This post is modified from a letter to the Pulaski County (Virginia) School Board,  and explains our reasons as to why we desire to provide an education for our daughter, Ariana, at our home.

     Our decision to take such action comes from our realization that it is mandated by the Word of God (the Bible) that we take a direct role in what she is taught and how.

     As parents, we are responsible before God for everything our child is taught. Train up a child in the way he(she) should go, and when he(she) is old he(she) will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6). If she is taught incorrectly, such as to value money, career, or earthly possessions more than God on a daily basis, we will be held accountable. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I John 2:15). If she is taught that all created things came about by chance, and not as the Bible declares in Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, then we will be held accountable. If she is keeping company with, or being taught by, others who reject God and His principles, we are warned that He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20). It is this destruction that we wish her to avoid, and desire that she grow up to be filled with wisdom.   

     Already, in this past year at the public elementary school, we have seen evidence of the propagation of a worldview that is hostile to God and His teachings. Even a mere spelling word on Ariana’s second grade list, ‘vampire’, is disturbing. It begs the question: why does a second-grader need to learn how to spell this noun? Before you feel this is an over-reaction, I submit the actual definition of the word:

1. In Eastern European folklore) a corspe. animated by an undeparted soul or demon, that periodically leaves the grave and disturbs the living, until it is exhumed and impaled or burned.  2. A person that preys ruthlessly on others - an extortionist. 3. A woman that unscrupulously exploits, ruins or degrades the men she seduces. 4.  An actress noted for her roles as an unscrupulous seductress: the vampires of the silent movies.

 I am sure that in this age, where “Harry Potter” is used as an encouragement for reading by such groups as the National Education Association (NEA), the use of this word is looked upon mildly [as proven by the following: http://www.nea.org/newsreleases/2007/nr071116b.html] However, Scripture takes such matters very seriously, and subsequently, so do we. There is no reason for children to be exposed to words such as these without an understanding as to their meaning. A Bible-based curriculum will provide materials that are useful and will also serve to glorify God.

      While the school system has embraced the teaching of values and moral character, without being motivated by a heart that seeks after God and what He wants, such teaching comes to little effect. The Bible and true theology is not taught in public school, and therefore we seek to remedy this situation by including its study into our curriculum. Daniel (myself) has a Certificate of Theology (Thg.) from the Liberty Bible Institute, and is able to accomplish this task.

     We look to scripture once again, where it says, Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. (I Corinthians 15:33). As she gets older and continues to interact with others, what assurances do we have that the values being taught by the public school system will be reinforced? How will the behavior and values of others, a majority of whom do not study the Bible or seek to follow its ways on a daily basis, influence her development as an individual before Almighty God? By the both of us instructing her in the ways of righteousness, as given by Scripture, we hope to not only explain what needs to be a part of her character, but also the why.  In closing, we state and acknowledge that we are under obligation to our Creator and Lord to provide for our child not only food, shelter, and the necessities of everyday life, but also the needed instruction for becoming a strong, faithful, well-educated woman that can contribute to the kingdom of God and American society.

     If we are to come against the big guns aimed squarely at the souls of our children - such as the homosexual agenda, evolution, and outright occultism - we need to make the investment of time and energy where their education is concerned.  Is it easy?  No.  It’s hard.  Does it require sacrifice?  You betcha.  I’m sure that I’ll encounter the most change in my life I’ve seen since becoming married.  The revolution against apathy is costly - but so is following Christ.