“All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to once again attend the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) conference in Dallas, Texas. One of the main speakers this year was John MacArthur, who was a great blessing to the many Christian educators in attendance.
Dr. MacArthur, well known for his many faithful years as pastor of Grace Community Church in southern California, his teaching ministry “Grace to You,” and founder and president of The Master’s University and The Masters Seminary, has always encouraged Christian leaders to teach the truth with courage and conviction, and his plenary address this year was no exception.
In a day when post-modernists say there is no truth and humanists say there is no God, Christian teachers and pastors must have the courage to teach the truth of God’s Word and the conviction to proclaim the testimony of the one true and living God, Jesus Christ our Lord. And when most schools in our country indoctrinate their students in a post-modern humanistic curriculum from kindergarten, designed to further their anti-God agenda, Christian education continues to offer a bright light in a dark and destructive culture.
“In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3
In his address, John MacArthur’s rallying cry is one that must be heard in the church, Christian schools, and Christian homes everywhere – “There is no real education unless it is Christian education.” Now, unbelievers will read that last sentence and have a melt-down, but hopefully believers know it is the gospel truth because “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Colossians 2:3. The Apostle Paul continues, “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments” Colossians 2:4.
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
God’s Word is objective truth. No matter what unbelievers say, we are not the source of our own truth. Truth is revealed from God and all truth is from God. It is reality and factual. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to God the Father concerning His disciples, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” Christians come to Christ through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17), and we grow as disciples from God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit as we are sanctified more and more by the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17). The entire Bible is true because it is “breathed out by God” and therefore “profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16. Education that is not grounded and guided by Jesus Christ and the Word of God misses the mark, void of true meaning, and in many ways no real education at all, as MacArthur points out.
“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
When the truth of God’s Word is removed from schools, children must grope along day by day with no light. They are learning in darkness. To have light, truth, and wisdom of life they must have Jesus Christ and His Word. Christ pours out light on every part of education. Otherwise, students will have no real education at all.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!