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I Am Tempted of the Lord
Highlands Study Center Squiblog ^ | 07/08/2005 | R. C. Sproul Jr.

Posted on 07/11/2005 6:27:48 AM PDT by sheltonmac

Suppose, just for the sake of argument, that God actually calls us to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, that we are to speak to them of the things of God when they lie down, when they walk by the way and when they rise up. Is anybody having to stretch themselves to embrace that premise? Now suppose that God has in turn called us to disciple the nations, to proclaim the good news, to be salt and light. Anybody stretching here?

I'm a parent, and I exercise authority in my home. I say to my son, "Campbell, please go down to my office and get my water glass" and as a general rule, he does so. He rarely "forgets" and he never overtly rebels. Sometimes, however, he argues. If he says, "My sister Delaney could do that for you. Perhaps you should ask her" I reply, "I asked you." If, on the other hand, he says, "Mommy has asked me to sweep out the garage right now. Which of these tasks should I tend to first?" I would be tempted to reply, "Why don't you just pour yourself a glass of chocolate milk, pick up your favorite book, and I will get my glass, and sweep the garage." If it were to happen that way his logic would have been commendable, but the great delight would be the way he handled his dilemma.

There are rather a few differences between Campbell's earthly father and his heavenly Father. We both have authority over my son. But I alone have the capacity to give my son conflicting and contradictory instructions. When God gives us an order, because He is the very God of order, we can rest assured that it does not contradict any other of His orders. Which brings us back to our first two suppositions. Which is more important, raising your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, or being salt and light? Christian homeschoolers are tempted to choose the former, while Christians who send their children into the government's schools are tempted to choose the latter. What do you think?

I hope you think that neither of these two commands are more important. We are to obey all of God's law, and we can never justify breaking part b on the grounds that it was necessary to keep part a. Not that I haven't tried. When I was a teenager I would often drive home at reckless and illegal speeds, so as not to break my curfew.

When Christians of different theological persuasions get together, it isn't uncommon for them to play what I call "dueling verses." The Calvinist drops his verse, "Ephesians 2:1" and the Arminian retaliates with "John 3:16." The two start flinging verses at each other, somehow believing that whomever can muster the most verses wins. But of course to get at the truth we have to understand and incorporate all the verses, because God's truth is one. And so we do the same in our education wars. No homeschooler can justify indifference and inaction toward the lost on the grounds that they are busy raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And no government schooler can justify their children being discipled in a place where the Lord cannot be mentioned on the grounds of "witnessing." What we need is to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, while seeking the lost. As I stated in my book When You Rise Up, "Do I care about the lost? Of course I do. Do my children care about the lost? Enough that they can pray for them at school, out loud, every day. I am homeschooling precisely so my children will be able to know, recognize and love the enemy, all while not becoming the enemy... .The greatest thing our children can do for the lost is to so let their light shine before men that they glorify their Father in heaven."


TOPICS: General Discusssion; Religion & Culture
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1 posted on 07/11/2005 6:27:48 AM PDT by sheltonmac
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To: OrthodoxPresbyterian; CCWoody; Wrigley; Gamecock; Jean Chauvin; jboot; AZhardliner; Alex Murphy; ...
*ping*


2 posted on 07/11/2005 6:29:22 AM PDT by sheltonmac ("Duty is ours; consequences are God's." -Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson)
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To: sheltonmac

Excellent discussion starter.

The education of our children is never to be left up to others; even if we send them to a state school. It is my responsibility. This is never more apparent than when I ask my 11 year old to tell me what 6 time 7 is. Or my 15 year old how to spell appreciate.

You are leaving out the different ability and or aptitude/attitude of the parents. My wife could no more home school than design nuclear power plant. She can understand the power plant, but teaching has no place in her repertoire.

I on the other hand would have loved my children to be home schooled. I choose to remain married, rather than force that on my wife.


3 posted on 07/11/2005 6:40:35 AM PDT by Rhadaghast (Yeshua HaMashiach Tzidkaynu)
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To: sheltonmac

Problem is, the State has abrogated your authority in the home.


4 posted on 07/11/2005 6:55:47 AM PDT by steve8714
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To: sheltonmac
Which brings us back to our first two suppositions. Which is more important, raising your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, or being salt and light? Christian homeschoolers are tempted to choose the former, while Christians who send their children into the government's schools are tempted to choose the latter. What do you think?

I think that Salt and Light are needed EVERYWHERE.

I also think that I will not send my children into the Den of Lions until they are spiritually mature.

Would you send your children to the casinos and strip clubs to be salt and light?
5 posted on 07/11/2005 7:14:30 AM PDT by halieus (The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers & ruled alike.)
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To: halieus
"Do I care about the lost? Of course I do. Do my children care about the lost? Enough that they can pray for them at school, out loud, every day. I am homeschooling precisely so my children will be able to know, recognize and love the enemy, all while not becoming the enemy... .The greatest thing our children can do for the lost is to so let their light shine before men that they glorify their Father in heaven."

I'm making note of this -- very well said. It bears repeating.
6 posted on 07/11/2005 7:26:13 AM PDT by halieus (The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers & ruled alike.)
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To: Rhadaghast
My wife could no more home school than design nuclear power plant.

A few years ago, two friends of mine made a tremendous sacrifice and undertook the task of home schooling. It had become too burdensome for them to quiz each of their children at night about the day at school and trying to read what the children read & studied, so that they could correct the atheism, etc.

One of the ladies has succeeded by using her own relaxed style and all the good materials available. The other gave up after one year because she tried too hard to be a perfect teacher instead of being a mom teaching her children. The alternative for her has been to spend thousands of dollars for private school.

They both have my admiration.

7 posted on 07/11/2005 9:38:55 AM PDT by suzyjaruki (From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.)
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To: halieus

Excellent point. It makes as much sense as shoving your child into oncoming traffic in the hopes that he or she can convince drivers to obey the speed limit.


8 posted on 07/11/2005 11:50:04 AM PDT by sheltonmac ("Duty is ours; consequences are God's." -Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson)
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To: sheltonmac; suzyjaruki; Rhadaghast
Excellent article. Thanks.

The funny thing about sending your kids to public school, if you equip them securely, they can satisfy their natural rebellion by going against the zeitgeist of the idiotic, slavishly liberal educational system.

They become conservatives by default.

But daily diligence is required and hands-on control by the parents.

Public education is dangerous, but not fatal.
9 posted on 07/11/2005 11:58:56 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg (There are very few shades of gray.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Public education is dangerous, but not fatal.

If it causes your children to fall away from Christ, it's WORSE than fatal.
10 posted on 07/11/2005 12:21:25 PM PDT by halieus (The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers & ruled alike.)
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To: sheltonmac
Now suppose that God has in turn called us to disciple the nations

Sorry, but I can't find this anywhere in scripture related to this age.

11 posted on 07/11/2005 12:46:45 PM PDT by aimhigh
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To: steve8714
"Problem is, the State has abrogated your authority in the home."

Not completely, which is all the more reason to remove our kids from the gubmint fool system where the state is teaching our kids to be rebellious against their parent's beliefs and training.

12 posted on 07/11/2005 1:00:13 PM PDT by Frank_Lee_Speaking
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To: Frank_Lee_Speaking

Think not? Try disciplining your kid in public. It's a good way to meet law enforcement professionals.


13 posted on 07/11/2005 1:11:09 PM PDT by steve8714
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To: aimhigh

I didn't realize the Great Commission had an expiration date. This is what Jesus said to the 11 disciples: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20). Note that they were to teach others to observe all that Christ commanded them. It stands to reason that includes teaching other believers to also spread the gospel.


14 posted on 07/11/2005 2:38:55 PM PDT by sheltonmac ("Duty is ours; consequences are God's." -Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson)
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To: sheltonmac

sorry, I misread disciple as discipline. You are correct. Short lunch to read everything, you know.


15 posted on 07/11/2005 6:46:34 PM PDT by aimhigh
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To: aimhigh
Honest mistake! ;-)


16 posted on 07/11/2005 8:09:26 PM PDT by sheltonmac ("Duty is ours; consequences are God's." -Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson)
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To: sheltonmac

"Campbell, please go down to my office and get my water glass"

Man, I don't have kids. Maybe I could get a pet monkey to do that for me.


17 posted on 07/11/2005 8:53:50 PM PDT by moog
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To: halieus

If it causes your children to fall away from Christ, it's WORSE than fatal.


All parents are the main influence (or lack of it) on their children.


18 posted on 07/11/2005 8:55:01 PM PDT by moog
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To: steve8714

Solution: Remove your kids from the goobermint fool system.


19 posted on 07/12/2005 11:47:44 AM PDT by Frank_Lee_Speaking
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