How the West Can Again be Won!

by Eugene Clingman, Executive Director, International Church Council

Western missionaries continue to carry the teachings of Jesus to the nations as they have done for more than two centuries. Christianity is flourishing in many of those nations while at the same time, the Christian West (Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand) has been drifting from Christianity. During the last 100 years, Western missionaries turned Africa from a continent of 9 million in 1900 to 400 million Christians today; this amounts to 59% of the population. On the other hand in the 18 years since 1990, Christianity has decreased in America from a nation in which over 86% identified themselves as Christian to below 70% today. Why is Christianity growing in many nations America helped disciple while she herself is declining?

For many American Christians it has become more important to be American than Christian. Some for instance have absorbed the culture of tolerance. I am talking about the new tolerance that requires all ideas to be considered of equal value. But to be Christian is to understand that Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2-3), has the only ideas that will stand the test of time and eternity (Matthew 24:35).

Consider the difference between Post Modern tolerance and Christ’s Great Commission. Jesus told his followers to be about the business of getting other people, whole nations in fact, to trade in their ideas for His ideas! – “teaching them to obey all the things I have commanded.” Christians should never acquiesce before the idea that non-Christian ideas are as good as Christian ideas. Rather we Christians should help non-Christians junk their non-Christian ideas and replace them with Christian ideas and beliefs.

When it comes to non-Christian ideas Paul speaks in violent terms of warfare. He said we should “pull down strongholds,” and “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,” and bring “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-6). This sort of thing is very un-American!

When Paul spoke this way, he was not talking about his internal struggles as a believer. He was saying the job of ministers and of Christians is to pull down non-Christian ideas because they exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. The Christian worldview alone conforms to the real world of sin and redemption; this is the only world there is! The Christian Worldview alone tells of creation out of nothing, of the fall of the human race into sin, and of Christ the only remedy for sin. These things are not just ideas, they are the realities of planet earth. Anyone who seeks to live life outside this Christian worldview lives in a fantasy world! In addition, to the degree the Christian consciously or unconsciously adapts to the non-believer’s ideas, he himself is living partially in unreality. The Bible and Christian doctrine apply to all people, to Adam’s entire race! Those who are not conforming to Christian doctrine are living in lies, they live a fantasy! It is for this reason Paul exhorts us to “…not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

So why are America and the West declining? When Jesus directed, “teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you,” He used a Greek word that comes from the same Greek root translated “doctrine.” The Third World is growing in Christianity while the Christian West slides away for this very reason – doctrine is little esteemed in the West, and in fact is commonly despised. It is not uncommon to hear a Christian say something like, “I do not like doctrine. Doctrine divides people.” Yet it is Christian teaching (doctrine) that defines the world as it really is. The Christian must be filled with Christian doctrine to understand the world, life, love, sin, death, eternity and everything else. The ICCP seeks to promote right doctrine, a true Christian worldview.

Real World vs. Dream Worlds

Contrary to the Post Modern claim that all ideas are of equal value, there are ideas that conform to reality and many that do not. Ideas that do not conform to reality are lies and fantasies. Jesus came to redeem us from the Lie. Jesus spoke doctrine to people as a means to that end. He said to his listeners, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:16-17). One of the doctrines Jesus taught is that the Old Testament is God’s Word, saying, “…the Word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Jesus endorsed the entire Old Testament as the Word of God. Jesus told His Apostles that the Spirit of God would come and lead them into all the truth. We believe that as the O.T. prophets were directed by God to write what God wanted written, so also were the New Testament writers directed. We have God’s Word to mankind, the Bible. From the Bible we derive Christian doctrine which is doctrine in conformity to Christ’s teaching and this is always in agreement with the entire Bible. It is Christian doctrine from the O.T. and N.T. that enables us to live in the real world. It is by Christian doctrine that we are delivered from the Lie.

Consider this – America and the West are in a life and death struggle. Vishal Mangalwadi recently observed that the sun is setting on the west. But, says he, and I believe it, the West can be turned around. In the International Church Council Project we pray that God will pour out His Spirit in revival and restoration, and that he would allow ICCP to have a part in the new Great Awakening we believe God in His mercy will send in this generation. We pray that America and the West may energetically repent and return to the doctrines that originally made her great. ICCP is serving to help America do this very thing, even as we seek to facilitate the international Church in setting “a biblical-theological standard of doctrine for the Body of Christ…consistent with the mainstream theology of the first 20 centuries.” We are grateful for your support and prayers to this end, that God may be glorified in all our labors and entire lives.

Other Thoughts

By knowing the only True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent we know ourselves and also the world around us. God who made the universe is the starting place and ending place for thinking. Thinking not in conformity to God’s thoughts is mistaken thinking, sinful thinking! God made reality and we cannot re-make it other than it is. I do not mean we are unable to change things on planet earth; there are many things we can change. However, we cannot change the reality of gravity, nor can we change the standard right and wrong, nor judgment for sin. We cannot change the fact that this is a fallen world, that sin is pervasive in the human soul, and that the only answer to this devastation is Jesus.

Adam and Eve chose to not live in God’s reality. They chose to attempt to live in a world not real. The devil said, “You will not surely die!” Now they certainly knew that God who created the Forbidden Tree and also created themselves could accurately tell them whether or not eating such a tree would cause death. Yet they chose to believe the Lie! They rejected the reality God made and accepted the Devil’s suggestion that the penalty of death would not come. Death came!

Clingman, Eugene: The Christian Life is War

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

Dear Friends,
I have been pondering the fact that the Christian life is war. I do not like war, nor did the Psalmist, “I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:7). The Christian life is war because the world is at war with our Master and Lord who commanded us to teach all nations to obey all His commands. The arch enemy of God resists our efforts. The devil and his hosts wage war by spiritual influence, seeking to dissuade, discourage, confuse, and accuse, the people of God; he also insights people to battle against the spread of the message of Christ. Christ’s command to teach the nations to obey all he has commanded is none other than the development of Christ obeying and honoring culture in all the nations. More than a few hate this!

The Christian life is war also because “the world, the flesh, and the devil” are continually at war against the believer. If we do not recognize this, and structure our lives in a corresponding war-time lifestyle, we will be living in deception much like those in Jeremiah’s time who said, “Peace, peace when there is no peace.” Reality is – conquer or be conquered! If you would not be conquered, war is inevitable. John Philpot Curran (1750-1817), the Irish Protestant jurist, in a speech in 1790, on "The right of Election,” said, “It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition, if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.” I wish it were not so, but life is something like being on a river in a canoe – down stream is a massive waterfall that portends only destruction for any pulled into its current. If one does not paddle his canoe upstream, over the falls he will go! Stop paddling, and the drift of the current will carry you to destruction. Whether this is likened to your individual life, your family, your church, or the life of your nation, stop fighting, and inevitable destruction is the only expectation. God is able to intervene, and often he does, but he requires us to fight – “…fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck (canoe-wreck) in regard to their faith” (1 Tim. 1:18-19). “…I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1). The Christian life is war! Unless you would be a slave to the world, the flesh, and the devil, your family a slave to ungodly culture, your church a slave to false teaching and ungodly practices, and your nation a slave to tyrants, you must war! Those who war against you do not rest, neither can you. War or be conquered. If you are indolent, as Mr. Curran says, “servitude” will be “at once the consequence of (your) crime, and the punishment of (your) guilt.”

Where then is the peace of Christianity? Rest and peace are in taking upon ourselves the purpose of Jesus. What is Jesus doing? Where is Jesus going in history? What is Jesus doing now? He has “…sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet” (Hebrews 10:12,13). Jesus is in the process of conquering, and his purpose cannot abort. If we take on Jesus’ purpose, and thus set ourselves in the ranks of Christ’s advancing cause, we find rest. Jesus is the Conqueror, and we follow in his triumphal procession. “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Cor. 2:14).

The International Church Council Project is paddling the canoe of the integrity of God’s Word, and orthodox Christian doctrine up stream. There are forces that would drag it back. Please pray for us, and serve with us in financial support. We need to raise approximately $1800 per month to meet the budget for my salary.

In His service,
Eugene Clingman

Clingman, Eugene: Christ Shall Have Dominion

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

The advance of the Kingdom of God is the most exciting thing happening on planet Earth! God disclosed to Abraham his intention to include all people groups (cultures, languages) in his redemptive plan. Abraham was told to look at the stars, to count them if he could, “So shall your descendants be,” God said. Psalm 67 proclaims God’s purpose to bless us, his people, in order “That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.” And Psalm 72 is a marvelous picture of the growth and triumph of Messiah’s Kingdom throughout the world…“He (Jesus) shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, and His enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him” (Psalm 72:8-11). This vision accords with Jesus’ parable about the growth of the Kingdom of God−the mustard seed which would grow into the largest of garden plants (this parable causes us to think back to Nebuchadnezzar, who was given a vision similar to this parable, a tree under which the beasts of the field found refuge, and which represented the worldwide dominance of his kingdom (Dan 4:19-22)). Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the statue in Daniel 2 also accords with this. The statue represented four sequential world empires, ending with the Roman Empire which would crumble at the inauguration of Christ’s Kingdom. This Kingdom is the stone which struck the statue, smashing it to pieces, crushing and putting to an end it and every other kingdom, but itself becoming a great mountain (kingdom) filling all the earth. This Kingdom will never be destroyed, nor be taken over by another people (Daniel 2:31-45). This is Christ’s Kingdom. Even today Jesus reigns from Heaven, subduing his enemies day by day.

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth,” Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). How far does Jesus’ authority extend, and for how long? The “how far” is easy. The passage tells us his authority includes the realms of Heaven and Earth. Every place in the universe is under his authority today. How long does this authority prevail? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27 that Jesus will reign, in this, his present reign from Heaven, where he is seated at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3; 10:12,13), until he has put all things in subjection under his feet, including the last enemy, death. This authority, then, extends to all of Earth and Heaven, and endures until all Christ’s enemies are put under his feet. To bring this home−it includes right now, right where we are. Jesus intends to bring all things in subjection to himself (Hebrews 2:8).

Another question to ask is, What does it mean to make disciples of all the nations? Does it mean to make disciples of individuals or of nations? Individuals must be won, baptized, and trained to obey Christ. What does this include? Does it mean going to church on Sunday and keeping your nose clean the rest of the week? Or does it include the hope of moving society, the nation, to a significant degree, into obedience to Christ’s commands? Once a person is saved, what is the scope of influence they ought to have?

When the prophet admonished − “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless; defend the orphan, plead for the widow,” (Isaiah 1:17) did he envision God’s people involved in society in ways that would enable them to fulfill this admonition? Should God’s people actually go into messed up society and do something about it? I believe the prophet would answer a resounding, “Yes!” Does the predominate Evangelical pattern of “going to church on Sunday and keeping your nose clean the rest of the week,” answer this cry from God’s heart? I think the prophet would answer a resounding, “No!”

As we go into all the world to disciple the nations, we are to give to the disciples a bigger vision than just staying saved, helping a few others get saved, and waiting “until Jesus comes to get us out of this mess.” We must put into the disciples a vision of changing their society as they go about making disciples. Jesus pictured the Church as salt. Salt gets into what it preserves and makes a change. Preserving salt does not sit on top of what it preserves, nor does it reside in another compartment, or in a corner of the container. Salt gets into the very fibers of what it is preserving. Salt fights for the preservation of what it is preserving by getting into every area. So also we believers are to be in every legitimate area of society and bring to it Christ’s Kingdom of righteousness, love, and mercy. Legitimate areas certainly include (not limited to) business, medicine, politics, the media, the arts, and education. I don’t mean we Christians ought to simply get jobs in these places, and be like little church mice, quiet, but hoping we will somehow have a little effect. I mean we ought to hope to bring significant change by our influence in Christ’s name. We ought to hope that we, rather than the wicked, will be at the head, instead of the tail, in every realm of life, even as God has told us it should be (Deuteronomy 28:13). We ought to hope for and believe that righteousness will reign in every realm of human activity. Jesus deserves it, he is Lord!

Evangelicalism has three vision options it lives out, and passes on to its children. Option #1 is, attend church on Sunday, during the week work a job to feed your family, keep your nose clean, raise kids who will grow up and do the same as you have done, or who will possibly choose option #2 or #3. Option #2 is, become a missionary, go some place else, tell others about Jesus, teach them to get out of the world, and to choose option #1, #2, or #3. Option three is, become a pastor or pastor’s wife (church secretary, youth leader, etc), and teach the flock to keep their nose clean, and choose option #1, #2, or #3. Isn’t this pretty much the extent of our Evangelical vision?

As good and basic, and necessary as church attendance and holy living are, there is more we are called to do, and more we must give our kids to grow up into. When Isaiah said, “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless; defend the orphan, plead for the widow,” did he mean tell people about Jesus, but leave the public and political arenas to the ruthless?……..Selah!…….The homosexual movement is not the only ruthless force in our society, but is a good example. The homosexual spirit will not stop or be satisfied until it can come to the front door of YOUR house, and have what it demanded at the doorstep of Lot’s home (Genesis 19:5). Are we to sit quietly witnessing to our neighbor or co-worker while the ruthless continue to grow in domination of our society? What did Isaiah mean by “learn to do good?” Surely it includes more than most Evangelicals are doing. Can we defend the orphan, and plead for the widow effectively without getting involved in the public and political arena. Legislation is passed almost daily that continues to strip away rights and freedoms, especially of the less fortunate, the orphan and widow. Shouldn’t Christians in every nation work with as much or more energy in the political realm to bring about good, secure God-given rights, promote true freedoms, and establish righteous laws in their nation as others do to bring it into foolishness, bondage and wickedness?

Proverbs 25:26
Like a trampled spring and a polluted well, Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

Poetry: Clingman, Eugene: I Believe

This poem was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

I believe the missionary task will be completed.
The command of the Lord Jesus will not fail,
The Church will disciple the nations.
What kind of people ought we then to be?

I believe the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.
God has spoken once, he has spoken twice, need more be said?
It cannot fail, it cannot falter.
What kind of people ought we then to be?

I believe our God will be truly worshiped everywhere.
It is not so yet, but the prophet has said,
His name will be great among the nations.
What kind of people ought we then to be?

I believe all of culture, all life’s activities,
Will one day be cherished holy.
Holy will be the mundane, holy the everyday, for the prophet said.
What kind of people ought we then to be?

I believe Jesus died, rose again, is now exalted.
At God’s right hand he stays till all his enemies fall.
There he stays till all his enemies fall.
What kind of people ought we then to be?

I believe Christ’s present Kingdom will prevail.
I believe justice will be seen in history.
I believe the meek will inherit the earth.
What kind of people ought we then to be?
What kind of people ought we then to be?


Matthew 28:18-20
Hab. 2:13,14; Numbers 14:21
Malachi 1:11
Zechariah 14:20-21
Acts 3:21; Hebrews 10:12-13
Matthew 5:5; Proverbs 11:31

Clingman, Eugene: Generational Faithfulness

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

“How great are Thy works, O Lord! Thy thoughts are very deep. A senseless man has no knowledge; nor does a stupid man understand this: That when the wicked sprouted up like grass, and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore” Psalm 92:5-7 (NASB).

How great God’s works are indeed! What is God doing today? When we consider the evidence of cultural decay and a seeming decline of Christianity, it gives us pause to wonder, is God working? George Barna, that eminent Christian researcher, says things may get worse before they get better. Barna writes that in America, “People 35 and younger are substantially more likely to approve of abortion in all or most circumstances than are people over 35; are much more likely to describe themselves as “pro-choice” than are any other age segment; were much more likely to argue that homosexual relations should be legal; substantially more likely to consider homosexuality an acceptable lifestyle; and notably more likely to approve of clergy conducting or blessing gay marriages.”

A question that should be asked is how America is coming to this while so many in America claim to be Christians? The salt is obviously loosing its savor!

Fact: The overwhelming majority of Christian children (more than 80%) are being discipled by the anti-God, humanistic government schools (aka public schools), so that…

Fact: approximately 80% of those so schooled leave the church shortly after graduating high school. With the result that…

Fact: More than a decade of careful research by Dan Smithwick of the Nehemiah Institute shows that Christian children who attend government schools have essentially the same worldview (view of: life, purpose, morality, ethics, religion, etc.) as their non-Christian counterparts; they see the world and life through essentially the same eyes as their fellow government school classmates who are being raised in unbelieving households.

Conclusion: When we place two of these facts together: 1) that eighty plus percent of Christian children attend government schools, and 2) that Christian children who attend government schools essentially have the same worldview as their pagan counterparts, we have to realize along with Dan Smithwick, that, “This is a disaster in the making!”

Eighty percent of the next generations of Christians who should be in the process of being fitted as salt and light have already “lost their savor” and have little distinctiveness with which they may salt (effect) those around them, and little light (real truth) with which they may guide those in darkness. It is as if we Christians had been delivered from Egypt, settled in the Promised Land, and now rise early each morning to put our little ones on the yellow bus so they can be taken south to Egypt for their education, or west to the Philistines for ethics training, or north to the Babylonians for proper socialization! Surely this is not God’s plan, nor intention!

But this is an article asking what God is up to, so we will move on. In the midst of declining Western culture, I believe God is doing something! I believe there is an underground movement the result of which will be phenomenal; only time will reveal the effect. This semi-secret army, this counter-culture is the growing number of children being trained and educated with a distinctively Christian worldview. By Christian worldview I mean trained to see things from a biblical viewpoint as opposed to the humanistic, socialistic, and fallaciously “morally neutral” viewpoint which permeates even the mildest government school in the USA today. By training into a Christian worldview I mean also by using distinctively Christian curriculum, not old government school textbooks baptized with prayer, a Bible class, and a weekly chapel!

This movement is almost silently growing as parents accept the responsibility of generational covenantal faithfulness in the education of their children. Other parents, not quite so far along in their understanding, are nonetheless realizing the growing absurdity that is the government school system and are getting their kids out. This absurdity called the public schools in essence demands – “Out with God and truth and in with rewritten history, political correctness, moral perversion, and social acceptability!” This absurdity includes a growing number of public schools (more accurately called “government schools”) that begin introducing children to alternative (homosexual) lifestyles as early as kindergarten.

“How great are Thy works, O Lord! Thy thoughts are very deep.” Remember this – it is never the majority who determine the victory but an informed and committed minority. Today is a day of Gideon’s army! God is gathering the troops, small, yet awesome by his grace. God’s plans will stand! In spite of the faltering steps of Christ’s bride she continues to take strides forward. Victory is assured for the Church! And yet generational victory for each individual family is in the balance of covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 2:6). Let us consider the precious gems, these children given us by God. Let us call upon God for wisdom and energy to set these “Talents”, these bits of wealth invested with us, to set them on the path of greatest return for our worthy Lord and his Kingdom. Let us raise our children faithfully, with a distinctively Christian, a purposefully Christian education.

The International Church Council Project is in the final stages of approval for the document “Concerning the Education of Christian Children”. I have been asked to travel to Washington, D.C. to present this document to the theologians and Christian leaders at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Please pray ICCP’s continuing effort to strengthen the Body of Christ through sound and historic Christian truth. To request your free copy of the Education document, send us a note or mark the response form. Dr. Grimstead and I are available to speak at your church. Contact information is included on the back of this newsletter.

Clingman, Eugene: Concerning the Education of Christian Children: Government Schools are Succeeding! But are We?

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

It was the time of “Ozie and Harriet,” and “Father Knows Best,” of “Leave it to Beaver” and “Andy Griffith.” Things were pleasant in America. We were living on the cultural capital of the Christian society inherited from generations past. America had the outward appearance of Christianity, but not the reality. Since then the outer shell has eroded to reveal the twisted face of humanism glaring through this American culture in decay.

America is rotting culturally! Undeniably, one of the primary facilitators of this decay is the government schools which, contrary to the assumptions of most has not failed, but succeeded in its mission. John Dewey is acknowledged as one of the main, if not the main mover in establishing the American government school system (AKA public school). Dewey is one of the authors of the Humanist Manifesto. In one of his writings, “My Pedagogic Creed,” he shows that by changing what goes on in the classroom, society can be reshaped. The government schools, largely formed and set on course by John Dewey and his colleagues have indeed succeeded. They have systematically reshaped American culture by purposefully excluding the Creator God, Christ, and Christianity from the institution that more than any other forms the worldview of the nation’s children.

About 85% of children from Christian homes attend government schools. In so called public schools Christian children (all children) are continually taught (implicitly or explicitly) that there is no Creator God, or that if there is a Creator out there somewhere, it is not worth the time or energy to learn anything about Him. The records show that more than 80% of Christian children who attend the government school system come out of that system thinking like humanists, essentially paganized, and by adulthood are no longer Christians.

In the days of Ozie and Harriet it might have been excusable for Christians to send their kids to the government schools which at that time had at least a form of godliness – today there is no excuse! We Christians have been slow to ask some basic questions about the all important area of life – the training of our children – so I will ask a very basic one. Into what worldview are Christian parents required by to immerse their children?

When I ask this question, it is not a moralistic question springing from my own prejudice. I ask the question in light of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (read and carefully consider this passage). This passage is crystal clear that the children of faith should be immersed in the thought patterns of the faith, day and night. On the contrary, Christian parents place their children under an ungodly system to be propagandized (30 hours a week) with the fairytale of the humanistic evolutionary worldview. That worldview says the universe and everything in it formed by accident through random processes during whatever billion number of years they currently claim it took (this number changes periodically)! This fairytale humanistic naturalistic worldview is taught not only in the science classroom, it is implicit in nearly all the curricula. It is subtle yet pervasive.

Shouldn’t Christian parents be purposeful in training their children in all aspects of life into the Christian worldview, whether in scientific investigation, social studies, history, or the arts? Shouldn’t Christian parents immerse their children in reality rather than the make believe universe propagated by government schools? Reality is this – God created, and there is no fact that is a fact apart from Him? To remove God, the one and only God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from education is to indulge in the education of the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God!” (Psalm 14:1). We steal from our children the very essence of knowledge when we have them trained by a system that systematically excludes God from knowledge. Please note that I said “system.” I understand there are Christian teachers in the government schools whose goal never is to remove faith from children and whose ambition it is to be a witness in that dark system. Nevertheless, these Christian teachers are normally required to agree (contract in writing) to use the system mandated curriculum, which mandate also forbids the teaching of Christian faith; and which curriculum is designed to systematically and purposefully remove Christianity from the students by subtly assuming or explicitly affirming “there is no God!”

The Bible Gives Direction for Education of Our Kids
The Bible says of itself that it is sufficient to equip the man of God for every good work (2 Tim 3:16, 17). In other words, the Bible is adequate to train us for all of life. I don’t mean that it is a manual for learning auto mechanics or a how-to on brain surgery. But it gives us what we need to successfully live a life pleasing to God. The Bible is – “profitable…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Surely raising godly children is included in the “every good work”! In other words the Bible is sufficient to instruct us how to train our kids. There is sufficient instruction and insight within the pages of Holy Scripture for this major task.

The Bible is neither silent nor neutral on the “good work” of education of our children. The Bible never indicates that the responsibility for forming the worldview of children belongs to the state (i.e. civil government). God never lays the responsibility of education at the feet of the state, but always at the feet of the father or single mom, and at the feet of the Church in general (thus the need for Christian schools; Deut. 6:1-9; Eph. 6:4). It is the responsibility of parents to control the education of their children and Christian parents are never authorized by God to have them indoctrinated into an anti-God worldview such as permeates the American government school system (Exodus 34:12-16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

Hope and Encouragement
The overwhelming majority of Christian families have placed their children into the government school system. To break loose from reliance on that system is no little thing. Whenever a Christian family decides to educate their kids either home-school or Christian school, it is a giant challenge. Patterns of life must be altered, finances must be redirected or new finances found, and much more. I promise you, no, rather God promises, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you!” If we have the right priorities and move forward in faith to do what is right (“righteous”), God will give what is needed. I promise you that God will work miracles for you. He is faithful.

Pray for us as we work to help move the Body of Christ toward greater faithfulness in the education of our children. May God guide all of us Christians in a purposeful and fruitful future for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children for God’s Kingdom’s sake, and for his glory! Please consider being a part of our financial support team. I hope you will become a regular supporter. A very easy way to do this is through regular monthly electronic contribution. You can donate on our website at www.ChurchCouncil.org.

Clingman, Eugene: The Myth of Pluralism

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

The 24 Year Plan is Coalition on Revival’s comprehensive effort that integrates the International Church Council Project (U.S. portion), the Solemn Assembly movement, and the National Pastor’s Council. This effort is motivated by an overarching hope of restoring the United States to the principles of godliness upon which this nation was originally founded.

When we talk about restoring something previous, we are talking about one set of standards of morality and worldview as opposed to another; the one current, the other lost or eroding. I want to ask this question – Is it legitimate for a Christian or a Christian organization to hope for and work for the Christian worldview to become the prevailing view of a nation…of our nation?

Before the Civil War the worldview of our nation was overwhelmingly Christian. Since that time the guiding principles upon which our founding fathers established our country have been eroding. In the early 1900’s American society was introduced to the idea of “pluralism.” Pluralism is – the belief that many ideas and beliefs should be used to form one’s own thinking and society in general. Pluralism is the belief that many ideas, even conflicting ideas should be embraced and delighted in and made part of the structure of one’s life and society.

William James (1843-1910), author and philosopher coined the word “pluralism.” According to Mr. James, on the pluralistic view things are “with one another in many ways, but nothing includes everything, or dominates over everything…pluralism is the belief that many groups comprise the polity, and the best government is one which accommodates many different interests in society…pluralism is the situation in which many different cultural practices coexist in a society, often interacting to create new practices…pluralism is the belief that there are many ways to express faith.”
The American mind has been led into this form of thinking and to a great extent even the Church. So let’s look at these statements by William James one by one and compare them to the Christian view of things (worldview):

• “…nothing includes everything, or dominates over everything…”
Christian view – The Christian God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself claims to dominate everything. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth are given to Me!” He is King of kings and Lord of lords, the Ruler of the kings of the earth who requires submission and loyalty of all humans so much so that even the thought-life of the individual is to be in submission to Him. We see then that according to the Christian worldview, the rule of Christ “includes everything” and “dominates over everything.” (Mat. 28:18-20; Psalm 2:10-12; Rev. 1:5; Philippians 2:9-11; 2 Cor. 10:5; Mat. 5:28).

• “…pluralism is the belief that many groups comprise the polity, and the best government is one which accommodates many different inter
ests in society…”
Christian view – I believe that on the surface the statement is true. However, because of the sinfulness of man, no government can be erected by humanistic man that will truly be concerned for the best interests of the “many groups [that] comprise the polity.” The only government that will strive for such justice and righteousness is that which rests upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 10:12, 13). Such a government on earth can only be fashioned as man in submission to Jesus Christ becomes progressively obedient to His Law-Word. Jesus taught us to seek this when He said pray daily, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven.”

• “…pluralism is the situation in which many different cultural practices coexist in a society, often interacting to create new practices…”
Christian view – At the dispersion of the Tower of Babel God gave opportunity for the various cultures to arise; the peoples were separated into groups and those people groups spread around the globe. In heaven there will be people from every people, tribe and tongue. Though ethnic indicators may follow us to heaven, everything of culture will be made holy. In the meantime, here on planet earth, we are to seek sanctification individually and in our cultures; until Christ returns we daily work and pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven!” (see Zechariah 14:20, 21)

• “…pluralism is the belief that there are many ways to express faith…”
Christian view – It is obvious (from the assumption of pluralism) that the above statement means there are many religions (Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, etc.) by which it is good to express faith. The entire Bible nullifies this assumption. In the beginning God created. In the fullness of time this Creator God sent Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world to redeem a people for Himself. This same Jesus declares, “I am the First and the Last; the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Religious pluralism is polytheism.

Pluralism permeates American thinking, and much so in the Church. The question should be asked – Since we are a democratic nation, should pluralism be the modus operandi of our society? Should every idea or standard be an option for guiding the United States, or is there a single standard and morality which should be sought? In pluralism according to William James, “…nothing… dominates over everything.” This means that according to pluralism any set of ideas may be acceptable as the governing criteria for society; all should be considered, taken into account, and given a seat at the table. We can test the validity of pluralism by considering the homosexual’s belief that homosexual standards and ideas have as much legitimacy as other ideas and standards. Analyze with me for a moment where the “homosexual rights” campaign is headed. The demand for homosexual rights is not new. This campaign has also been waged in ancient times as seen in the homosexual confrontation with Lot – “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” Genesis 19:5. These same demands were made in the only other passage in the Bible where homosexuals are seen in action – “…certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!” Judges 19:22 A significant insight ought to be gained here. That insight is this – The fact that these are the only two passages in the Bible where homosexuals are shown in action should inform us that this is exactly where “homosexual rights” will lead. The homosexual spirit has no limits on its demands for “rights.” There is no governing principle to say, “Thus far and no further!” So then, the question should be asked, can the homosexual worldview exist pluralistically with other worldviews as a governing factor in a society? It is evident that homosexual ideas (in their matured form as seen in the Bible) are not able to exist peaceably with most worldviews and morality standards because those who believe it is acceptable for a gang of men to come to one’s home and demand the right to molest those on the inside are few and far between! It is obvious then that pluralism is a myth. Every idea and standard cannot have equal opportunity and sway in a society, or be successfully included in a homogenized mix of ideas and standards. Standards of morality compete for preeminence and it is a fight to the death. One single idea or standard will eventually emerge as the directing standard. Even when pluralism is attempted, someone or some group sorts through the plurality of ideas and decides which ones will be the governing principles; this in turn means it is no longer pluralism, but whatever those who are in control decide. The idea of pluralism is but a fog over the minds of those duped into conformity to a non-pluralistic standard.

It has taken several generations for our nation to deteriorate from one of Christian standards to a pluralistic society. King Solomon however accomplished it in one generation. Solomon created for himself a pluralist household which in turn transferred to his kingdom so that the society also became pluralist; God’s standard was no longer the governing assumption. The result was multiplied confusion in his kingdom which lasted hundreds of years until Judah was finally exiled to Babylon. Solomon had many foreign wives, and “…it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.” 1 Kings 11:4-8. Under King David, Solomon’s father, the standard was the Word and fear of God; one standard. Solomon introduced polytheism which meant the introduction of and royal approval of a mix of standards; confusion!

Ultimately there will be one standard that will rule. “One ring to rule them all!” That rule or standard could be imposed by a dictator, or it could be imposed by a democratic majority. Either way, someone or some group is going to set the standard by which society is governed. What standard should the Christian pray for and (in our democratic republic) work toward as we seek to see His kingdom come and His will done on earth as it is in heaven as much as is possible prior to the coming of Jesus? The parable of the wheat and tares tells us that plurality is in the world and will be until the end. On the other hand Jesus’ command to teach the nations to obey Him shows us pluralism is not a legitimate option for the Christian (Prov. 31:9; Jeremiah 5:28, etc.). It is evident that there is but one legitimate standard for all people. That standard is found in submission to Jesus Christ and His Law-Word, the Bible.

Plurality in our world is a reality God created at the tower of Babel. Plurality is a reality that diminishes day by day as person by person, people group by people group, turn into the Kingdom of God and acknowledge by word and thought, religion and worship, and a progressively sanctified culture that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. “For the nation or kingdom which will not serve you will perish…” Isaiah 60:12. Praise be to His glorious name!


Think about this – Pluralism is self-negating for it is the governing assumption that there should be no governing assumption.

Clingman, Eugene: Every Law is a Religious Law

This article was written by Eugene Clingman of the International Church Council Project

I recently spoke with a Christian friend who was adamant that religion and especially Christianity should not be considered when it comes to making laws for society. He believes laws should not have a religious base. I asked him, “Then do you think homosexuality should be legal? He said, “Yes!” I asked, “Do you think incest should be legal?” He said, “Yes!” Consider the implications of what he is saying! He said he doesn’t think there should be laws to prohibit or penalize a father who takes advantage of a young daughter. Incest should be legal, he said, because to prohibit incest would be to advance a religious idea. He is correct in this much – the prohibition of incest is religiously based.

My friend, however, is overlooking something many Christians overlook, and that is this - Every law is religiously based! I will say it again, EVERY law is based on religion. I don’t mean every time a law is framed the authors consult the Baptists, the Mormons, the Hindus, or the Buddhists. Every law is nonetheless religious in its essence and at the foundation. This is true because every law comes out of a worldview (a set of “givens” or presuppositions) which rest on faith assumptions.

We Christians believe the universe was created by God out of nothing, yet not one of us was there to see it! So why do we believe? We believe because God’s Word, the Bible tells us so. We believe by faith! (Hebrews 11:3). We have a faith assumption. But wait a minute! The unbeliever does EXACTLY THE SAME THING! The unbeliever says we got here by chance, by evolution (or whatever other mythical thing he holds as fact). Yet he was not there to see it; he cannot “prove” it any more than we can “prove” God created. So how does he believe it? He believes it by faith! The unbeliever has a faith assumption about origins. Now faith assumptions are religious assumptions; they are held to as a belief, they are held religiously, by faith. Basic assumptions which cannot be proven (like the origin of the universe) are held by faith and are intrinsically religious. Whether it is the believer holding to creation by God, or the unbeliever holding to chance evolution, both are religious beliefs held by faith.

When it comes to law, the unbeliever, believing by faith the universe evolved, assumes it continues to evolve, and that society and everything about it is also evolving, and therefore law is also evolving. To the unbeliever therefore, there is no universal unchanging law. Law, as well as everything else is evolving. He has built his understanding of law on top of his faith assumption about the origin of the universe.

The Christian on the other hand begins with the Unchangeable Triune God who created the universe. This God is not evolving in His concept of morality. His righteousness does not change from generation to generation. The Bible says of Him, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth” Psalm 119:142 (see also Psalm 103:17; 119:44; Dan. 9:24). The Christian therefore believes, or at least he ought to believe that God’s standards are those which ought to be used to govern society; law ought to be derived from God – “Your law is truth.” And, “The law of the Lord is perfect…” Psalm 19:7.
Many people (whether in the press, politicians, or misinformed Christians) maintain that religion has no place in law or politics. The truth is this – religion in law and politics is inevitable, unavoidable, and impossible! There cannot be law except it be based on someone’s or some group’s religious-faith assumptions. The issue is not, should religion determine law and politics? But rather what religion? For the U.S. today, it is between humanism and Christianity. In some countries today, it is between Islam and Christianity. Someone’s religious faith assumptions will guide law and policy.

The founders of our nation sought to embody in our government the realities of God’s truth and His law: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator…” The separation of powers into three branches of our government was an effort by our founders to limit the opportunity for the sinfulness of man. Our early laws were undeniably founded on biblical principles. For more than a hundred years the religion of humanism has gained dominance in our law and society. Humanism believes evolution is ultimate and man is the ultimate of evolution. For the humanist, therefore, there is no higher source of law or better source of good for society than man’s ideas and efforts.

The Christian worldview says God is ultimate and all people are subordinate to and responsible to Him (Romans 1:18-22; 2:16; Revelation 20:11-12). Law therefore may not righteously be derived from the autonomous (independent) mind of man, but must be derived by seeking to bring ourselves, and all things, indeed, every thought, captive to obedience of Christ! (2 Cor. 10:5).

Because God is, and because He will judge all people and all societies/nations by His own righteous standard, no person, may reasonably or righteously base his life or his society on faith assumptions contrary to the reality of God. Since God will judge our nation by His standard it is unreasonable for Christians to think our nation should be run on humanistic standards and laws. Such thinking is suicidal! It is suicidal to maintain that laws and society should be whatever the majority or the elite group at any particular point in history believes it should be. It is suicidal because God will not judge us or our nation based on those laws and standards, but on His unchanging and universal (for all nations) standard.

Our nation was founded as a Christian nation. Over the last 100 or so years the rock foundation of our nation has been removed; into its place has been poured the shifting sand of humanistic faith assumptions resulting in law and society contrary to God. We of Jesus’ Church, are called to disciple the nations. We Christians are to teach the nations to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded us (Matthew 28:18-20). The Bible tells us the nations are destined to learn and walk in God’s law (Isaiah 2:2-4). Jesus is the King over kings, the Lord over lords, and the President over presidents. Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father, making His enemies a footstool for His feet (Hebrews 10:12-13). The progress of the Church marches on, for the “zeal of the Lord shall perform it! (Isaiah 9:7). I pray God may use this article to advance His cause in some measure. God bless and enlarge you as He has promised (Psalm 37). And – Don’t be fooled! Every person’s worldview is founded on faith assumptions. Your faith assumptions have just as much right in the public arena as the unbeliever’s, and certainly more so, because God is! (Psalm 46:7, 11). Amen!