A mixed message…

Francis Shaeffer comes to mind here -- A cannot be non-A. It is impossible to be sane and hold two opposite beliefs as true. We teached our children that they are made in the image of God and that this gives them value. Then they go to school and are told they are random accidents of nature, but hey, they still have value. Of course they end up confused. And, some react to that confusion with existentialism and nihilism. What can be done to combat such helplessness? Well, those of us who know better should be teaching our kids better and we should be encouraging them to talk with their friends who have not had the advantage of Christian upbringing. We can try to influence our culture in a way that is positive. Christians can more and more get their thoughts out there so that people who do not understand what we believe will at least have access to it. It is an effort that will take time and a whole lot of Christian love to have an effect.

Your using that logic again. A is not equal to non-A. Simple premise used in determining truth-claims. What we need to teach our children is how to apply this logic sequence to many applications.

Especially when they are taught in school that A can equal non-A in some circumstances that we have no evidence for. But to make an absolute statement like that is against modern thought. Of course it's possible A and non-A could be the same, we just haven't found evidence for it yet.

As parents, we need to find opportunities to discuss the sort of logic that Francis Shaeffer taught. It is not so much the memorization of facts as the ability to use one's brain and apply it to one's worldview that prevents children from completely losing their way.

There's also the issue of Christian self-esteem. Again, it's hard to teach it when the culture is working against you. No, you're not okay just because you exist. Being a worthwhile person has a lot to do with being made in the image of God, but further, it has to do with how you treat the world around you. That's hard to teach barbarians, but it can be learned. But only if it is taught!

I'm sure my mother thought my brother and I were barbarians. And I know that my children were no angels either. :)

Seriously, when we teach our children to apply basic principles using the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method then that is a start. They may not accept it when young but I have found that as they grow older that they come to realize what you have given them is more precious than anything else. The ability to think and reason for themselves while at the same time that faith in Christ does not conflict.

This is what I am trying to develop. A practical application of biblically based principles for life that can be proven (secularly) to have stood the test of time. The hardest part is that you have to have faith in Christ before most of them work. :)