Education to the glory of God

Now that I'm a Mum to an unborn child, I plan to pay some attention to defining and understanding what our family's vision for Christian education is. My friend John Dekker once stated that he believed this was essential for excellence in home schooling, and I think he has a point. In the past, through my studies at Wesley Institute, I had the opportunity to define my beliefs in an assignment. I'll be using some of the ideas in this to build further understanding. Those of you who are interested in the topic of Christian education may also find these thoughts of interest. Here is the first part of "My personal philosophy of Christian education".

“To glorify God and enjoy Him forever” is the way Augustine described the goal of the Christian life. The education of children is part of this broader aim. Education is inescapably religious. It transfers information about what is meaningful in life, how we should live, and whom we should serve. Even when these ideas are not explicitly spoken, they form the basis of what is excluded or included in the curriculum. Secular education is not neutral. God cannot be glorified where he is not praised. Students do not have a full opportunity to enjoy God when he is not acknowledged. Christians who desire to glorify and enjoy God in education can look to the Bible for encouragement and guidance. The central biblical commands found in the Creation Mandate (Genesis 1: 26 – 28), the Great Commandment (Mark 12: 29 – 31), and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20) provide insights into what truly Christian education should look like.

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Don't Waste Your Life

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper is a heartfelt call to live out the Christian life with passion. John Piper does not advocate a “good” life, or an “ok” life, but a life devoted to enjoying God and making others happy in Him.

Don't Wate Your Life is full of the biblical themes that should define our lives: the Creation Mandate, the Great Commandment, and the Great Commission. Piper shows the way that all are essential to the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. He achieves a refreshing and essential integration of them in his call for devotion to Jesus Christ.

An entire chapter is devoted to “secular” work and its worth in the Kingdom of God. This chapter provides fresh perspective on what it means to be creative human beings who aim to exalt and enjoy God through daily work. I am going to dip back into this in order to apply it better to my approach to work at home.

John Piper draws all things into the centre of loving and enjoying God. He calls for us to love the cross, the gospel, and the beauty of God Himself. Piper shows the way love for God leads to love for others. This is expressed beautifully in part of a long prayer that makes up the final chapter:

“There is a quiet kind of joy, O Lord, that Jesus did both save us from our sin and show us how to love. His life, as you have said, was both a purchase and a path. He died for us, and now calls us to die with him. He took our poverty upon himself that we, in him, might have the riches of his heaven, and he calls us now to use our riches for the poor.”

This path of love that Jesus showed us leads us directly into the midst of the Great Commission. If we love people, we will want them and to be happy in Christ. If we love God, we will want every life and culture and nation in this world to glorify Him. Piper devotes much space to a call to take risks for the sake of the gospel, and to explaining the worth of frontier mission.

So often we can spend our lives on the “ok” things. The things we may be free to do, but which God has never said should be priorities in our lives. Piper critiques many of these things, including our culture’s entertainment obsession. In recent months, I’ve been reconsidering many of the things I do. Even “good” things can keep us from opportunities to obey Christ and show that we treasure the same things he does.

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See you in December!

I'll blog next time in the Christmas week.

One of the many reasons I have decided to stop blogging weekly is that there are so many great blogs out there covering some of the same main themes that I focus on here.

Check out Passionate Homemaking where Lindsay has written about Mission minded home schooling, lots of other mission-related posts, and lots of posts about caring for God's world. This blog seems fantastic.

Jasmine has written about The Environment, giving a Christian perspective on why we care for the earth.

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Humble and gentle toward all

God spoke to my heart through Titus 3: 1 - 7 this week:

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures . . . But when the kindness of the love of God our Saviour toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us . . .

It seems that the apostle Paul is not only speaking of our duties to rulers who are not Christian, but also to all people. This includes people like Richard Dawkins who make a living out of attacking the very idea of God. This includes political leaders we believe advocate evil. It includes our neighbours, and our family members.

Too often, Christians can become scoffers. They scoff at those who disagree, and even make things up about them. Paul's advice in these situations is clear: stop it!

• Remember who you once were
• Remember what God has done for you
• Humbly hold out that hope to others

It is that simple. God doesn't need Christians to be rude, pushy, or gossips. He needs them to obey.

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Horrified

One point in my TV post could do with clarification. I mentioned that I am horrified when I read about some types of sin. Please let me make it clear that I am horrified primarily because of what I believe these things do to people's lives. It is not like "ewwww, I can't believe anyone would do that, how can they be so bad". Rather, I am grieved that many people will base their lives upon what is glamourised and promoted as normal. They will miss out on the beauty of a godly marriage, amongst other things. The consequences of that, especially considered on a nation wide level, are truly horrifying. Surely this is a motive for evangelism? Jesus brings to people not only Himself and salvation from sin. He also brings the opportunity and the mandate to change your behaviour and beliefs to those that reflect His beauty. Beliefs and behaviour are the essence of culture, and I believe Jesus wants us to create new cultures in our homes and families.

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TV and the Great Commission

I've recently been listening to some of the Matthias Media "EQUIP Women" 2004 conference CDs. Wendy Potts made many good points in her talk "Making the most of opportunities". The CD inspired me to trust God and look for opportunities to connect with people who don't know Him. As CDs on evangelism go, it was good and worth recommending.

One thing, however, was of concern to me. In a section of the talk about finding things to work on in your life, Wendy said "I need to work on watching more junk TV". She went on to explain that watching TV shows like Sex and the City might provide opportunities for spiritual conversation. As I thought more about this (with our TV stowed safely in the cupboard), two things came to mind.

Firstly, are we supposed to enjoy watching these shows? If we don't enjoy them, how can we connect with others on the basis of these things? I find it impossible to enjoy TV shows that make comedy out of vile things. Since marriage, sexual immorality has become increasingly horrifying. When I read facts about it in the context of someone's life (such as in a newspaper or biography) I feel a kind of horrified sadness. How can something so wonderful and pure be turned into something so impure and destructive? Should this not grieve us?

Secondly, the purpose of evangelism is to bring disciples into the church. The Great Commission commands us to disciple the nations in all God has commanded. Numerous times, God commands us to flee and to hate what is evil. I don't suppose TV shows are excluded. While Wendy may be able to watch these things without sin, there would be many immature Christians in her audience. It is easy for new Christians to be crippled when they continue with viewing habits that legitimise sin. They often have a desperate need to be renewed in their minds, and portraying junk TV as a positive part of life is surely unhelpful.

I recognise, as I write these things, that many godly people I love watch a whole lot of junk TV and have a many justifications for it. I clearly disagree with the what-you-watch-doesn't-matter folks, and am grieved to hear of what others enjoy. I've tried to be careful not to rant in this post, however, and hope I've conveyed love for my brothers and sisters who disagree. I can't comment on TV better than John Piper does in Don't Waste Your Life:

TV still reigns as the great life-waster. The main problem with TV is not how much smut is available, though that is a problem. Just the ads are enough to sow fertile seeds of greed and lust, no matter what program you're watching. The greater problem is banality. A mind fed daily on TV dinimishes. Your mind was made to know and love God.

The Great Commission is about teaching people to know and love God. I really don't see how Sex and the City will help.

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Evangelism as a homemaker

Thanks to Crystal, I came across this helpful article The Stay at Home Mom and Evangelism.
Those of us who are at home a lot may feel like we can't have regular contact with those who don't know Christ. In reality, though, there are many opportunities.

Sandra highlights a couple of ideas that I have experienced the value of:

Community clubs or organisations

Sandra is a member of a book club, which is excellent because the intention is to discuss ideas. However, most clubs offer some opportunities to share your life and values. Women love to talk, after all. If you are a scrapbooker or a quilter, and you regularly go along to a meeting where other enjoy the same thing, you will talk as you play and learn. I experienced this recently when I did a quilting class as I was able to share my faith a little. If it was a regular, ongoing, club there would be even more opportunties.

Neighbours

You may remember that a while ago I took cookies to a neighbour. We have now had contact with this neighbour on a couple of other occasions. She dropped over one evening when I was about to leave for church, and I was able to mention a little about our faith.

What about you? Have you had similar opportunities? Do you have other ideas?

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The benefits of the church

As we've recently moved churches to one closer to home that we feel more aligned with the vision of, I've been thinking about the many blessings we experienced in our old church.

Friendship
Encouragement in the word
Correction
Care
Leadership
Serving others
Getting to know people different from ourselves
Prayer
Hospitality

There are so many benefits to being part of the church. When you are not part of the church, you do not have continual reminders of the right way to live. You less likely to have people around you who are committed to the ideal of caring about those who are suffering. You do not have the same regular opportunities to serve others in ways that may be uncomfortable.

The blessings I've listed above are common to most Bible-believing churches. I believe that one of the key blessings non-Christians miss out on in this life is being part of a church community. They are less likely, as a result, to have networks of people who care (even imperfectly) about them. When they are old, they will likely be lonelier and have less contact with a variety of age groups. One of the things I love at our new church is that they pray for church members during the service, including those who are unable to be at church due to age or ill health. When you are a part of the church, you are remembered.

I know the church is imperfect, often frustrating, and even hurtful at times. Yet it is also one of the great benefits God gives Christians. One of our key motivations for evangelism should be to bring people into the community of the church. We live in lonely, socially-dislocated communities, where people receive all kinds of ungodly advice on how to live. The benefits of being part of a loving, godly community would be enormous for those who are presently without positive social networks. What an incentive to fulfill the Great Commission, spread the blessings of church life to as many as possible.

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Somalia's need for prayer

It is often easy to lump the whole African continent together as a troubled place, and fail to learn about the specific needs of particular countries. Africa contains diverse people groups, languages, governments, and churches. Some countries are largely Christian, others almost entirely Muslim. In many areas the church is in need of discipleship and strengthening, and can even send out missionaries. In other areas the church is struggling to survive. Somalia is one of those places.


Somalia has been war-torn for many years, and is officially labelled as a "failed state". Christians in Somalia suffer greatly as they seek to live for Jesus. Missionaries are in danger. Warlords reign. This week I'm organising a prayer night for Somalia, which will include a dinner of African food.

We long for the Great Commission to be fulfilled in Somalia, so that this nation obeys what Christ has commanded. If you would also like to pray, and contribute to the Great Commission in this way, go to the Year of Prayer for Somalia Open Doors site. You can download excellent prayer resources.

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Adorning the gospel

When I think of the book of Titus, I most often think of God’s commands to men and women in the second chapter. This week I’ve begun re-reading Carolyn Mahaney’s excellent book on biblical womanhood, Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother. Carolyn reminds readers to pursue God’s plan because of the gospel. The reason we seek to obey God is so “that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:5). Our lives should reflect the transformation the gospel has made to us.

As Mrs. Mahaney puts it:

“Consider the loveliness of a woman who passionately adores her husband, who tenderly cherishes her children, who creates a warm and peaceful home, who exemplifies purity, self-control, and kindness in her character and who gladly submits to her husband’s leadership – for all the days God grants her life. I dare say that there are few things that display the gospel jewel with greater elegance.”

These are special words to remember next time you’re . . .

facing a huge pile of dirty dishes, and your husband isn't helping . . .


chasing after a naughty child . . .

or just plain grumpy.

Keep on living out the gospel.

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. Titus 3: 1 – 5.

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The gospel is God’s answer to racism

You may read the title of this post and think “What! Doesn’t she remember what Anglicans did to Indigenous Australians? Doesn’t she know what the Dutch Reformed Afrikaners did to the tribes of the Transvaal”! Each of us can think of many examples of Christians oppressing other groups of people on the basis of perceived differences between them. So, how can I still say that the gospel is the answer to racism?

Firstly, a true understanding of the gospel should lead to an accurate understanding of the depravity of one’s own heart. Jesus Christ had to come to die for you and for me because our sin is so bad that we could never make up for it. Jesus, the only perfect man, had to take our punishment for us. When you know yourself to be your own worst enemy, and you are deeply aware of the sin within you, blaming “the blacks” or “the refugees” or “the white oppressors” becomes a less promising pursuit.

Secondly, a respect for the gospel should lead to a respect for the whole Bible. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we learn that all people on earth today are descended from two people. Some of the excellent resources from Creation Ministries International present the scientific evidence that supports the Bible’s claim that we are really all one blood. A true respect for humanity as made in God’s image, and a knowledge that we all came from the same ancestors, should leave no room for racism.

Thirdly and most importantly, the gospel itself is a gospel of reconciliation. In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul speaks of the effect of Christ’s death and resurrection upon our relationship with God. We can now be reconciled to God, because Christ has taken the punishment for the sins that separated us from Him. Once we have been reconciled to God through Christ, we are then ready to be reconciled with others. The most powerful example of this that the Bible gives is the reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile Christians. These groups who had hated one another deeply were now one in Christ.

For these reasons, the gospel is the hope God holds out for a still racist South Africa. The gospel is God’s power for a racist Australia. The gospel brings God’s reconciling power that can cause black and black, white and white, and even white and black to live in peace. One of the cultural benefits of the gospel ought to be respect for and harmony with people who are different from us. When this is not the case, we need not look to the gospel for the problem. Rather, we need look no further than our own hearts.

The image is from Clay pots.

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Letter from a Christian Citizen

This week I finished Letter from a Christian Citizen, a short book by Douglas Wilson. It is written as a direct response to Sam Harris’ Letter to a Christian Nation, which is a popular book advocating atheism. Douglas Wilson’s writing is in a conversational style, and he makes comments such as “if we ever meet, I would love to buy you a beer”. He finds points of agreement with Harris, as well as disagreement.

One of the excellent things about Wilson’s Letter from a Christian Citizen is that in defending the gospel, he does not attempt to explain away parts of the Bible. He is just as passionate about the Old Testament as the New, and it stands him in good stead. Wilson is also a creationist, so he argues against macroevolutionary theory. Since macroevolution is the foundation of atheism as an intellectual position, this is important.

One aspect of Wilson’s argument that may be overdone is his emphasis that Sam Harris has no basis for the statements he is making. He really hammered home that Harris’ “nice” version of atheism was borrowing from a Christian cultural inheritance of certain moral values such as kindness to others. These values would be difficult to arrive at from a purely atheistic system of thought.

I love Wilson’s explanation of the gospel, and his answer to Harris’ comments on the dangers of religion.

“The problem of sin cannot be removed by education, money, or getting a bill through Congress. But neither can it be solved by getting rid of religion. All that does is give you a secular religion of the kind currently on tap in North Korea . . . The problem is in concrete persons. People are sinful, and they want to throw rocks at one another.” Page 95.

Jesus is the one who can take up these sins, and give us his righteousness.

“He gathered up a world full of hatred, adultery, treachery, rape, murder, envy, genocide, religious hypocrisy, atheism, theft, lying, and all forms of arrogant haughtiness, gathered it all to His chest, and disappearing, sank into death.” Page 104.

This same Jesus rose on the third day. He is working even now through his Holy Spirit to spread the gospel, and all its cultural benefits, to the ends of the earth.

You can visit the website of Letter from a Christian Citizen here.

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I am the worst of sinners

Jesus said:

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you". Matthew 28: 18 - 20.

Ministries that fight the acceptance of certain sins in public life are seeking to teach the nations to observe what Christ has commanded. In nations like ours with a Christian heritage, where many people still label themselves "Christian" and have been baptised, this is an even more legitimate goal. We are not just to disciple individuals. Our efforts are also meant to have an impact upon whole nations.

It is also a meaningful activity to promote godly values because these are loving. If we love people, we will not want them to suffer the awful affects of sins like abortion, promiscuity, homosexuality, or divorce. When these sins are common and acceptable, people become involved in them almost as a matter of course. In contrast, if godly patterns of relationships are normative people tend to follow these.

Yet there is also a danger as Christians publicly argue against certain behaviours. It can seem like we are saying that we are not sinners and others are. If the moral messages are not combined with the gospel this will be the message that is conveyed. This is damaging.

Paul preached a different message . . .

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15 - 16.

As we seek to love the nations, and to disciple them so that they obey Christ, it is imperative that we do not convey false messages about the gospel. The gospel teaches us that we are the worst of sinners - every single one of us. "I am the worst of sinners" needs to be one of our primary messages. Christ has transformed us, and that is why we love others enough to care what is happening in our nations.

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I have a confession to make

This month I have received the gift of an amazing new desk that really fits the printer, computer, books, and scrapbooking projects on it, as well as my slope board for reading. Amazing! Friends decided it was too big for them, and we think it is just the right size for us right now.


I have taken lots of photos of the view from our study.



I have observed Mum and Dad's amazing new glass house.

We have had Shellyanne and Phil Ninness for dinner.


We have sampled our bottled beetroot and discovered that it didn't need quite so much sugar!

I have finished my Developmental Psychology for Teachers final assignment.

I have also done lots of other things, like hosting Bruce Colman of Choices of Life for a week, and participating in his training to do pro-life school presentations.

But I haven't written my testimony or asked others to write theirs for my blog. I'm sorry for presumptuously saying that I would do this for my Great Commission week this month. I hope that it will happen another time, but I'm not going to make a deadline! Even though I haven't written about it yet, I'm still deeply grateful for God's saving work in my life. Lets keep praying that others will know this same joy.

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Remembering God's salvation

In the book Living the Cross Centered Life C. J Mahaney explains that every person, no matter what their past is, would do well to think on their former sins. Although we may want to forget our past, C.J. argues that "one of the best ways we can draw near the blazing fire of the cross is to remember our past, and allow it to remind us of how marvelous God's salvation really is".

For a long time, I have felt such shame and dislike of much of my past that I have not wanted to discuss it at all. C.J.'s book has challenged me to reconsider this. I am deeply grateful for what I have been saved from. I hate to think of what my life would have been without Christ. So I need to meditate upon the specifics of what he has done.

C.J. exhorts readers in this way . . .

"I also encourage you to write out your testimony in a page or two. And don't just write "I asked Jesus into my heart," but really spell out the heart of the gospel and how the blood of Christ, shed for the sins of the world, came to apply to you personally. Be specific about the fact that God is holy and you were an object of His wrath. Identify the sin in which youwere lost. Explain how God saved you and changed your life for His glory."

Even if you have never rebelled as I did, you have something to share because "Every conversion is still a miracle of God's grace." Like Paul, we can all say "I was once . . . " but because of the cross "I am now . . . ".

During the fourth week of April, I am going to have a "testimony week". I will be asking some people for their testimonies, and will also share my own. Perhaps you would also like to join in with this special week. If you would like to share your testimony on this blog, I am happy to post it. Just email me (the address is on the sidebar). Alternatively, you could post your testimony on your own blog and I will link to it. As we do this we will, as C.J. says, . . .

• Be edified and encouraged
• Be prepared to share our personal testimonies and the truth of the gospel with others

In the month of April, please join me in thinking about your past and the specific ways God intervened for your sake and for the sake of His glory. Then prepare to share that with others!

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What is a Christian?

Recently I was able to attend a women's conference. I chose to attend the elective "The evangelistic heart for the ordinary Christian". We were asked to form small groups to discuss how to define a Christian, and we then reported back to the main group.

Definitions included . . .

• Follower of Christ
• Child of God
• Bible believer
• love Jesus because he died for our salvation

The group seemed wowed by my definition . . .

A person who has trusted in Jesus' death and resurrection as paying the penalty for our sin, and who lives a transformed life as a result.

This time of reflection on "What is a Christian?" got me thinking. Would the average Australian, if asked randomly while walking down the street, give any of these answers? Maybe they would be more likely to say things like . . .

• hypocrites
• someone who has been baptised
• someone who doesn't have sex before marriage
• a person who goes to church
• me, becuase my parents were in the Church of England
• a person who doesn't like gays

Some of these things are not an accurate impression of Christianity. Some of them are true, but they are simply expressions of a transformed life or of our continuing struggle against sin. How do you think that Christians can do better at giving the right impression of what a Christian is, so that more people might be likely to give the same definition that we would?

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Living the Cross Centered Life

C.J. Mahaney’s Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing is . . .

• A treasure for those who are seeking to focus their lives upon the person and work of Christ
• A challenge to those who believe that we "move on" from the gospel to deeper things
• A reminder of God's providence, holiness, sovereignty, mercy, and forgiveness
• A reminder of our depravity and the necessity of a Saviour
• The cry of one man's heart for the church and non-Christians to grasp the importance and power of the cross

There are few things the church needs more than a return to a passion for the gospel of grace. Many practical problems stem from a lack understanding of theological truth. I recommend this book to you as readable and relevant. To be able to disciple others in the Christian faith, and lead them to Christ, we must understand the cross and apply its meaning to our lives. Reading this book is one way to be equipped to fulfill the Great Commission.

You can read another review of the book at Heat and Light. This review covers the book's challenge to consider what you are most passionate about, and its exhortation to "never move on" from the gospel.

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The Breadth of the Great Commission

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20.

The aim of the Great Commission category on “A Deeper Love” is to explore some of the ways we can further God’s kingdom here on earth. The Great Commission begins with evangelism: helping people to come to know their Heavenly Father for the first time. Yet it does not end there. The Great Commission is a mandate that reaches to every area of human endeavour. Christians are not simply called to make disciples. They are called to train those disciples to live in the light of all that God has commanded. In this sense the Great Commission encompasses the Great Commandment: as we teach people to be Christ’s disciples, we teach them to love God and one another.

Most Christians are involved in living out the Great Commission, even if they never personally lead someone to Christ. Parents who speak God’s word to their children are training them to obey what God has commanded. Church members who tithe to their local congregation are helping the church to fulfil its mission of training Christians and proclaiming the gospel. Preachers who exhort the church to avoid sexual immorality are teaching their congregation to do what God has commanded. The Great Commission is broad. This truth encourages me. Even though I have never had the blessing of directly leading someone to Christ, I am involved in fulfilling the Great Commission.

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First, pray

When it comes to evangelism, I feel inadequate. Most Christians I speak to are the same. Well, there is one thing that we can all do fairly easily. We can pray. This week, please join with me in praying each day for a different person you know who does not know Christ. At the end of the week, we'll each have prayed for six people and in the years ahead we may see our prayers answered.

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Evangelism Action

Since this week on "A Deeper Love" is focused upon the
Great Commission, I'd like to refer you to a blog which is devoted to the topic of evangelism. Evangelism Action covers such topics as using questioning in evangelism and sharing the good news at Christmas time. The blog has several contributers and is written from a reformed perspective.

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