In researching my recent book, The Christian University & The Educational Establishment, it struck me as never before, that whatever may have been the case in the past, today every institution in the United States (and every other Western country) has become an ideological battle ground. The news media, the entertainment industry, professional and amateur sports, clubs, charities and many others…the battle lines run through each of them. But ground zero in the struggle for the American soul is education. It begins in universities but it trickles down, largely through schools of education, all the way to kindergarten. In government schools your children are often taught an ideologically driven view of history, that a boy may become a girl, that two girls may marry each other, or that Christianity has been a great curse on the world. These are some of the falsehoods perpetuated by some school systems. I did not mention all the idiocy that children teach each other. This list omits what your children miss! They won’t be encouraged to develop the classic and Christian virtues. They won’t read great Christian authors. They won’t study the Bible and learn to think as a Christian. I won’t try to prove these claims in this essay. Instead, I will assume them and make some recommendations.

Strong Suggestions

1. Don’t let just anyone teach your children! Some may be better than others, but are no safe public schools and very few private ones. Homeschooling is the safest alternative. There are many ways to go about homeschooling, one of which may fit your family needs. But if you need help from a private school, be very careful in your choices and stay highly involved. There are many kinds of private schools.

2. Rethink your two-income lifestyle. American society has evolved to expect both parents to work, and the system of public education has made this possible and reinforced it. Find a way. Many others have done so.

3. Rediscover the extended family. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, all working together can accomplish what the isolated nuclear family cannot.

Intriguing Ideas

1. Homeschooling is amazingly flexible: travel with your children, pursue their special interests, help them start a business…the sky is the limit!

2. Incorporate trade skill education into their academic program. You can always make a living if you have a trade skill.

3. Find a good church that champions biblical truth. Even then you must take care. Not every family or child in a church youth group will be on board with your values.

4. Get involved with other homeschooling Christian families and perhaps join a homeschooling cooperative.

5. Don’t stop guiding your children after high school. If they wish to pursue a college education join with them in seeking a college that will build on and reinforce the values and Christian worldview you have taught them.