Join fellow teachers and administrators for training and inspiration at the Manderley Christian Camp & Conference Center this summer, in Pikeville, TN.
It's my custom to take a break from blogging during the summer months, so my next post, Lord willing, will be out on the first Friday of September.
In the meantime, I invite you to join me at the Manderley Christian Camp & Conference Center, in Pikeville, Tennessee, this summer, for the 2018 Biblical Worldview Training Boot Camps for Teachers and Administrators, hosted by Renewanation.
I look forward to speaking on The Lost Purpose for Learning, and also providing practical tools for accomplishing biblical worldview integration in the classroom.
There are 4 camps this summer, held on the following dates: July 23-24, July 26-27, July 30-31 and August 2-3.
Viktor Orban delivers his inaugural address at the start of his third term as Prime Minister of Hungary. Photo by Thomas Kovacs
From a Christian perspective, there is not a lot of positive press coming out of Europe these days.
So what happened on May 10 was unusual, as the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, was sworn into office for his third term. He won the election by a 2/3 majority. This in itself is noteworthy, but what is more noteworthy is Mr. Orban's inaugral address.
Consider this: “Let us acknowledge that hidden behind the successes one
always finds the grace of God. So the following is not just a rhetorical
flourish, and not just tradition, but a deep conviction: Soli Deo gloria –
Glory to God alone.”
And this: "I will not conceal our intentions: here before you I am
making it clear that, acting in the name of Hungarian freedom, my government
will be a determined opponent of [the plan for one European government], the process that has led here and
its intermediate steps. Multiculturalism was the first such step. Political
correctness, which muzzles freedom of speech, was the second. This is where
Europe stands today. The third step would be the mandatory migrant resettlement
quotas. We must and we will enter the arena of European politics, in order to
stop the Europe that we love – and for which we are ready to make major
sacrifices – climbing to the next step towards self-immolation. We shall oppose
the mandatory quotas, stand up for Christian culture, and fight to defend
borders.”
Stand up for Christian culture?
And then this: "One cannot renew an entire nation in secret. In my view, a contribution to the results we have achieved so far has been made by our open declaration that the age of liberal democracy is at an end. Liberal democracy is no longer able to protect people's dignity, provide freedom, guarantee physical security or maintain Christian culture...Our response to this changed world, the Hungarian people's response, has been to replace the shipwreck of liberal democracy by building 21st-century Christian democracy. This guarantees human dignity, freedom and security, protects equality between men and women and the traditional family model, suppresses anti-Semitism, defends our Christian culture and offers a nation the chance of survival and growth. We are Christian democrats, and we want Christian democracy." Glory to God alone? Protect the traditional family model? Suppress anti-Semitism? Defend Christian culture?
This is not your mainstream European thinking.
Let's keep Mr. Orban, and Hungary, in our prayers.
"Saint Anne," 8th century painting. She appears to have just realized something very significant.
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The room fell breathlessly silent.
I was speaking to a group of Christian school teachers and administrators at a conference when I posed this question: "What is the purpose of education?" Before anyone could reply, I answered: "The purpose of education is to equip the next generation to govern well over this material world."
I let the silence hang. Then someone near the front broke the silence: "Would you mind repeating that?"
I did.
Then I asked if anyone had ever told them this before, and not a single hand was raised.
Yet, what specific role and function does the Bible say God had in mind for humans before He created us? Clearly, God had governance of Planet Earth in mind, when He said: "Let Us make man in Our likeness and image, and let them rule over...all the earth..."
Psalm 115:16 says: "The heaven, even the
heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the
children of men.” The Message puts it this way: “The heaven of heavens is
for God, but he put us in charge of the earth.” See also Psalm 8. Yes, "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1), yet He has given humans charge of it, as His appointed Vice-regents.
Wait! Really?! Who has charge of Planet Earth?
You and I do. And our neighbors. Think about it. Human beings were created for the express duty of governing over God's earth and everything in it. This includes water, electricity, fish, cows, carrots, digital images, e-books, airplanes and ice cream!
I believe this is why George Swinnock, the Puritan leader, said: “The
pious tradesman will know that his shop as well as his chapel is holy ground.”
We were created to rule over whole systems, too, because without systems, governance over things cannot happen. This is why we need legal systems, civil systems and economic systems that work well. We need economists, judges and legislators with their heads screwed on straight.
So if it is God's intention for human beings to govern over this material world, shouldn't the purpose of education be to equip the next generation to do this well?
This provides meaning for education--and purpose for teachers. Yet, few Christian teachers have heard this. Why?
Hint: How many sermons have you heard about God giving humans charge of Planet Earth?
Ric Fritz, speaking in the chamber of the Washington State legislature in Olympia.
Last week I posed the question of whether or not Christians
should be politically active. Frankly, if there ever was a time for civic engagement on the part of Christ-followers, it is now. Yet, for many who think they should be involved somehow, the lingering question of how to best go about it often hangs unanswered.
Ric and his wife sold their house (along with nearly
everything else) and bought a "fifth wheel" which is now their home, shared with two of their children. They did this so they could be mobile, going
wherever God leads them, to encourage Christians to become engaged in "conversations that will shape and guide future generations." They also seek to help
pastors know how they may equip their congregants to be civically engaged—and
why this is so important.
As Ric puts it: “The
need for Christian Civic and Political Engagement is increasingly important in
a world and culture disconnected from the Lord. Policies and legislation passed
by government impacts God’s people. They can either encourage people to live
Godly lives or they can encourage ungodly lives. As conservative, Bible-focused
Christians retreat and disengage from political discussions it follows that the
character of those who step in to fill the void will not reflect Christian
values. This is exactly what we see today. Christian Civic and Political
Engagement seeks to stop and reverse this trend to the glory of God.”
Ric is uniquely qualified for what he is doing. Not only did
he serve a full career in the U.S. Air Force (now retired from duty), but Ric is
also a credentialed minister, and a former youth pastor. He also has first-hand experience
in the political system.
The Center for Christian Civic Engagement is not trying to re-invent the wheel by duplicating the efforts of others. Rather, Ric is helping followers of Christ to know how they may come along side those who are already working in particular civic arenas with a biblically-informed motive and perspective. Ric's organization serves as both a clearing house and a
connecting body, as well as an education source.
Pray for Ric, that doors will be opened.
If you want to know what your options are for involvement in civil
engagement, whether it's a tiny involvement or a large involvement, contact Pastor Ric.
I invite you to explore the website of the Center for Christian Civic Engagementhere,
and meet Pastor Ric via the video clip below:
