Are your Children Influenced by the World or by Christ? | True Worldview Ep. 69

We’re Shaped by What We Hear

We’re shaped by what we hear -- by the things with which we fill our minds. People in the communication business know that very well. Their goal is to influence thinking and thereby behavior. We see it in advertising. Why is it that certain brands become popular and others do not? The answer is market saturation. 

Think about those with political or moral agendas. There’s no doubt that Americans in general think very differently about homosexuality than they did twenty years ago. The more one sees famous people embracing same-sex attraction or bi-sexuality; the more television shows that have homosexual characters; or the more same-sex love scenes one views whether graphic or not; the more desensitized we become and the more homosexuality is embraced as a normal orientation for some. 

We’re all more or less influenced depending how much we take in vs. how much we counteract such messaging by filling our minds with godly things. It’s inevitable.

Think About your Children

Think about your children. They are not isolated from the world’s propaganda. You’d be surprised how much they see, hear, and even talk about, depending upon their age, of course.  Yet, if your kids have friends, or go to school, or are involved in some kind of extracurricular activity, they’ve already been exposed to more than you can imagine, even if they’re only eight or nine years old. 

Their schoolmate shows them their dad’s magazine; their friend’s older brother smokes marijuana; the neighbor likes to talk about sexual things; they’ve heard about the latest Youtube video; and they’ve inadvertently come across objectionable material on the internet. If they’re just a little older, they or their friends are into Instagram, Snapchat, TicToc, and a host of other social media platforms of which parents are unaware. 

Don’t Assume your Kids are the Exception

You can’t assume your children are the exceptions when it comes to the world’s messaging. They might be great kids! They might be born again. But they’re exposed whether through radio, Spotify, teachers, coaches, or even kids at church. 

To assume such is to underestimate the reach and influence of the world, something God warns us about. It fails to take into account the reality of Satan and his sole mission: to seek those whom he may devour. And frankly, it’s to discount the flesh -- the fact that your children are sinners. They’re either dead in sin, or they must battle their flesh even as born-again believers. 

You don’t need to think less of them when you come to grips with the struggles they have. Every single one of us struggles with sin, including mature Christians. We might have learned to fight better, and we might have defeated certain temptations, but the flesh still wars against the Spirit. And there’s no way your kids have the experience or the tools that you have to fight that at this point in their lives.

What Can We Do?

Now, you can make sure they’re never exposed to objectionable things or people. You can keep them from the outside world. Or, you can cast off all restraint, and let them do whatever they want. After all, they’re responsible for the choices they make, right? But you know neither of those options is any option at all. 

You can do what most parents do. You can send your kids to church, say a little prayer at meal-time, and hope it all works out. But to do that is really only slightly better than throwing off all restraint. You’d be essentially burying your head in the sand. None of these options are viable. What can you do then?

God’s Answer: Fill their Minds with Truth

God’s answer is filling their minds with truth, constantly and regularly. It’s putting more of Him into them than the world puts into them. Our minds have to be renewed day by day by day by day. That’s why Paul says so more than once for example. “Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph. 4:23). You are to be “renewed in knowledge according” to the image of God (Col. 3:10). 

We’re told over and over again that it’s the word that God uses to save and sanctify (Rom. 1:16; 1 Thes. 2:13; Jas. 1:18; Jn. 17:17). We hide God’s word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11). It’s the word of God that keeps us from stumbling (Ps. 119:165). I could go on. 

Perhaps the most comprehensive text with particular reference to children is in Deut. 6: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 

That’s what you can do. You can fill your children’s minds with truth when you’re at home, when you’re on the way to school, before you go to bed, when you get up, when you’re at the table, when things come up, in the midst of difficulty, on special occasions, and so much more. 

Fill their minds with God’s word and their minds will be renewed, that is, they’ll be made like new, and the things of the world will have little influence.

5 Things You Can Do Everyday for a Happier Marriage | True Worldview Ep. 63

5 Things You Can Do Everyday for a Happier Marriage

It’s usually not a good idea to listen to the world’s advice on how to have a happier marriage. We’re told to buy gifts, spice things up, take trips, or other things along those lines. Gifts often lead to a “what have you done for me lately” attitude. Spice hardly works on something that’s rotten. And the problem with taking a trip is you bring yourselves along. These things don’t really fix relationship problems. But there are some habits you can develop that will serve to make your marriage happier.

Talk About the Things of God Together

First, talk about the things of God together. True happiness comes from knowing God, and you know Him better by spending time with Him. Talking about the things of God with your spouse serves to draw you closer together as you draw closer to Him, because He’s at work. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy theological study, though that might be for you. You could study the bible, use a devotional, talk about a Christian article, discuss a biblical worldview on something that’s going on, or discuss how God is working in your life. It could be any number of things. Just develop a habit of talking about God together.

Examine your Heart

Second, examine your heart on a regular basis. Your heart is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We’re called to examine our hearts for any number of reasons, not the least of which is we don’t truly know what’s in our hearts until we examine them through the lens of Scripture (Heb. 4:12). When you see sin in your heart, put it off, and replace it with a godly habit pattern. Paul talks about these things constantly. Put off lying, and put on truth-telling. Put off anger, and put on forgiveness. Put off stealing, and put on hard work. You get the idea. And, you do these things only through the renewing of your mind: by saturating your mind with the Scriptures (Col. 2; Col. 3; Eph. 3; Rom. 12).

Resolve Conflict Quickly

Third, resolve conflict quickly. One of the purposes of marriage is sanctification. It reveals the sin in our hearts. That’s why we examine them, and when sin comes out by way of conflict, we must resolve it. We do that by confessing our sin to God and to our spouse, and repenting. We say, “I was wrong,” and we commit to not sinning in that way again. It’s a constant battle, but that’s the battle! We also have to forgive. If your spouse repents, you forgive. That means you won’t allow the sin to come between you; it means you won’t dwell on it; it means you won’t gossip about it; and it means you won’t bring it up again, especially in a future argument. And, be the one to initiate the conflict resolution. Swallow your pride, and honor God and your spouse. You’ll avoid bitterness over time and have a happier marriage if you’ll get into the habit of resolving conflict – quickly!

Challenge One Another Spiritually

Fourth, challenge one another spiritually. This is not a time to pull out a laundry list of things you don’t like about your spouse and have at it. I’m talking about helping your spouse if they’re doing something that’s detrimental to them spiritually or is bringing reproach on Christ. Give each other permission to lovingly and helpfully challenge in this way. It’s not easy, no one really likes it, but it’s so beneficial!

Pray for One Another

Fifth, pray for one another. All of these things are an attempt to get God in on your marriage, and prayer is essential. God works through prayer. He hears, and He answers. He alone can change the heart. And, it’s hard to be mad at someone for whom you pray. It’s also hard to pray for your spouse without being convicted of your own sin.

Prioritize these things in your life. Make them habits. Do these five things every day, and your marriage will be happier.

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3 Simple Reasons Abortion Should Be Outlawed | True Worldview Ep. 62

Most Christians understand that abortion should be outlawed. At the same time, it’s good to have some arguments under our belt. Here are three reasons that are fundamental: it’s unconstitutional, uncivil, and unbiblical.

Abortion is Unconstitutional

First, abortion should be outlawed because it’s unconstitutional. America’s founding documents guarantee the right to life for all citizens. The Declaration of Independence is foundational for understanding the concept of rights in America. Genuine rights are not granted by government, but by God. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In the minds of the founders, there was no debate as to the special place human beings held in the world. Such truth is self-evident. Every human being possesses certain rights due to their God-given humanity. That concept from the Declaration is woven into the Constitution.

Some have argued that babies in the womb are not persons, and are therefore not in view in the Declaration nor are they protected by the United States Constitution. Some would even argue for the immorality of abortion yet argue for its legality. As such, they would argue against an unborn baby’s right to life. Roe v. Wade is rooted in such an argument. Judge Andrew Napolitano noted, “Roe established that the fetus in the womb, notwithstanding human parentage and the possession of all the genomic material needed to develop into a full postnatal human, is legally not a person.”

But, he went on to note that such an establishment echoes back to an earlier Supreme Court decision that most would now reject, “Dred Scott v. Sandford, which was in the abolitionist era and effectively denied the personhood of African-Americans.” The issue today is this: “If the fetus is a person, then it is protected from abortion by the Fifth and 14th amendments to the Constitution, which command the government to protect equally the lives of all people.” So, “What about personhood? Isn't a living baby a person entitled to the equal protection of the laws? Under the natural law, yes. Under the Constitution, yes. Under Roe v. Wade . . . no.” The fact is that Roe v. Wade is unconstitutional as is abortion. Regardless of the philosophical gymnastics behind Roe, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and protects the lives of all people.

Abortion is Uncivil

Second, abortion should be outlawed because it’s uncivil. In other words, it militates against the nature of civil society. The concept of unalienable rights rooted in America’s founding documents places a duty upon the government to protect those rights. The fifth and 14th amendments to the Constitution are examples of that. Civil government cannot be justified if its primary role is not protecting the rights of the people. If it doesn’t do that, we don’t need it.

The idea of civil society is just that; it is a group of people existing together in a civil manner. Some regard society as bigger than the individual. However, society is not some independent entity; society it is comprised of real individuals. When the welfare of the group becomes overarching, the rights of the individuals are lost. They are forced to submit to those with power regardless of their rights. When society is conceived of as a group entity, then government gives power to a few to coerce the rest of the people. But when society is viewed as persons who have unalienable rights, then government exists to protect the private pursuits of men and women acting freely, as long as they don’t violate the rights of others.

It follows then that abortion militates against the nature of civil society as composed of free individuals. When one segment of society has its rights taken away, the society can no longer be termed a civil society. It is a society that allows at least one kind of indiscriminate murder, and the government that allows it has become an accessory. If one group is no longer protected and safe, then no group is. 

Abortion is Unbiblical

Third, abortion should be outlawed because it is unbiblical. The bible says murder is evil. The primary reason is that it is an act of murder perpetrated against God because man is created in God’s image. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:6). 

Some would argue that a pluralistic society like America can’t be governed by a set of morals derived from a particular religion. Yet, all religions forbid murder, at least to a certain extent. All societies forbid it. This reality is owing to the fact that people are created in the image of God. The evil of murder is written on our hearts (Romans 2).

Further, there are some issues that are moral only, and there are others that are moral and civil. Murder is both. While God prohibits murder in any context, He certainly prohibits murder in civil society to preserve such. He prohibits it to preserve the right to life He’s granted to all individuals.

Now think here: the fact is, there is no civil society apart from God. Once God is rejected, then relativism is the default position. On that worldview, the ones who have the power make the rules, and the concept of rights is rejected. Such is the case in America today. That’s why unconstitutional arguments have won the day in favor of legalized abortion. Only when the connection is made between a civil society, the rights of the individuals who make up that society, and the role of government to protect those rights, will persons see once again the concept of unalienable rights granted by God.

Abortion must be outlawed for the glory of God, the good of the unborn, and even the ultimate freedom of those who fight for its legalization. They fight for their own civil destruction without realizing it. Again, abortion is unconstitutional, uncivil, and unbiblical. Regarding pro-choice? We have no choice but to remove the scourge of abortion from our land, for the sake of everyone.

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The Move to Abolish Homeschooling | True Worldview Ep. 59

Harvard Magazine is out with a stunning piece calling for the outlawing of homeschooling. “Elizabeth Bartholet, Wasserstein public interest professor of law and faculty director of the Law School’s Child Advocacy Program, sees risks for children—and society—in homeschooling, and recommends a presumptive ban on the practice. Homeschooling, she says, not only violates children’s right to a ‘meaningful education’ and their right to be protected from potential child abuse, but may keep them from contributing positively to a democratic society.”

Twisting Terms

Part of Bartholet’s concern is that homeschoolers don’t receive meaningful education, despite the fact that most homeschoolers score higher than public schoolers in all testing metrics. But what she means is that homeschoolers don’t get the kind of education she deems meaningful. They’re not able to be indoctrinated in the academy’s worldview.

She likens this lack of meaningful education to child abuse. She’s redefining child abuse and equating it with the teaching of a Christian worldview. But more than that, she implies that physical child abuse goes unchecked in homeschooling families, and we need teachers to play watchdog. Since when does the State play watchdog with no evidence of wrongdoing? Since when are we allowed to throw out baseless accusations in order to demonize an entire group with whom we disagree religiously or politically?

Of course, that’s why she says homeschoolers won’t be able to contribute positively to a democratic society. What she means is they won’t vote the way she deems appropriate because they won’t embrace progressivism.

A Multi-Front Attack

And here’s the reveal from the piece: “But surveys of homeschoolers show that a majority of such families (by some estimates, up to 90 percent) are driven by conservative Christian beliefs, and seek to remove their children from mainstream culture. Bartholet notes that some of these parents are ‘extreme religious ideologues who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.”

Bartholet is a true ideologue herself in that she wants to remove the natural, constitutional rights that all persons have to educate their children as they see fit. She declares herself and others like her to know better than the parents to whom God has entrusted children. This declaration is the heart of technocracy – the notion that certain persons in society know better than the masses and therefore have the right and responsibility to dictate public policy for all.

The means she uses to make her case are just as nefarious as her ideas. Not only does she redefine terms in an effort to alarm her readers and shape public opinion, she says that “if you look at the legal regime governing homeschooling, there are very few requirements that parents do anything.” Such is certainly not the case. While regulations differ from state to state, many are quite strenuous, and all homeschoolers must pass standardized tests to gain entry into college. The fact is that the vast majority of homeschoolers score high on those tests and excel at the college and graduate levels. They are well socialized and make tremendous contributions to society. But Bartholet takes a shot at homeschooling parents: “That means, effectively, that people can homeschool who’ve never gone to school themselves, who don’t read or write themselves.” She goes on to say that parents in some states can simply keep their kids at home without providing education at all. Yet, the reality is that most homeschooling parents teach their kids at home because they are very interested in their education. These parents are typically above average parents who care very deeply about the educational, and yes spiritual well-being of their children. We’re not talking about absentee dads and welfare moms when we talk about homeschool parents.

In addition to the baseless fearmongering in which she engages, the Harvard Professor cloaks her arguments in the garb of children’s rights. She asserts that children have the right to be exposed to “community values, social values, democratic values, ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people’s viewpoints.” Of course, they are. It goes without saying that Christians champion these things, while a new paradigm of intolerance rooted in woke culture seeks to redefine these values, such that they come to be used in completely different ways than what they actually mean.

A Totalitarian Move

Bartholet goes further. She tips her hat to the rights of parents to raise their children with the religious beliefs they hold, but than adds this: “But requiring children to attend schools outside the home for six or seven hours a day, she argues, does not unduly limit parents’ influence on a child’s views and ideas. ‘The issue is, do we think that parents should have 24/7, essentially authoritarian control over their children from ages zero to 18? I think that’s dangerous,’ Bartholet says. ‘I think it’s always dangerous to put powerful people in charge of the powerless, and to give the powerful ones total authority.’” Those comments are chilling. Further, their ironic nature is only surpassed by their hypocritical nature. She’s calling for authoritarian control over the nation’s children: your children. As she says, that’s dangerous, to say the least. We all know if you win the hearts of the children, you win the culture. That’s her goal with her “six or seven hours a day.” There’s little chance for parents to combat that level of indoctrination, and she knows that.

We’re at War

Bartholet is not alone. And make no mistake, she, if not Harvard as well, has launched a Pearl Harbor attack on homeschooling, Christianity, parental rights. She’s broadsided the Constitution as well. Her article is not an isolated opinion piece. She’s launched a very real war. Sound the alarm – it’s time to enlist.

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How Are The Children Doing? Coronavirus and Kids at Home | True Worldview Ep. 55

According to Gallup

Interesting: “Children may be benefiting from the stay-at-home orders many states have in place during the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. According to a Gallup poll, a large majority of children report ‘enjoyment” and “happiness’ while spending their days with their families.” On the one hand, it’s surprising we’d hear positive news concerning the benefits of homeschooling. On the other hand, its fits into the “go home and stay home, we’re all in this together” Orwellian narrative.

Massive Benefits

Of course, there are very real benefits to homeschooling. You fulfill your responsibility to train your own children; you wrest their minds from control of the State; you foster and maintain a better relationship with your children; you can spur creativity; you can teach them to think independently; you can take time to develop latent educational interests and aspirations that might not have been brought to the fore; and so much more. More importantly, you can teach them a biblical worldview in every aspect of their education and thereby demonstrate its comprehensive nature. You make them far more useful for the kingdom. And of utmost significance, while God is sovereign in the salvation of your children, your efforts are the most likely thing God will use to bring them to Himself. Statistically, 70% to 90% of children raised in church and public/private school walk away from Christ when they hit college. It’s also true that the same percentage of Christian homeschoolers do not. In fact, close to 90% of millennial graduates say they are very strong in terms of their faith commitment to Christ.

A Change is Gonna Come

An educational sea-change is coming in the aftermath of COVID-19. Many students at the university level will opt for online education which will drive tuition rates down and force numerous schools to scale back and as many others to close completely. At the primary level, an increasing number of non-Christian families have already opted for homeschooling. Some are driven by academic considerations while others are fearful in the aftermath of school shootings. The fear-factor of COVID-19 will drive many more to pull out of government as well as private schools.

Whenever governments manipulate crises there are always unintended consequences. The vast majority of those are negative and harmful to the people. In this case, it may be that more and more people learn to think independent of the State’s curriculum. When that happens, the population is harder to control. The willingness of the vast majority of Americans to accept the State’s Coronavirus narrative and the trampling of the hard-won and God-given freedoms we have is owing to government education. We can only pray that escape from that subtle tyranny is part of what God is doing in His grace. Not only will it be a boon for human flourishing, it may be a prelude to revival. That’s something for which we can pray as well.

Biblical Wisdom

There’s a reason God gives this instruction: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-9). It’s the underlying assumption of the proverbial truism: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Neither of these texts is talking about Sunday School.

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