Taking a brief interlude away from examining different ways the cults misuse the Bible, I would like to present an update on the awaited Men's Homeschooling Leadership Summit that was held by men and for men (and boys, of course), sponsored by the Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC). One of the grand achievements of this summit, I understood per the advertisement and information on the internet, was the writing of a grand patriocentric Manifesto for Christian Education.
For some preliminary information about this exciting conference, please refer to this post and read comments from Bill Roach of the CHEC.
I think it's been another lesson in the wisdom of Solomon that there is nothing new under the sun, and there is nothing really new in patriocentricity and the Vision Forum driven CHEC, save their revisions that are made to their doctrinal statements, all without repentance or comment.
John Holtzmann of Sonlight Curriculum has already introduced some ideas on his blog from his experience, and Karen Campbell posted the actual Manifesto itself. I left some comments on Karen's Thatmom blog which I may post here later, but I soon realized that all of the information for this manifesto has already been written. This Manifesto for Christian Education (MCE) is, in fact, a very brief summary of a document that already exists. The MCE is essentially an outline of major points already contained in the Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy.
Allow me to demonstrate what I mean, and you can compare these ideas for yourself. What the MCE actually looks like to me is a worksheet that can be used to improve the existing Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy. So here are my comparisons and suggestions for those who want to redeem the activity of working on the MCE, something apparently handed to the Summit 2009 attendees like something of an afterthought.
Visionary men, you don't need a new list of rules,
just perk up your original lists of rules!
I'll get you started.
You didn't seem to have time anyway.
just perk up your original lists of rules!
I'll get you started.
You didn't seem to have time anyway.
Please note the content noted on the screen behind Dr. Baucham where he claims that he never taught that women did not need college as noted in this blog post and this one.
Comparison of the
Manifesto for Christian Education with
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy and
A Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family
Manifesto for Christian Education with
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy and
A Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family
TBP 3.09:
(Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy,
March 27, 2009 Version)
BCUCF 3.09:
(Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family,
March 27, 2009 Version)
(Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy,
March 27, 2009 Version)
BCUCF 3.09:
(Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family,
March 27, 2009 Version)
Facets
|
Manifesto for Christian Education (MCE)
|
Vision Forum Document
(Note that each corresponding Tenet or Article from each respective VF document follows this table)
|
Proposition
One
|
The beginning of wisdom and knowledge in the education of our children is the fear of God.
|
TBP
(#5, #18)
BCUCF
(VIII )
|
Worldview
|
All education assumes and presents a basic worldview, and Christian education is based on a biblical, God-centered worldview.
|
TBP
(#16, #18, #24)
BCUCF
(I)
|
Purpose
|
The primary purpose of education is to equip our children to live to the glory of God.
|
TBP
(#5, #18)
BCUCF
(X)
|
Sphere
|
It is the family - not the state or the church - whom God has assigned the responsibility and attendant rights to educate their children.
|
TBP
(#5, #17, #19)
BCUCF
(VIII, IX)
|
Teachers
|
Parents are the principal and primary instructors for their children.
|
TBP
(#5, #17, #19)
BCUCF
(VIII, IX, X)
|
Content
|
The training in humility -and fear, faith and character is preeminent and inseparably integrated in the intellectual development of a child.
|
TBP
(#5, #16, #18, #24)
BCUCF
(I, X)
|
Curriculum
|
The Word of God is the primary textbook for our children's education.
|
TBP
(#24)
BCUCF
(I)
|
Summary
|
Therefore, we affirm that education is discipleship, and Christian Education is Deuteronomy 6:7.
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.
|
TBP
(#5, #16, #17,
#18, #19, #24)
|
Suggested Additions to
-->
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy
(March 27, 1009 Version)
The Authority of Fathers
5. A husband and father is the head of his household, a family leader, provider, and protector, with the authority and mandate to direct his household in paths of obedience to God. (Gen. 18:19; Eph. 6:4)
- From MCE “Purpose” add: “for the glory of God”
- From MCE “Sphere” add: “primary educator” into list of duties
- From MCE “Summary” add: Therefore, we affirm that education is discipleship, and Christian Education is Deuteronomy 6:7: 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.
Education & training of children
16. Education is not a neutral enterprise. Christian parents must provide their children with a thoroughly Christian education, one that teaches the Bible and a biblical view of God and the world. Christians should not send their children to public schools since education is not a God-ordained function of civil government and since these schools are sub-Christian at best and anti-Christian at worst. (Deut. 4:9; 6:6-9; Rom. 13:3-5; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:15)
- From MCE “Worldview” add: “and worldview”
17. Fathers are sovereign over the training of their children and, with their wives, are the children’s chief teachers. Christian parents are bound to obey the command personally to walk beside and train their children. Any approach to Christian education ought to recognize and facilitate the role of fathers and mothers as the primary teachers of their children. (Deut. 4:9; 6:6ff.; Ps. 78:3-8; Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:4; )
18. Educational methodology is not neutral. The Christian should build his educational methodology from the word of God and reject methodologies derived from humanism, evolutionism, and other unbiblical systems of thought. Biblical education is discipleship, a process designed to reach the heart. The aim is a transformed person who exhibits godly character and a trained mind, both of which arise from faith. The parents are crucial and ordinarily irreplaceable in this heart-level, relational process. (Deut. 6:5-7; Lk. 6:40; 1 Thess. 2:7-12; 2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Pet. 1:5-8)
- From MCE “Proposition 1” and “Worldview” add: “educating them in the fear of the Lord and a Christian Worldview”
19. Since the educational mandate belongs to parents and they are commanded personally to walk beside and train their children, they ought not to transfer responsibility for the educational process to others. However, they have the liberty to delegate components of that process. While they should exercise great caution and reserve in doing this, and the more so the less mature the child, it is prudent to take advantage of the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ and enjoy the help and support that comes with being part of a larger community with a common purpose. (1 Cor. 12:14ff.; Gal. 4:1,2; 6:2; Eph. 4:16 )
The Sufficiency & application of Scripture
24. Scripture is the believer’s sufficient guide for all of faith and practice, and Christians must believe and obey whatever it teaches and commands. The Bible provides the Christian — through precept, pattern and principle — all that is necessary to make wise decisions concerning the many ethically complex issues of life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3)
A Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family
(March 27, 2009 Version)
Note: “b” section of Articles not referenced here; not applicable to MCE
Article I -- Scripture is Sufficient
We affirm that our all-wise God has revealed Himself and His will in a completed revelation—the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments—which is fully adequate in both content and clarity for “everything pertaining to life (salvation) and godliness (sanctification)” including the ordering of the church and the family (2 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
- From MCE “Worldview” add: “and educating them in a Christian Worldview”
Article VIII -- Church and Family Mission is Generational
We affirm that God intends both church and family to carry out evangelism and discipleship through multiple generations, “so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God to keep all His statutes and His commandments” (Deut. 6:2; Lk.1:50).
Article IX -- Church and Family Method is Relationships
We affirm that the saints of God are to be equipped for spiritual ministry and maturity primarily through the preaching of the Word of God by qualified shepherds and that children are also equipped primarily through family-based, one-on-one, father-directed, heart-level discipleship relationships (1Tim. 3:4-5).
Article X -- Church and Family Milieu is Everyday Life
We affirm that the church’s relationships are nurtured primarily through daily discipleship in everyday life, especially fathers and mothers training their families and living out the gospel in ministry to the saints and witness to the lost (Eph. 5:21-6:4).
- From MCE “Purpose” add: “for the glory of God”
