| I hope that any who read this would seek the Lord and even if they don’t choose to homeschool, they will at least have a conviction as to why or why not rather than just acting upon a feeling. After all, being saved is not based upon a feeling. Why shouldn’t our walks be based upon convictions of Scripture as well? | |
Why We
Homeschool
by:
Bruce Carl Nickerson
Introduction: When we consider the issue of homeschooling, it is imperative that we first establish our presupposition for living because from this springs the actions we take in our lives. Simply put, we view things this way; to live is Christ. Thus, we try to live according to principles and rules of conduct set forth in the Bible. Know this though, not every action we take is due to a cut and dry rule of Scripture. Life is full of decisions that are made with Christ as our focal point, and thereby we will be pleasing to God (even in the things not spelled out for us) and allow love and sense to act. Some principles are clear such as the issue of prayer. The New Testament is replete with commands, admonitions, and directives concerning prayer and its place in the life of the believer. One area not as clear is having a car, for example. A believer must decide if an automobile is necessary. Automobiles are neither good nor bad but can be used for either. The believer must consider many factors. Primarily, is God being glorified or am I feeding my flesh? As with all things, we need to determine if there is a clear-cut Scriptural directive or if this is an issue of grace. NOTE: If I conclude that something is clear, that does not necessarily mean that it is clear. The reason our family homeschools is the result of prayer and study. Even then, there could be error in our understanding. Notwithstanding, this is where God has directed us. If the result of your own prayer and study leads you to the same conclusion, then obey what God has shown you. This is important to remember. If your result is different from ours, please don’t feel it necessary to judge and correct us, unless of course we are fully acting in sin. If homeschooling is not a clear Scriptural principle, then we are in an area of grace to do as we choose as long as we are not maligning the name of Christ. This is why we will not tell you that you must homeschool although we believe it is more in line with what God teaches in His Word for the Christian family. To a degree, we see this as a personal choice issue, with the exception being where this applies to our family since we are fully convinced that this is where God wants us. Having said all this, let’s move to the issue at hand. What is school? The word means a place to teach and learn.1 In the sentence, We school our children, school becomes a transitive verb. The noun (we) transfers an action (school) which refers to an object (our children). All this means is that training is taking place. Those with information or knowledge are passing it onto another. School also becomes the word we use to describe the place where this all takes place. In a sense, wherever training occurs is school. Hence, our use of phrases such as, the school of hard knocks. Another definition of school is this: "place or institution devoted to teaching and learning. In the early history of Israel, the home was the primary agency for religious training, which was imparted chiefly through conversation, example, and imitation. All teaching was religiously oriented." There was a school of the prophets under Samuel (1 Samuel 19:19-20) and during the Babylonian exile the institution of the synagogue came about. "It was a place of teaching, never of sacrifice. Later an elementary school system was developed with the synagogue attendant as the teacher. Memorization had a prominent place."2 Although this can be used as an argument for public or church schools, please note that there is no Scriptural basis used to support this view, only a seen need acted upon in a particular fashion. Thus far, we see homeschooling as a matter of choice. Do we have any clear directives in Scripture to teach or train our children, and if so where and in what fashion? If they exist, are those passages applicable to the Church today? We will attempt to give a Scriptural stand for home schooling. Because of our presupposition that homeschooling is a Biblical principle, this will come across strongly. We would expect anyone opposed to homeschooling to be as strong in their view against it. The Supports Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:20-21. We will begin with these two passages and add more as we progress. Notice that children are commanded to obey their parents. At issue could be in what regard are they to obey their parents? In what things are they to be obedient? What does it mean to obey? How do we define obedience, and how is it accomplished? What is inferred by the simple fact of there being the necessity of obeying? Obey is defined as; to do what one is told, to comply or act in accordance with, to yield to the control of.3 So simply put, when we are commanded or directed to do thus and such by someone of authority over us, we put aside our ‘things’ and complete the task assigned as we are told. The need for obedience means there is an issue which needs accomplished in a particular fashion and that presumably someone has the position to command that it be done. The issue and the means have been articulated. The recipient of the order should have been trained concerning this issue or has been recently taught what is expected and is released to perform the task. This is schooling in action. |
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| Now our passages further define
and tell us that children are to obey their parents. Thus, we see that God has
so structured the family with the parents as the authoritative figure over the
children. As the authority over the children, they have the responsibility that
comes with that authority. The children are to obey them ‘in the
Lord’ and ‘in all things’. This infers that the children have
been taught what is the meaning of ‘in the Lord’, or they could not
obey this command. Where did they learn this? Who is responsible for this
instruction? It is clear in Ephesians 6:4b that the responsibility falls
squarely upon the father. "but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord." If we understand what the Bible teaches about the marriage
relationship and how the structure of authority works, we know that this means
the mother as well. When the two that are one have a head which is Christ and
the man is the head of his wife and when the father is commanded something, it
is his responsibility to control his own home and be sure that his wife is like
minded. It would be foolish for us to think that it would be okay for mothers
to provoke their children to wrath but not the fathers. Therefore, both parents
are responsible for the training of their children. The phrase ‘in all things’ is much broader and more encompassing. Some may use this to support their view of sending their children to public or private school. I would disagree, and I will share my reasoning in this article. What are ‘all things’? Again, something that the parents have already given training about. As we look at this, it appears to apply only to things of a Spiritual nature, or does it? "All things" is a wide-ranging phrase. The primary understanding implies that "all things" applies to character actions. However, in the process of training up our children in the way they should go, wouldn’t it be prudent that they learn things such as speech and math? Of course it would. Without them, communication would be difficult. Even with proper communication skills, how could they get us two apples if they never learned basic math skills? And on it goes. Our children will need to know basic skills that will allow for interaction in this world. As the world grows in technology so must the basic skills that are required. We need to consider how and what are they learning and by whom. There are many arguments for sending our children to school. The argument listed above is probably the only one I find to have some validity yet still not acceptable as the parent has the ability to learn and can pass on vital skills needed for use in society. It is important that individuals are equipped for life. Being Christian, it our belief that all things in our lives should be for Christ. Christ first should be our goal and all we do is based on a foundation of Biblical principles. I will use lying and math as an example. Suppose we have to use learned math equations for our job in life. The figures give an indicator of how we are performing at our job, and we soon realize that "better" numbers are to our benefit at reviews. Having been taught the principles of Christianity, we know that lying is an unacceptable practice. Therefore, we don’t cheat on the numbers and possibly lose our job, although the numbers are not the whole picture of our ability. Alternatively, we may have never learned that lying is wrong. Instead, we learned that it is something we should avoid, if we can. So we cheat the numbers to appear "better" than we may truly be. It is obvious that morality and math can be taught at the same time. It is also obvious that this can be taught at home as well as in ‘formal’ school. |
| Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou
forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy
heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the
LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my
words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon
the earth, and that they may teach their children. Deuteronomy 4:9-10 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 11:19 |
Let’s look again at some verses that talk about training and
teaching. These verses will not be the end all of the argument for home
schooling and may be used to support opposition to teaching at
home. Deuteronomy 4:9-10, Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 11:19 These three passages show that the Israelites where to teach their children of the statutes and judgments of the Lord. This is surely speaking of Spiritual truths and doctrines and was to serve a purpose. One purpose was so they would not forget all that the Lord has done. Another purpose was so their children would learn of and fear the Lord. The Proverbs tell us many things and an important one is that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) Also this, then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5) So understanding this, we see that knowledge is of God. Apart from God, knowledge will not be filled with wisdom. We can grow in knowledge of things such as the solar system, yet be filled with the ‘wisdom’ of man and deny that the solar system exists because of God. Man does this all the time and Romans chapter one gives us a description of that very thing where man professing himself to be wise becomes a fool and proceeds to create God in man’s image. Even if we confine this to Spiritual knowledge that we are to teach, we must admit that it appears that it is to be a constant teaching. When we rise, sit, stop, and go. Essentially speaking throughout the day. Home schooling provides the environment to accomplish this. However, sending our children to school may also accomplish this while we are at work. Then who is doing this constant Spiritual training? Certainly not the parents who were given the commandment. Do we see that teaching is to be in other matters than the Spiritual? I think so. Look at these verses. |
| Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to
teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; Judges 3:2 Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher. 2 Samuel 1:18 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. Ezra 7:25 |
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| These three passages tell us that it was important to train in matters of practicality. From Judges we learn that some of the Israelites did not know about warfare and hence needed to be taught. David wanted them to learn a song, a dirge if you will. Songs can be great teachers of the beliefs and ideals of the society they stem from. And Ezra needed principalities (magistrates), judges and law administrators as well as spiritual leaders. We all understand the need for civil rule as a practical matter. As do most who desire civility as opposed to anarchy. |
| The Purposes for schooling: Looking at these verses, we see much. Something that we can see is echoed in the description of school and/or schooling found in secular materials. One such book tells us that schooling, specifically public or national schooling is a great political/social tool. During the ages of mankind governments of the world saw that a nations economic and social well being was dependent upon education.4 The more society grew in technological know-how the more needful for this standardized educational system. The question to ask here is who was defining well being and how? What were the criteria for the standard? This is of primary importance because as we stated at the start of this paper, and as the Scriptures themselves teach, the direction of the heart will determine the direction of the body. In this case, our society will go in the direction of the leadership in charge. Under the Old Testament, religion and society were integral; one was not without the other. New Testament teaching has a group (Christianity) living within, yet separate from, society (the world). Being that we must exist within this world (while maintaining a separate nature), it is essential that our children also be educated. This is where we agree with the groups that push public (and private) schooling. It is also where we part ways due to spiritual demands of Scripture and reasoning based upon prayer and our relationship to God via Jesus Christ. Notice that in the verse from Daniel what the Babylonian government did. They took young, learned men from the captives. These young men were specifically skillful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science. They were useful to the country but not as they were. It was necessary to train them in Chaldean manners and customs before they would be incorporated into governmental functions. After learning these manners and customs, they could also help ease the transition of the Jews into Babylonian society. When Paul and Silas were captured in Philippi the cry against them was not because of their causing the loss of financial gain because of releasing the girl from the bonds of demons (although this was indeed their primary reason) but rather went to a stronger cry. Saying, they taught customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. Essentially, they were pointing out that these men were going against the rules of education and society in regard to Roman citizens. Notice it shows the matter is of economic and social implications. This is not much different from the USSR when they disallowed their citizenry to learn or know of Western influences, specifically capitalism. The Russian government did not want their people corrupted with ideologies the leaders disagreed with. I included the information about the former USSR and China to make the point that whatever the society, the education done on the public (or state) level will be influenced according to the social beliefs of the leadership of said society. The verses that come after those show another thing as well. The body of Christ is to be taught by believers. Notice this principle is found in Old Testament passages as well as New Testament. The body that is representing God is taught by those that believe in God and specifically the one true God. In the New Testament where Christianity is seen as a part of a composite society, it is very important that while existing within the world that we keep our minds and hearts centered on Christ. The passages about the elders and deacons are surely speaking of Spiritual matters but can we conclude that they only apply to those matters of church doctrine? I think not. If we look at the passage found in 1 Timothy 6:1-5, we see something about the ones who teach contrary to the things of Christ. They are full of many things that are contentious. They are doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth. We can find this no truer than in the public school when we have our children taught sciences. The Theory of Evolution is one of the largest items of dispute and rightly so. For the Theory of Evolution is man’s greatest attempt to rid themselves of a God that must be answered to. I am aware of a Christian family that in science classes they have told their children to answer according to the instruction of the class even if it is in violation or in conflict with what the Bible teaches. This is done under the guise of our children having to be a light in the world, which includes public school. What bunk! They have taught their children that we are to lie (whether outright or backhandedly) and the world knows this. The instructors also get reinforced in their ideology because of the witness the children are taught to supply. How many came to church realizing that some Christians will agree to something so as to avoid hurting someone’s feelings and then got "saved" or said a prayer to keep their Christian friend from getting hurt feelings? I have met quite a few that meet both sides of this and having met just one was too many in my opinion. |
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| Can a child that is Christian attend public school and turn out
alright? Certainly. Can a child that is Christian attend public school and be
corrupted slightly? Of course they can. Look at something about the Bible that
has occurred. In the 1800's some came along and started to dispute issues about
reliability of manuscripts used for the translation of Scripture. It took many
years but look where Christianity is today. Many question so many issues and
than look until they find a version that says what they want to believe. By the
1950’s, England, one of the hottest places for God, had cooled so much
that is was considered post-Christian. The days of Spurgeon and Mueller and
Taylor had disappeared and America was rapidly following along. The church was
influenced in a strong way at the university level – what possibly causes
us to think it can’t or won’t happen at the elementary through high
school levels? Some churches feel that Bible college (though not all churches feel this way) is not found to be Scripturally supported in the mainstream manner in which it is conducted. Therefore, according to Scripture they train up pastors, evangelists, missionaries and teachers in house, so to speak. Many have searched the Bible and found nothing to support sending young men away for years to learn what they can be taught at home. Yet many Bible colleges teach in agreement to what they believe, so why don’t they send them to Bible college? Because when they are trained in house they can be observed, seen in ministry and helped along and it eliminates the worry about what nonsense they may have learned while away from their portion of the body. The idea comes down to this; "We know what they were taught because we did the teaching." But our children must be of much sterner stuff Spiritually because we not only send them out to be trained by someone else, but many times by someone who doesn’t even hold to Spiritual views that match our own. Consider this. The children are sent to school and attend for about 6 hours every day. In the elementary levels, they usually have one teacher. They will therefore spend 30 hours per week learning from someone that you may know merely by acquaintance. The likelihood of you knowing intimately one (let alone all) of their instructors is slim. You will know your pastor better then you will know their teacher because at a minimum you will at least know the Spiritual view of your pastor. Some teachers will not discuss this with you because they say this has nothing to do with what they are teaching. Really? If I teach you English grammar, I will no doubt insert my own personal views into the blocks of instruction at one time or another. You see there really is no such thing as true objectivity except with God. With math maybe the spiritual can be kept out, but then again eventually we will learn somewhat of Pythagoras and other men of ancient Greece, but this does not take into account the word problems. This will invariably include learning something of their culture and belief system. Science teaches a great many things that we as Christians have no problem accepting because they are true. It also teaches many things that are anti-Christ. Don’t we have the responsibility to stand upon the Bible and be witnesses of Christ? Now in America, it wasn’t until after 1850 that laws for compulsory attendance were put into effect.6 What was happening that America saw this need? America was growing in size and population. The need for a country that believed the same was important. The division of the Civil War probably helped push this idea along. Some things that have come of public education have hurt more than helped. The Scopes Trial. The idea that we are/were started as a Christian nation. The idealistic notion that we can have ‘value free’ education or put another way, school teaching without subjectivity. An idea that is impossible for as we stated earlier, true objectivity is only found with God. The school system mentality changes as rapidly as the social changes within society. As society goes, so follows the church is a catch phrase that I find disturbing. I am unaware of who first said this but it unfortunately seems true. The church instead of staying true to the principle of Christ is willing to compromise some of its value(s) for the idea of saving the lost. I say that once we step away from the principles of Scripture we make it more difficult for the lost to get saved. Our children need to get saved just like anyone else. Moreover, when they get saved at a young age the only thing that changed was their eternal destination. They are still children needing education, which should be balanced with the inclusion of Spiritual training. However, just because my children got saved at a young age does not mean they are ready to handle the world. No more so than a babe in Christ should be put in positions of authority. There is also the issue of social interaction. The argument is that children need to learn to interact with their peers in order to gain social skills. How is this accomplished when during class time, the children are to be quiet, sit still, and listen to the teacher. Social skills are only used during recess, sports, and the like. Those skills, if not taught at home, will not necessarily be found at school. Rather, the parents will be berated and told to medicate their child so that they will behave and participate. Therefore, I say no. Social skills are taught at home and used in public. Children will act childishly. When with other children, they will still act childish. (Prov. 22:15) They need to know how to respect authority and the interaction with peers will fall into place. No different from the Christian needing to get his life focused upon Christ solely and the rest of the walk falls into place. (Galatians 5:16) So we need to question the value of socialization (for those impressionable lives we are responsible for training up in the way they should go) that takes place in an environment that is essentially hostile to the nature of Christianity. Remember that the spiritual man and the natural man will always ‘war’ with one another being of two different families. |
| Summary: In this brief paper, we have seen that children must be raised and trained. In Addition, the burden of responsibility lies with the parent(s). Some unfortunate instances require that there is only one parent to bear this weight and I feel strongly that the church in light of Galatians 6:1-4 must step in to aid those that are carrying their load but truly need assistance. Nevertheless, the responsibility is still the duty of the parent. Scripture never indicates that it is not the duty of the parent to ensure the child(ren) is taught the skills needed for existence in society. We have noted that the need for education is real and necessary. It has also been noted that the world (the lost) sees this need also and in many cases have taken steps to do this in an orderly fashion. While they do this, they also indoctrinate the children with their social concerns and ideologies in the process. This is the reality of instruction that it will incorporate the values of the instructor and that the instructor will have the values of the administrators. In light of the first point this seems all the more to cry out that we be sure of the position of the instructor. So while I am for home schooling, in some instances (to include, but not limited to, situations where the parent is left, either through death or divorce, to handle this responsibility alone), the local body may need to assist via a church run school with members as teachers or via satellite school administered by the local church. Lives that have been damaged need not be thrown out and helping those helping themselves bear their burden is the responsibility of the church and individual believers. In closing, let’s take one more look at social interaction. The body of Christ is to be a witness for Him. Therefore we must know Him as Saviour and go into the world. Not blindly or unskilled in the ways of Christ. We must live Christ for therein is our life. |
| And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the
second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 |
| The greatest socialization
skill that can be learned and taught to others is found in this passage. The
priority is God first, then our neighbors. Christ has defined who is our
neighbor. See (Luke 10:30-37 if you are not sure who is your neighbor.) Our
children will learn to socialize by seeing us socialize. They will also learn
from other children. It is your responsibility as the parent to see that your
children learn the correct way. This means that you are involved, and that you
are aware of the other influences your children are being subjected to. So you
must consider the sources and determine their worth. Because after all is said
and done, you, and you alone, will be held accountable to God for the
development of your children. We homeschool because of these Scriptural and
Spiritual reasons. I hope that any who read this would seek the Lord and even if they don’t choose to homeschool, they will at least have a conviction as to why or why not rather than just acting upon a feeling. After all, being saved is not based upon a feeling. Why shouldn’t our walks be based upon convictions of Scripture as well? |
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