"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7)

Part II: Raising Our Children When the State Promotes What Is False

Christian pastors and parents must never forget that the Kingdom of the Left (that is, the State) they live in is a "Babylon." Even though it is God's tool and servant to bless his people, because of sin it is also capable of defying both God and his Church. Babylon of old had brief "love affairs" with the true religion, but it always ended up persecuting the Church (see Esther, Jeremiah and Daniel). The fall of man-his depravity, his rejection of God as God, his desire to become his own god-is clearly displayed in secular governments as well. Therefore the Christian must maintain a vigilance toward this natural tendency of secular governments. Even the best of governments will be more than willing to trample ON the Son of God, His Word, and His people. They do so not only by outright persecution but also by promoting false worldviews. 

False worldviews are always "deceptive" because they sound so beneficial and necessary, but something else lurks beneath the surface. Parts of these worldviews are good, but that which is good should not be used to justify the ungodly intentions of the entire movement. Here are some examples of false worldviews in our culture that are promoted by the State.

Constructivism

Constructivism is simply relativism, usually at a group level: there are no transcendent absolutes, natural laws, or other facts that are true for all people of all times. Truth is constructed by each culture or individual. Truth varies from person to person, time to time, and culture to culture. Constructivism pervades secular education. It is even a basis of the new math, often referred to as "integrated math" or "connected math" where students "learn that mathematics is man-made, that it is arbitrary, and good solutions are arrived at by consensus among those who are considered expert" (Connected Mathematics Program Teacher's Guide). If math is a social construct, then why not religion as well? Under constructivism, nothing has true and lasting meaning.

Postmodern Tolerance

The most common understanding of tolerance today teaches that the "truths" of one culture or religion are as valid as those of any other-all are to be respected. No longer is it right for a person to say something or someone is wrong in a transcendent sense. But this is insanity. If consistently followed, one would have to consider the mentality of a mass murderer worthy of respect. Though few people would want to carry tolerance this far, American culture has made long and ugly strides in that direction. In rural Wisconsin, a 17-year old wrote numerous articles for the high school section of the local newspaper advocating nihilism (the doom and gloom worldview that advocates death and whose theme is "you are really nothing at all"). No one objected. Everyone was "tolerant." 

Homosexual marriage is another example. Postmodern tolerance says that marriage is a social construct. The next culture can change it, if it so desires, without violating any absolute moral law. Therefore one definition of marriage is no better than another. All definitions need to be tolerated. This is why those who hold to the correct understanding of marriage will be accused of intolerance and hate.

Postmodern tolerance flies in the face of Christian love. If a person is living in sin, unbelief, or some false worldview, postmodern tolerance provides no reason for me even to hope that he may consider an alternative, let alone provide me with motivation to encourage him to turn to Christ. If anything, tolerance suggests apathy toward the lost and his choice.

It is now common for elementary and high school students to be in required literature courses where half the course is dedicated to the theme of tolerance. If parents are not in tune to the extent to which it is advocated in the schools, Christian youth will develop a mindset that is diametrically opposed to confessional Lutheranism.

Pantheism

Pantheism does not distinguish between the Creator and the created. All living and non-living things-man, animals, trees, rocks-are God. Man is also devalued: nature becomes the steward of man rather than the other way around. Sin is not viewed as something committed against a personal God who is above nature (like teaching or living contrary to God's word). Nor is it seen as an act done against man. Rather sin is viewed as an act against nature: cutting down trees, building new subdivisions, and drilling for oil in the Alaskan wilderness. Man must fear, love and trust in nature above all things. Nature is lord. Many books used in the classrooms and class "environmental" projects advocate some aspect of pantheism. 

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the worldview that man has value to the extent that he is useful to the culture or the State. He does not have value intrinsically, as Christianity teaches. Traditionally education in public schools was a liberal arts, academic education with a vocational option in senior high school. Christian schools have [OPPERATED ON THIS EDUCATION CONCEPT AS WELL], but also included an education that would direct them to the One who would "liberate" them from sin, death and Satan. Education was never merely career preparation. But the tide has changed. Under recent legislation all secular education, even down to kindergarten, is geared toward career preparation. Thirteen-year students in many schools are now required to choose a career pathway like cosmetology, business, mechanics, etc. Their remaining K-12 education centers on related skills, internships, job shadowing, at the expense of knowledge. Children are becoming educated for a career so they can take their "useful" position in society. But if they do not attain to a predetermined "usefulness," they have no value under such a worldview. The consequences of this concept are frightening.

What to Do

The establishment of Christian day schools and high schools should be pursued relentlessly. Home schooling wonderfully acknowledges the primacy of parents and may in fact be more feasible than many realize. If public schools are the only option, parents and pastors must be eternally vigilant and constantly teach Christian theology to their children. Make sure children are immersed in Lutheran theology. Eternity is in the balance.

David C. Thompson is chaplain of the Schwan Conference Center in Trego, Wisconsin.