Which Faith?

First Church of the Secularized MInd?

As shocking as it may sound, public elementary and secondary schools in the U.S. prior to the 20th century were overtly Christian in orientation and practice. This is evidenced by the texts commonly used in public schools. 

Texts such as the McGuffey Readers, which contained many references to Scripture and to Biblical ideals. It sold some 120 million copies between 1836 and 1960.  

Perhaps the most noteworthy evidence of Christian thought being blended with U.S. education prior to the 20th century is Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). This magnum opus took Webster 28 years to complete. It is full of Bible references, and Webster had a distinctly Christian purpose in writing the dictionary, which he plainly laid out in the Preface to the work. 

"Education," wrote Webster, "is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America's basic text book in all fields. God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct." 

As the United States transitioned to a state-run system in the late 1800’s, Princeton theologian A.A. Hodge declared: “It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and wide instrument for the propagation of Atheism which the world has ever seen.”

What is being propagated today makes mere Atheism look pale.

That which was “self-evident” to A.A. Hodge, was not so “self-evident” to others. The "scheme,” as Hodge called it, was indeed carried out. Few decisions have had greater long-term consequences for American society than the placing of children’s education into the hands of the State.

Many people, including Christians, may balk at Hodge’s words, insisting that State education is "neutral" when it comes to matters of faith. Really? Do we not understand that Secularism is a faith, too? It takes remarkable faith to be an Atheist, or a Materialist, or a Humanist, or a Secularist of any sort.

The question of not mixing faith with education must be carefully re-examined. The question is not whether faith will be allowed to mix with education, but which faith?

The fact is, faith is being mixed daily with state education today. It’s just a different kind of faith than the one that was mixed with U.S. schools for our first 150 years.  

Stay tuned.  

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

Let's Revive The Lost Purpose For Learning

Got meaning?

Followers of Christ in the United States are coming to the sober realization that the Christian foundations for law, civil government, economics, family and gender that once provided commonly accepted harbor lights for society have not just been dimmed, but replaced.

The incessant move toward the secularization of society and the privatization of Christianity that took place in the 20th century has been enormously successful, being expedited greatly through elementary and secondary schools, as well as higher education.

What do we do now?

Renewing our nation necessitates the teaching of children. Those who understand this, take the long view. Ideas acquired by children, especially prior to high school, are not immediately felt on a national level because it takes time for little acorns to grow into giant oaks. But grow they will. In 2020, we are experiencing the fruit of 3 generations of the focused and intentional secularization of children's minds prior to age 13. From 14 to 18, it's mostly reinforcement. 

This blog is a call to action for Christ-followers to be focused and intentional about the de-secularization of children's minds, through formal and informal education. This process not only involves school teachers and headmasters, but church workers who interact with students between the ages of 4 and 18, pastors who educate families from the pulpit, and especially parents, who teach their children daily by default or design, as well as grandparents.

Among other things, let's revive the lost purpose for learning. This purpose has been neglected for 150 years in the U.S., and cries out to be restored, both in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. This can only be done if we will first understand what has been lost, and then take the necessary steps to regain that lost purpose in ways that are systemic, intentional and repeatable.

This will not be a quick fix. It took 3 generations to get into the mess we're in, and it may take another 5 to get out. If so, so be it. If not, thank God.  

Albert Einstein once said, “The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution…” With this in mind, let’s start by formulating the problem, in order to more fully understand what has been lost, before we look at how it can be regained.

What exactly has been lost?

To be continued.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

Ignorance, Unwillingness Or Fear

Last month, Christian Overman was the guest of Carrie Abbott on her Relationships Insights radio program. Carrie is the Founder and President of The Legacy Institute.

Most US citizens are unaware that in former times, our laws and institutions were normatively aligned with the teachings of Christ. 

The Supreme Court affirmed this plainly in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States (143 U.S. 457), quoting no less than 87 precedents:

"Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of The Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian...This is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation...[W]e find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth...These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation."

Feel like you're on another planet? Those words were written in 1892, and express what is no longer recognized.

But once was.

For this to be recognized again, depends largely upon the consent of the governed. 

In the US, we have this risky tenet called "consent of the governed." Currently, the governed of this nation are either unwilling to or ignorant of the fact that we can consent to the higher standards of God's Word and still have a fully functioning democratic Republic without violating the separation of Church and State. 

In this country, we once recognized the overarching role of Christ. We operated this way for 150+ years. Normally.  

What's getting in the way today? It's either ignorance, unwillingness or fear.  

Recently, Christian Overman was a guest on Carrie Abbott's "Relationships Insights" radio program. They discussed how churches can play a role in equipping congregants to be active participants in a return to normalcy.  

Christian and Carrie discussed how Critical Theory (a polarizing worldview imported from Europe to the US in the 1930s, and proliferated through higher education ever since) is imposing a social disorder that has produced lawlessness and great division, by design. Critical Theory is a much different view of reality than any US citizen conceived of in 1892.

For the first half of the interview, click here. For the second half, here.

For a FREE copy of An Introduction to Critical Theory, which Carrie Abbott calls "a game changer," click here. For a .pdf copy, here. 

Can we afford to not know this? You decide: click here.

Contact RenewaNation at www.renewanation.org 

"RenewaNation" Is A Fitting Name

The new home of Worldview Matters.

A couple of years ago, as Kathy and I approached our 70s (yes, it’s true), I spoke with our board about searching for an organization that would carry Worldview Matters into the future.

We are pleased to inform you that a like-minded organization we greatly respect, RenewaNation, will be taking over Worldview Matters as of January 1. 

"RenewaNation" is a fitting name, and we could not be more pleased with this development!

To learn more about RenewaNation, and its vision for renewal, we urge you to visit www.renewanation.org. You will see why I say this organization is "like-minded," and why we welcome this acquisition so much.  

RenewaNation was founded by Jeff Keaton, who works with a superb team of associates we have grown to love and respect.

I (CO) will be working with RenewaNation over the next 2 years to assist in the transition, as we explore the best use of the services of Worldview Matters, and how these services can strengthen already existing initiatives of RenewaNation. The name “Worldview Matters” will be owned and controlled by RenewaNation.

We encourage all of our financial and prayer partners to become on-going supporters of RenewaNation. Their vision is our vision!

Kathy and I want to express our deepest appreciation and thanks for the support we have received over these nearly 20 years. We covet your prayers as we work together with RenewaNation to facilitate the transition process over the next 2 years.

A word from Jeff Keaton, President of RenewaNation:

A few years ago, I came across the weekly blog posts by Dr. Christian Overman. I was so intrigued with his writings that I made sure this was the one post I read every Friday. In the years since, I have been privileged to sit under his teaching, and better understand the practical tools he has developed to help teachers integrate biblical worldview into their classrooms.

Because his teaching has literally changed my view of work and many other subjects, I count it an honor for RenewaNation to carry his life’s work into the future.

In no way can we replace Dr. Overman, but we will do our best to introduce a new generation of Christian thinkers, leaders and teachers to the powerful concepts he has shared with so many.

We look forward to getting better acquainted with those of you who have partnered with Worldview Matters.


Thank you, Jeff!

Jeff Keaton, the Founder, President and CEO of RenewaNation, and author of The Life of Radical Faith.

Posted by Dr. Christian Overman 

The World's Greatest Christmas Gift

It has been my tradition to celebrate the carol Joy To The World each Friday before Christmas. Today I carry this tradition on with an added note (or two) from Kanye West.  

Photo by Jeff Weese (Flickr: Nativity) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Joy To The World is based on Psalm 98: "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, break forth in song...for He is coming to judge the earth, with righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity." 

Some say this song is not about Bethlehem, but about Christ's second coming, and the joy which will occur when He comes to set all things finally straight, in that full manifestation of His Kingship.

While I look forward to the second coming, Joy To The World makes as much sense to me as a celebration of Christ's first coming. While anticipating His Kingdom-yet-to-come, we can celebrate His Kingdom-already-here. 

Before Bethlehem, I Chronicles 29:11 asserted: "...all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all," and Psalm 103:19 declared: "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." 

Before His second coming, Acts 10:36 places Jesus' universal authority in the present: "He is Lord of all." 

It's true Christ's Kingdom is not universally recognized on Planet Earth right now. There are weeds in His field, which He did not plant (see Matthew 13). They will be bundled and burned someday, but the domain over which Christ is King (that is, His "King-domain"), includes both heaven and earth, right now. 

The whole field is His. The fact that not every human heart has received Him as King doesn't alter the fact that He is.

This is the world's greatest Christmas gift: that Christ came in human form "to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found." When will this start? At the second coming?

These blessings are intended to flow through people today who are reconciled to God and reconciling all things to Him, including the things of earth, far as the curse is found. Earth's curse will not be found after the second coming.  

So by God's grace, let's occupy until He comes again, pulling up "bramble bushes" and planting "fruit trees" before the second coming arrives.

Joy to the Earth! The Savior reigns. Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy!

Far as the curse is found. 

For some Jesus-Is-King-Today music ala 2019, watch this sublime rendition of Kanye West's Hallelujah, Salvation & Glory:

https://youtu.be/yXlu-2VcGW4

Posted by Dr. Christian Overman 

Life In The Next

What will we be doing in the next life?

I received a startling message from my British friend David Oliver, author of Work: Prison or Place of Destiny. David told me of his family’s brutal journey with his son Joel, who died following an immensely courageous fight with cancer. From diagnosis to death was just 17 days.

The entire family and two friends were present for Joel’s final hours in this life. There were blessings over Joel’s children, and prayers. Then David declared final Scriptures. “As the last Scripture left my lips,” wrote David, “Joel’s last breath left his.”

This whole experience led David to ponder where Joel went, and what he is doing now. David also wondered why so little is written about life in the next, and what we will be doing in heaven.   

Having written over 14 books, David is no stranger to putting his thoughts on paper. But this book, David said, “was strangely different. I was apprehensive about what I would discover. Nervous because having just lost my best friend, inevitably this had an emotional as well as an intellectual importance.”

David committed himself to writing, and his latest book, All About Heaven is the blessed result.

In twelve chapters, David takes an uncompromising and accessible look at the place Christians arrive at after departure from earth. “This book will answer questions,” David says, “allay fears and have your hearts skipping at the thought of being there.”

David's book includes a chapter on work in the next life, titled, "Paradise At Work." Work in heaven? Yes. The Scripture tells us we will reign with Christ, rule and judge angles, and have authority over cities and nations. Cities and nations? David writes about these matters, and much more, with great insight.   

Rich Marshall, author of God@Work and God@Rest, says about David’s book:

”Like so many of you: I have many friends and relatives who have ‘gone on to heaven.’ And while my belief in the eternity we will spend with God is solid, my understanding of what heaven was really like was weak. That is why I ordered multiple copies of David Oliver’s book, ‘All About Heaven.’ This is a powerful, useful, encouraging, and comforting resource for both those who experience grief, and for those who minister to the ones who are impacted by the death of a loved one."

All About Heaven is available through www.davidoliverbooks.com and through Amazon.com here.

Posted by Dr. Christian Overman 

Can Sunday Be A Time For Activist Training?

Training requires trained trainers.

Can Sunday be a time for activist training?

Let's see... 

Step 1: Trainer talks, trainees listen.

As mentioned last week, telling is not training. But telling provides a necessary foundation for training to follow. The pulpit is a natural place for telling.

Pastors, why not gear some Sunday morning messages toward cultural activism? Why not focus on specific opportunities for cultural engagement (great or small) that could be implemented during the coming week, or month?  

Take the Thanksgiving dinner that just passed.  

Cultural activism starts with opening our mouths when natural opportunities to speak regarding significant issues arise. But we need to know what to say, and how to say it. 

John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, recently shared tips on how to prepare for Thanksgiving conversations around "difficult" cultural issues. John's instructions could easily be adapted into a 20-minute Sunday-morning message: click here. 

Step 2: Trainer shows, trainees watch.

A dinner table prop is brought onto the platform with 5 chairs around it. Well-rehearsed participants take their places around a rubber chicken. Here, a true-to-life demonstration takes place, following a Thanksgiving dinner script written in consultation with the pastor. This practiced demonstration takes another 20 minutes. The "showing" part is as important as the "telling" part. 

Step 3: Trainees do, trainers provides feedback.

Trainers work with congregants in groups of 5-6 people. Groups form in the sanctuary. Trained trainers join each group. Visitors only observe. 

Trainers role-play non-believing relatives bringing up "difficult" cultural topics. Participants take turns engaging in conversation. Trainers provide constructive feedback. Without feedback, people are never trained. They may be entertained, but never trained. Step 3 takes 20 minutes. 

Training of trainers would be essential. I recommend my friend Keith Webb, of Creative Results Management. If 20% of the congregation were to participate in a weekend of training, a church could be in business. Ask Keith to customize the training for the above purposes. 

Step 4: Trainees do again--in real life.

This step can only be done outside the four walls of the church. Reports on how it went could be given at the following Sunday morning service, like Jesus sending His disciples out two by two, and having them come back to report how it went. 

A suggestion for Christian schools: start an after-school "Cultural Activist Club."

Difficult? Yes. Necessary? You decide.    

Posted by Dr. Christian Overman