If we are His, we are at war, and that affects everything.
The Three Gs, which all - boys and girls, men and women - need to know and study for all our lives, must be understood in their biblical context. They need to be learned in the context of the antithesis. What is antithesis? Such a fancy term has a pretty basic meaning. It’s us versus the world. We remember that after Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, God pronounced a curse on each. But He also cursed the serpent, saying, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. I wil put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen. 3:14-15). Here God declares solemn war against the serpent, and not only promises to destroy the serpent through one born of a woman, but also promises to change the hearts of His elect, such that they would hate the serpent. This great battle is the setting of history, and therefore the setting of our lives. If we are His, we are at war, and that affects everything.
R.C. Sproul Jr.
From the book: When you rise up
If you're new here, please take a moment to introduce yourself! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
You loved it, right? Here's more like it:
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe so you'll never miss a new post!
Filed under: Christian living, Dad's corner, Vision Forum, deep thoughts, homeschooling
I am so sad to see this post. I am not surprised, but saddened. I understand what you are saying, a war against evil. That can be seen as good, and I suppose even I could get on board with abolishing evil from my life. However, it’s so sad to see that you feel it’s “us against them”. I hate feeling this way but, often have to because this mind set prevails. If someone is in your home trying to take away your life and love you have to fight back, not because you want to, but to survive. However, Christians are the majority. It’s no longer us against the big them that are out to get us…for Christians. It is now us, a huge powerful entity which sways election, corporations, and legislation against them who have never attacked or hindered us. I see it all the time. I believe in karma and the pendulum effect, I hope I live long enough to see the pendulum swing to the other way.
Perry, because of the Sproul book link, I assumed that you meant this post to be about homeschooling—-is that correct? If not, can you clarify the “everything”? I firmly agree that modern culture is rotting away and we do have to be on constant guard against it. What are some solid, practical examples YOU can give of our war with modern culture?
If it is about schooling: Do you think a public school can be a missionary field for a child who is firmly grounded in Christianity? (Assume that this is not an argument of IF such a child is firmly grounded) Do you believe such a child can be “salt and light” to other children?
Me, again. Just wanted to say that I totally did not see the five other links under your post! I will peruse these but I’d still like your thoughts. Thanks!
Caroline, after being a blog reader here for quite some time and I am about 100% sure of the answer to the salt and light ?’s. Kim wrote a GREAT article about it here some time ago…. something to the tune of sending our children out at age 4 to indoctrinate the world… I use it quite a bit when people say I should send my children to school (we homeschool also) to witness… Its was awesome how Kim wrote and explained it and it really gave alot of people a wake up call. I am not sure if you will like their answer :)….
uhmmmm, I would never put my hope, faith or trust in a pendulum… What will you do when a big strong wind breaks it?
It is hard to choose, but I think I’d choose the elephant.
If Perry or Kim would leave a link to that article, that would be great. How do you know I won’t like their answer? In asking, I was not being argumentative. I was asking out of curiousity and trying to have a discussion.
Dody, a couple of thoughts, you said “However, it’s so sad to see that you feel it’s “us against them”.” It’s not about what I think. It’s about what the Word of God says. The Bible teaches us there is no neutrality in life. It also says we are to take dominion of a earth that is effected by the fall into sin and teach all the nations all of Christ’s commands.
Historically this has been seen as a war against sin and one of the chief ways it is fought is through disciplining a world in need of a savior.
This is what the Apostle Paul said “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age” .
It is a war we are in - a spiritual war.
Caroline asked “I assumed that you meant this post to be about homeschooling—-is that correct?”
Sorta - the overall context is certainly that the book “When You Rise Up “is one of the best manifestos on homeschooling I’ve ever read. Yet I think the quote is true for every area of life.
again Caroline “What are some solid, practical examples YOU can give of our war with modern culture?”
Well by our I would mean the Church catholic, and the examples are as follows
1.) Modern Art including but not limited to Hollywood’s desire to redefine morality (one example is rebellious kids are almost always right over against authority)
2.) The the war of modern Marxist tainted androgynous thinking on biblical gender roles - everything from women in the military to fashion and the norming of gay lifestyles
3.) Public Education and it’s well documented attempts to disciple the many Christian children still enrolled there into all sorts of amoral humanism.
@Caroline who asked ” Do you think a public school can be a missionary field for a child who is firmly grounded in Christianity?”
For a child - no - never. Children are to be trained “until they are old” when they will not depart from their training.
Christian parents are commanded to educate their children to know God and his Word - everything else we teach them flows out of that. I just don’t see how we can obey the commands to train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord by sending them for 6-8 hours a day to a place where they are disciplining our children in another (antithetical) worldview
Caroline again” Do you believe such a child can be “salt and light” to other children?”
Yes, in the proper context - and I don’t believe the government schools are the proper context.
Thanks, Perry. Those were the answers I was looking forward to. Perhaps you can do a series for us on the four examples you gave of our war with modern culture.
The hard part is, with the way we’re wired we’re at war, but because we can’t see it and we’re not persecuted a lot of the time it’s not real to us.
Thanks for reminding us of this important truth.
This is an excellent piece, Perry. Thanks for sharing.
I think that it reminds us Christians of a very important lesson, which, especially in our comfortable American society, can be easily forgotten. We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. If we truly love Christ, the world will hate us, because they hated Him.
Too many times, we forget this truth, and think that it’s OK to “blend in” and do the things that the world does. We go around quoting cliches like “God is love,” and “Christians should be tolerant” and “It’s easier to atract flies with honey than with vinegar.” But God has instructed us, “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
The battle is not with flesh and blood, like Perry quoted from the Apostle Paul above. The main battle is in our minds, to align our thoughts with God’s thoughts, so that our ways may be aligned with God’s ways. That’s the whole goal of a Christian in his (or her) walk with God.
Of course, that means that we will have enemies in human form. They may become saved through our example and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or they may refuse to yield to that conviction. But we are engaged in a war nevertheless. I whole-heartedly agree with Perry C, and with Dr. Sproul (and moreover, with the Word of GOD), that we need to be careful that we don’t let our comfortable and deceptive culture make us feel at home in the world. We are either with God, or we are with the world, and if we are with the world, we are with the devil. “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).
We are not to hate sinners. We are to hate sin, and we are to make it clear that we hate sin, so that those who are under its sway and deception may see 1) the wrong of sin, and 2) that there is a way out — through Jesus.
I hope no one minds my lengthy response. Today’s post inspired me as a bunch of Scriptures that I have recently read and meditated on flooded to my mind.
Again, thanks for sharing. We need reminders like this, especially in these times.
Thank you for your reply. If you are talking about a war against sin, or in my views immoral disrespect for the things that have been given, then I feel the same way. We home school because government schools where we live teach their own brand of religion, that doesn’t match ours. We do not have any sort of tv because it is filled with sexual behavior that children should not ever see, not to mention language I don’t even speak. Have you seen how women “dress” these days on tv, if you can call it dressed. Also, children are taught that they are entitled to everything, and this rubs off in a very negative way because they disrespect everything while demanding everything. So yes, I am at war with our consumerist, sexualized, vulgar, self righteous culture that demands entitlements to things that no god granted.
I suppose I assumed wrong. I assumed you were at war with everyone, not the terrible things our society condones. I don’t consider myself at war, I consider myself abolishing those things from my life, my children’s lives, and our immediate family under our household. In this we are very alone. This is why I love devout Christians, they too want to rid their homes of all these vile and vulgar influences that destroy and decay a child’s fortitude and innocents. We have to make much of our own clothes. I have to pass on certain gifts for the children. No one understands. Thank goodness my husband supports me 1000% or I don’t think I would be able to stand it. I wish I could be a part of the Christian faith, because in these things I know I would find people like me. However, things are as they are and I am not 100 percent certain a woman wasn’t there to “pick up the slack” when a man is hurt and can not work. I am not certain about the gender issues. I know as a woman I WISH a man would perform his duty to provide and protect his family, but that life has a way sometimes of preventing that, such as last week when my husband was in a motorcycle accident. Now it is my duty to provide for the family since he can not, because I was taught a mother above all others must protect, provide, and prepare her children no matter what their father is doing. This is just one of many issues with Christianity I have. I love your faith, your life, and your way of life. It is true it is a blessing to live in such a way, but I just can’t sit back and pray for my husband to get better when I know my children might suffer from my inaction. Sorry rant. But again thank you so much for explaining your post, i took it the wrong way.
Wow, Dody, you are certainly facing some major challenges! I hope that, even if you don’t feel like you can pray for your husband to get better, you won’t mind if I do. I think it’s a noble and godly thing to pray for. Never be wary of crying out to God.
That said, I also know that in many Christian circles when a husband is disabled or otherwise unable to care for his family, the family’s church will fill the gap, making it possible for the woman to not only stay home and care for her children, but for her husband as well. Understand, though, that this scenario is sadly not always the norm, and yes, Christian women do have to carry the responsibility that was previously their husband’s.
Finally, I am faily certain you won’t find in this forum negative judgment for providing for your family because of the tragedy of your husband’s accident. What you will more likely find is compassion, kindness, and prayers. I am so sorry for what you’re going through…it must be a difficult journey, and one I pray the Lord will speed you through quickly. It sounds like you really love your family. Keep on!
Blessings,
Karen
Dody, I will pray for you, your husband and your family, too. God is a God of never-ending mercy and compassion and He will surely bless you for taking care of your family. Life sometimes throws these surprises at us, but God is never surprised by our hurt, grief or pain. He knows our needs and He provides for us. I pray you will feel Him close to you during this difficult time.
In Christ,
Caroline
When I first started homeschooling, only a year ago, I read MANY books to get me started. That book you refer to, “When you Rise Up” is one of my all time favorites! (Not just having to do with homeschooling.)
Dody,
I echo everything Karen said. Christians recognize we are not living in an ideal world and as such we can’t always have our lies run neat and pat the way we’d like to.
In the christian world-view married couples are one, there is no shame or black mark for a wife who is helping to provide for her family when dad is injured. There WOULD be shame on a church body who did not help the family in such a situation.
Lastly you said “If you are talking about a war against sin, or in my views immoral disrespect for the things that have been given”
I think this statement identifies the root of the disagreement between us. Namely how we differentiate right from wrong.
I too will be praying for you and your husband.
Herc,
Thanks for your thoughts as well. Long or short they are welcome here.
Fortis En Arduis
Pc3
Thank you for this post Perry. This is the best homeschooling book I have ever read, and it is a war, would you mind if I used one of your quotes on my blog, I am doing a book study on homeschooling right now and the book “Homeschooling with a meek and quiet spirit.” Bless you and your family.