Public Blog

This past week there was another attack on the family. I have written about Satan’s strategy to destroy the family in some of my recent blogs. We must never forget that God designed and defined the family as a husband and wife who have children if He so allows.

It has always been the belief of Christians that children are gifts from the Lord to parents. Throughout Scripture parents are given the responsibility to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The first biblical principle of Kingdom Education™ states that the education of children and youth is the primary responsibility of parents.

Over the past several decades there has been an ever-increasing effort to move this responsibility from parents to the state. Hillary Clinton stressed this years ago when she emphasized the statement that it takes a village to raise a child. During last year’s gubernatorial race in Virginia, one candidate stated that parents should not have a voice in what children are taught in school. I could go on and on with other examples of this belief that children belong to communities (the state), not to parents.

In a speech to public school educators this past week, President Biden alluded to the belief that the state has some ownership of children. Here is what he said.

You’ve heard me say it many times about our children, but its true: They’re all our children. And the reason you’re the Teachers of the Year is because you recognize that. They’re not somebody else’s children; they’re like yours when they’re in the classroom. (emphasis mine)

There is no doubt about it. This attack on the family, especially for the right to teach children and youth, will increase in the coming days, months and years. Many parents have started to realize the dangerous ideologies that the state has melded into the curriculum over the past several decades. The number of parents who have started to home school their children has skyrocketed in the past 2-3 years. Christian schools have also seen their enrollments climb during this same period of time.

Christian schools have always maintained that they partner with parents in providing the children with a Christian education. However, there seems to be a growing disconnect between the home and school when it comes to this partnership.

Sometimes parent involvement is equated with partnering together in giving children a biblical education. However, mere involvement is not enough. There must be a commitment by both parents and Christian educators to a biblical philosophy of education, Kingdom Education™, for a true partnership to take place.

In order for parents and teachers to know, understand and embrace the biblical principles of Kingdom Education™, they must possess a biblical worldview. The reality is that both Christian parents and many Christian educators do not possess a biblical worldview.

The Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University just released its findings from a major study of parents’ worldviews. Dr. Tracy Munsil, Executive Director of the CRC, summarized the study with this shocking statement.

Today’s parents of preteens are in the midst of a spiritual crisis — a crisis of worldview and faith so deep that a tragic crash looms on the horizon when it comes to how parents are raising the next generation.

These findings are reported in the American Worldview Inventory 2022 that was conducted under the direction of veteran worldview researcher Dr. George Barna. Munsil explains the basis for this crisis of worldview this way.

Today’s preteens (up to age 13) are confused by the contradiction between their parents’ actions and lifestyles and their self-identified Christian beliefs. In fact, the AWVI 2022 identified a staggering disparity between the number of parents who claim to be Christian (67%) and those who actually possess a biblical worldview (2%).

Even though one finds parents at many school activities, volunteering in a wide range of things, and present on school campuses on a daily basis, there is little evidence that this involvement translates into the partnership needed to effectively give students a biblical worldview education.

I have had the privilege of conducting several parent seminars at different Christian schools over the past few months. In each case I have found the parents to be fully engaged in what God expects of the home and school when it comes to how He wants children and youth to be educated.

However, I have walked away from these events with mixed emotions. It has been rewarding to see parents committed to the biblical principles of Kingdom Education™. However, it has been concerning to realize that only 10-20% of parents, who have enrolled their children in these schools, attended these seminars.

I have frequently heard school administrators voice their concern over the lack of understanding that parents have about Kingdom Education™. However, there doesn’t seem to be a plan to make sure parents not only know the principles of Kingdom Education™ but also embrace them in their homes.

With the increased attack on the family and the growing belief that children belong to whole communities, we must develop strategies to help parents understand their God-given responsibility to educate their children biblically. In addition to helping them understand this responsibility, they must also be equipped to begin this process in their homes and, then, partner with like-minded Christian schools.

I have always wanted to help Christians understand Kingdom Education™. However, when God led me to establish Kingdom Education™ Ministries in 2014, He made it clear to me that this had to be my major focus. It isn’t that I am not interested in equipping educators in good instructional strategies or identifying the best practices when it comes to teaching and learning.

However, God’s call on my life is to do all I can to help restore individuals, empower parents, engage churches and transform schools through Kingdom Education™. This was the driving force behind publishing two complimentary books to Kingdom Education™ — Understanding Kingdom Education™ and Applying Kingdom Education™.

This is also the reason I conducted the first Kingdom Education™ Summit last summer and will be conducting two Summits this summer. At these Summits, I build the case for Kingdom Education™, clearly define Kingdom Education™ and, most importantly, develop strategies for the home, church and school to apply Kingdom Education™.

I am asking God to bring together school leaders, teachers, parents and pastors so that we can address the issue of education biblically and be fully equipped to combat the ever-increasing attack on our families. I trust you will prayerfully consider joining me at one of this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summits. The partnership between the school and the home must be a reality and not simply a statement in our handbooks.

Do You Feel Like Surrendering?

In my last blog, I shared some of the horrific things that are happening to our children and youth in schools, the media, the government and, even, in Christian churches and schools. If you haven’t done so already, please read my last article before proceeding further.

I have found myself spending more time in God’s Word and prayer each day since posting that article. My heart has been further broken with more evidence of Satan’s efforts to destroy the family, control the state and weaken the church — especially when it comes to the education of our children in the home, church and school.

It has been heart wrenching to read where we are as a society. Just a few of the items that have come across my desk over the past couple of days include:

• • An article describing how one parent’s teenage daughter decided she was trans and so have ALL her friends — not some of them or even most of them — but every single one of them.
  • A dad of two teenage boys who read to a school board word for word examples of what the school is making available to them. The language and sexual activities’ description are too graphic for me to include in this post.
  • There are growing occurrences of people “celebrating” abortions. One social media post read, Abortion is healthcare. And also traumatic so if you do have one, please gather all of your closest friends after to celebrate. Be around endless love and happiness for your decision. Thanks for everyone who came last night. Another post stated, Abortion havers deserve to celebrate. Join me in celebrating my 2 abortions next weekend! My friend is throwing me an abortion shower.
  • A feminist author criticized the idea for more mothers to be at home rather than pursuing a career. She wrote, The carer/earner nuclear family model we think of as “traditional” is a historical anomaly that is tremendously isolating and often financially devastating for the carer (almost always a woman). It also reinforces the gendered division of labor, which ripples out to all women…More mothers at home makes for worse, more sexist men who see women as mommies and helpmeets. Men with stay-at-home wives are more sexist than men with working wives; they don’t assess women’s workplace contributions fairly; and they are less likely to hire and promote women. She went on to write, [full-time mothers] are psychologically and emotionally worse off than working mothers by just about every measure.

When I take time to examine where we are as a country, I find it easy to become discouraged. This is even more true when I see how today’s Christian homes and churches have succumbed to the pressure and have become mere carbon copies of the secular society in which we all live. It is easy to be overwhelmed, think that we have fallen too far, and that there is no hope to turn things around. This is when I say to myself, BUT GOD!!!

This same feeling of hopelessness must have been in the minds of three of Judah’s kings. King Abijah faced terrible odds when confronted by a civil war with Israel. Judah began this war with 400,000 valiant warriors. However, Israel drew up into battle formation with 800,000 chosen men who were also valiant warriors. Judah prevailed over Israel.

Then, King Asa faced an attack by the Ethiopians. Even though Asa was able to assemble an army of 580,000 men, Zerah, the Ethiopian, had a million men and 300 chariots. Even against those odds, Judah was victorious.

Jehoshaphat succeeded Asa as king. Like his predecessors, Jehoshaphat faced a huge army from Moab and Ammon. The King saw no way out of this terrible condition. Surely, Judah would not be able to survive this attack. However, not only did Judah survive, but Judah didn’t even have to fight. Why? Because God fought the battle for them.

How did Judah survive these wars when it seemed like there was no hope? What caused God to take action and bring victory to the underdog, Judah, in each of these cases? As I studied 2 Chronicles 13-20, I found some common practices of these three kings of Judah that resulted in God doing some miraculous works.

1. All three kings trusted in the Lord. They knew that they were not strong enough to win on their own. Their only hope was to trust God (2 Chronicles 13:18; 14:11; 20:12).
2. Each of these kings cried out to God. In their prayers to God, they recognized Him as the God of the universe that knows all and has all power (2 Chronicles 13:14; 14:11; 20:6-12).
3. These kings had led Judah to throw away all their idols and obeyed God (2 Chronicles 13:10-12; 15:8-18; 17:3-6; 20:32).

Jehoshaphat did something else that is noteworthy. He developed an educational system or process so that all of Judah was taught about God — who He was and what He expected of His people. In 2 Chronicles 17, Jehoshaphat selected officials who would teach truth to all the people.

So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. 2 Chronicles 17:9 (NKJV)

The results that Judah experienced were amazing.

And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 17:10 (NKJV)

There is a marvelous truth that is key to seeing God bring us victory in the face of insurmountable odds. This truth is found in the words of Hanani, the prophet, that he spoke to Asa. It is important to see the back story that led up to Hanani’s prophetic words.

Even though Asa had seen firsthand how God had given Judah victory over the Ethiopian army, he didn’t trust God when faced with another war. Instead Asa made a treaty with the king of Aram. This alliance stopped an attack on Judah but also led to Asa’s downfall. Hanani told Asa,

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.” 2 Chronicles 16:7-8 (NKJV)

Then, Hanani said,

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

We are vastly outnumbered and the hope of turning things around are dismal to say the least. In fact, it seems impossible to even think about winning. However, our only hope is to do what these three kings did.

1. We must trust God with all our heart, soul and mind.
2. We must cry out to God who is all powerful and is the sovereign King of the universe.
3. We must throw away all our idols and obey God completely. This is especially true for how the home, church and school educates children and youth.
4. We must teach the entire body of Christ who God is and what He wants from His people.

I must admit, it doesn’t seem possible. However, since God is immutable, His eyes are still going to and fro throughout the whole earth. He is looking for that remnant of parents, church leaders and educators whose hearts are loyal to Him. As He looks, will you be the one He finds so He can show Himself strong on your behalf?

I need your school to join me at one of this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summits where we will address the issue of education biblically and develop strategies to engage parents, pastors, church leaders and Christian educators in making disciples of Jesus Christ. Find out more by clicking HERE.

The eyes of the nation were on Washington, D.C. this past week. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s public hearing on President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee was taking place. During this hearing, Senator John Kennedy asked the nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a series of questions.

I was intrigued by her answers. This is because her responses defines the worldview she holds to. It is the same worldview that far too many Christians live by. The Q&A went this way (emphasis mine).

Senator Kennedy: When does life begin, in your opinion?

Judge Jackson: Senator, I don’t know.

Senator Kennedy: Do you have a belief?

Judge Jackson: I have personal, religious and otherwise beliefs that have nothing to do with the law, in terms of when life begins.

Senator Kennedy: Do you have a personal belief of when life begins?

Judge Jackson: I have a religious view that I set aside when I am ruling on cases.

Senator Kennedy: When do equal laws of protection attach to a human being?

Judge Jackson: I don’t know the answer to that question. I am sorry.

I do not share this exchange to debate the politics that are always part of the confirmation process for a nominee to the Supreme Court. However, Judge Jackson’s responses show a tragic condition that has become part of the fabric of society and, unfortunately, today’s church.

It is my opinion that far too many Christians would respond to these questions the same way that the nominee did. In fact, many Christians will “set aside” their “religious” beliefs when it comes to voting for individuals, how they educate their children, and a host of other life decisions.

Behind Judge Jackson’s answers lies a worldview characterized by dualism. Dualism is the false idea that life can be divided up into two or more compartments. Each compartment of one’s life can operate according to different beliefs and values. This is exactly what Judge Jackson was very honestly stating.

She believes that she has personal beliefs, religious beliefs and, even, “otherwise” beliefs. “Otherwise” beliefs seem to be different to her than personal and religious beliefs. This is why she states that she has religious views on some areas of life that can be used or set aside when making decisions, depending on the situation.

Of course, this is a false worldview that really can’t bring true meaning to one’s life. Believing that I can have different and even conflicting beliefs about any area of life does not match reality. There is an even more important truth when it comes to trying to compartmentalize one’s life. It is impossible for anyone to “set aside” one of his/her beliefs when it comes to making decisions.

This is because all beliefs and values are religious in nature. In order to believe something, one must have faith that it is true. For example, you cannot claim that “religiously” you believe life begins at conception and, at the same time, decide that life doesn’t begin until birth when deciding whether or not abortion is murder. When one states that abortion is right, his/her real belief is that life does not begin at conception.

I know that when this is debated many people will play a game of semantics. For example, those who believe abortion is morally right will say something like this.

Life may begin at conception. However, this does not mean that the fetus is a person. Personhood is different!

Atheist and secularist Daniel Dennett states that five conditions must exist in order for someone to be considered a person.

Among the conditions he applies to personhood are rationality, consciousness, the attitude or stance taken by society, capacity for reciprocity, capability for verbal communication, and a self-consciousness.

Of course, most of these conditions are subjective and can be answered in many different ways — especially the attitude or stance taken by society. This means that if society has a certain “attitude” or “takes a stance” on any thing, that attitude and/or stance determines its truthfulness.

By playing this semantic game, one can claim to believe life begins at conception but, since the new life does not have some of these conditions, it is not a person and, therefore, can be killed. When this is one’s belief, then it is accurate that the person cannot determine when equal laws of protection attach to a human being.

Having a dualistic worldview causes life to be fragmented with no unified meaning to one’s existence. The most evident example of the devastating consequences of living a divided life is seen in how Christians educate their children. By dividing life up into the secular and sacred compartments, the vast majority of Christian parents enroll their children in secular educational programs, both public and private. It even shows up in Christian schools where a biblical worldview and philosophy of education are not understood and implemented in everything these schools do.

Parents can do this because they simply “set aside” their “religious” beliefs. They will enroll their children in schools where beliefs and values that are totally opposed to Scripture will be taught to their children.

The result is that children go out into adult life with either a secular worldview or, at best, a dualistic one. When they are confronted with a choice, usually the secular mindset wins out and drives most of their life decisions.

This is why it is imperative that Christian parents, pastors & church leaders, and Christian educators develop a biblical worldview and address the issue of education biblically. This is exactly what will take place at this summer’s two Kingdom Education™ Summits. I cannot stress it enough how important it is for you to attend one of these Summits.

We must ask ourselves this question. Do I have any “religious” beliefs that I have set aside in order to make certain decisions in my life? If so, we are living in a divided house. A house divided against itself cannot stand and a dualistic worldview will only result in disaster. Scripture makes it clear that one either loves God and hates the world or he loves the world and hates God. We must develop and live by a biblical worldview in all areas of life if we are going to make right decisions.

Last year, the country experienced something that hadn’t taken place for quite some time. Parents became very involved in challenging what their children were being taught in school. Much of this outcry can be traced back to schools going virtual due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With students being taught virtually on their computers, parents started realizing some of the dangerous ideologies that were being pumped into their children’s minds.

Videos started showing up on social media that documented parents challenging public school administrators and board members and demanding that schools not teach these ideologies. Much of the attention was focused on what is referred to as Critical Race Theory or CRT.

This parent uprising became a political hot potato in the 2021 election cycle. Probably the most notable place this was seen was in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. It seemed like the entire nation became focused on the race between Terry McAuliffe and Glen Youngkin. In a September 29th debate, McAuliffe made a statement that some might compare to the “shot that was heard round the world” at the beginning of the American Revolution. His statement became headlines all across the country. He said,

I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.

Many people believe this is what turned the election into a major victory for the opposing party. When Youngkin won, he followed through with his promise to remove teaching of the CRT ideology in Virginia schools. This victory was seen by many as a victory for the family and a return to the belief that children belong to parents, not the state.

At the time this was happening, I wrote a blog in which I warned that, even if CRT was completely removed from public school curriculum, parents could not think that the war had been won. Since then one does not hear as much about CRT. I began to wonder if true change was taking place in secular education.

However, I am even more convinced that once the tree of education (especially schooling) becomes secularized, it becomes a bad tree. We know that Scripture teaches that a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. There is no doubt about it that public education in the United States has become completely secular in its philosophy of education. Unfortunately, this is also true in many, if not most, private schools and can also be seen creeping into Christian schools and home schools.

The philosophy of education will always produce fruit based on its beliefs and values. A secular philosophy of education can only produce bad fruit because the philosophy is bad. I have been intrigued by some “new” terminology that is being used in more and more schools. Instead of talking about Critical Race Theory, I am hearing a lot of talk about training in DEI. DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

There is a second trend that I have witnessed in what is being taught in many schools today. It is referred to as SEL or Social Emotional Learning. One description of SEL states that it is a methodology that helps students of all ages to better comprehend their emotions, to feel those emotions fully, and demonstrate empathy for others.

I am not trying to provide a critique of CRT, DEI or SEL in this blog. What I am trying to do is call everyone’s attention to the fact that these emphases/programs have one thing in common. They have been developed out of a secular worldview and philosophy of education. As such, God and biblical truth have no bearing on their beliefs and/or values.

Once a school or school system becomes secular, you cannot reform it by simply removing certain dangerous programs/ideologies. Any educational effort based on a secular philosophy of education has become a bad tree and will only produce bad fruit.

Even though parents are right to go to their school leaders and stand up against false philosophies that show up in their schools, it will not make the school safe for their children. This is because the problem is in the worldview and philosophy at the root of the school.

If I had to state what is the major problem of a secular worldview and philosophy of education, I would put it this way. When God and His Word are removed from education, man becomes the definer of truth and meaning of life. Behind all secular efforts to educate children and youth are Satan’s two lies that he used to first tempt Adam and Eve.

1. God’s Word, therefore God, cannot be trusted.
2. You can be your own god.

I have had the privilege to preach at a church, conduct two parent seminars and provide staff training at a Christian school over the past two weeks. At each event, my focus was on the need for Christian parents, pastors and educators to develop a biblical worldview and embrace a biblical philosophy of education (Kingdom Education™). This is the only hope we have to raise future generations to become authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.

The response that I received from each of these groups was overwhelming. I could not believe the hunger that parents, church leaders and teachers have for truth. Even those from two strong Christian schools that I was at told me that these events were some of the most meaningful sessions that they had ever been a part of.

Two teachers from one of the schools I was at had attended last summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summit. They left the Summit different persons. One of these teachers told me, the Summit not only changed my teaching, it changed my life. This is why I am conducting two Kingdom Education™ Summits this coming June. We must unite the home, church and school by addressing the issue of education biblically.

I am encouraging every Christian school and church to be part of this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summits. Click HERE for more information.

Soil Preparation Is Critical

Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of speaking in several different venues. Whether preaching in a church, conducting a parent seminar or performing professional staff development for a Christian school, there is one thing that I am more certain of than at any other time in my life and ministry. I am more convinced than ever before that the home, church and school must unite with each other and address the issue of education biblically.

This became evident when I attended an administrator roundtable hosted by Dr. Sonny Sherrill at North Raleigh Christian Academy. Dr. Larry Taylor, President of ACSI, presented the opening keynote address. He shared one of the domains of ACSI’s Flourishing School Model in his presentation. However, before explaining the model, he stressed something else that was critically important.

Dr. Taylor emphasized that the key to the effectiveness of the Flourishing School Model (illustrated by a tree) is the soil in which the model is planted. The soil, according to Taylor, represents the philosophy of education by which the school operates. Of course, the only philosophy of education that will allow the Model to flourish is a biblical one or, as Dr. Taylor said, Kingdom Education™. One of the main tasks of a Christian school administrator is to make sure the soil is properly prepared so that the school can flourish.

This is the same message that I have presented to parents, pastors and Christian educators for many years. This is why I developed my KEM Prime Member website, have written a three-book series on Kingdom Education™ and started conducting a Kingdom Education™ Summit. The most important thing that we must all do is to know and embrace a biblical philosophy of education in the home, church and school.

If we fail in this effort, the world will continue to capture the hearts and minds of the majority of our children and youth. We cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing the issue of education biblically. Dr. H.B. Charles, Jr made a profound statement in a sermon he delivered last week. He stated,

While you wait to teach your children truth, the world will not wait to teach them lies.

Every educational effort is based on some philosophy of education. The goal of any philosophy of education is the same — the discipleship of the learner. All education is aimed at making our children disciples of someone or something. This was clearly stated in Alan Bloom’s classic book, The Closing of the American Mind.

Every educational system has a moral goal that it tries to attain and that informs its curriculum. It wants to produce a certain kind of being.

Behind every educational methodology is an educational philosophy; behind every educational philosophy is a theology of the nature of the child, the role of the teacher, and the aims of learning.

In an earlier blog, I wrote how there is only one way to develop a biblical philosophy of education. It requires every parent, pastor and teacher to take up daily residence in God’s Word. So often, I find Christians looking for a better program or technique in their efforts to educate the next generation. However, we must understand a truth that the late R.C. Sproul understood when he wrote,

I think the greatest weakness in the church today is that almost no one believes that God invests His power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in a program, in a technique, in anything and everything except where God has placed it: His Word.

Unfortunately, we sometimes lose our distinctiveness by trying to be “relevant” in our efforts to reach the world. Rod Dreher warns about the danger of trying to reach the world by looking like the world when he wrote,

Too many of our churches function as secular entertainment centers with religious morals slapped on top…The sad truth is, when the world sees us, it often fails to see anything different from nonbelievers. Christians often talk about “reaching the culture” without realizing that, having no distinct Christian culture of their own, they have been co-opted by the secular culture they wish to evangelize (emphasis mine).

This can also be true for Christian schools. In our efforts to keep up with the most up-to-date methodologies of teaching and learning we fail to keep our biblical distinctive that comes from operating from a well-developed biblical philosophy of education. We devote many hours to training our teachers on methods of teaching with little time left over to make sure every teacher has developed a biblical worldview and fully understands a biblical philosophy of education (Kingdom Education™).

I am all for Christian schools striving to use effective teaching strategies and incorporating today’s technology in the classroom. However, the first priority for every Christian school must be to prepare the soil biblically so that there is a firm foundation that allows the school to flourish.

It is my prayer that many more Christian schools will become KEM Prime Members so that board members, administrators, teachers and parents can use the resources available on the member site to develop a biblical worldview and philosophy of education. In addition to becoming KEM Prime Members, I am encouraging Christian school and church leaders to attend one of this summer’s two Kingdom Education™ Summits. At the Summits, we will work together and develop strategies to empower parents, engage churches and transform schools through Kingdom Education™. We can’t delay in doing this or else it may be too late!

As I follow the news of Russian troops moving into Ukraine, my heart is broken as I think back on my two trips to the Ukrainian capitol of Kiev. There are many believers in Ukraine today and they have been trusting God during this terrible time. I found myself broken and encouraged at the same time when I saw brothers and sisters singing praise to the Lord while sheltering in underground train stations that I once stood in.

It was encouraging to see a family singing He Will Hold Me Fast while their country was being invaded by Russia.

It was not always like this when Ukraine was under Soviet control. The church was primarily underground during this dark period of time. Then in the early 1990s, the Iron Curtain fell and God did some amazing things — especially within the state school systems throughout the former Soviet Union.

I remember well when three Russian education officials came to an ACSI convention in Anaheim, CA. These leaders included Dr. Alexander Asmolov, deputy vice-minister in the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, Dr. Olga Polykovskaya, the Russian Ministry of Education Chief Specialist for moral education, and Dr. Alexei Brudnov, Chairman of the Russian Alternative Education Department.

They were there to extend an unusual invitation. Speaking on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Education, they asked these educators to join The CoMission–a group of sixty plus evangelical Christian organizations formed to instruct Russian public school teachers how to teach Christian ethics.

When asked why this invitation was being extended to the CoMission, Dr. Asmolov said,

When discussing the possible contacts between Russia and the United States, we usually mention the economic crisis, but this is only part of the problem. The spiritual crisis is more important. It took 40 years to take the people of Judea from the desert. For 75 years we have been in the desert of communism…This philosophy resulted in tragic things for the souls of people. Today we are discussing new things for the souls of people…I want to emphasize that today Russian education is open for Christian values.

Russian Deputy Minister of Education, Eugene Kurkin had earlier made the following observation.

Seventy years ago, we closed God out of our country, and it has caused so many problems in our society we cannot count them…We must put God back into our country, and we must begin with our children.

I will never forget being at that convention along with over 8,000 Christian school educators. Over the next five years more than 150 four-day convocations ministering to over 42,000 teachers were held throughout Russia and the independent countries that once made up the Soviet Union. The theme for these convocations was Biblical Morality as a Foundation of Society.

However, the ACSI conference was not my first experience with the CoMission and teachers in the former Soviet Union. In 1992, I found myself settling into my room in Kiev, Ukraine. This was the first of five trips that I would take to the former Soviet Union with the CoMission. On this occasion, we conducted a convocation with over 400 state teachers in Kiev and then traveled by train to do another convocation in Minsk, Belarus.

These trips changed my life forever. My conviction that every child needs to receive a Bible-based, Christ-centered education was cemented firmly in my mind and heart for all time.

Today, my heart aches for the people in Ukraine, especially in the city of Kiev. My two translators, Helen and Svetlana, graciously helped me share the truth about God and His desire to have a relationship with all mankind through the work of Christ on the cross. I was privileged to witness hundreds of teachers receive the precious gift of God’s salvation. After a public showing of the Jesus Film, I was also able to share the Gospel with six young Ukrainian teenagers.

During the Kiev convocation, I led the group that was made up of Ukrainian school directors. The very first question I was asked made me realize why authentic biblical education was so important. One director asked me how these types of conferences would go in the United States. The man was shocked when I told him that they would not be allowed as it would be illegal to teach public school teachers biblical morality as a foundation for society. His response still reverberates in my mind today. He said,

Don’t your people know that education without God is empty?

These precious people knew the devastating consequences that resulted from a government that was driven by the false ideology of communism. They had personally witnessed the crumbling of their society as Christianity was banned and atheistic evolution was taught to the young people of the country. Even though the majority of these educators told us that they were card-carrying members of the Communist Party and atheists, they soon realized that the only hope one can have comes through redemption from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the time when the CoMission was conducting these four-day convocations, the church-state issue was always being debated. One of the key leaders of the CoMission was Paul Eshleman who was the director of the Jesus Film Project and the International School Project. Eshleman had a prophetic voice in this debate when he explained his convictions.

The biggest lie in the whole world today is the separation of church and state. It is absolutely the most devastating, wrong thing ever perpetrated on mankind. The very first thing we ought to do is develop our whole educational system around the Scriptures. It’s the principles for how to live life. If you think you can raise children without Scriptural principles, you’re doing it exactly wrong. Every educational system ought to be shot through with the Scriptures…. We need to realize that educators are in a difficult position because they don’t know how to allow Christian principles to be taught and not have to give the same opportunity to people from cults and all kinds of other issues. So it puts them in a bad state. But they certainly can teach the moral teachings of Christ without turning any school into a worship center. (emphasis mine)

Eshleman went on to say,

Should it be open for every other religion in the world? No, I don’t think it should be. That’s because I’m a follower of God and His Word. And that’s why I think the Bible ought to be taught in the public school system.

We find ourselves in a similar situation that the Soviet Union found itself in the 1990s. It is true that we still have many of our religious freedoms in our country. However, it has been 60 years since prayer and Bible reading were removed from our public (state) schools. We are now living in a totally secularized culture where it is declared that there is no such thing as absolute truth. I see many of the same consequences facing us today that I saw the people of Kiev struggling with during my first visit there.

Even today’s Christian schools are no longer completely built around the Scriptures and very few classes are “shot through with the Scriptures.” I continually hear from teachers and administrators that a greater percentage of their parents do not have a biblical worldview and do not understand a biblical philosophy of education. Unfortunately, this is also becoming true for many of their teachers.

I am more determined than ever before that we must challenge the home, church and school to unite under a biblical philosophy of education (Kingdom Education™). We must empower parents, engage the church and transform schools through Kingdom Education™.

I am praying that many Christian school leaders and pastors will join those who have already registered for one of this summer’s Kingdom Education™ Summits. It is my desire to have more schools become KEM Prime Members like several Christian schools in Ukraine are. Through this membership hundreds and maybe thousands of Christian school educators can get the training needed to develop a biblical worldview and embrace a biblical philosophy of education (Kingdom Education™). A school’s membership also gives all enrolled families full access to these valuable resources.

We must grasp the truth that education without God is empty. As Eugene Kurkin said several decades ago, we must put God back in our country and must begin with our children. We must unite the body of Christ in a concerted effort to make disciples of the next generation that will impact the culture. We must have the courage and conviction that we are witnessing in the Ukrainian Christians today. Pray that God will protect them and bring peace to their country.

It is extremely important to define terms biblically. Unfortunately, many Christians have the tendency to use terms without clearly defining them. When this happens, each individual ends up giving his/her own meaning to the words.

This is especially true when it comes to the term education. It is a topic that is talked about all the time. Billions of dollars are spent annually on it. Everyone says that it is essential to one’s success. However, when people are asked to define education, one hears a plethora of meanings.

For many people the term education is automatically equated to schooling. There is no doubt about it; schooling plays a significant role in the education of a young person. However, it is only part of the educational process.

There are two aspects of education that one needs to keep in mind in order to understand the true meaning of the term. First, education is multi-faceted. By this, I mean that it takes place in more than one place. There are three main institutions that are involved in the education of children and youth. These institutions are the:

• home
• church
• school

Some would argue that the media and peers should also be listed. However, I strongly believe that the home should be monitoring the influence of both of these on their children. By listing them as separate influences in the educational process, it becomes easy for parents to say that they can’t compete with the media and their children’s peers.

The second aspect of education that helps us define it is the fact that all education is future-focused. Even when we teach our children history, we do so in order to learn from it and know how to live in the future. We teach our children to tie their shoes because we know that one day they will be on their own without Velcro.

With this in mind, I have used the following definition of education.

Education is the multi-faceted process of preparing the child for life and eternity.

The education a child receives at home, at church or in school must prepare them for life here on earth. However, it must also prepare them for eternity; and preparing them for eternity is the most important aspect of the future for which our children must be prepared.

Of course, everyone talks about the importance of educating the “whole” child. It is commonly understood that we must help every child grow physically, mentally, spiritually, socially and emotionally to be successful. In fact, Jesus developed all of these aspects of His life as He matured.

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52 (NKJV)

Here are some questions that I want to challenge you to ponder. These questions must be answered by parents. However, they must also be answered by every pastor and Christian educator.

1.  What is needed for a child to be prepared for life? This question must be answered for all aspects of the child’s life.

• • How do we prepare a child for life:
    • physically?
    • spiritually?
    • mentally/intellectually?
    • socially?
    • emotionally?

2.  What is needed for a child to be prepared for eternity? Again, we must answer this question considering the total child.

• • How do we prepare a child for eternity:
    • physically?
    • spiritually?
    • mentally/intellectually?
    • socially?
    • emotionally?

At first, you might think that preparing a child for eternity only involves the spiritual realm of life. However, does that mean the other aspects of life do not have any eternal value?

It is one thing to know the definition of education. It is another and more important thing to understand the definition and what it takes to truly educate a child biblically.

Riddles are intriguing. A riddle is a verbal puzzle that can be defined as a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed.

Even Samson used a riddle when trying to outwit some Philistines. Samson’s riddle is found in Judges 14.

There is a riddle that, when solved, brings meaning to all of life. Can you solve it correctly?

What does every person have but few know that they have it or can identify it?

What is it that we all have but don’t know we have it? It is a worldview! The Disciple Nations Alliance defines worldview as the way people think about life. They go on to explain why most people don’t know what worldview they have because a worldview is made up of unconscious assumptions about who they are, what life is about and how the world works.

One’s worldview is extremely important because it shapes all of our beliefs and values and drives all of our actions. Yet, one cannot see his/her worldview nor the worldview of another person. We can say that all worldviews are invisible. Allow me to explain.

I believe the best way to describe a worldview is to think about it as a lens. I wear contact lenses. I take these lenses out of a solution and insert them into each eye. Once I put them on each eye, I no longer see them. That is because I look through the lenses, not at them.

However, when I look through my contact lenses, everything I look at is affected. The lenses cause me to see things in a way that is completely different than when I look at them without the contacts in place.

If the prescription for the lenses is not right, everything I look at is distorted from what it actually is. The problem is that I cannot see nor know that the contacts have the wrong prescription. I simply look through them and see things different than if I had the correct lenses in my eyes.

As I wear my contact lenses, protein deposits will build up on them. Again, I don’t see these deposits but they, too, will distort everything I look at. This is because I look through my lenses and not at them.

When I have an eye exam and the doctor prescribes the right lenses for me and I keep them clean, I am sometimes surprised as I look through them and see everything clearly. My whole world changes and I see things as they actually exist.

Your worldview is like my contact lenses. You don’t look at your worldview. You look through it and it affects how you interpret every aspect of your life. Think about your worldview as a lens on your mind that causes you to interpret and make sense of everything.

From the time we are born, our worldview lens is shaped by our educational experiences. Unfortunately, because we are all born sinners, we develop our worldview lenses with a worldly, faulty prescription. At the same time, our worldview lenses become increasingly corrupted by secular ideologies that bombard us each and every day much like the protein deposits that build up on my contacts.

We end up developing beliefs and values based on a faulty lens. Because we develop beliefs and values by looking through our faulty worldview lens, we make decisions that create a secular culture.

There is another thing that we must understand when it comes to one’s worldview. Because we don’t consciously choose our worldview and our worldview is personal, any criticism or attack on our beliefs and values is taken as an attack on our personhood. So we end up staunchly defending our worldview even though it might be faulty.

Here is the big problem. Studies show that the vast majority (93%) of adults in our country do not have a biblical worldview. This means that these adults have a secular worldview. When we view any area of life through a secular worldview lens, everything we look at will be distorted from reality. However, we will be convinced that the way we view life and make decisions is the correct view.

The only way that we can have correct vision when it comes to how we look at life and make sense of the world, is to put on correct lenses. This can only happen when we read, study and meditate on God’s Word. As I wrote in last week’s blog, we must take up daily residence in the Bible. Only then will we develop a biblical worldview lens through which we view all of life.

As we study God’s Word and renew our minds by taking every thought captive to it, we will be amazed when we begin to see and interpret life from an absolute truth perspective. Life will make sense like it never did before. When this happens, we will be equipped to give a biblical worldview education to our children and grandchildren.

It is time for an eye exam and be fitted with biblical lenses with which we will finally be able to see and interpret life correctly.