, or watch a partcular program, I asked them if they thought it measured up to the Phil. 4:8 standard. Many times, they had to investigate the movie on a reliable source to make the decision. I’d say that they made the right decision about such things 95% of the time. The other 5% we helped them decide.
We also tried hard to prevent them from becoming little pharisees – people who can follow lots of rules even when their hearts are far from God! On this issues, I recommend a past article on Pulpit Magazine which you can read here: http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/05/raising-pharisees/.
Most importantly I think, we have tried to set a godly example to our children in every area of life. I have also sought their forgiveness when I needed to. Children don’t expect their parents to be perfect. But they do expect them to be honest. When we fail, we ought to admit it without excuse and then change our behavior.
We never tried to get our children to “make a decision” or “accept Jesus.” They learned about Christ in a good church and at home from us. We read the Scriptures to them and also read them good stories. We prayed for their salvation. Each of them came to a saving knowledge of Christ when God, in His sovereign wisdom drew them to Himself.
One thing I rarely see mentioned, which I believe is very important is family loyalty. Because our family is very close, my children value our approval. I’ve had many discussions with them as adults about this issue. When they were teens, they were tempted by peers to do things which they knew we would disapprove of. But, they chose not to do many sinful things because they did not want to hurt their parents who they love. They chose to remain loyal to that love.
Now, my children are not perfect. They received plently of corrective discipline growing up. But, God in His grace has molded them into godly adults. I pray they will remain true to Him. I also pray now for my grandchildren.
I hope I’ve given you and your wife a few more good ideas. It sounds like you are already seeing some good results inyour children. Pray earnestly for them and God will answer your prayers.
Blessings in Christ,
Steve Lamm
Greetings,
I wanted to share with those who may wonder where Christian homeschooling parents are coming from. I guess you could say that we are just trying to mirror what the Teacher (John 3:2) has modeled for us in His Word. How did the greatest teacher Who ever lived teach His students (disciples)? Please read the following quote: “They could listen to His (Jesus) teaching, ask Him questions, watch how He dealt with people, and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him in every kind of setting…He graciously encouraged them, lovingly corrected them, and patiently instructed them. That is how the best learning always occurs. It isn’t just information passed on; it’s one life invested in another.” – John MacArthur (Twelve Ordinary Men)
That right there, is what Christian homeschool parents are trying or at least, should be trying to do. All for God’s glory!
Peace,
David
Matt. 18: 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin (stumble), it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Really hard choices and not everyone can do either choice. To get more information on how really bad the public schools have become read Public Education Against America by Marlin Maddoux.
God didn’t say for our children to go out and preach the gospel, although they can. But many more times than not the young are influenced negatively by their culture than they are at influencing the culture around them.
Socialization? Public School is not proper socialization. In the bible we find family socialization as the priority. It is just another liberal culture ideal.
If you keep up with research as in Barna, you will see that Christian kids are leaving the faith in droves. And we wonder why?
Duet.5 I believe says that parents are responsible for teaching their kids.
2 (repeat) questions to the HS crew:
1. Way early on, Jacob Lichner asked for an exegesis of the Deut. 6 passage that makes this a mandate to home school. I haven’t seen that yet. Just curious if there is one?
2. If v. 7 is a mandate, are not also 8 & 9? Curiously, how many of you who hold to mandated HS’ing also fulfill vv. 8 & 9? I haven’t met any one in my HS circles who does, and I’m really wondering if there are any out there?
I will not expound on what has already been said here, but I do want to chime in a few things.
One – doesn’t the Church = Christians, not a building where Christian’s meet. Don’t we meet so as not to forsake the gathering and for the purpose of bringing the tithe, worhip, and hearing the Word through the foolishness of preaching?
I don’t see why anyone is upset that a Christian homeschooler would spend more time building up and being involved with other Christians (Christian homeschoolers which are part of The Church) rather than spend a Wednesday evening at the church building, or teaching a class. This is a whole other issue, but there is a lot of ungodliness going on in churches, too. There is more cleavage in my church than any young man should have to deal with. Not to mention some of the youth group activities. These are just outward signs of inward problems individually as well as corporately.
I am not one that forsakes the church, but I can understand it (case-by-case).
Two – I would like to tell you some options for those single mothers and other hypothetical cases.
I began homeschooling in 1985. I didn’t know a soul that homeschooled, but someone told me about it. We thought we were going to the mission field, and boarding school was out. I did not know what I was doing and didn’t have much help. I used Christian curriculum here and there, but mostly, because my oldest was very hard to handle, I just got through with the basics everyday. My hair has never grown back in. (From pulling it out – That’s a joke.) Homeschool parents are not perfect.
(I would like to see some stastics on Christian homeschoolers who leave the faith that were taught a Biblical Worldview compared to those who merely used textbooks to get the academics done.) All homeschoolers do not incorporate Christian values and doctrine into their schooling.
Our kids were very social. All of the neighborhood kids were at our house every day. It could have been that my kids have charisma, or because I was the only mother that was home, or maybe it was the free ice cream and homemade cookies!
At 16, I allowed my oldest, who was obviously not college material, to enroll in a Vo-Tech. He did excellantly academically, but socially, he was introduced to drugs, loose girls and basic disobedience and lying. He is now 27 and has a family, but there were some very hard years in the middle. Even the best of Christian families sometimes have one that goes astray, homeschooler or not. Praise God, our Prov. 22:6 prayers were answered.
Fastforward. My youngest son went from exclusively homeschooling to a Christian college and graduated in 2002 cum laude. Professors from two different colleges told him that they “loved” homeschoolers, because they never learned how to be slackers. He has been a groomsman and best man in about 6 weddings so far. So much for the unsocialability of homeschoolers.
Now to finally get to my second point. Twice during the high school years, I found myself homeschooling someone elses kids. One was a boy from a family of 6 kids whose homeschooling mother died unexpectantly. The step father put the younger ones in public school, the oldest dropped out and got a job, and we took in the teen boy. I finished up his high school and he received his diploma via coorespondance. This was a huge sacrifice, but it was something I could do and part of my service to God and to this boy, as a Christian. He is now a Navy Seal.
The second extra homeschooler I had was my son’s girlfriend. She had been very damaged by a dog and was out of school for 9 months. They had a tutor from the school. The next year, her mother tried to homeschool her while she was working full-time, with no husband. She finally tried to go back to school and could not assimilate and had developed anxiety issues. She ultimately dropped out. When my son began dating her, I offered to help her get a diploma, which I did. I felt like this was mission action. She also was exposed to Christianity for the first time.
One way for Christian homeschoolers to make a difference could be to volunteer to help a single mother homeschool or to do it for her.
Another way for Christians to help single mothers and others that want to get their kids out of public schools would be for churches to bite the bullet and see the mission field that is our own children. If the stats are even half correct of the number that leave the faith, they are unacceptable.
Churches need to put their money where their mouth is and open co-ops of homeschoolers or open small Christian schools. Most homeschoolers I know would either put their children in a small inexpensive (because it is a ministry of the church, not a business) Christian school or they would volunteer to teach a class. Homeschoolers are passionate about Christian education.
Footnote. My oldest son, remember him, asked me to homeschool his son. I am in my 3rd year homeschooling him. My son said, after his brief experience in public school, he would never put his child in it. I don’t think he felt that way because he was not prepared for it, I think it was because many parents of public school children have gotten used to a lower standard of civility and godliness. I cannot lower my standard – which is pleasuring God.
Do I think it is a sin to put your children in a godless institution all day? Yes. Do I greatly respect Christian public school teachers that are trying to make a difference? Absolutely! We need to have every Christian teacher that we know on our daily prayer list. I pray that some of those schools that still allow a teacher some latitude concerning religion and personal expression continue to exist. But, public school is a mission field, and we don’t send children to be missionaries, we send adults.
One very simple question: When Christ returns and sits on His throne, what types of schools do you think will exist? Natural humanistic centered or Christ centered. Before you answer read Exodus 20:1-5.
To quote Abraham Kuyper “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”
Hi,
We are a homeschooling family. We have the right to do so. God has called us to do so. It is the choice we have made for our family. Each family needs to decide for themselves what they feel God is calling their family to do. If you have made your decision and feel confident in your decision for your kids education, and that you will not be ashamed when you stand before God, then do your thing.
Our kids are not isolated or maladaptive. They watch TV, use the internet, and play video games. Our kids get to be “salt” and “light” to the neighborhood kids, and sometimes, to other homeschool kids and kids at church.
Our kids are exposed to sin, because they are sinful. We don’t need to send them to public school to understand this concept. It’s an everyday lesson right at home.
The number one complaint I hear from other homeschool families is how busy they are with activities. Homeschool kids are just as involved with sports and extracurricular activites as public school kids.
I can teach my kids above 6th grade because: 1) I’m intelligent, and 2) a plethora of curriculum choices is available to parents to teach kids higher level concepts. They make it extremely easy. It’s not rocket science. It just takes discipline. People do distance learning everyday for college courses that don’t have someone lecturing them. They read the books, pass the tests, and get their degrees. Why is distance learning for a college degree acceptable, but the ability of a parent to teach their kids through high school not acceptable? Why is it assumed that homeschooling parents can’t teach their kids higher level subjects? We the same subjects in school? I have a year of college and my husband has a graduate degree. Is this not enough education to read my kids curriculum and then teach it to them?
We don’t push our conviction to homeschool on public/private school families, we just do our thing. But public/private school families never hesitate to question me. They never hesitate to reguriate the agruments that the public schools and the media throws out there.
If you do not homeschool, please don’t make assumption about homeschooling and the families that do so. Stop reading articles that are written by people who don’t homeschool or who have never been homeschooled. If you want to ready learn about homeschooling, then ask some homeschooling families. You will be surprised to learn that real homeschooling is nothing like the picture that is presented in media or articles that are baised against homeschooling.
With regards to the Bible. No, the scripture doesn’t come straight out and say, “Thou shall homeschool your kids.” But remember this, public/government education didn’t exsist for young children when the Bible was written. And, if your child is leaving your home at 7:00 a.m. in the morning, returning at 4:00 p.m. to only leave for sports, band, etc., then returning home again at 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m., then doing homework before heading off to bed to do the same the next day, how much Biblical influence and training are you getting with them? Saturdays and Sundays aren’t much better. So, if you are actually getting 30 minutes to an hour of time each day with them, is that really going to counteract the twelve hours they spent outside the home?
With His Love,
Angela
My reply will be short—to sum up, with a deep 40+ years of educational research, from where public schools came from, where they are, and where they are taking us as a nation through the ownership of our children, I must state tha tthe author of this article and of the Pros and Cons of the different educational choices offered as a link in the article—these authors are incredibly naive and unknowledgeable about the National Education Association. To offer our children on the altars in the public school classrooms for them to be salt and light is nothing short of ridiculous. You people who authored these truly need to analyze the NEA and the AAUP teachers and professors unions. You scare me to death—to think you are supposed to be Christian and yet remain so blind to the depths of deceit in the public schools–frightens me to death, re the spiritual health of our children. Get real — get educated — read the 2006 and 2007 annual agendas of the NEA and then re-write your articles!!!
Two more things I wanted to address.
1. What is it meant when some says homeschool kids tend to be “maladaptive?” I mean what is the expectation? Is it that homeschool have convictions and stand up for those conviction and they are not adaptive if they can’t shut up and go with the flow. Are they maladaptive because they don’t go out and party ever night and have sex with a different person every night? What is the criteria of a person being “adaptive?” And, why do we need to raise kids to being “adaptive” rather than being able to think and discern?
2. This thought comes after reading Jan Novak-Voeltzke’s article. God calls us to be “salt and light,” but when a kid goes to public school, where they spend 7+ hours a day, they forge friendships with those around them. It’s impossible for them not to do so. Kids are also in the middle of their spiritual training. The Bible doesn’t say that kids, specifically, are to be “salt and light” at school, but it does say kids are to be trained, raised, and taught in the Scriptures. Public schools don’t teach the Bible to kids.
I did some research on the NEA site, as recommended by Jan and this article is an interesting find.
http://www.nea.org/espcolumns/dv040220.html
It’s interesting that the author, Dave Arnold, says that parents need to leaving the “shaping of their childred’s mind…to trained professionals.” He goes on to call homeschooling parents amateurs and gullible. Interestingly, Arnold is a head custodian at an elementary school.
I couldn’t find the annual agendas, but will continue to look.
Do you “shelter” your children?
We’re finding that’s a bad word in some circles. Something is creeping into the church (and even the homeschooling community), and it isn’t biblical. It is an “anti-sheltering campaign” of sorts, and it’s full of holes. Think about it. What does it mean to shelter? Protect. Defend. Guard. Preserve. Watch over. Shield. Safeguard. Hmmmm, so far so good, right? Sure, until “pop psychology” comes in and tells us we should allow our children to taste a little of the world in order to understand it or pray for it – that we should not “over-shelter” them. Nonsense.
What’s the opposite of shelter? Expose. Endanger. We parents are called to be like our Father in Heaven. He is the greatest “Shelterer” there ever was, and it is us He shelters – or watches over; protecting us, preserving us, shielding us. Praise Him for this! Glory to God who knows how to parent (shelter) us perfectly. May we as parents follow this model – His model. Let’s continue to shelter (love) our children as He loves us. Dismiss the garbage that crawls in; don’t buy it. We’re promised there will be false teachers, liars in the church (and there are many). I want to keep my eyes focused on Christ, come what may.
Parents: Keep sheltering them. You are bringing them up in the love and admonition of the Lord, not in the latest “homeschool philosophy.” God’s word trumps any speaker! It dwarfs any author! May you be blessed as you continue to walk in obedience of His word.
Lord, thank you for sheltering me. Please never stop. “Over-shelter” if You will (if there is such a thing). Fine with me!
Over-protect, over-defend, over-guard me; please do! I’ll take it all, Lord. Keep me tight to Your side. I’m safe in that place. There, I can breathe and thrive. It’s where I live.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. – Psalms 61:3
Action point: Do you need to repent to someone today for looking down on (judging) them? Have you been a thorn in another parent’s side over this issue? Who have you scolded or cryptically “spoken to” about their “overbearance” in regards to their own children? It might be time to humbly pick up the phone or shoot off an email.
Parents who strongly shelter their children are to be praised, not made to feel inadequate or odd. That’s the world lying to us, there. And this world is not our home. – Paul & Gena
I am amazed and saddened as I read the responses of so many homeschoolers on here. My wife and I homeschooled all four of our children at some point in their lives. 1 of our children graduated from the public high school (she is now in her 2nd year of College), another child graduated from a private Christian school ( he is in his 2nd year of College), and we now have 1 in his Junior year in a private Christian school and 1 in his Freshman year at the public high school. All four love Christ and serve Christ. To be absolutely honest, the two who have been in the public school probably have a stronger walk with Christ right now than the two who have been Christian school educated.
Error is not just evolution. Pride is error too. Arrogance is definitely the spirit that breathes through some of the most vocal on here about homeschooling.
My prayer for the Lord’s church is a unity found in sound doctrine and the expression of love that is impossible apart from humility. I would defend my brethren who homeschool their children, in a heart beat. I would also defend my brethren who choose to educate their children in a different way. It is a matter for individual wisdom, and ultimately it has to do with each believer’s conscientious choice before the face of God.
Buddy Hanson, bless you brother!!! Preach it. Your entire exerpt is right on. There are no grey areas in the Word of God. “Well done thy good and (faithful brother in the Lord).”
Say it again and again!
It has been some days since someone last posted here… so I don’t know if anyone will read this- but I would like to make a point.
The Bible speaks to every topic, including education. The question isn’t “Is home school or public school right?” The question should be “What are the Biblical principles of education God has given us?” What does God say?
We all know families or have heard of them who have excelled or fallen in public, private, or home school. If you want statistics- all statistics support homeschooling. That much is irrefutable. But our answer must not be based on statistics or worldly wisdom. What does scripture say about education? What are the Biblical principles of education?
I have to admit that I home educate my children. Not because I think I am sinning if I do not homeschool (though I do believe this- it is not WHY I do it). I homeschool because I understand this to most closely fit the Biblical principles of education. I will list some of those principles as found in scripture.
1)Scripture teaches a parent is responsible for the education of the children. (This does not necessitate homeschooling- it only shows a responsibility for the education of the children)
2)Scripture teaches that we must educate our children in the training and admonition of the Lord.
3) Scripture teaches us to abstain from all wickedness. To be innocent as doves.
4) Scripture teaches that teaching children and discipling, should be done all throughout the day- not just a few minutes at a time or an hour on Sunday. I refer specifically to Deut 6 and the 3 years Jesus lived with the Disciples.
5) Scripture teaches that Wisdom begins with God.
These are some of the principles I derrive from scripture on dealing with education. I see no other method of fulfilling God’s command to educate our children then to embrace what is commonly called “home schooling”.
What I find most interesting in this topic is that many have defended their viewpoint with scripture and a scriptural basis. Many have said “I feel… I think…” To be blunt- I don’t care what you think. I care what God says.
Many homeschool parents have listed scripture to show why they educate their children at home, let alone the mountains of statistical evidence (God’s methods of education work… go figure!)
Is it hard to homeschool, YES. In some situations might it seem impossible? YES. We Christian have allowed ourselves to slink into sin by our education methods, our allowance for common debt, and our neglect for understand how scripture applies to every area of life. As we sink lower into our sinful ways- it will become harder to live a Godly lifestyle.
Some brought up the idea of a single mother and the possibility of home education seeming impossible. I Agree. It seems so- but it is not so. We understand that because of the sin (divorce- which God HATES) which happens, it makes it more difficult for her to live a godly lifestyle. The sin might not even be her fault! But it is the pervasiveness of sin that causes this trouble. God makes the allowance, as some have mentioned, for help from family and church members.
All who believe public education is “right” for many reasons, and showing the difficulties otherwise, only point out the ramifications of sin.
Many have pointed out a vast number of scriptures for homeschooling- but I have seen few scripture, all of which are out of context, to support public education. If we christians want to support public education, then we must clearly show how it fulfills the scriptural commands.
On Feb. 13th I asked:
“2. If v. 7 is a mandate, are not also 8 & 9? Curiously, how many of you who hold to mandated HS’ing also fulfill vv. 8 & 9? I haven’t met any one in my HS circles who does, and I’m really wondering if there are any out there?”
I have not yet seen an answer. I’m not intending to be mean or facetious with this question. It is relevant.
As it has been explained here and other places, the crux of the “for” argument/defense is that Deut. 6:7 is a clear command for full-time Christian education for children. Shouldn’t vv. 8 & 9 be equally compelling to the Christian parent? In all seriousness, who of you out there who HS based on Deut. 6:7 also fulfill these commands along with your Christian education? If not, why?
I’ve very interested in a serious, thoughtful response to these questions.
Scott,
To answer your question- the principles of those verses also apply, the same as v.6.
V.8-9 say “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Like many passages from scripture, and like many things we say- I don’t think we need to take this literally. But I, as a homeschooling father of 3 (and 1/2) children, I don’t take verse 6 literally either. I try to understand the principles laid in scripture.
To clarify, V. 6 & 7 says we only talk about them if we are sitting at home, or walking on the road, or when we are lying down or getting up. We homeschooling parents don’t follow this literally and only educate our children when we go to take a walk on the highway. We embrace the principles of educating them “all throughout the day”.
V. 8 and 9 show us that the commands of God must be on our hands and foreheads and written all over our houses. Similarly, I believe those principles can be summed up in part as follows: Our obedience to God’s commands should be evident in the work/tasks we perform (hands) and in our thinking (foreheads) and evident throughout the embodiment of our home. I think having scripture up throughout the house is a GREAT idea and one my family does. It helps us to continually be reminded of God and his commands.
So to answer your question of “In all seriousness, who of you out there who HS based on Deut. 6:7 also fulfill these commands along with your Christian education?” I would have to say I sure do try… and so do most Christian homeschooling families I know of.
I have to say that many homeschooling parents are unable to clearly articulate the Biblical principles of education. And I think is some of trouble in understanding why most Christians send their children to public school. We have, by far, become lazy in our thinking and understanding God’s commands.
Scott,
I hope I have answered you in regards to an exegesis for Deut 6-9. I would also like to provide a little more clarity.
How often do most public schooled Christian children read the Bible? To answer, most don’t spend 5 minutes a day. Notice that I didn’t say ALL. There are God fearing Christians who send their children to public school and try to teach their children properly. But our “intentions” should not be confused with “obedience” to God’s word.
God tells us His word is sufficient for all things, meaning, the Bible is able to provide us instruction for “every good work” (2tim3:16,17). God claims children are a blessings and it is the duty for every godly parent and grandparent to pass on a legacy of enduring faithfulness (Psalm78). God also tells us that you can tell a tree by it’s fruit. A good tree produces good fruit… you get the picture. So, taking a “global picture” for America- Do you think sending our children to public school has accomplished this task of raising a godly generation, multi-generational faithfullness, etc? What is the fruit of “our labors” with public education? Holiness or unholiness? The answer is obvious. Now take that same general picture of homschooling and what do you see? You see the embodiment of multigenerational faithfullness, and children following God.
We need to live our lives based on scipture- and the real question is that since we are all trying to follow God, wether we public school or homeschool- is our decision GROUNDED in scripture. Is our decision firmly set on the Word of God.
Now- I believe the public education SYSTEM to be faulty and incompatible with the Biblical principles of education. It’s not just the content of education, but also the methodology- and both are laid out in scripture.
Honestly, I have seen a lot of scripture supporting the principles homeschooling embodies. Scripture TEACHES that children should be taught about God and God is the presupposition for all areas of study, that parents need to be the primary educators of the children, that education should be done all throughout the day. Homeschooling parents (some anyway) stand firm on the positive commands of scripture.
What has not been answered is what scripture teaches us to send our children away from the parents to be educated? What scripture tells us to have an un-biblical system of education to educate our children? What scripture tells us to send our children off to non-Christians to be educated? What scripture tells us that ANY part of life can be taught without the supremecy of God being recognized in that area? Scripture condemns all of these, yet they are the embodiment of public education.
Do I condemn (judgement of condemnation) my fellow Christians for sending their children to public school? No. Only God should give the judgement of condemnation. Do I evaluate (judgement of evalutation) the choices my fellow Christians make in sending their children to public school (or any other area of life)to see if it is in compliance with scripture? Yes. God commands us to be discerning in our actions.
Bottom line- God says “If you love me, you will obey my commands”. If you believe God is silent on education, then you are saying that God has no opinion or that he allows us to decide what is right and wrong. I cannot reconcile either with the soverignty of God. God has an opinion on everything and only God decides if something is right or wrong. I agree, that sometimes there might be more than one right answer- but God still makes that opinion. Homschooling families (some anyway) are home educating their children because they are following the commands of God. To those who send their children to public school, has God commanded you to send them there? Show me where in scripture you get this from. Or have you made that decision because of wordly pressure?
J Townsend,
Thank you for the articulate response. I haven’t had a chance to digest it all yet, but wanted to say “thanks” sooner rather than later.
By the way, we’ve done both (PS, HS, then PS again) for a variety of reasons.
Blessings to you and your family.
I am a homeschooler. I do not feel that I fit the negative homeschooler sterotype that everyone is so offended by. Until last year we lived in a metropolitan area near Los Angeles, and the church we were very much a part of (my dh was on staff) had homeschoolers, Christian schoolers, and public schoolers and all were equally supported.
My dh is now pastor of a church in a small town where we are only one of two families in the church that are homeschooling. All the other kids in church go to public school. This town is very proud of their public schools (I don’t know whether their pride has any foundation or not) so I am now a bit of a puzzle to many in town, including those in our church. However, if anyone has any criticism about our choice, they have not let us know. My son plays with kids that go to public school, though their availability is limited during the school year since the elementary students don’t get home until 4:00 pm.
I would say Christian education is the best choice for children. I would not go so far as to say it is a sin to send your to public school. And I am definitely opposed to educational choices causing division in the church. I would not say that Deut. 6:7 is a command to homeschool. I do believe that parents are responsible (and free) to make before the Lord to make educational choices for their own children.
However, Deut 6:7 and other verses in Scripture make it clear that parents are commanded to teach their children about the Lord and that it is to be a way of life or a lifestyle. All Christian parents, regardless of which educational option they choose, have the potential to fall short in this responsibility.
That said, there were some thoughts that led to our decision to homeschool. When my son was an infant, toddler and preschooler I worked hard at teaching him about the Lord at home, and involved him in church (Sunday School & AWANA) where he would learn more about God and the Bible. When it came time to think about his schooling it occurred to me, “Why would I now, at the tender age of 5, send him someplace that was going to try (either by default or clear intention) to undo all that I taught him so far? I didn’t want him to spend all day under the influence of others whose values are in opposition to ours. Why would I want him to be under the secular school’s influence for more hours per week than he would be under mine or other Christians’? This was before I had learned how bad the public schools had become, when I knew that there were schools in our area that other Christians considered “good”. I just knew that they were secular and not Christian in their approach. So, we knew we wanted a Christian education for our son. We looked into Christian school, but the cost was prohibitive. That led us to homeshooling.
While I am concerned about protecting my son against immoral and destructive influences our chief concern is trying to teach him all subjects from a Biblical perspective. I’m sure I fall short all the time, but what we’re doing is still better than what the public school would do.
Concerning Deut 6:7, by homeschooling our family has much more opportunity to obey that Scripture just by virtue of having more time together. Again, it is just as easy for a homeschooling parent to be lax in this as it might be for a public school parent. But by homeschooling we do have more hours with them to teach them about the Lord and to influcence them toward godly living. We also have more control over their influences, and when they are young, this is a good thing. Parents are responsible to be gatekeeper (like the Good Shepherd) over what influences their children, especialy when they are young. This idea that seems lost on many in the church and even offensive to some. Many Christians seem to think that we have no right to “control” our children or that shielding them is a wrong thing, or, that we have to prove how “cool” Christianity is. But I digress.
Another verse that influenced me regarding my son’s education, was Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” I heard a teaching on the Hebrew work for train in this verse. It means to “develop a taste for”. That just really gripped me!! I can develop a taste for godly things or worldly things in my son by what and who) I surround him with. Why would I not want to surround him with Scripture and god-honoring music and people who love the Lord? It seemed contrary to proper Christian training to surround him with worldy people and wordly culture and ideas for 30 hours a week, where he could develop a taste for worldliness.
These are my personal thoughts, yet I do not condemn other believers who think otherwise. I fellowship with “public schoolers”. My dh does not use his pulpit to promote homeschooling. In fact, I feel pressure to be silent on many schooling issues that are important to me. So be it. I pray that Lord will guide us all to make the best choices for our children.
It’s too bad this whole discussion can’t be distilled down into one volume of objective reasoning according to Scripture. Both sides (and those somewhere in between) agree that God holds the parents responsible for the raising of their children. All agree that the spiritual well being of our children is paramount; even in the face of the world’s view that academia is more important so that they can “provide” (a loaded word that could start a whole new discussion).
Now for some subjective comments. While I am a strong advocate of homeschooling (our son’s 1 grade public school teacher actually encouraged us to), we must be careful not to throw rocks from glass castles. I’ve seen parents do a wonderful job of raising godly children who attended public schools. And I’ve seen parents who just didn’t get it, though they homeschooled their children. They wanted to do well and believed in what they were doing, but just didn’t have the skill. For us personally, I don’t think we knew enough to train our children in the face of the humanistic and feministic influences of public education. We pulled them out because we were scared to death of what they were picking up. And, we were told, the school they were in was the best school in the district, and the district one of the best in the city.
After a few years of home schooling my wife had some major surgury and we couldn’t keep up well with our sons’ education. We spoke with the principal of a nearby school (different than earlier) and asked him what he thought. The man professed to be a Christian, supported home schooling, and thought it might be a good idea. Within three weeks we knew it wasn’t working, and our sons knew it too. We pulled them back out, with the principal’s blessing.
For those who think parents must be educated to get their kids past “whatever” grade: As far as academics go, my wife didn’t graduate from college, and I only graduated with an AA. Today our 19 year old son works in the IT department for a fairly visible ministry and has completed his AA. Our 17 year old has completed a year of college and is desiging cutting edge car ramps for a nearby company. They both have strong walks with God, but I’m afraid I’m never quite satisfied
. Both have some knowledge of Greek, and one has some ability with Hebrew. Alas, neither knows Latin though. Since we have a mediocre eduction at best, I think we can dispense with the theory that the education of the parents is so important. Frankly, my wife learned more teaching our sons than she ever learned in school.
For the arbitrary comments about social skills: An overwhelming majority of the home schooled children I’ve met have been able to carry an intelligent and respectful conversation with an adult. That is rare in any segment of our population. But the simple fact is that they aren’t influenced by the depravity of others their own age and the foolishness of youth that accompanies it. Instead they are around adults much of the time and are learning how to act as such by example.
A story to illustrate this point: Our younger son shared one of his first semester college conversations. A group was doing a project together when they found out he was just 16. A young lady in the group asked him if he had struggled with social skills because of it. He replied, “You tell me. I’m sitting here talking to all of you, aren’t I?” Then she asked him, “Well, tell me one advantage to being homeschooled.” He replied, “I’m 16 and taking college courses.” Her response was priceless. She folded her arms, sat back in her chair and with a pout said, “That’s not fair.”
Well, it’s nor prescriptive, but it’s a good story. Much of the problem we’re seeing in this discussion is based on perspectives that are driven by experience. My experience tells me that I would avoid letting my children attend public schools to the best of my ability. But I know a dear brother who walked his son through school and has, by all accounts, one of the most solid and godly young sons I’ve ever seen. I consider the maturity of his son superior to the maturity of my own. I’m not smart enough to have done what he did. Simply put, I’m pretty sure that most of us aren’t. And very few of us produce an Edwards or Spurgeon.
But we are accountable to God for the minds of our children. If they rebel when they leave home it should never be because we brought evil influences into their lives. And may it never be because we failed to train them up in godliness. Making Pharisaical robots won’t cut it either. They must think God’s thoughts after him, according to His character as revealed in Scripture.
Well, that’s my two cents.
Mr. Johnson,
I happened to stumble across your article in doing some research for my next article and I find quite troubling your “subjective” argument and conclusion. I have laid out very succinctly a Biblical argument based on reason as to why a government education” is unbliblical today.
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80738
I am looking for my Erasmus in this debate but instead only hear deafening silence. You know some say that “silence is consent.”
This is the challenge before the Church today. Can you not see it?
Peace,
David
This MUST be addressed by the Church!
Here are a couple other articles for your reading:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=83469
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87264
Peace,
-D