Tag: Education

Bring Me the Books

by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Education

–February of 1996

Bring Me the Books

A minister and his family were visiting John Bunyan’s home in Bedford, England.  While walking through his house, now a museum, they were overwhelmed by the world-wide impact of his book The Pilgrim’s Progress.  Outside of the Bible, no book in history has been translated into so many languages and enjoyed such voluminous sales.  As he was leaving the house, he remarked to the woman at the ticket desk how thrilling it was that an ordinary tinker had told a story of salvation in such lucid and imaginary terms.  The woman looked up somewhat embarrassed and said, “I suppose it is a great book; I have never read it.”  And so it is that even one surrounded wall-to-wall by one of the best-selling books of all time could leave it unread.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy from prison, “Bring me the books.”  Paul knew a book could break the mind out beyond the bounds of prison and bring freedom.  Everyone should know the joy of reading.  Every parent should make it a priority in encouraging his children to read.  At present, our family is reading the Bible through individually, and together we are reading through the Book of Virtues, as well as other books of personal interest and edification.  Books are important.  They are important to God; indeed they are so important that He gave us the “Book of all books.”  I am absolutely convinced that the books one reads help mold one’s life more purposely and eternally than we ever realize.  History will show not only what good books have done, but what bad books have done in either advancing or ruining not only individuals but nations.  It is easy to see what the writings of Voltaire and Karl Marx did to darken the minds and retard the progress of millions while creating a humanistic state.  Just what part evil literature has played in the present moral breakdown throughout the world will never be known until men are called forth to answer to a Holy God for their unholy deeds.  What we do not know is that thousands of young people had their first doubt about God and the Bible, and their first foray into sin, because of the influence of godless literature.

On the other hand, the reading of a good book can produce quite the opposite effect.  Many people are in the Church today because they were brought to Christ by the reading of a good book.  Thousands have witnessed the power of a lowly gospel tract to capture the mind and focus the attention on God and salvation.

I am convinced that it is the humiliation of the word in our time that has beggared us more than anything else.  When our society laid down its books (not only religious books, but good books of all sorts) and began to listen to the steady dribble of radio and television, our society experienced intellectual meltdown and moral decay.

I believe revival can be aided by the return to reading.  This includes not only reading the Word of God, but reading the writings of the early saints.  Biographical writings of men and women who have lived godly and noble lives, if read, can once again put the Christian life back in its lofty and noble place in the minds of another generation.

It is my conviction for reading and for books that produces such excitement in announcing the donation of the private library of Dr. H.E. Schmul to God’s Bible School.  These books and papers will be housed in a ministerial research center where our young “preacher-boys” can go and spend time perusing through one of the most outstanding holiness libraries anywhere in the holiness movement.  It is my hope that in placing this private library on our campus in a prominent place and making it available to our ministerial students, we here at God’s Bible School and College can have a part in the revival of reading good books, which I believe will have a part in the revival of the Church.

The Values War

by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Culture, Education

—September of 1995

The Values War

Cal Thomas had just finished giving a lecture at the University of Michigan when a student strongly objected to his thesis that our nation needs to promote values rooted in fixed absolutes.  Thomas responded, “If you reject my value system, what do you recommend to replace it?”  The young lady couldn’t answer.  Thomas pressed further by asking, “What is your major?”  “I am a senior, and my major is ethics.”  “On what do you base your own ethics?” Thomas posed.  “I don’t know, and I’m still trying to work that out.”

Here is a typical American student who has spent sixteen years in public education at the cost of $100,000 only to be left unable to think.  She had been given no moral foundation for right or wrong.  She had been stripped of a belief in the Bible and even taught an antagonism toward values founded on Scripture.  Her moral compass had been completely destroyed.  Consequently, she had no way of finding true north in a moral sense.

This young person, like thousands of others, was left to operate in an ethical and moral wasteland as a result of her training in America’s educational institutions.  The educational elite of these schools have deliberately eroded traditional education rooted in 2,000 years of Western civilization and undergirded by Judeo-Christian ethics.  They have spent the last forty years on a determined campaign to secularize our society through its young people.  They have established and politicized curricula centered in multiculturalism and held up by subjective standards void of moral absolutes.  A common core of knowledge has been replaced by a smorgasbord of relativism.  These graduates are then thrust into America’s marketplace and expected to do what is right.  However, the daily news echoes shocks and horror, bombings, fraud, incest, murder, and “wickedness in high places.”

Should we really be shocked by an Oklahoma bombing?  Should we shake our head in disbelief when mothers drown their children, and when fraud and deceit are daily occurrences in public life?  When incest, adultery and divorce come home to haunt us?  What else should we expect when we strip the moral values out of our educational system?  C.S. Lewis expressed it this way, “We laugh at honor and then are shocked to find traitors in our midst.  We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.”  Has the “dumbing down” of America affected even us to the point that we honestly believe we can place our youth under the influence of today’s public educators and have them still committed to the values and traditions that we hold dear?

The most serious war being fought today is the war of values.  The church and our nation cannot afford to lose.  Our survival as a country as well as Western civilization hangs on the outcome.  The end result will determine whether it is a revival of religion we seek or whether we must start over and evangelize a heathen country.  I am praying for and promoting revival.  I believe God is beckoning to us through His Word for such a revival.  I believe God is beckoning to us through His Word for such a revival.  However, ears that are morally deaf cannot hear the message of revival but must be evangelized by the Gospel.

The Bible college is now on the front line of this struggle.  The role that we play will have an important part in the outcome.  Unfortunately, many have capitulated and are serving up the same secularistic menu that has left thousands of others void of moral nourishment.  We must embrace with renewed conviction our belief that education based on biblical truth is the only true education, and that this education must assist us in acquiring virtuous habits and ridding ourselves of nonvirtuous ones.  We must take from the center stage the question, “How shall I make a living?” and place there the question, “How shall I live?”  Our success in graduating a core of students who embrace the moral truths of God’s Word and whose lives possess a discipline and self-restraint will determine the future of our precious church and country.  The outcome of today’s values war will determine whether we pray for God to send us revival or pray for God to send us missionaries.

The Educated Christian

by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Education

–Summer of 2009

The Educated Christian

I hear the question every year.  “My son or daughter has been accepted into a big state university with a full scholarship how can I afford not to take it?”  Even while they ask it, their face gives away their fears of the secular peer pressure, liberal teaching, and immoral influences that are sure to impact their child.  But the institutional prestige, the cost savings and the career possibilities are just too alluring so the majority of Christian parents will make a decision that will cause 52% of their Christian young people to loose their faith forever!

The average state university faculty will be a colorful mix of lesbians, evolutionists, pro-abortionist and humanistic teachers who have a high tolerance for anything but fundamental Christianity and will use their professorial trust and well-honed arguments to effectively brainwash the minds of teenagers who are not fully mature – spiritually or mentally.

But isn’t education neutral?  No!  Institutions and educators have a philosophy that drives what they do and teach.  Secular humanism that extols the goodness of man and denies the existence of God is the driving force behind most state and private universities.  Christian colleges have an educational philosophy that drives what they do and teach as well. It too is not neutral. They seek to develop in their students a deep love for God and a desire to serve others with an education that has a strong Biblical worldview.

God’s Bible School and College has always had an educational philosophy that was distinctly Christian.  A few years ago, Dr. Ken Farmer and I were sitting before the Higher Learning Commission answering questions about God’s Bible School and College. They asked us this question. “How would you define an educated person?”  A thoughtful response to that has now become how God’s Bible School and College views an Educated Christian.  The full statement is as follows:

An educated Christian is a faithful servant whose knowledge, values and skills center in. . . .

 1. Loving God: Knowledgeably, personally loves God and His truth, manifestingthis love by living according to biblical precept.

This attribute may be made apparent in the following ways. The educated Christian:

  • Understands and loves the Bible, applying it by allowing it to shape his/her   worldview;
  •  Demonstrates ability to talk intelligently about God and His working in his/her life;
  • Understands loving God, applying this understanding in all relational interactions;
  • Possesses a substantive grasp of orthodox theology.

 2. Loving Others: Lives out love for God in loving others, manifesting this love in compassionate service.

This attribute may be made apparent in the following ways. The educated Christian:

  • Understands how to love others and contribute to their lives;
  • Develops and uses spiritual gifts, especially in discipling and mentoring others;
  • Participates in Christian service, indicating a biblical ministry philosophy and passion;
  • Engages his/her community through civic involvement;
  • Understands interpersonal relationship skills, demonstrating this understanding through mature, gracious and professional interaction with others;
  • Understands the importance of cooperation and works well with others.

 3. Loving Learning: From a basic general knowledge and through a Christian worldview, eagerly acquires, applies, and communicates knowledge.

 This attribute may be made apparent in the following ways. The educated Christian:

  •  Demonstrates critical, logical thinking ability, including the ability to differentiate between uncompromisable absolutes and peripheral matters;
  • Possesses a biblical worldview and underlies and informs engagement with knowledge;
  • Possesses a broad-based general knowledge, including understanding of and appreciation for the fine arts, literature, history, science, math, and current events;
  • Possesses a deeper knowledge in his/her selected field of study;
  • Communicates effectively in speech and writing;
  • Seeks knowledge eagerly, committed to a lifelong pursuit of personal development.

 Pastors and parents are the most influential people in advising young men and women on the college they should attend.  It is my prayer that neither group will take that job lightly.  The choice that is made may well determine not only their future vocation but their eternal destiny!