tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.comments2014-04-14T07:49:33.995-07:00Classical AscendancyChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-28024995505250019472014-04-14T07:49:33.995-07:002014-04-14T07:49:33.995-07:00Guess I'll have to watch the movie now! Thanks...Guess I'll have to watch the movie now! Thanks for your insightful review. Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-77881762682298333392011-07-10T20:40:10.765-07:002011-07-10T20:40:10.765-07:00Your rebuttal and questions:
I accept your correc...Your rebuttal and questions:<br /><br />I accept your correction on the book of Timothy but believe I can still make my case through the quoted scripture above. Timothy, as a “man of God” would then be thoroughly equipped to teach his hearers (i.e. our church leaders who have been charged with instructing us and our children). If a “man of God” is thoroughly equipped nothing is lacking. Agreed? This is where I saw the article *leaning* toward a false dichotomy. A false dichotomy leaves no room for a third alternative when such alternatives exist. In this case, I see the parents and church as such. You have agreed that parents are ultimately responsible to instruct their children in these matters. In the same way, I would give the church precedence over a para-church organization. I’m guessing you would agree as well. This idea was left out/minimized in your article when the church was referred to as a “45-minute” dismal hope. <br /><br />You said: “The Christian student (a student mind you, not necessarily a mature believer) will benefit more from studying history, language, literature, science, math, theology, and philosophy in light of a biblical worldview than they would through a secular worldview. Agree or disagree?<br /><br />Agreed. But, again, I see this as a supplementary effort to what the church and parents should already be providing. <br /><br />You said: “Your point about the importance and power of Christian love—αγαπε in Greek, or caritas in Latin—in the educational process between the parent and the student is well made. My question to you then is this: cannot the same be said about its importance and power in the process between educator and student? That is, will the educational process not be more effective and more powerful if it is accompanied by αγαπε, or Christian love?”<br /><br />Absolutely! However, I would give the parents and the church precedence in this instance and would not see Christian education through a para-church organization as equal or as an adequate replacement. <br /><br />You said: “We cannot expect parents, even believers, to be skilled at something for which they have not received training or practice, anymore than we can expect you or I to be skilled golfers.”<br /><br />If believers are not skilled it is because they have ignored God’s call to seek knowledge and wisdom, which He promises to give liberally to any one who asks.<br /><br />“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who give to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be give to him.”<br /><br /> --James 1:5<br /><br />“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” -- Proverbs 2:2-5<br /><br />I have enjoyed this exchange as well Chris and truly hope to help you in your pursuit and defense of Christian education. <br /><br />“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” <br /> -- Proverbs 27:17Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-78126884099568610082011-07-10T20:39:02.915-07:002011-07-10T20:39:02.915-07:00It is a biblical imperative that these mandates be...It is a biblical imperative that these mandates be fulfilled in and through the church body. If the church is relying on a para-church organization to accomplish this it has forsaken its scriptural mandate to do so. As I read your article, your minimization of the church and parent’s effort came off as an extraneous afterthought in regards to the issue at hand. Moreover, your prescription to enroll our children in Christian school as the best remedy was taken as out of place and premature to this reader. If this was not your belief then we have no argument but I would still take issue with the way you communicated in this matter. I apologize if I you feel I have misconstrued your words or have plainly misunderstood you. By my lights, I would first look to the church and its leaders to exhort our parents and children. There is a major problem here if the church is not fulfilling this role. I didn’t get any sense of this by reading your article. Past this, I am very supportive of parents sending their children to a Christian school as a supplementary effort.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-42453874110451880272011-07-10T20:37:51.654-07:002011-07-10T20:37:51.654-07:00You said, “Let me state unequivocally: it is the r...You said, “Let me state unequivocally: it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that their children receive what Paul called the παιδεία κυρίου, or the "education of the Lord." <br /><br />Excellent! We have an accord. I’d encourage you to remind your hearers of this as you continue to advocate for Christian education. Personally, it’s a major sticking point for me as I see it as a problem in the church—“the pillar and foundation of the truth”-- and believe it is much preferred to address this issue at the root of the problem. <br /><br />You said, “Also, I can't agree with your analysis that I'm drawing any false dichotomies…”<br /><br />Please be careful to note I’m addressing the content of your article and how your words may be received through written communication. This includes what you may have not communicated. It may be that you just need to further explain yourself. Being as such, you may frame my criticisms in the light of what people may think you are saying from the ideas you used to express your argument. However, it yet may be that we actually disagree on this matter as well or simply may not understand each other.<br /><br />I believe the church has been thoroughly equipped to shepherd its flock and has been called to do so; and should not be made dependent on anything outside itself to accomplish this mandate. <br /><br />“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” -- Colossians 3:16<br /><br />“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.” -- II Peter 1:3<br /><br />“And these words which I command you today shall be in heard in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in you house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. – Deut. 6:6,7<br /><br />“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -- II Peter 1:5-8<br /><br />“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” -- 1 Peter 3:15Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-27590903573886036062011-07-10T07:20:31.664-07:002011-07-10T07:20:31.664-07:00Your point about the importance and power of Chris...Your point about the importance and power of Christian love—αγαπε in Greek, or caritas in Latin—in the educational process between the parent and the student is well made. My question to you then is this: cannot the same be said about its importance and power in the process between educator and student? That is, will the educational process not be more effective and more powerful if it is accompanied by αγαπε, or Christian love? I think we can agree that it will be; ergo, we as parents should take every measure to ensure that our children are shepherded by educators who will love them as Christ loves them. I submit the likelihood of this increases at an institution where the educators are believers delivering a curriculum with the Bible as its foundation. Furthermore, it is my position that two generations of believers educated by the secular system has largely robbed the American church of any understanding of αγαπε; I submit to you the divorce rates among the Christian community as evidence. Christian love is not something that comes naturally to sinful man, it is something we are trained in and must practice at. We cannot expect parents, even believers, to be skilled at something for which they have not received training or practice, anymore than we can expect you or I to be skilled golfers. One of the few environments, in addition to at home and at the corporate church gathering, where Christians can receive training in αγαπε is Christian education. One of the many reasons Christians in America are failing to practice αγαπε is that they have been trained in a secular school.<br /><br />Thanks for the thoughtful discussion, Matt. I appreciate it as always!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-71728322722565233542011-07-10T07:20:15.484-07:002011-07-10T07:20:15.484-07:00Also, I can't agree with your analysis that I&...Also, I can't agree with your analysis that I'm drawing any false dichotomies. Here's why. I understand you to mean that there are some secular schools that provide superior educational opportunities to some Christian schools; for example, Boise High versus what you once called "Ma and Pa's Shekhinah Glory Christian School." I concede that point; however, I assume you agree with the following statement: "With all other things being equal (quality of instructors and administrators, facilities, resources, etc.), a Christian education is superior to a secular education for the Christian student." That is to say, the best Christian school imaginable is superior to the best secular school imaginable for the Christian student. The Christian student (a student mind you, not necessarily a mature believer) will benefit more from studying history, language, literature, science, math, theology, and philosophy in light of a biblical worldview than they would through a secular worldview. Agree or disagree? If you agree we can move along; if not, I'd like you to try explaining your position one more time.<br /><br />I also contend with your analysis of 2 Timothy. In 2 Timothy (and the other two pastoral epistles), Paul isn't writing to the universal church, or even to Timothy as a Christian layman, but Paul is writing to him as a minister of the Gospel, ordained by the laying on of hands (1:6; 1 Tim 4:14.) Timothy isn't a ὁ άνθρωπος του θου, or a "man of God," in some general, ambiguous sense. Timothy was trained to be such: "continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of... from childhood you have known the ιερα γραματτα (the "Holy Scriptures"), which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Timothy is thoroughly equipped for every good work not because he's merely a believer, but because he has been taught the Scriptures from childhood. We can't expect someone to pass on knowledge of something which they themselves do not possess. That's one of the many problems I see with the American church today. How many parents can say they are in the same place as Timothy; that is, that "from childhood [they] have known the Holy Scriptures"? We are like heirs who have benefited from a great spiritual inheritance, and for two generations we have lived off the spiritual capital passed down to us by our grandparents and great-grandparents, without contributing anything to the account ourselves. Our spiritual bank account as a nation is dwindling, our inheritance nearly squandered. The church needs to return posthaste to the practice of training men and women like Timothy: men and women of God who are trained from childhood in the Holy Scriptures-which are able "to make you wise for salvation through which is in Christ Jesus." The primacy of the Bible in this process cannot be overstated. Christians are not "thoroughly equipped for every good work" because they merely believe; they are only thoroughly equipped—for righteousness, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction—if they are biblically literate. Yet, we subject our children to an educational system hell-bent on excluding mere references to the Bible from the curriculum, and instead inundating our children with a secular worldview and math and science education for 7 hours a day. The Christian parents' first priority should be equipping their children to do the work of the ministry, to live righteous lives, to be "good people," by providing them with an education with the Bible as its foundation. I'm advocating for an educational system that works in union with parents towards that goal, as opposed to the one that has been forced upon us that works in opposition to it.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-50388599621798767992011-07-10T07:19:51.664-07:002011-07-10T07:19:51.664-07:00Those are mostly fair points, Matt. In my defense ...Those are mostly fair points, Matt. In my defense I would say the following:<br /><br />Let me state unequivocally: it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that their children receive what Paul called the παιδεία κυρίου, or the "education of the Lord." Everything begins and ends at home. Even the most skilled Christian educator's best efforts will most likely lead to naught without the leadership of Mom and Dad at home. It is the job of the parents to ensure that their kids receive a biblical and spiritual education. My point in the essay is simply this: why are Christian parents so quick to send their kids to a school system that works in opposition to that goal as opposed to a system that works in league with it? A few things are at work here: first, the Christian community, in Idaho in particular, has been slow to respond to the radical changes in public education that took place in the 1960's by providing Christian parents with a viable Christian system of education (an error that I think is rapidly being remedied as schools like the Ambrose School prosper); second, the Christian community in all states has done a poor job of advocating loudly for a school choice program that meets their needs (why is it that secularists demand boldly and firmly that their kids not be subjected to religious education, while Christians quietly concede their kids to a secular education? This attitude disturbs me); and lastly, as Amanda pointed out, a secular education is not some happy medium between Christian education and a third opposing option: secularism is an opposing option, one that at best makes our job as Christian parents more difficult and at worst does irreparable harm to our children. We're deceiving ourselves if we believe otherwise.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-84993699546101831982011-07-09T10:23:09.648-07:002011-07-09T10:23:09.648-07:00One weakness of the article may be that it leans t...One weakness of the article may be that it leans towards setting up a false dichotomy between the two choices of sending your child to a private Christian school (good) and, well, any other secular school (bad) without mentioning that a Christian parent has already been thoroughly equipped (2 Tim. 3:16-17) to instruct their children in the ways of the Lord. I have contended with you on this point before and you conceded that Christian education is, “not a panacea for all that ails our society. In an ideal world, the ‘instruction of the soul’ wouldn't fall solely on educational institutions.” You have further explained that Christian education works best in conjunction with involved parents. The article is missing this crucial point. Moreover, your argument of, “Our best hope seems to be that the 45 minutes of Christian influence our children may get in Sunday school and our own best efforts in the home can counter the twelve years of 5 days a week of secular humanism that they get in the government school.” almost completely displaces the parent’s relationship with their child. “Best hope!?” I submit that a Christian parent demonstrating the love of Christ in their everyday life bears more weight than the world’s most sublime teaching and crushes the scale. We would agree that many Christian parents have woefully abdicated their God-given role here but parents must not be lead to believe that this responsibility first falls on their child’s educational system or that they alone are not up to the task.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-7149189646536994292011-03-02T05:01:46.874-08:002011-03-02T05:01:46.874-08:00Thanks for replying, DD.
You're right. The im...Thanks for replying, DD.<br /><br />You're right. The immediate access to pornography afforded by portable electronic devices is a big problem I didn't even touch on. In the hands of a 16 year old boy, such easy access could be devastating.<br /><br />You're lecture hall idea is an interesting one. While I wouldn't oppose it for a college prep crowd with a general elective (like those you mentioned), I don't think colleges use 200 student lectures because they necessarily think it is a great forum for instruction. I think they do it because they have to. The general elective classes attract such huge numbers that it wouldn't be practical to teach 25 sections of it.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-35737955335392993132011-03-01T09:08:34.071-08:002011-03-01T09:08:34.071-08:00I agree with the idea of putting electronic device...I agree with the idea of putting electronic devices into the students hands being a waste of funds. <br /><br />1) Unless they are buying a $3000 Panasonic Toughbook, there is no way that the devices will be able to withstand a 14-year-old boy for 4 years. No Way!<br />2) The same boy, give a wireless device that is not monitored directly by an adult will look for girls and will find them... Since the parents did not purchase the device, the parental controls are not in their hands either. There is too much porn on the net to filter it all and a kid with time and means on his hands will find it.<br /><br />I do have reverse ideas on the class size issue. Run a concurrent credit Psych 101 in the auditorium for 200 seniors. Give them the true freshman experience. That is up to 6 classes handled at once by one faculty member and 200 students that have a vested understanding of what they are looking at for college. Psych 101, Art History, Intro to Engineering. Any 100 level course would that a university would run 100+ students would work and also utilize the auditoriums that generally sit empty.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915379780233008322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-19030510426585266062011-02-15T19:31:34.735-08:002011-02-15T19:31:34.735-08:00I suppose if you wanted to be technical, "Ame...I suppose if you wanted to be technical, "America" isn't a continent. It is two: North America and South America. At least that's how we classify it here in "America."Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-71659448423147912672011-02-05T22:10:09.731-08:002011-02-05T22:10:09.731-08:00@DD, thanks for your reply. My concerns are not wi...@DD, thanks for your reply. My concerns are not with private industry investing money in universities or secondary school STEM programs. It is their money they are investing, so I would expect them to invest it in programs that would benefit them. However, when it is state or federal money being invested, I would expect it to be invested more equitably (unless perhaps, if that money is being spent at one of the military academies; but that might be a different issue.) Anyway, as I said, if it is a private company, like Micron for example, donating money to a university, I would expect it to go into a STEM program. Federal and state funding is different.<br /><br />As I understand him, Jefferson, the father of the public education system, advocated publicly funded education to create an informed citizenry that understood the issues and voted responsibly. STEM programs have almost nothing to do with this. In my mind, we've lost sight of the whole purpose of public education.<br /><br />One more point. I can excuse private sector interests that continually wax poetic about STEM education: it is the life-blood of their industry; however, when I hear politicians and, even worse, educators droning on about it, my blood pressure starts to rise. They should know better.<br /><br />@Matt, That made me smile. You're cloak-and-dagger skills are famous, and for good reason. Glad you enjoyed the video. 18 views and counting. Watch out, Star Wars Kid.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-73547582979317096562011-02-05T05:35:11.397-08:002011-02-05T05:35:11.397-08:00One of your best articles Chris--thanks.
"Fe...One of your best articles Chris--thanks.<br /><br />"Few things about math and science evoke passion in students to better themselves, to challenge themselves in ways they might not otherwise." <br /><br />All that math did to me is make me figure out a way around it. This DID make me better in some ways. I mean, after years of cheating to to get a passing score my eye-sight, subterfuge, and evasion tactics all improved dramatically. I'm pretty sure I could sneak in or out of the Pentagon if I needed to. Anyway, math/science was helpless to teach me that cheating was wrong and left this student frustrated and displaced. <br /><br />Was the animated video yours?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-33517241390816523702011-02-04T11:51:46.013-08:002011-02-04T11:51:46.013-08:001) Similar to athletics, STEM researchers put mone...1) Similar to athletics, STEM researchers put money in the coffers of the institution. When researchers are pulling in multi-million dollar research grants, they tend to be noticed. 40% of the funds from Research grants are directed back to the university for facilities, maintenance and to support the activities of other departments on campus. <br /><br />2)I will agree that there is a disproportionate number of teachers coming out in STEM fields to others. However as universities look at ways to offset decreasing state funds enrollment caps will become the norm. Increasingly, high performance at the high school level in STEM, English and History will equate to high possibility of acceptance even at state institutions that previously had no cap.<br /><br />3) In terms of Idaho public education, more emphasis does need to be made at the elementary level on the old three basics: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Note that this does not include: art, Music, PE, Health, Computers or any foreign language. Someone took the time (and I realize that I will need to find it now) to look at the exit exam from the 8th Grade in 1876. Makes today's high school exit exam laughable.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915379780233008322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-53785673718093136382011-01-30T14:10:10.081-08:002011-01-30T14:10:10.081-08:00it says The White Rabbit and Education in America,...it says The White Rabbit and Education in America, yet the figures are only for the united states, start by educating yourself, America is not a country it a continent.Perro Sarnosohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15428761641161019494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-40771354796060458342011-01-21T13:00:20.992-08:002011-01-21T13:00:20.992-08:00my goodness chris. brilliant.my goodness chris. brilliant.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029960109716584669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-1451665209846622892011-01-21T12:12:19.429-08:002011-01-21T12:12:19.429-08:00Excellent article again Chris!Excellent article again Chris!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008070630739778258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-48359586028576227252010-12-10T14:54:25.116-08:002010-12-10T14:54:25.116-08:00Thanks for your erudite response, MLM! The theolog...Thanks for your erudite response, MLM! The theological soundness of this blog site has just increased 10-fold, and what a valuable increase it is. I really appreciate your perspective.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-11011807349276719372010-12-09T17:12:32.756-08:002010-12-09T17:12:32.756-08:00Pastor's in the HOUSE!!!!Pastor's in the HOUSE!!!!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-39925354279691906772010-12-08T07:51:28.631-08:002010-12-08T07:51:28.631-08:00(continued from previous post)
4. As such, when s...(continued from previous post)<br /><br />4. As such, when speaking with those who are grief-stricken at the loss of a loved one who died in the faith (whether an elderly great-grandmother, or an infant member of the Church, or anyone in between), I urge the grieving to come to Church and be in the very Presence of the LORD God Almighty. There, within that holy space and during that holy time, as Christians of all ages gather, the congregation above and the congregation below are united. We are One, for the Lord and His Church are One. In the Divine Service the sinner-saints in the pews join the perfected saints from above, doing so along with the angels and archangels and all the company of Heaven. Together we hear His Word and sing our Hallelujahs and Kyries unto the LORD our God - Father, Son, Holy Spirit. <br /><br />5. Finally, the Church and her pastors rejoice in the promised Resurrection, "knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His Presence" (2 Corinthians 4:14). The grieving have the promise of the Resurrection and trust it. This is not a hope-so hope, but a know-so hope. "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For th Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).<br /><br />Thank you for the article you have written and provided in this blog, Chris. It is well-done and a cause for meditation on all these things, especially the higher things (Colossians 3:2).<br /><br />MLMAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339021746376729562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-10697626673736639992010-12-08T07:49:15.779-08:002010-12-08T07:49:15.779-08:00Chris, you have written a most thought-provoking p...Chris, you have written a most thought-provoking post. In this reply are a scattering of scholia that one might ponder.<br /><br />1. Ultimately the issue is never resolved by sinful man with finite reason during our days in this fallen world. It is ciphered neither to our desire nor to our satisfaction. In order for it to be so, the LORD God would have had to reveal it to us. He has not done so. Thus, the Holy Spirit caused Moses to write for the children of God back in the day and for us to hear this day that "the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this Torah" (Deuteronomy 29:29). Thus we read and hear only what has been revealed to us by God in His Word. Indeed, we do well to listen to the Holy Spirit who caused the apostle to write that these things which Jesus did "are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have Life in His Name" (John 20:31).<br /><br />2. Think on what has been revealed to us in the Scriptures and apply the truth of God's Word to what happens in our lives and the lives of others. In other words, consider true doctrine and real life application. For Christians this is done under the shadow of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Ours is a Theology of the Cross and it is not without hope. The humble Incarnation, law-fulfilling Life, sin-atoning Sacrifice, awful Death, death-defeating Resurrection, and triumphant Ascension of the eternal Son of God provide the hope that gives comfort at all times, but especially on the days of sorrow and grief, and no matter what the situation. Look unto the Lord and behold what manner of love He has in order to grant us the only true hope that begins within and extends beyond this world of misery. "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).<br /><br />3. Building on 1 and 2 above, we begin to shift from an inward look at ourselves and focus on what God has revealed to us - specifically the person and work of the Incarnate Son of God. That takes the issue away from why bad things happen to people and makes it into something like "why evil things happened to the good God." Now we can answer the "why?" of that question because the Lord has revealed that answer to us in His Word. Jesus the Christ came into this world to provide an accomplished salvation for everyone. As our Redeemer preached from His wooden pulpit: "It is finished!" (John 19:30). All those who have been granted the Lord's gift of belief in this Good News and faith in Christ, are Christians ... members of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. The Church is One and made up of all those who have preceded us in the Christian faith and who are now with the Lord in Glory, and all of us Christians who are still in this vale of tears. <br /><br />(continued in next post)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339021746376729562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-50312767631538738332010-11-19T22:44:42.084-08:002010-11-19T22:44:42.084-08:00Thanks for being my one token comment. Glad you en...Thanks for being my one token comment. Glad you enjoyed reading it!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-17445095160259546832010-11-19T17:32:09.610-08:002010-11-19T17:32:09.610-08:00The reason you haven't received any comments h...The reason you haven't received any comments here is this blog is impregnable. I enjoyed it. Thanks!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-78802474307350307862010-11-12T10:06:33.481-08:002010-11-12T10:06:33.481-08:00Excellent. I've fallen victim to the LINDLEY b...Excellent. I've fallen victim to the LINDLEY before, so I'm relieved to have avoided it... for now. <br /><br />Your very astute question, then, was, can you instruct the fear of God? I’m excited to hear your answer, but mine is, “Yes, and no.” The Scriptures are full of exhortations to educate children in the "training and admonition of the Lord," which would presumably include teaching children to fear - or respect - God. Proverbs 4 seems to be a clear example. I think we must confess that it is possible.<br /><br />So if it is possible, why doesn't it happen in every case, such as those you cited? Great question. For obvious reasons the fear of the Lord has to be taught early and consistently. If a child isn't raised respecting God, it takes a personal experience to change their perspective. This goes for every form of respect: if a child is raised using profanity and disrespecting adults, they aren’t going to reach their teenage years and suddenly decide that any of that is a bad idea. If an education isn't consistent, students get conflicting messages and for different reasons may or may not keep the faith. <br /><br />This much seems reasonable at least: what good does it do you as a parent if you try to train your child to respect God if you send them off to school for 8 hours a day and they are, at best, inundated with materialism and hedonism, or at worst, told that religion (and implicitly, God) are plagues on the human race? These messages get compounded by peer pressures and the god-complex of the modern-day secular humanist.<br /><br />One more thing before I let you jump in: all learning has the potential to be “empty and rote in the ears of the uncaring.” This isn't a danger particular to the humanities. I can force a student to memorize their sums, but unless they see how they can use them to manage their accounts or build a bridge, it won’t mean anything to them and they’ll get bored. I can teach a student their periodic table and organic chemistry, but if they can't translate their learning into curing diseases or preventing famines, its all "empty and rote." Consider your profession: I can teach all about different disorders and their symptoms, but unless we examine how they develop and what might work to cure them, the lessons won’t be very interesting or meaningful. Instructors of all disciplines have to find a way to get their students engaged, to show them how their discipline bears real-life applications. It is my opinion that because the humanities – and history in general – are taught so poorly that it often bears the qualities of being “rote and empty.”<br /><br />Any thoughts?Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457983094573185233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3284408590131383359.post-33372285202773774582010-11-11T19:11:53.922-08:002010-11-11T19:11:53.922-08:00I concede. Your statment about partnering with pas...I concede. Your statment about partnering with pastors and parents has spared you from the dreaded triple-barbed hook-- that few have shielded-- and some have called... LINDLEY.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674719679153454197noreply@blogger.com