Philosophic Trends
Whats Right About Choice
04/2020
I just saw an article in the Houston Chronicle by Heidi Cruz about how Texas' public school children have been less prepared for Corona Virus school at home orders because online charter schools have been limited to only 6 of the states 1,254 districts. She argued that online schooling would have been more developed had more online charters been allowed. It was a simple argument, but virtually all the responses were to oppose school choice! I added my response as follows: Read More...
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What Principles do You Live By?
03/2020
John Lord, a historian of the late 19th century, in his chapter on the Greek war for independence says, "Men are nothing; principles [of life] are everything." In context, Lord was speaking of war, but I see a challenge to think of this statement in light of the Corona virus (CV19). Read More...
Being Free
02/2020
Living with freedom, we likely forget what it looks like. Read through China's updated policies to regulate religious organizations. There is no "Liberty of Conscience" or freedom to believe. Read More...
History as if Christianity is True
11/2019
Ever read a history book that went beyond the mere people and events of history? If not, John Lord's works from the late 1800s are an excellent read. Read More...
Secular vs. Christian Thinking
11/2019
Can Christians think and teach in a secular manner? Yes - and it is far too common. Read More...
A Christian Education? What?
10/2019
What on earth is a Christian education? Is it as generic as a sandwich? Just slap some information stuff between a beginning and ending prayer and wa-lah??? Read More...
Public Schools Are Religious!
09/2019
I just wrote a letter to a law firm asking for help with a case. I believe the public schools represent the functional religion (a worldview that functions as a religion in people's lives) of secularism, and I want to bring suit against the board of education. My letter, which is really more of a rationale, is intended more to get people thinking than to get a positive response. Our system of justice needs to warm up to the issue before this case will go anywhere… Read More...
Must We Eat the King's Food?
07/2019
Ideas Precede Actions
11/2018
Ideas come before actions; the internal is causative of the external; and the “pen is mightier than the sword.” These reflect Christian beliefs that turn the secular belief that “physical situations and events cause internal or ideological changes” on its head. They lead to starkly different views of life and social solutions. Read More...
Could Justice Roy Moore be Right?
05/2017
This morning I heard Christian conservative talk show host Sandy Rios interview Justice Roy Moore from Alabama. Many may know him from a series of court cases and much controversy several years back regarding a Ten Commandments memorial that he set up in his courthouse or the more recent refusal to bow to the Federal Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage. He is now back in the news having again been suspended without pay from his duties as judge until the end of his term. In response to this, he has retired from his appointment and is now running for the U.S. Senate. Many consider him a kook, but could he be right? Read More...
A Worthy Life
06/2016
Memorial Day was a week ago. Together, my family watched Tora, Tora, Tora, but days later, I felt it was time for my son (16) to watch Saving Private Ryan. Long ago, I determined to not watch movies (or allow my children to watch movies) with graphic violence unless they were highly significant and meaningful. And then to withhold them until my children could benefit from them. I found Private Ryan to be one of those movies. Read More...
Good and Angry
02/2016
I go through life analyzing situations to understand the good and the bad of things. With the bad, my first (and often my driving response) is anger… Is this good? Last night I reflected on the actions of an unjust principal… Read More...
Praise for Public Education
12/2015
The Center for Public Education credits our public schools with success of America. I'm not so certain!… Read More...
The Bedrock of Moral Integrity
06/2015
An AFP article notes that during her husband's inauguration as Nigeria's president, the new First Lady wore what appeared to be a $50,000 Cartier wrist watch. This may not have stirred the attention it has received except that the country is impoverished, graft is rampant, and her husband ran on a platform to raise the integrity of public officials. While the people of Nigeria work this through, it serves as a reminder that Christian schools play and important role in supporting the morality of Christians and citizens - no small concern… Read More...
Prejudice isn't All!
05/2015
The net has been hot with comments about the white private school founder and principal who lost her cool when she closed the graduation ceremony before the Valedictorian gave the final address. Perhaps the short story should stand as it is… but hopefully, the story will continue with reflection upon the forces that pushed the principal over her "brink." Read More...
Reason or Trust?
02/2015
We all want to be reasonable, but is this a realistic goal? I argue that trust is an equal (if underrated) social value. Read More...
What's in a Curriculum?
11/2012
With all the pressures faced by Christian schools, too few grapple with the question of what a Christian school is all about. My local school has recently adopted the state’s educational guidelines as its own, is this good? What are some of the principles that can guide our development of curriculum?
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Faith in Public
02/2012
Recently, a Christian was dismissed from Easter Michigan State University because she requested to not counsel a gay client. What does this case say about the presumed relevance of religion and how should the public respond?
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Reaching a "Christian Culture"
12/2011
Though an increasing number of families are homeschooling, Christian schools are struggling to maintain their numbers with an increasing share of children moving to secular Charter schools. Here are some thoughts on how Christians can expand interest in Christian schooling (and homeschooling).
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Reasons for the Seasons
11/2011
Though I don’t miss cheesy plastic Creche’ sets, I still wonder why there is so little outcry from Christians at the failure of stores to provide meaningful seasonal ornaments. Perhaps, political correctness scares large stores, but this shouldn’t stop Christian entrepreneurs.
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Philosophic Liberalism's Underming of Education
10/2011
Liberal education philosophy continues to support secular schooling. However, I believe evidence for this support is weak or nonexistent. Children and society are benefitted when the wisdom of those who care for them shapes their school day.
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In Search of the "Good Society"
09/2011
Peace and prosperity are generally illusive goals for most societies. What are the supports of the “good society”? I argue that they are more indebted to the efforts and values of families than to the efforts of government. If so, what key implications does this have upon public policy?
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