on the doorposts

Sunday, February 25, 2007

crisis in education

Time.com has called Dr. R. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.” In the current issue of Southern Seminary Magazine (The Tie), Dr. Mohler addressed America's crisis in education. These excerpts represent both his introductory and closing thoughts:

"The American educational system is in an undeclared state of disaster, with competing ideologies and shifting worldviews undermining the very nature of education itself. In the state-controlled school systems, ideologies of naturalism, secularism, materialism and moral relativism shape the prevailing culture and worldview. A pernicious new imposition of “tolerance” as an ideology threatens to silence all voices resistant to absolute relativism."

"Our Christian responsibility is not completed when we have come to terms with the current secular disaster and described its consequences — not by a long shot. Our responsibility is to remind and instruct parents of their urgent responsibility, to motivate churches to action and faithful response, and to reawaken the Christian mind in this generation. If we fail at this task, generations to follow will know darkness rather than light and ignorance rather than wisdom — and it will be our fault."

Click here to read the entire article: http://www.sbts.edu/pdf/tie/2006Winter.pdf

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

thankfulness

Nearly a year has passed since I posted remarks here. The lapse saw good changes in our family, seasons of both challenge and joy, and many wonderful opportunities to observe the constant hand of God's provision.

I am thankful to God for His loving care. Paul reminded the believers in Colosse to demonstrate their thankfulness to God through singing!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

When the song is from my heart -- whether it be a historic hymn of the faith or the simplest chorus of praise and adoration -- my singing will bless those who are worshipping together with me. Listen to the voices around you, and you will be strongly encouraged. I hear the church, and I remember to keep my eyes upon the Lord. ...To rely upon Him who is always faithful.

My singing will also bless the Lord. "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:1-2