As I discuss the education issue with people around the country, there is only one argument that gives the, “What about single mothers” argument a run for its money.  That argument is the “Salt and Light” argument.  I have dealt with this elsewhere, but recent discussions on the Pulpit Magazine Blog have made me aware of the need to do it again.

THE ARGUMENT

    The “Salt and Light” argument is simple.  Jesus said we are to be Salt and Light in the world:

““You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 ESV)

Seems clear enough, doesn’t it?  Government school proponents point to this passage as evidence that the practice of Christians sending their children into government schools is not only acceptable, it is commendable.  In fact, if we take this argument to its logical conclusion, there should be no Christian schools since anyone who has their child in a Christian school is in direct violation of this text.

THE RESPONSE

    However, there are two problems with this line of argumentation.  First, this text has nothing to do with the training ourselves, or our children intellectually, spiritually, or morally.  This passage, delivered in the Sermon on the Mount, is certainly directed at followers of Christ (which our children usually are not when they start school).  This passage is also clearly designed to motivate us toward the kind of lives that “give glory” to our God in the presence of “others.”  Unfortunately, for those who employ this passage in the education argument, there is nothing in the immediate, or broader context that addresses the issue of training the minds and souls of our children.

    Second, the rest of the passage negates the notion that sending children to non-Christian (or anti-Christian) institutions would be acceptable.  For instance, Jesus says,

““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-20 ESV)

How on earth can we read this passage and come away with the idea that an educational institution that is rooted in Atheistic Secular Humanism is an acceptable alternative for our children?   Do our government schools teach children to “relax one of the least of [the Lord’s] commandments” during the course of their education?  Of course they do!  How, then, can I obey the aforementioned commandment to be “Salt and Light” by engaging in a practice that causes me to ignore the clear admonition to walk in righteousness?

THE REALITY

    There are a number of passages that speak directly to the issue of training ourselves and our children intellectually, spiritually and morally (See Deut. 6:6,7; Prov. 1:7; Eph. 6:4).  We also have numerous warnings against allowing others to influence us intellectually, spiritually and morally (Psalm 1; Rom. 12:1,2; 2 Cor. 6:14ff; Col. 2:8, etc.).  Far from teaching that anti-Christian, Atheistic, Secular Humanistic government education is an appropriate place for us to “shine,” the Bible actually warns us not to align ourselves with such adversaries.

VB