Over my more than four decades in education, I have
seen some dangerous gods being pursued by parents, church
leaders, and educators when it comes to the education that
they give their children. Here are three of the most prevalent
gods that Christians too often have pursued:
1. The god of economic utility
This god is the desire to obtain a good job in order to pursue
the “American Dream.” One’s significance is determined by
what one does for a living. We know that we are pursuing
this god when we want our children to get a ‘good’ education
so that they can get into a ‘good’ college, and so that they can
get a ‘good’ job.
2. The god of consumerism
Pursuing this god is based on the desire to get more stuff.
One’s significance is found in the things one has obtained. It
is driven by the effort to build ‘bigger barns.’
3. The god of technology
This god can be seen in three ways: by a person being driven
to have the greatest and latest gadget and to attain a superior
skill of some type. It can also be manifested in the enormous
amount of time people spend with technology.
Each of these gods has some things in common. First, they
are all temporal in nature. When these gods are pursued,
people are only focused on this life. Eternity is not only
unimportant but seen as irrelevant to life. No wonder our
children walk away from the church and their faith if they
are pursuing such false gods.
The second thing that all these gods have in common is
their inability to provide lasting meaning to life. Significance
based on what someone does or has is extremely fragile. We
are seeing the so-called “American Dream” vanish before
our very eyes.
It is time for all Christians to consider what ‘god’ or ‘gods’
they are pursuing when it comes to the education of their
children. If we continue to choose educational systems
"It is essential that every one of our children
receive a biblical worldview education. This is
because only a biblical worldview education
pursues the true God."
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that pursue false gods and ideas, our children will be taken
captive by them. Once captive by these false ideas, their
actions in all of life will thus fall in line. The result will be
continued heartbreak as we watch another generation of
young people leave their faith to pursue the false gods that
we have encouraged them to go after.
We must educate our children and youth in educational
efforts that are dedicated to pursuing the true God of the
Bible at home, church, and school. The apostle Paul was one
who wanted his students to pursue the true God. He fully
understood what the only real purpose of education must be
in order to give the students a lasting sense of significance
and prepare them not only for this life but also for all of
eternity. We know this when we read his letters to the vari-
ous churches and find him always encouraging his students
to, “Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual
wisdom …increasing in the knowledge of God.”
It is time for parents to honestly answer some difficult
questions. Their answers will determine the destiny of the
next generation. Some of the questions facing today’s Chris-
tian parents are:
1. Why do I want my child to get a good education?
2. What ‘god(s)’ are being pursued by the school my child
attends?
3. What ideas are taking my child captive through the educa-
tion he/she is receiving?
It is essential that every one of our children receive a
biblical worldview education. This is because only a biblical
worldview education pursues the true God and will lead
them to be taken captive by Christ. The pursuit of a bibli-
cal worldview education must take place in the home, the
church, and the school in order to be effective. When this
happens, I believe that we will see a generation of Christ
followers who will change the world for Christ.
Dr. Glen Schultz has given his life, for the past 46 years, to
educating future generations according to God’s plan. After
five years in public education, he entered the field of Christian
education, where he has been a teacher, coach, principal, and
superintendent. Dr. Schultz just completed nine years as an as-
sociate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church and Headmaster of
Sherwood Christian Academy. Before this, he directed the Chris-
tian school work at LifeWay Christian Resources for nine years,
served as the Association of Christian Schools International Southeast Regional Director
for seven years, and was Superintendent of Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg,
Virginia for 16 years. Glen is the author of Kingdom Education: God’s Plan for Educat-
ing Future Generations and several parenting booklets and is the founder and director
of Kingdom Education Ministries. He has been married to his wife Sharon for 45 years
and has three children and six grandchildren. He is a member of the Renewanation
Board of Directors.