SECULARIZATION
Secularization is the process of removing religious and moral influence
from our society. And I must conclude that secularization is alive and well.
As you know, and many of you may remember first hand, there was a time
when each school day began with a prayer to God the Father through Jesus Christ
His Son. Of course, if such happened today, or was even suggested, the ACLU
would slap a multi-million dollar law suit against the school. This is an
example of secularization. Just
this past week, I encountered another example of secularization from my son's
sixth-grade classroom. Do you remember those "aptitude tests" that were given to
students? These tests were given to help children identify several possible
professions that could be suitable for them. Depending on the way a child
answered certain questions asked on the test, he might learn that he seemed
suitable to pursue such professions as a doctor, nurse, school teacher, plumber,
mechanic, or a host of other professions.
Well imagine my surprise when my son returned home from school and told
me about some of the suggested professions that were offered to several of his
friends. One little girl was told that
she would make a good "bartender." Another child was suited to work in a
"winery." And yet another student was suitable to work as a "beer manufacturer."
I was speechless. I can't remember a more blatant attempt to legitimize
the alcohol industry. I can't imagine what kind of questions could have been
asked that would suggest that a little sixth grade girl should grow up to be a
"bartender." Or why would one be suitable to work as a "beer manufacturer" as
opposed to a "soft drink manufacturer," or simply be suitable for the
"manufacturing industry?" (I couldn't help but wonder if in Nevada, where
prostitution is legal, if this profession would be offered as a suitable
profession for some students)!
It is obvious that the secularization of America is alive and well in our
state school systems. More and more we are witnessing attempts to remove
Christianity, its faith, morals, and values from the public arena. This is yet
another example of our move away from morality and toward acceptance, tolerance,
and non-judgmentalism.
Friends, our work is cut out for us. If we want to rear godly children,
we had better get busy and put in the time and training necessary to make the
spiritual training of our children a priority, and to counter the daily barrage
of the humanistic and atheistic teaching that is being put forth in the public
arena of our children's lives.
---Steve
Higginbotham
via Bulletin Briefs
Vol. 12, No. 4, April 2009
Isn't it interesting that two people can see the same thing and come away
with two different conclusions? The same thing can be said concerning what we
hear or with what we read.
When the twelve spies were sent to explore the Promised Land in Num.
13,14, they all saw the very same lush green fertile areas and the fruits borne
there. Yet ten were intimidated by the size and number of the hostile people who
lived there. They said it would be foolish to invade and it couldn't be done.
But, the other two spies, Joshua and Caleb, insisted that with the Lord on their
side they could take the territory. By faith they saw God and His promises
beyond the obstacles.
There are countless examples of the gospel message being preached. Some
believed and were baptized, others ignored it and scoffed at it. The same
message was preached and heard by multitudes of people, but people reacted
differently to it.
Today, people can read the same passages, hear the same gospel preached
to them, and yet react differently toward it: "He who has believed and has
been baptized shall be saved: but he who has not believed shall be
condemned" (Mk. 16:16). "No, Jesus couldn't have meant that," some will say. Others will determine
that it's the "believing part" that's really important in the matter, and that
the "has been baptized" part is optional and can be or not be followed. Still
some will actually believe that Jesus meant all that He said and that it applies
to us today. How about you? Do you believe that Jesus meant ALL that He said on
that occasion or just PART of it?
On the Day of Pentecost, just fifty days after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of
Jesus, we find Peter, one of the inspired apostles, making this statement:
"Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 2:38). Some will say concerning this: "See you do have to believe and
repent and then you are saved." "Then you can be baptized later to show that you
are already saved." Then some will say: "How did you come to that conclusion?
When Peter said: "Repent and be baptized," what is so hard to understand that those
two requirements go together and are not to be separated?"
There are not two different truths being taught in the passages mentioned
above. There is only one right answer. What was taught by Peter in the first
century is the same thing that is taught today from the New Testament. As some
believed and others did not believe when it was taught by Peter on the day of
Pentecost over two thousand years ago, so it is today that some will believe and
others will not believe when the same gospel is taught. Things are not so
different now than they were back then. Some will desire to see the truth that
is taught and others will refuse. Which side will we find ourselves on: On the
side of belief and obedience or on the side of unbelief and disobedience? It is
left us to us. God has made the offer of salvation to us through His written
Word. We will either accept and obey it, or we will not believe and obey it.
Make your choice today.
---Shane
Williams
in The Lilbourn Light
Vol.
9, No. 11, March 2009