Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 3:56:33 PM
"We need to stop endlessly repeating, You're special,' and having children repeat that back…Kids are self-centered enough already."
Children are born barbarians; that is, hyper-self interest is what motivates them above all else. Among the first words they learn is ‘mine’. Taking rather than giving comes naturally. They are quick to assume ownership, but must be taught to share.
Telling them they are special must be qualified with the whole truth. In the public school system the message is unqualified and given with a conflicting world view. They may be barbarians, but they are not stupid. They don’t know what a world view is but they do know that what they hear is inconsistent with the words, ‘You are special.’
The prevalent philosophy reduces them to just another animal from the tree of common descent. What makes them special? The implied message that cannot be hidden is that we are without design and therefore without purpose. The mixed message leads to confusion and ends with despair and hopelessness and their fruits.
The decline in our culture is consistent with the Bible warning that having rejected God’s wisdom, the wisdom of men leads to nothing.
Why not give them the truth rather than a mixed message from a vain philosophy. The public schools once had benefit of an open Bible. Herein the students were exposed to the truth of why they were special. They were made special for relationship with their Creator. They are higher than the other animals as the stars are above the earth. They are image bearers of the Infinite and Personal God who made and sustains all things by the word of His power.
The Scriptures gave them the whole truth about themselves. Yes, they are special as a personal being with a moral conscience given by God, but they are also fatally flawed. Because men are image bearers they are capable of wonderful and noble things and because of sin they are capable of the most horrible things.
And finally the Bible gave them the gospel. Even though sin has separated men from God and cut him off from the purpose for which he was created, God in mercy and the richness of grace has reconciled Himself to men by making an end of sin by way of the sacrificial Lamb.
The wisdom of God brings glory to men in the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Having made an end of sin, its curse has also passed away in the resurrection. Physical death is not the end. Life as it was intended without the consequences of sin starts beyond the grave.
Since we have these precious promises given by Him who cannot lie and confirmed with His own blood, we can live without fear. We can face our circumstances with the confidence that a loving Father is in control of all things for our good. In our troubles we look to Him who suffered on our behalf. We will not despair because He has overcome this world. He has conquered sin and death. We learn to place our hope in Christ and put no confidence in ourselves. We learn to live by faith.