Category: Christians & Culture

Commentary, from a Biblical perspective, on current events that are primarily cultural. There may be some overlap with politics and government, but the emphasis is on broader societal developments apart from politics, which also includes analysis of specific individuals.

Early American Education

  

How did we get to where we are in education policy today, considering how we started? In early America, before we became a separate nation, children received their education from three possible sources, and in this order of importance: home, church, school. Most children never attended a formal school, yet somehow we were a literate society. That’s hard for some people to believe nowadays. Even where schools existed, such as in New England, not all children attended them. They were… Read more »

A Meaningful Constitution Day

  

Yesterday was the celebration of the signing of the Constitution by the delegates to the convention that drafted it. It’s a day that goes generally unnoticed by most of the nation—we’re far more attached to days with far less significance. Don’t get me started on “Halloween.” At Southeastern, we had formal recognition of this anniversary. I thought the best way to commemorate this historical event was to have those who work in the government relate their thoughts about the importance… Read more »

The Role of Scripture in Education

  

For those of you who have read this blog over the months, you may have noticed that the guy on the right has shown up more than once. His name is Noah Webster, a man I got to know quite thoroughly as I researched and wrote my doctoral dissertation because he was the subject of that endeavor. I was fascinated with Webster because he became a Christian convert at age 50, and his worldview altered considerably in the realm of… Read more »

Who Educates?

  

Since the president opened the door for a discussion of education, I’d like to walk through it. As a professor of history, education is my livelihood, and I’ve spent more than three decades thinking about principles that apply to education. As always, I go to the Scripture for my foundations. For instance, in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, the nation of Israel was told: These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them… Read more »

Christians and Muslims

  

While I have periodically commented on the War on Terror, until yesterday, I didn’t address directly the Muslim issue in our country. I want to continue that line of thought today. Christians believe there is only one way to know God, and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself stated that He was the way, the truth, and the life. He was God in human form, and only via His sacrificial death on the cross can mankind find its way… Read more »

Does an Islamic Threat Really Exist?

  

Rifqa Bary is a 17-year-old girl raised in a Muslim family in Ohio who has secretly been a Christian for 4 years. Recently, her parents discovered her new beliefs. Rifqa fled Ohio for Florida, fearing that her parents will kill her for her Christian faith. Is that really an issue? Rifqa believes it is. Her parents want her returned. It’s now in the courts in Florida. Rifqa has stated: If I had stayed in Ohio, I wouldn’t be alive. In… Read more »

Pride Goes Before . . . What Was That Again?

  

I’m grateful for the example of Calvin Coolidge. Yes, you read that correctly. A man who is ridiculed by all the “right” people actually was one of the most faithful to the Constitution. And he also realized the danger of holding political power. He declined to run again for the presidency in 1928. His reason? Read this carefully and appreciate what he is saying: It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion. They are… Read more »