"The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations." --George Washington
This week I was reading after Mark Alexander of The Patriot Post.His remarks were so appropriate to our times and to the celebration of Jesus' birth I thought I would simply share them with you.
“When our children were young, Ann and I would help them comprehend how great God has always been and always will be, the Alpha and Omega, by using metaphors with tangible examples that they could grasp.
We wanted our children to understand that it is only the rare occasion, given the immensity of His universal plan, which affords us a perfectly clear view of God's plan for each of us. But we also assured them of the Truth we had learned: that through faith, we always know that He will use our circumstances, however corrupted by our own free will, to guide us to where He wants us to be.
As our kids have grown older, each has demonstrated a substantial interest and aptitude for science. Thus, I was captivated recently when I came across this elucidation of God's infinite domain from Dr. William Blair, an astrophysicist and research professor at Johns Hopkins University.
Blair wrote: "Today we know that galaxies are as common as blades of grass in a meadow. The Hubble Space Telescope recently completed a particularly deep (faint) census of a tiny 'pencil beam' extending far out into the Universe. This survey, called the 'Hubble Deep Field,' was targeted on a region of the sky that was nearly devoid of known objects, so as to be (hopefully) representative of conditions in the distant Universe. The resulting images are truly amazing. Strewn across this tiny piece of the sky are perhaps 1500 or more galaxies of all shapes, sizes, and colors! Because this survey pertains to such a small piece of the sky, the implications are staggering: if the region of sky demarked by the bowl of the Big Dipper were surveyed to the same depth, it would contain about 32 million galaxies! And the estimate for the entire visible Universe is that there are upwards of 40 BILLION galaxies, each containing tens to hundreds of billions of stars!"
To put the vastness of creation into perspective, Blair uses a sheet of paper: "Imagine that the distance from the earth to the sun (93 million miles, or about 8 light minutes) is compressed to the thickness of a typical sheet of paper. On this scale, the nearest star (4.3 light years) is at a distance of 71 feet. The diameter of the Milky Way (100,000 light years) would require a 310 mile high stack of paper, while the distance to the Andromeda galaxy (at 2 million light years one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye) would require a stack of paper more than 6000 miles high! On this scale, the 'edge' of the Universe, defined as the most distant known quasars some 10 billion light years hence, is not reached until the stack of paper is 31 million miles high -- a third of the way to the sun on the real scale of things!"
Pondering this vastness is a humbling experience indeed.
Knowing quite a few professional physicists who are men and women of faith, I wrote Dr. Blair and asked him, "Are you a person of faith in God as our creator?" and, "If so, what does your analogy reveal about the creator of our universe?"
As to the first question, he answered, "Yes, I am."
As to the second, he replied, "In short, 'God created the heavens and the earth.' Understanding more about the 'heavens' and the scale of the Universe only magnifies my personal impression of what it is that God has created. Having a personal connection to that same God is a defining aspect of my faith."
According to Blair, who heads a NASA project looking into deep space, "Some people can look at the spirals of our galaxy and not see the hand of God, but I beg to differ."
Of course, my children, like all of us who haven't obscured knowledge of our Creator by the idolatry of self or materialism, strive for a more personal understanding of God. But how do we grasp such knowledge when the object of our desire is so far beyond mortal understanding -- how do we find our way to Him?
The answer is obvious to all who have opened their eyes -- just follow the Light.
And it is the dawn of the Truth and Light that we celebrate at Christmas, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It is no coincidence that as the story of His birth is recounted, it is a star that guided wise men to his side.
In the Gospel of John (1:5), it is written, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
Now, a physicist will tell you that darkness doesn't exist except for the absence of light, which isn't to say that we can't live in darkness: Given the degraded state of our nation, many among our countrymen have chosen to reside in moral darkness, or worse, have been abandoned there.
But Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Thus, if we want to see our Creator, we have only to turn toward the Truth and Light, and, as implicit in our motto: Veritas vos Liberabit -- the Truth will set you Free (John 8:32).
As for my family and me, Dr. Blair and his family, and hundreds of millions of our brothers and sisters around the world, Jesus Christ is the Light, our personal connection to our Creator. And he is that for anyone and everyone who will just turn toward Him.
The Gospels, which attest to the life of Jesus, reveal what we most need to know about God as our Creator, and His purpose for us.
We live in a world today that is no different from yesterday or tomorrow, in the sense that we have and will always have a deep desire to understand our Creator. Unfortunately, we tend to complicate the fulfillment of that desire by satiating it with all manner of false gods.
I am no stranger to false gods, which, ironically, helped me to distinguish between those idols and my authentic Creator, who endowed me with "certain unalienable rights."
Our Founding Fathers understood that "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" could not be sustained in the absence of Light, that our Creator endows these rights, not men.
According to George Washington, "Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
John Adams wrote: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. ... Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a greater Measure than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty."
Benjamin Rush proclaimed, "[T]he only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments."
Likewise, Gouverneur Morris wrote, "Religion is the only solid basis of good morals and Morals are the only possible Support of free governments. Therefore education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God."
Samuel Adams added, "Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. ... Religion in a Family is at once its brightest Ornament and its best Security."
Not long before his death, Thomas Jefferson addressed a letter to the son of a close friend in which he wrote, "Your affectionate and excellent father has requested that I would address to you something, which might possibly have a favorable influence on the course of life you have to run.... Few words will be necessary, with good dispositions on your part. Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence."
Perhaps John Jay said it best: "The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts."
But as Benjamin Franklin noted, "How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments."
Unfortunately, as it was at the dawn of our great nation, Franklin's criticism applies to too many of our countrymen.
During these dark days it is my fervent prayer that we, individually and as a nation, turn to the Light by, first and foremost, following God's Commandments, by acknowledging that we are endowed by our Creator alone with life and liberty, and by restoring these rights for ourselves and for our posterity in accordance with His will.”
This morning I received an email with a challenge from Linda Harvey Kelley, a long-time missionary friend.As I thought about the critical question posed and the response needed, I realized it was really one that reflected worldview.
The question came from a book Linda was reading.Let me share it with you.
"Tamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe." p. 309
This MK says on p. 197 "...it was still greed. That's what really ran the world, wasn't it? Greed for money, greed for power, greed for the most converts. Hitler, Rockefeller, missionaries ~ the one thing they all had in common was numbers. The more countries you conquered, the larger your bank account, the more souls you saved, the greater your reward in heaven. More, more, more. That's all anybody really wanted."
Then Linda threw out this challenge: “I would like to hear your response, if you are willing to respond to her words, published just this year. Thanks.”
Since this question about “what really ran the world” and the suggested answer of “greed” is such an important and provocative one, I decided to share my response with anyone who cared to listen.
So here goes…
“Linda - an interesting thought.I think the real question here is not 'numbers' but 'motive' and the defining attitude not always 'greed' but sometimes 'passion'.
Passion can drive one just as much as greed, and when the motive is noble, honest, humane, and divinely inspired, it cannot be greed because it is not centered on self.”
But then my mind carried me further to the more pressing issue at hand.The issue for me was no longer an opinion someone had, but the fact that the opinion was so contrary to what it should have been.So I wrote:
“Sadly, it appears that Tamar Myer never had parents or other missionaries who modeled that infectious element called passion or some circumstance in life has clouded her perception and caused her to see everything through the lens of self.
What a challenge to all of us with passion and kids!”
Statistics everywhere point to an increasing number of children and young adults intentionally leaving the faith of their family at home.Reasons given vary widely, but clearly authenticity is at the heart of the debate.
I believe that authentic relationships with Jesus Christ promote passionate, selfless living. But what makes the critical difference on how our children embrace Jesus Christ is when our authentic faith is coupled with a genuine passion for them… as well as helping them see a bigger world in need of Jesus.
May God help us work with passion to win our own children and all the rest who don’t have any authentic Christians in their lives.
RENEWANATION is committed to offering every child a Christian worldview.
Every generation is called upon to make tough decisions.But history reveals that some decisions leave more lasting consequences than others.This is perhaps especially true when it comes to decisions on matters of faith.
Historically, decisions of spiritual consequence led to the formation of edicts, thesis, or creeds, all of which articulated positions that the signers vowed they would not compromise. Examples include: The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed (325), Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis (1517), The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), The Philadelphia Confession (1742), and The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978).
Other less formal but equally powerful movements have shaped the spiritual and social dynamic of the world.The relatively recent history of Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) and the beginning of the American Civil Rights Movement is an example.King’s courage and conviction led to a mass struggle for racial equality that doomed segregation and has thankfully changed America forever.
These “lines in the sand” of the liturgical, political, and cultural morality of their day required bold conviction.Because much was at stake, the price of declaration was almost always costly.But people stood and history was shaped.
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have always defended the weak and vulnerable and have worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
But recent liturgical, political, and cultural climates in America have given ample cause for alarm.Many of us have said aloud or under our breath, “Something has to change!” But like in every generation, real moral change only comes when people stand up with conviction and draw their own “line in the sand”.And here we see the real battle in America today!
The contrast and battle we are witnessing in America is not between Republicans and Democrats.Neither is it a battle of differing religion.Our constitution still guarantees us those political and religious freedoms.No, it is much larger than that.It is clearly a battle of worldviews.It is a battle of ideas and values and basic faith which potentially threaten all that is historically American.
But in recent weeks another significant statement called the Manhattan Declaration has been formed as a response.Written by three scholars, this declaration was initially signed by over 150 of America’s leading Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christian figures.Now its influence is sweeping the country as thousands more line up to make their pledge to uphold the values declared.
The call is “to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:
the sanctity of human life
the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
the rights of conscience and religious liberty.
Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
I support this declaration because the truths proclaimed in the Manhattan Declaration come out of a Biblical, Christian worldview.If you would like to read the full Manhattan Declaration for yourself and sign your own commitment, go to: www.manhattandeclaration.org
What will we stand for?
The vision of RENEWANATION is to offer every child a Christian worldview.
A Christian worldview is a comprehensive understanding of the world that is formed by the authority of the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ.
We believe K-12 education is a time to formulate and strengthen foundational concepts of worldview that will serve as points of reference and strength throughout all of life.
We are strongly committed to living and teaching Christian worldview because we believe it is foundational to healthy families and to society as a whole.
Frankly, we believe that unless we reach today's children with Christian values, our wonderful American heritage of faith and freedom will cease to be part of the social fiber for future generations. We simply must not let that happen. It would be tragic for those generations and would not honor God.
Our task is God-sized, but we are confident that God is calling and will enable us to get the job done. So we too are drawing the “line in the sand.”I invite you to join us!
The survey results found broad support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents for tax-credit scholarship programs and school vouchers. Democrats indicate support for tax-credit scholarships (64%) and school vouchers (53%). They are more likely to favor rather than oppose these policies by +43 percentage points and +15 percentage points, respectively.
Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation and a member of RENEWANATION’s Advisory Board, commented:
"Interestingly, while the survey found that 62% of Virginians believe the public school system is “good” or “excellent,” when given the choice between sending their child to a public school or an alternative (private, charter or homeschooling) 54% said they would choose the alternative. Among parents with children currently attending a public school, 40% would keep their children there while 39% would choose an alternative. Currently, 90% of Virginia’s school children attend public schools.
Another interesting note from the survey found that younger Virginians, those just out of school or in parenting years, are more supportive of education choice than older Virginians. In other words, those closest to the public schools are less likely to want their kids to attend them.
Not surprisingly, 65% of those surveyed also drastically underestimated how much Virginia spends to educate public school children. While 28% believed the cost to be between $3001 and $6000 and 19% believed it to be less than $3000, the actual 2007 school year figure was nearly $12,000 per student. It’s no wonder that polls show Virginians support more funding for public education when two-thirds underestimate it by two or three times the actual number.
Clearly Virginians want education freedom. The issue of school choice is not a public vs. private debate, it is simply about the best opportunity for every child and parents’ rights to make that choice.
As I told our Gala audience last month, while charter schools are certainly a widely supported idea and Virginia’s charter school law needs changing, we can’t stop there. Virginia’s kids deserve the best education possible – public or private or home or charter – and they deserve it now. It’s time for the education establishment to stop being obstructionists and instead join the fight for education freedom in Virginia."
RENEWANATION is a grassroots effort committed to helping parents with tough educational choices by offering every child a Christian worldview. Make your voice heard and join thousands more in the effort to make this vision a reality.
For more information and ways to help, contact www.renewanation.org
This weekend offered another grim reminder of how far America has strayed from the Christian values and principles which have for centuries been her hallmark.
In Genesis 2 we learn of the very first and most fundamental institution on earth – the human family. It came into existence when a man and a woman were united in marriage by God.
Since that time this most fundamental of institutions has been the foundation of every society and has been protected by moral and civil law.Its health is in fact a basic indicator of the health of any society.And God clearly states that any perversion of this institution is an abomination.[Leviticus 18:22-23; 20:13; Deuteronomy 24:4; Ezekiel 22:11; Revelation 21:17 to mention only a very few.]
But the realities in our culture today are so far removed from this basic understanding that the very destruction of the institution of marriage is being celebrated.
Saturday, Mr. Obama, America’s President appeared at a dinner and fundraising event for a leading gay rights activist group, Human Rights Campaign, where he boldly praised them and their constituency and promised his active support to help them achieve their agenda.The event was broadcast over C-SPAN.
I don’t believe that this action by the president is a true reflection of mainstream America, nor is it a reflection of those values which America has historically celebrated in her soul.Rather, this action is a public embarrassment and a moral shame to the mainstream.
It does, however, help us understand why it is critical that people, especially followers of Christ, unite to renew our nation and the Christian values which have made America great.
Part of that renewal is to understand and appreciate the value of every person and help them discover the freedom and potential they have in Christ.
It is also important to remember that God does not have a grading scale on sin. A person should think before throwing stones. The solution is not in condemnation but in redemption. That is the work of grace.
Let me share another story of an American whose work was so valued that just over 60 years ago (in 1947) it was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.The American’s name was Charles Ives.
Charles lived in New York where he worked in an insurance office during the day and composed and performed music evenings and on weekends.Influenced by the culture of his time, his life and music reflected strong spiritual and revivalist tones which perhaps are most reflected in his award winning Symphony No.3, also called The Camp Meeting.
A closer look at The Camp Meeting symphony reveals not only the culture of the time but the values that were honored and deeply respected.
The first movement is called Old Folks Gatherin.The musical themes, carefully and tastefully interwoven, are the popular hymns: “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise”, “Just as I am without one plea”, and “What a Friend we have in Jesus”.
The second movement, called Children’s Day is constructed around the hymn “There is a fountain filled with blood.”
And the third and final movement, Communion, is based on the hymn “Just as I am without one plea” and the symphony ends with the serene and distant sound of church bells ringing.
Think about the change our popular culture has undergone in just over 50 years!
If you took the time to watch the C-SPAN clip of Mr. Obama addressing those gathered with Human Rights Campaign, like me, you may have noticed the signage superscripted on the screen which said,
Think Progress.
That is the message a perverted culture wants to impress upon you.
But let me challenge you to screen everything through another more important message,
Think Biblically.
That is the core of the Christian worldview.
Live it out loud!
Learn how you can get involved in promoting Christian worldview.
"Every thing useful and beneficial to man, seems to be connected with obedience to the laws of his nature, the inclinations, the duties, and the happiness of individuals, resolve themselves into customs and habits, favourable, in the highest degree, to society. In no case is this more apparent, than in the customs of nations respecting marriage."
— Samuel Williams, The Natural and Civil History of Vermont, 1794
On September, 23rd millions of students across America celebrated the “See You at the Pole” ("SYATP") event.
“See You at the Pole” began in 1990, near Ft. Worth, Texas in the town of Burleson. The annual event calls students in public and private schools to gather together at their school’s flagpole to pray for their leaders, schools, and families, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and to America.
Students gather each year in spite of increased hostility in our courts and government schools towards prayer.
Across America, students (not to speak of teachers) are being sued for their simple act of offering prayer to God.Numerous criminal contempt charges are being filed over prayers made at ball games, assemblies and even over meals.
But student-initiated prayer has the protection of the First Amendment.
In a note I received from Liberty Counsel, Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, made the following comments on the students’ right to pray:
“Revival preceded the American Revolution. Political freedom is founded upon religious freedom. There is a growing spiritual renewal occurring in America. America was birthed in prayer. America will be sustained in prayer.”
I’m thrilled for every student who chooses to pray.If America is to experience spiritual renewal, our students must learn the power and victory of prayer.How will they learn?Who will teach them?
Are you ready for the challenge?That too begins with prayer.
The other day I was talking with the leader of a nationally known Christian organization. In the course of our conversation, he said, “I really appreciate the vision you have of offering children across America a Christian education. You are definitely on the right track of what we need in this country. But, strange as it may sound, you will probably get some of your strongest opposition from pastors.”
Now, that suggestion may seem like an oxymoron, but he is right. In many ways that has been our experience. We are finding that pastors, the very people who claim the calling of God to lead people into relationship with Christ and nurture them in faith, are often among the slowest to support the vision of offering Christian worldview education to the masses. Like us, you may be asking the question, “Why?” I think the answer is not profound.
To start with, too many pastors have themselves abandoned belief in the authority of God’s Word. Many are buying the lies of modern education. Therefore, they don’t really hold conviction of truth and “the fear of the Lord is” not necessarily “the beginning of wisdom.” As a result, they are not burdened by the responsibility they have in influencing never dying souls.
Additionally, too many pastors have lost touch with the fact that they are called to build God’s kingdom, not their own. Therefore, if something (even if it is building God’s kingdom) is not their own idea or does not directly build what they are doing, they’re not interested.
Finally, many pastors have buckled to the notions of modern culture that promote self actualization and pluralism. Fearful of offending or losing parishioners, they only address topics warmly embraced by all — especially when it comes to how to raise children. You see, modern culture has shifted to become the polar opposite to the Bible on this topic (and most others).
Having spent years in pastoral ministry myself, I understand some of the intense pressures faced by pastors today. The world is filled with influences hostile to the Christian faith. It is not at all easy for pastors to keep the world’s philosophies from infiltrating the church. I’m also glad to report that not all pastors are “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
But think with me for a moment. Battles are never won through defeat and victories are seldom caused by retreat. They are won by strategic intentional actions of commitment, sacrifice and risk.
Sadly, just as many pastors take a passive view of the spiritual health of their people; many parents are not intentional about the spiritual well-being of their children. They are not diligent to “train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.” This battle must also be one that involves intentional actions of commitment, sacrifice and risk. As a father of six, I know something of this challenge as well.
So, what are some steps parents should take to ensure the spiritual health of their children?
1. Be sure you are a real Christian yourself and that your example and teaching (including influences you allow in your home) are in alignment with the principles and priorities of the Bible. Nothing distorts spiritual formation in children more than spiritual hypocrisy at home.
2. Make sure you are taking them to a thoroughly Bible believing church where the whole family (including you) is evangelized and nurtured through discipleship and where there are opportunities for service. Encourage and support your pastor as he takes a stand on issues that are in the best interest of your family’s spiritual well-being.
3. If you are not teaching your children at home, enroll them in a good Christian school. This will take sacrifice and a lot of it. But outside the influence of your own home, the influences of your children’s school are without question the most significant in their spiritual formation. If you are teaching them at home, make sure you are being diligent to take strategic intentional actions of commitment, sacrifice and risk… and that you are giving them a thoroughly Christian worldview education. There are several great curricula to help you. Regardless, know what they are being taught and if others are teaching them, have contact with their teachers.
4. Know and manage your children’s relationships with their friends. Don’t take anything for granted.
5. Pray for your children daily, in your private time and when you are with them. Let them hear you pray for their safety and spiritual well-being. Prayer is the key to winning spiritual battles and breaking down resistance. The Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Perhaps you are reading this article and are thinking, “I’ve already lived this part of my life and have made a lot of wrong choices.” Maybe today things are not good with your child’s spiritual health. Let me encourage you to start doing what you can to correct the situation. You may not be able to make changes in your child’s life, but you can in yours. Then, through prayer, God can make the needed changes in your child. It will take strategic intentional actions of commitment, sacrifice and risk. It is a spiritual battle that must begin by seeking God. But it is a battle that can be won.
As another school year begins, my prayer for you is that God will bless and strengthen you and your family and that you will all be blessed with spiritual health.
If you would like to read more articles focused on Christian worldview and the education of children, let me invite you to sign up for a quarterly newsletter on our home page. A "Back to School" issue will be released in a couple day. It's free!
Melvin Adams is President and CEO of RENEWANATION, a non-profit organization working to offer every child a Christian worldview, tuition free. His career has been centered in Christian education, international missions, and music and pastoral ministries. He and his wife Sandy have 6 children and 2 grandchildren. They reside in Hardy, Virginia.
I received an email from the White House Aug. 9. It was on health care reform. No doubt millions of my fellow Americans received it too. After reviewing the email and its content, I sent a reply to express my opinion. Because of the importance of this matter to Americans, I share it with you.
Dear David Axelrod:
I appreciate the email you sent stating, "It's time for a reality check" and I appreciate the information it contains and connects me to.
I think all Americans recognize that our general health care system needs attention and correction. That said, (from a person who has traveled rather extensively) America is arguably the best in the world when it comes to providing research, health care solutions and treatment. In my opinion, it is not the health care system that needs changing but the terrible abuse in our legal system and response from our insurance companies who both need to be brought back into a reasonable game.
The single greatest concern I have with everything proposed in the health care reform bill is the fact that government is imposing itself upon our society, trying to make policy on ethics and business decisions it has no business in. Further, government control is a sure way to kill innovation, efficiency, and freedom.
I vote to move back toward a government that empowers the individual and keeps itself free from temptation to believe it can do better than its collective population. Remember, it's "We the people"!
