Christians in public schools

I am writing in response to the editorial entitled “Christian schools no substitute for parental guidance” that appeared in the May 20 issue of The Index.

I completely agree that the rejection of the concept of absolute truth that we now see in the public education arena is unconscionable. The public school system has slipped into such an ungodly state that I, a 43-year-old American, am stunned.

I do respectfully take issue, however, on the point that “to take all Southern Baptist students out of the public education arena would be like pulling all of our missionaries out of Europe ... ” I believe that the Bible is full of examples of what happens when God’s people knowingly and willingly go alongside the heathen.

Godly values and beliefs are drenched in wickedness and godlessness, which usually results in Christians falling away and serving other gods. We are warned in Scripture not to yoke ourselves with the ungodly. This doesn’t mean we are to be cloistered in our own world, but sending our children out as missionaries in the public school system is not the answer. Since when do Christians need to take on the ungodly ways of the world to accomplish God’s purpose in their lives?

I see no basis in Scripture that a six-year-old child, for example, is called or sent to be a missionary in a godless school system. But I do see overwhelming support for keeping children under the constant teaching of Scripture (Deut. 6:4-7) which can best happen in the home. I believe you correctly assert this point, but how can parents obey this Scripture if the children are gone from home most of the day?

Christian parents are not obligated to send their children into the world as missionaries. Missionaries are called by God to do a specific work. It is a rare case when God calls a young child to do such a thing.

Christians, as you said, cannot be salt and light on this earth if we retreat. But let’s not put our children on the frontline. Remember that public education – even though teachers and administrators may be Christians – is a godless institution.

Our Lord is not welcome and the system is hostile toward Him. Wouldn’t children be better grounded in God’s Word if parents taught it to them all day, instead of countering the effects of godless philosophy?