Comments on: Reformed Christian Education: Is It Isolationist?

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 01:18:22 +0000

Great arguments defending explicitly Christian education!

I personally believe that it should be an excommunicable offense if one doesn’t repent from sending their covenant children to a public school. Such socialism is a modern day heresy. Though there might also be a problem with the teaching aspect of the church if such an extreme discipline really became necessary to implement.

By: reformedcovenanter

reformedcovenanter — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:18:46 +0000

Yes David it was very helpful and I am seriously considering using them, my only worry is distribution in the UK, but they seem to have an international distribution option so hopefully this won’t be too much of a problem.

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:12:09 +0000

Yes I did, thank you for sending them. Have you looked at Xulon yet?

By: reformedcovenanter

reformedcovenanter — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:00:49 +0000

Oh yes, did you get the books David?

By: reformedcovenanter

reformedcovenanter — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:00:25 +0000

Not being a church officer at the moment David, it is not possible for me to implement my views on this subject, so to that extent it remains an ideal. However, if I was an elder then I would have to use my position of influence to ensure that this ideal was implemented.

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:41:11 +0000

I have to ask, I’m not trying to be divisive, but the “ideal position”? I believe we have to stand firm upon our understanding of the Word regardless of the temporal or practical implications. And though I don’t believe being rash is the solution, if we are convinced the Word teaches men must not hand over their children to Baal to be educated, the church must manifest this in it’s orthopraxy.

Does this not open a door whereby we can merely set biblical principles aside saying, “Well, that’s just the ideal position”? I fear, if we aren’t fighting where the battle rages, and it is raging for the hearts and minds of our covenant children, we aren’t fighting at all. And if this means deposing men who don’t meet this critria for church office, then give me 10 men committed to thoroughly living out God’s Word, than a 1000 living otherwise.

By: reformedcovenanter

reformedcovenanter — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 12:51:58 +0000

Yes, I admit that the position on elders is an ideal, in the present climate it is not going to be possible to implement this.

By: puritanismtoday

puritanismtoday — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 10:08:54 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments Daniel. Unfortunately because so many in the UK use the ‘isolationist’ argument, it perpetuates the problem for the few homeschooling families to avoid being isolated. The thing that gets me is that Christians can be so (mistakenly) concerned that their children might be ’social misfits’ in a pagan society, and yet their concern at putting them into state school does not does not even begin to compare with the former concern.

As for the comments on men, the education of their children and holding office, while you present an ideal position, I do not think it would be proper in the current religious climate in the UK to apply this. Education is required to bring about this Reformation. Furthermore most Reformed ministers and elders in the UK would need to be deposed from office.

By: puritanhope

puritanhope — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:17:25 +0000

You have good thoughts here, keep it up!

By: Noldorin_Calvinist

Noldorin_Calvinist — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:50:46 +0000

Excellent summary of education. Interesting points on church office. I will have to chew on that for a bit.

Also, your posts on the Regulative Principle are very intriguing. Many here in the states would not even consider it as a possibility. Great posts…

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:37:16 +0000

Good thoughts and they seem to reflect my own.

By: reformedcovenanter

reformedcovenanter — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:36:56 +0000

Thanks for your comment David. With regards to your question, it is my conviction that a man who sends his children to a state school is unfit to hold office in Christ’s church because if he ‘does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church’ (1 Tim. 3:5). Moreover, if a man is prepared to pragmatically set aside God’s word on education, will he not do the same with regards to worship, church discipline etc. ?

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:21:08 +0000

That’s right. I am ever thankful God never permitted me to place my children in state school. I believe it do be an abrogation of responsiblity on the part of the parents to do so.

Let me ask you this… Should a man who allows his children to attend state or public run schools be qualified to serve in church office? Or is he neglecting his oversight of his family and therefore showing himself disqualified for office?