Education Matters!

Susan Myers

Abortion restraints lifted…sexual perversion promoted…financial bondage multiplied…terrorist nations placated! The news brings additional shock waves, it seems, every day—resulting often in a sense of paralysis. The importance of education issues, such as the struggles over science in Texas between the media, legislature, and the State Board of Education can easily be overshadowed. Why should we pay attention to the schooling of children when it seems we can’t draw a breath between cataclysmic attacks? As with all things, the Bible is our Guide in this matter. Let us see what Paul warns are two of the greatest dangers of the church in the last age—the falling away from truth and acceptance of false science. Surprising? Perhaps, but here it is. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith” (1Timothy 6:20–21).

What is this verse saying to us? Positively, we—like Timothy—are commanded to keep that which is committed to our trust—the truth (as seen in the preceding verses). God is truth and His Word is the absolute measure of it. On the other hand, we are not to accept profane and vain babblings and false “science.” Evolutionary teaching is just that. Profane and empty, it falsely labels itself science, is only supported by lies, and opposes God. Imbibing it puts a person in danger of erring concerning the faith, because evolution removes the basis for true learning. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Evolution’s claims of purely naturalistic causes deny God—damaging the faith and consequently the life of the unwary hearer. Allowing feelings, convoluted reason, and professed authorities who oppose God to guide us keeps us from true knowledge and costs dearly, on earth and in eternity.

Therefore, we cannot afford to ignore the creation/evolution issue in education. God holds us responsible for our young people. We must take action in our own children’s education. We must teach them the truth and shield them from evolutionary teachings. Furthermore, in America, we have responsibility, as “we the people,” to guard our country and its future. The majority of children in the United States are in public schools. Education forms beliefs about all of life, including church, family, business, and government. Those beliefs influence behavior which determines the future—our future, as now we see all too clearly.

At a pivotal time during probably the gloomiest hour for America’s revolutionary cause, Thomas Paine rallied the colonists with an article containing the words: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Our days are no less critical. Let us determine to shake off any paralysis of soul and accept a commission of active duty.

In future articles we’ll cover specific educational impact and issues as well as actions that can be pursued. But first of all, let each of us decide that we’re going to do something—that we are going to work on what we can change—our thinking and our actions. Let us seek the resolve, courage, and insight we need from God.

“Lord, by Your grace I resolve to deepen my study of Your Word since it is the only source of truth. Teach me to love Your wisdom. Instead of fearing what is happening around me, cause me to fear You. In the days ahead, strengthen me to educate myself about the creation/evolution subject. Open my eyes to the specific actions You want me to take. Give me boldness to protect myself, my family, and all in my realm of influence from falling away from the truth and accepting science falsely so called. Awaken other individuals across the nation to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”