First of all, the issue that has taken Christians to court in these past few years is the “free-exercise” of our religious liberties. The issue is not that we are going contrary to the law nor that we are doing an inferior job in any of our ministries. The issue is do we have a right to act at all.
Second, we discussed the constitutional, and more importantly, the Biblical philosophy of church-state separation. It is not only a fundamental part of our constitution, but it is also a God-ordered principle established in the Bible. The Bible is the one document that is total truth, unchanging, and holds every single one of our beliefs. On the basis of this, matters of the church are reserved by God (who measures out all authority) for Himself. Any interference by any other entity is not only sin but brings with it the guarantee of judgement and wrath.
Then we defined the church as the beliefs and the believers. “Legitimate” beliefs were then defined by the Supreme Court as convictions only, and a test was established to define the difference. Any belief that could be changed is a preference and not protected by our First Amendment. A conviction was a belief that you would not and even could not change. Convictions had to be God-ordered, personal, non-negotiable, and unconditional.
Lastly, we discussed the philosophy of “life-style consistency”. This comparison of our life and lips is the means by which the court determines our honesty.. Are what we give as our convictions on the witness stand really the truth? The court will find out.
These foundations are the basis of all the other issues. These philosophies must be part of our lives before knowledge of the other secondary issues can help.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
Most of the problems that we encounter come from the State bureaucracies and agencies. Groups such as the Department of Education, the Department of Welfare, the Zoning Departments, Health Departments, and Fire Departments are the agencies that we must first deal with.
The Problem in Brief. The main problem with the issue of licensing is that the State has no right. A license is essentially permission. To accept a license would be to accept permission from the State to run our school; the Church in action; a God-ordered action.
Permission can only come from a higher power. Accepting a license admits that the State is higher than the Church when really our whole philosophy says that the Church and State are separate and individually responsible to God.
Certification is in the same boat. As Christian Educators, we believe that teaching is a calling of God as is preaching. To say that a teacher must be certified before he could teach would be to say that an evangelist or pastor must be certified before he could preach. (And don’t be fooled. This is now happening. The ideas has already been introduced in some states that a pastor cannot counsel his own people without receiving an occupational license like doctors and lawyers must have. The grip on religious freedom tightens once more.)
Test Results as a Defense. These State bureaucratic agencies were established and given authority to make rules and regulations because they were the so called “experts”. These rules and regulations became known as the “Minimum Standards” for a quality education. As time went on, they became more like Maximum Standards. They delved into areas that had absolutely nothing to do with education, let alone a quality one. In Ohio, the Minimum Standards even regulated at what angle the flow of water from a water fountain must be. And they have not yet produced a quality education.
On the other hand, we do give a quality education while the “experts” have failed. The purpose for education is to learn. The secondary purpose is to produce responsible citizens. First, look at the test scores, and then look at the adults we produce. There is no argument as to who has the quality education. Even the State has to admit the truth.
Then it follows next that to ask us to conform to the State’s regulations would be foolish. These standards dictate what curriculum to use, how to discipline the students, and many other areas that are essential to our success. We would become just as poor at educating as the State has become.
The argument in defence of having our teachers certified is even more obvious. Certification does not guarantee quality teachers. In Ohio, for example, Norman Rockwell could not teach art, and Leonard Bernstein could not teach music. The converse is seen in the example of Reverend Jim Jones and the incident in South America. Jones was licensed by several agencies of the government as well as being an ordained minister. The proof of quality teachers is still found in their performance.
A Biblical Base. Again we use the Biblical philosophies mentioned before to support the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. But the philosophy of refusing a license also has a Biblical base. Remember the three Hebrew children? The law of the land stated “that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet…and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image…” (Daniel 3:4-5). All these three young men would have had to do would be to bow; only a harmless physical motion. But even when given a second chance, they flatly refused. And how about Daniel in chapter six? The law was “that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions” (Daniel 6:12). But verse ten says that even when Daniel knew of this law, he still prayed (with the window shutters open) three times a day just as he had done before. All Daniel would have had to do was to shut his windows and pray in secret.
Yet this is the same logic that many Christians use today. A simple physical motion like a bow or closing your window shutters could be compared to the “harmless motion” of accepting a license. You wouldn’t even have to tell anybody that you received it. Where is the faith and convictions that said, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)?
Some Victories. Only a few states are left still fighting in the area of day school licensure. Many states have been defeated in this area. But the State will always find another area to attack the Church until the State is brought down by the wrath of God.
OTHER CASES
As you can see, the fight isn’t for quality education. If this was the case, the statistics would have long ago settled the issue. The real battle is for State control of the Church. Therefore, cases involving day care licensing, zoning regulations, health records, etc. have sprung up all over the country. The State has gone so far as to even remove a pastor’s daughter from her home to fight the Church and ruin her testimony. But the Church still marches on. We are promised that “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Because of genuine conviction and God’s grace and power, many battles have been won. Many times the State strikes under almost ridiculous charges. If they do not win, they still injure the Local Church and its testimony. A not so-uncommon example is Dr. Greg Dixon and Indianapolis Baptist Temple.
Attacks in the Home. Reverend James Roy was Pastor of Bible Baptist Church, Norwich, N.Y., and formerly Pastor of First Bible Baptist Church of Syracuse, N.Y. Pastor Roy Biblically spanked his rebellious fifteen year old daughter, and Shirley Roy was taken from the Roy home by the Onondaga County Child Protective Agency.
For nine long months, the Welfare Department kept Shirley from her family. For almost six months, Pastor Roy was not even told where his daughter was being kept. During that time, she was taken to a rock concert, an R-rated movie, and other worldly activities which were forbidden by the Roy household.
Shirley Roy was finally returned but with four court orders on the Roy family: (1) the parents must attend state approved counselling, (2) they must enroll Shirley in a state accredited school (public), (3) they would be under welfare supervision for a year, and (4) they must refrain from excessive corporal punishment.
This attack by the State was in the home. The next incident could be at your church, school, or residence. Do you have the conviction to withstand the State?
CLOSING COMMENTS
What will the verdict be when the State knocks at your door? You may be next. Are your beliefs convictions? Are they God-ordered, personal, non-negotiable, and unconditional? Does your life style remain consistent with these “convictions”? Daniel and the three Hebrew children were able to remain faithful to the Lord, because they “purposed in their hearts” before the test came.
Proverbs 24:10 says: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” In ourselves we will never have the strength to withstand persecution. We are promised that we can do “all things” only “through Christ” which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him…” and the good man “though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down” (Psalm 37:4, 24).
May the Lord bless you.
OUTLINE
Introduction
The problem- the Church is being tested
The purpose of the article-
To give education about the issue
To prepare for personal tests
To give Biblical explanations and stands
I.Separation of Church and State
The First Amendment
Non-establishment clause
Free exercise clause
I.The Biblical Base
The Bible as a foundation
Romans 13:1 and Matthew 22:21
II.Definition of the Church
Not: a title, an organizations, or a building
Is: Beliefs and Believers
III.Explanation of the Test
Preferences
Strong belief
Can: give entire life; give all wealth; propagate energetically; want to teach child
Will change by: peer pressure; family pressure;litigation; jail; and death
Convictions
God-ordered
Personal
Non-negotiable
Unconditional
Life Style Consistency
Practice what you preach
The opposite is sin
DEVELOPING THE TOTAL CHILD
“Why do children from Christian homes ‘go bad’?”
“I hear the brethren and pastors talking about Proverbs 22:6, but what does it really mean to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’? How do you do this?”
Many of our children have more “secular” training then they have Biblical training.
Even though many of us attend church, have our children in church and even have our children in Sunday School classes much of their exposure is non-Biblical.
God says a three fold cord is not easily broken. That should be the home, the church and the child’s education all working together in harmony. Many times that is not the case.
Also many times the education that the child is receiving in one of these environments is partly Biblical and partly humanistic.
The church, a Christian school, the Sunday school does not “train up the child” or should I say should not be the one training up the child. The main influence should be always the home.
Duet. 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
The basic philosophy necessary to develop the total child is found in Colossians 2:8,
Beware lest any man spoil you through:
Philosophy: What others think is right- this is humanistic reasoning vs God’s Word
Vain Deceit: Believing we are right, but being wrong
The Tradition of men: It has always been this way. The world’s way.
Examples: Comparing children. Grading children on a “bell shaped curve”
The Rudiments of the World: Marching in step with the rest of the world. We have to dress like the world. Have the same hair styles as the world. Have our children involved in the same activities as the world. Use the same methodologies in the training of our children as the world.
And not after Christ: If we need Him, we will call on Him. God cannot be thought of as a crutch if all else fails.
A Child must be properly planted: Psalm 1
Away from “the counsel of the ungodly.”
Away from “the way of the sinners.”
Away from “the seat of the scornful.”
Where the Child can delight in the law of the Lord.
By the river where the Child can be fed.
Free from negative spiritual and academic energy drains.
We cannot live in a monestry. We are the salt of the earth. But a child in training is not primarily a missionary. He is a student seeking “training” and that must be Godly training. Training or education is “brain washing”. Education is a battle ground. The child must having “pure” training to under who he is, who he is following, who he is serving and who the enemy is.
A Child must have a proper foundation: Luke 6:47-49 “Head”
One of the primary reasons children from Christian families don’t “turn out well” is this. A PROBLEM gets attention.
Let’s read Luke 6: 47-49 and replace:
“House” with “son” or “daughter”
“Earth” with “humanism” or “inconsistency”
“Rock” with “Christ”
Allowing a little humanism or incosistency here and there weakens the foundation.
Examples:
Idolizing sports heroes.
Idolizing movie stars.
Idolizing musical stars.
Christianizing “rock music”
Making TV a focal point.
Magazines in the home that have nudity, liquor et cetera.
We as Christian parents need to pioneer a renaissance. We need to pioneer a new birth of righteousness for America. Pioneers sometimes have it very rough. But pioneers believe in the future. The future is the next generation.
We need to remember to be not weary in well doing for in due time, we will reap if we faint not.
We need to have proper development and proper balance for our Child.
All discipline and no love will equal tyranny.
All love and no discipline will equal insecurity and rebellion.
Some love and some discipline will equal bitterness and confusion.
WE NEED GODLY PARENTS
Parents with a pleasing personality.
Parents who can handle any problem.
Parents who have “grown” up.
Parents who are not subject to “mood” swings.
Parents who are students of the Word.
Parents with the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job.
Parents who are compassionate.
Parents who are creative and original.
Parents who are concerned with the health, welfare, spiritual, educational, physical, and social problems of their Child.
HOME: It is what you make it!!! Hard, sometimes difficult but well worth it.
Be not weary is oftentimes, many times difficult. But God’s plan works.
DON’T DESPAIR — DON’T QUIT — DON’T LET UP
What are problems?
They are opportunities for a victory!!!!
Be strong and of good courage: be not afraid….for the Lord thy God is with thee. Joshua 1:19
Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
The Affect of Total Christian Training in the Life of a Child
The Child’s will:
Will come into proper relationship with parents and brothers and sisters.
The Child will want to respect them.
The Child will want to live a life from God’s point of view.
The Child will have proper respect for his Pastor and others who are in authority.
The Child will respect those who are older.
The Child will be open to gain wisdom and insight.
The Child will have proper respect for those in authority over him.
The Child will have a clearer conscience enabling him to absorb academics more readily.
The Child will respect P.E. as a sport, not a “god”. Having fun as a means of keeping the “temple” strong.
The Child will be able to cope with the game. Learning to be a good winner and show character, but determination if they lose.
Let’s Work on the Child’s Heart : Luke 6: 43-45
Input: Ears, Eyes, Touch – none of us has “arrived”
Have positive input:
Bible Memory—Discipline—Parental Love—Christian Examples with the Brethren—Good Christian Education—Christian Biographies—Restricted Activities—Godly Hymns—Controlled diet—Control in Church—Planned Family Activities—Whole Family Involvement
Results
Obedience to Authoirty—Confidence—Pure Thoughts—Chaste/Virtuouos/Pure—Self-control—Purpose—Strong Character—Disciplined Life—Love of Christ—Discernment—Respect for Parents and those in Authority.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6
Should We Shelter Our Child??
Yes: From
Immoralty—Dope—Watching Sin—Inconsistency—Ungodliness—Rebellion—Critical Attitudes et cetera.
Shelter at home, at school, at play and at work!!!