Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/83

Contributor - Bill VanLenthe

Title - Public or Separate Schools - Where do Christians Belong?

Topic - Education

Following a recent sermon, I would like to share with you the following observation.

The sermon was based on John 17:1 - 26. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus prays to His Father that His glory, His purpose for coming to earth and to mankind be revealed. The sen-non was entitled, "Jesus Prays for You, Me and the World". The focal point was on verses 14 through 19. In these verses Jesus says that the world will hate us because we are not of the world (vs. 14). In verse 15 Jesus prays that we not be taken out of the world, but that we be kept safe from Satan, and in verse 19 Jesus has consecrated Himself, that we may be consecrated also. To be consecrated for God's service is to be kept holy. We are indeed God's holy people. "Holy" means to be set apart, different, not taken out of this world, but being different from the world.

In I Peter 2:9 we read, "but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful needs of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light".

The sermon stated clearly that in order to be these royal priests, this holy nation, and that in order to declare these wonderful deeds, we should be involved in community, political and social affairs.

In Matthew 5:13 we read that we are the salt, or seasoning, of the earth. Salt, for it to be any good as a preservative, or as a taste stimulator, has to be mixed with food. Likewise we have to mix with society, in order to do any good. This brings me to my main observation: Public Schools vs. Christian Schools.

First of all, let me say that I realize that the public school system is far from perfect, but then let's not be fooled into thinking that the separate Christian school, as we know it, is perfect in every way and is the ultimate answer. By this I am not saying that Christian education for our children is not important. On the contrary, I think we ought to make Christian education for our children one of our most important aims. However, I am not at all sure that a "separate" Christian school is the way to give them that Christian education.

From the days that I went to school back in Holland, I remember all too well the sometimes fierce battles between students from the Christian school and students from the public school. I might add that I was one of the students from the Christian school, and believe me our attacks were as fierce as those of the opposition. Fortunately, we don't have that confrontation here as most children are bussed to school. Emotionally, the separation is the same today and as a result children from the Christian school feel awkward about the fact that they are -separated. They will soon outgrow this, but what about the child of the non-Christian family going to the public school? Isn't the gap between him and the Christian student growing bigger all the time? Isn't it going to be harder to reach him as he grows up because of the separation?

I have no doubt in my mind that teachers in the Christian school are very dedicated in their work, but how many more individuals could they reach by being involved in the public school? In Matthew 9:9 - 13 we read how Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. As the Pharisees question this, Jesus says (vs. 12) "those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick". We indeed have some undesirable situations in our public school system. At times it seems we can't do anything about it, but let's not throw our arms up in despair and say, "It's useless, we can't do anything about it". We can do something about it. I know of a situation where students were influenced in an unethical and unchristian way. As a result of one student this practice has stopped. How many non-Christian students benefitted from that one Christian student?

I realize that teachers have a big impact on their students. At times they will come home and say, "but teacher says . . .". I believe they are testing our steadfastness, and if they choose to follow the morals and ethics of an undesirable teacher rather than the morals and ethics of the family, there is something drastically wrong with our relationship to our children that no Christian school can cure.

Family life, the relationship between husband and wife, and parents and children, and of course, with our Heavenly Father, is most important and has more influence on our children than any outside forces.

There is also a lot that is positive in our public school system. In our local high school we have an Inter-School Christian Fellowship group. This group meets once a month in the homes of the students. A Christian teacher is present and one of their activities is the study of God's Word, Some of the students attending these meetings are from non-church going families. We see the presence of these students in our young peoples' groups also. What a wonderful way to spread the Gospel!

If we separate ourselves from the public school system, we not only chose to close the door to that kind of witness for Christ, but we also slow down the process of the so-much talked about "integrated Reformed Church". In a recent article in Pioneer, entitled "Reformed or Not, Is There a Difference?", we read about the same kind of concern. The writer is talking about the separation of the church and social activities.

He writes: "The most visible signs of this is Christians who refuse to vote (be ye separate) but then drift into humanism, particularly in the U.S., can be directly attributed to the refusal of evangelicals over the last 80 or so years to let the word of God, or rather the law of God, be heard in legislative assemblies, school boards, etc."

I believe what this article is saying is the same message Mr. Stein conveyed at a recent Mens' Conference at Camp Shalom. "We have to be careful not to become so heavenly that we are of no earthly good."

In conclusion, I think that our relationship with our Heavenly Father is the most important. If this relationship is right it will reflect on our relationships between husband and wife, and in turn, between parents and children.

I admit that often, in my life, that relationship is out of balance, and only through prayer can it be restored. We have to pray that God will use us and our children for the furtherance of His kingdom. I also believe that God will not put us into situations we cannot handle. God works in mysterious ways, and one of those ways could well be the public school system.

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