From a conversation going on elsewhere (Thinklings and Mrs. Blo)
And the subject is Christian kids in public schools.
Here's a resolution from SBC (2005)
Voddie Baucham (who I generally like) explains his stand on removing Christian students from public schools.
- I believe our current government education harms children academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually.
Then what about Christian teachers and other staff. Can we (as Christian educators) in good conscience participate in a system that harms children? Take it to the extreme conclusion and see if it bears out - can a Christian, in good conscience, participate in a system that harms children? Public school? Gay pride day? Kiddie porn? You draw the line - at what point is it okay (on one side of the line) for a Christian to participate in a system that harms children and where (the other side of the line) does it become "not okay"?
If the public schools are harmful to children - then how can Christians participate, even as teachers?
- (...)if the Bible teaches that education is discipleship (Luke 6:40) and we are commanded to place Christ not just at its center, but throughout its warp and woof, then those who have chosen to send their children to the government to be educated have erred.
What is the difference between "error" and "sin"? If we deliberately "err" and send our children off to a system that harms them, how can that not be called "sin"? (this is my attempt to follow the logic along)
- Moreover, the next paragraph makes it clear that teaching children in accordance with the Law of God is ‘required’ of those who believe. Those who do not are called ‘least’ in the Kingdom.
Is Baucham prepared to say that those who send their children to public school are not following the Law of God? (He just did).
- (...)then those who have chosen to send their children to the government to be educated have erred. There is no middle ground.
Is Baucham prepared to say that the Bible is clear, that there is no middle ground or room for choice? (He just did)
My logical conclusion:
Following this reasoning - that there is no middle ground, that Christian parents who choose to send their children to public school are "erring" - not following the requirements of the Law of God - and are intentionally harming their children, academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually. Further, those who participate in that system are knowingly participating is a system that causes harm to children academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually.
Question: Is Baucham prepared to exercise church discipline with those families and educators who knowingly "err"?
Why does this matter? Because of "incrementalism", SBC style. Read Wade Burleson's post, "The Practical Outworking..."
"The Baptist Faith and Message is neither a creed, nor a complete statement of our faith, nor final and infallible; nevertheless, we further acknowledge that it is the only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs approved by the Southern Baptist Convention and such is sufficient in its current form to guide trustees in their establishment of policies and practices of entities of the Convention."
Adopted by the Messengers of the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, Texas, June 13, 2007.
How do you get a consensus? You get more and more people thinking the way that you do.
How do you do that? You take a major player to present a non-binding resolution and present any way of thinking that doesn't agree as "error" and "causing harm".
Where will that get you? In time, you have enough people thinking your way that you can vote on whether or not there is a consensus.
There you go, a little time...
Do you think I'm wrong? Remember Burleson's history with the IMB and the gift of tongues? Do you remember the history of the question of tongues in the IMB?
Burleson wrote in 2005:
Again, I think if people are not careful they will see arguments against the new IMB policies on tongues and baptism and believe the problem is simply a theological one. If that's the case, the real issue at hand, the issue that is so disturbing to many of us, will never be grasped by SBC laypeople at large. The Southern Baptist Convention, through trustees of boards and agencies, is narrowing the parameters of fellowship and cooperation to the point that real, genuine conservatives are being excluded as unfit for service in the SBC.
How long will it be before sending your children to a public school will render you unfit for service in the SBC?
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