“In the real world, God does
it does not require us to try to achieve
most obvious for children growing up
cultural domination in society. It
in
inner cities. Many of these children
exist, and He has spoken to
rather requires us to be light in a world
are trapped in schools that are godless
man in the Bible. An education
of darkness. Jesus states this idea in the
and ineffective.
that ignores these key truths
famous words of Matthew 5:14: “You
Let none of us misunderstand: these
will end up treating students
are the light of the world.” He then
schools are ineffective because they
like animals or like machines.”
explains His metaphor two verses later
are godless. These schools attempt to
with these words: “that men may see
prepare children for productive life
your good works.”
in society by explaining the world to
We are called to live as lights in a dark world by living
children as though God did not exist. Such an education is
lives of good works. Christians are to work hard at contrib-
not able to prepare students for the real world. In the real
uting to human flourishing—whether those humans are
world, God does exist, and He has spoken to man in the
Christians or not. Believers are to engage in acts of mercy.
Bible. An education that ignores these key truths will end up
They are to treat all people as they themselves would want
treating students like animals or like machines.
to be treated.
In the current age, we are not called to reign. Someday we
will (cf. Rev. 22:5). Now, however, is the time for sacrifice.
Learning from History
Now is the time for good works. Is it not a good work to start
The early church took these ideas seriously. As Christianity
a Christian school or to support one? Think of the good
spread throughout the Roman world, it rejected the vision
that can be done—especially in inner-city communities—if
for society generated by the worldview of Greco-Roman
Christians across the country would pool their resources
polytheism. Christians rejected the idea that humanity was
for the purpose of Christian education. Without govern-
divided into the categories of rich and poor. They saw the
ment funding (and without government interference), such
entire human race united in a common humanity because
schools can rescue thousands of children from godless
of the creational work of God. So they labored to solve a
education. There these children can encounter the gospel.
problem that Rome was not concerned to solve. They took
There they can be led to Christ. There they can be taught to
the plight of the poor seriously. They demonstrated their
see all of life from a biblical worldview. There they can learn
concern by meeting the needs of those stricken by famine,
how to find peace and joy in serving Jesus wherever they go
by caring for those with leprosy, and by distributing food to
in this world.
the hungry.
Believers who give themselves to endeavors like these
The long-term results of these good works were remark-
join a long train of saints who have shone their lights for the
able. Because Christians showed compassion and made life
glory of God. Sometimes God honors such believers with an
better for many people, the church moved from the margins
influence that changes the world. Sometimes, however, God
of Roman society to its center. It took generations, and
calls them to deeper levels of sacrifice as they come to know
there were setbacks, but the change did happen. The church
Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings. Either way, these
gained a moral authority that would shape and direct the
believers are blessed to know they have played their part
future of Roman culture for centuries. These early Chris-
well in God’s plan. Is there any blessing greater than that?
tians forsook cultural power in order to meet the needs of
the downtrodden—only to have that power handed back
Dr. Bryan Smith has worked in Christian education for over
twenty years. He has been a classroom teacher as well as a
to them a few generations later. And with that power they
textbook author. Currently, he serves at BJU Press as the Bible
altered the course of Western civilization. 1
Integration Senior Manager. In this position, he assists authors
Living Well in Our Place
Christians need to return to the task of looking out for those
in need. Even in our affluent society, there are needy people.
It is not difficult today for the hungry to find food. But it is
difficult for young people to find a good education. This is
and teachers in the work of integrating faith and learning in the
classroom. Bryan holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament Interpretation.
He and his wife, Becky, have six children.
FOOTNOTES
1. For a helpful survey of the growth of Christianity in the Roman world, see
James Davison Hunter, To Change the World (Oxford University Press, 2010),
48-56.
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