Kingdom Education: God’s Plan For Educating Future Generations
Kingdom Education is a book that is well written, encouraging, and serves as a good reminder of our duty as parents to raise our children up in the instruction of the Lord. However I find two issues with this book.
1. In telling us parents of our responsibility to teach /educate our children in the ways of the Lord, it offers little to no advice on the practical side of “how to”. This may not have been the author’s intent, but I think in this fast passed world we live in, parents are looking for answers to how to best do this.
2. Dr. Schultz (the author of the book) makes the claim that unless parents are homeschooling their children or sending them to private christian schools then they are sinning (“not following God’s plan for Kingdom Education”).
I recently had an opportunity to meet with Dr. Schultz (a very intelligent and friendly man) and question him on this. He did not deny or move off of his stance, but he was quick to say that this was only his personal opinion and personal interpretation of scripture. Now I will say that at first the hair on the back of my neck stood up pretty tall. After all I have three children in public schools. Why wouldn’t I? Right? But I have seen before where tradition can lead to false thinking. So before I go and say he is wrong and I am pridefully right, shouldn’t I let the scriptures dictate what I think is right or wrong? Are not we to be a people of the Book? This is why we must study the scriptures, so we are not tossed around by every wind and wave of doctrine. So we are not taken captive by man’s traditions that are not grounded in scripture.
I have read his book, now I will search the scriptures to see, not on who’s side truth falls, but whether or not my life is sided with the Truth.
…would be interested to hear the results of your study.
…..i can think of no scripture that supports a premise that would indicate a parent would be sinning by utilizing public education or non-Christian private ed. in general. Clearly the training of children in the ways of God is the parents responsibility…..but for math, science etc…….?? Homeschoolings is great and I support those who choose to go that way. As far as public education,……in my opinion it depends largely on the public school system available. In other words, I have no problem with my 11 yr. old daughter in public school where we currently live. Great discipline and academic environment. ……as opposed to the public school system in my home town which is not good and would not consider sending her there …barring some extenuating circumstances.
Yes Adam, I will be posting my findings on this subject. I agree with you completely that this has to be approached based on the individual school. We too are blessed to have a great school system here with many godly teachers and principals.
Mr. Carroll,
I would hope that as a thinking religious man, which you appear to be, that the hairs on the back of your neck would stand tall at the idea of sending your three children into “public” schooling, not the other way around.
You might consider another book, this one entitled “The Underground History of American Education” by John Taylor Gatto. Gatto writes in his prologue, “If I demanded you give up your television to an anonymous, itinerant repairman who needed work you’d think I was crazy; if I came with a policeman who forced you to pay that repairman even after he broke your set—you would be outraged. Why are you so docile when you give up your child to a government agent called a schoolteacher? … You have no say at all in choosing your teachers. You know nothing about their backgrounds or families. And the state knows little more than you do. This is as radical a piece of social engineering as the human imagination can conceive. … Building a child’s mind and character is what public schools do, their justification for prematurely breaking family and neighborhood learning. Where is documentary evidence to prove this assumption that trained and certified professionals do it better than people who know and love them can? There isn’t any.”
No matter how “godly” you believe your teachers and principals are, they are still compelled to teach what the state wants taught, and you have no control over what happens to your children once they are inside those walls. No need to research the entire Holy Bible; common sense will tell you that if you are a disciple of the teachings written on its pages, you would be foolish to submit your children’s minds to the agenda of the secular state, which is decidedly not “godly.”
Sinner
Thank you for the suggested book. I will look into it. But I suppose that if I were not so “foolish” and used “common sense”, I would need neither it or the Holy Bible. But I am not concerned with what you or anyone else may think is a wise decision for me. I am only concerned with what the scriptures teach. It has everything thing I need for life and godliness. It is my standard and rule for faith and practice.
Thank you for your comment.
…one might be able to document that at its inception the american public school system was influenced by unbelieving and ungodly people. However, the same could be said for aspects of other things like various styes of music (jazz, blues, rock and even classical)……my point is that we are all fallen rebels against God before the grace of God in Christ found us out and just because unbelievers had a hand in a certain thing does not make the “thing” in itself evil. I believe public schools fall into this category. I would differ with Mr. Sinner in that godly people who work in the public schools CAN have a good influence there and such teachers and administrators do not have to just teach “what they are told” so to speak. My wife was one such teacher.
I personally know a godly man who is a public shcool administrator and godly principals and such can have a godly influence over what happens at their schools. Is it as open and the same as a private Christian school?? Probably not, but it would not be wise for us to throw the baby out with the bathwater. As Rod said……it is what the scriptures teach that matters. And that is all that matters.
May the mind of Christ rule our thoughts and not make our personal convictions the standard for the rest when the issues are not as black and white as we would prefer.
In Christ
My case was not that you throw out the Bible in your search. My point was simply that if you were to ask yourself before you begin searching, “Does this book command that I take responsibility for educating my own children, or does it recommend that I remand them to the government for such?” you would come to a conclusion rather quickly. Render unto Caesar.
One might be able to document that even today the American public school system is rather corrupt and inept. The thing in itself is not corrupt or “evil” because nonbelievers in one specific religion had a hand in it. If any one thought that, he wouldn’t be able to conscientiously use a public highway, or shop at the grocer, or use the Internet. That is not the argument. My point is rather simple, as stated above. Yes, of course, what the Scriptures teach matters. But they are to be your ultimate authority, the final voice, not your only source of information. I don’t imagine the Scriptures tell you whether to have your car serviced at this or that mechanic’s shop. On some occasions you must use those gifts of sound reason and common sense, making sure not to transgress the commandments.
The debate over the education of children should not be centered on ‘where’ they learn but ‘what’ they learn. There have been godly graduates of all three American locals of learning – public, private, and home – there have also been reprobates from all three. There is no guarantee soley based on where they attend school. Dr. Schultz is standing in the gap against the Humanist religion that is stealing generation after generation of young minds. I suggest one read the 10 Principles of Kingdom Education, by Dr. Schultz, in his book or website. Then read the Humanist Manifesto with an attentive ear for education. John Dewey, founder of progressive education, wrote the 1933 Manifesto. Charles F. Potter, former honorary president of NEA and Manifesto signer, stated, “Education is the most powerful ally of humanism, and every American public school is a school of humanism.” After pondering that, a parent should get alone with God and ask Him WHAT He wants their child(ren) to learn and WHO should be teaching them. i.e. does the parent want their child to learn about God’s magnificent creation through math, science, history, etc. from a biblical worldview source, or from an unbiblical? Then, the next question should be WHEN (what age) God wants that child to learn unbiblical worldviews from others to whom the parents delegate their child’s learning. “…stand firm against the schemes of the devil….” That is enough for now. More later, maybe…..