The Bible and education

 The Book of Proverbs 1:7 says that:

   " the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. " 

  Fear as reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.

Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration.

In 1776, John Adams said " Statesmen ... may plan and speculate for liberty; but it is ( Christian) religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon  which freedom can securely stand. " 

The American Founders certainly understood this truth and from the beginning stressed the relationship between a sound education based upon biblical absolutes and the future of the nation!

This mind-set was widely held among the Founders who helped shape the political, educational, and legal foundations of the new nation...

Not surprisingly most all of the first and oldest universities were started under Christian principles  and used the Bible as the foundation and guide. Many today have reverted or turned away from their original roots based upon the Biblical teaching.

This pattern continued until the early 1900's; when the winds of Liberalism {Human centered} education began to take hold...  

Example of one man who shrived to exemplify this was Robert E. Lee:

Robert E. Lee's Religious Beliefs Robert E. Lee is no doubt one of the most respected figures on the stage of human history.  The love, admiration and respect given to this man is universal.  He was loved by his soldiers, revered by his peers, respected by his enemies, and even his former slaves and servants cherished the time they were given to be with him. Posterity has placed Robert E. Lee in a unique position as one of the most respected men who ever lived.

After his death, a Northern newspaper wrote of him "We have long since ceased to look upon him as the Confederate leader, but have claimed him as one of ourselves; have cherished and felt proud of his military genius; have recounted and recorded his triumphs as our own; have extolled his virtue as reflecting upon us—for Robert Edward Lee was an American, and the great nation which gave him birth would be today unworthy of such a son if she regarded him lightly". Robert E. Lee opposed Slavery, and had freed the slaves he inherited from his Wife's estate long before the war. One of them, William Mac Lee, chose to stand by Robert E. Lee's side throughout the war, serving as his cook and confidant. This former slave and friend described Lee with these words, "I was raised by one of the greatest men in the world. There was never one born of a woman greater than Gen. Robert E. Lee". In recognizing the profound mark that Robert E. Lee left on the world, one is forced to contemplate the fundamental principals on which Robert E. Lee built his life.  We must seek to understand the foundational beliefs that led to a life so respected, so admired and so loved. What was the rock on which Robert E. Lee built his life? What was the river that ran deep through his soul that gave him strength, that sustained him, and that led him to attain such heights, and carry on in the face of bitter defeat. What was the guiding light that led to the Courage, Honor, and Integrity that shone forth in his life? In studying Robert E. Lee for over 10 years, it has become crystal clear to me that Robert E. Lee was a devoted follower and humble servant of Jesus Christ.  The teachings of Christ and the words of the Holy Scriptures shine forth in the walk and life of Robert E. Lee. Robert E. Lee was a man of Prayer and Devotion. In addition, his own writings demonstrate his profound faith. There is extensive documentation that Robert E. Lee was a man of faith, and a man of prayer. Some examples are given below. Robert E. Lee prayed for an end to slavery.   "The doctrines and miracles of our Savior have required nearly two thousand years to convert but a small portion of the human race, and even among Christian nations what gross errors still exist! While we see the course of the final abolition of human slavery is still onward, and give it the aid of our prayers, let us leave the progress as well as the results in the hands of Him who, chooses to work by slow influences, and with whom a thousand years are but as a single day."  Excerpts from Robert E. Lee's Letter to President Pierce prior to the War

  General Robert E. Lee is one of those who lived the Christian Life yet was able to help as many others as possible...

BOOK REVIEW: CALL OF DUTY: THE STERLING NOBILITY OF ROBERT E. LEE By J. Steven Wilkins; George Grant, general editor, Elkton, Maryland; Highland Books, 1997, 332 pages, hardcover, $15.00, ISBN 0-9645396-9-1.

Prior to reading this book, I had little knowledge of Robert E. Lee. Why is that?

Is it because the public government schools see more value in using an American history textbook that features the life of Marilyn Monroe than that of one of the greatest generals and most uncontaminated public figures our nation has produced? Are we so accustomed to the degraded character and actions of leaders today that to see a truly good, loyal, gracious, humble, purposeful, clean-living, unreproachable person makes us recoil and mock in disbelief? Call of Duty is refreshing to read.

A brief biographical overview is in order. It is significant to note that Lee’s childhood life was not easy. His father left home when Robert was six, never to return. He was reared by his godly mother and taught at her feet "to practice self-denial and self-control, as well as the strictest economy in all financial concerns." As a teenager (although the concept of "teenager" was not in use at the time), he nursed his mother who was always in ill health.

As a student for five rigorous years at West Point Military Academy, his behavior was so excellent that he never got a demerit. He graduated second in his class. His fellow students admired him, finding no fault. Shortly after graduation, he returned home to find his mother dying. Not long afterward, he married the girl who would be his lifelong partner, Mary, descendant of George Washington’s wife, Martha.

His first military test in battle was in the Mexican War in 1845 where he served with exemplary skill.

When it became clear that war between the states was unavoidable, Lee had a decision to make. He was expected and required to help lead the Union against the South. However, with tears, he explained that he could never "bare his sword against Virginia’s sons." In those days, loyalty was first to one’s "home country," which was the state of one’s birth.

Call of Duty presents much information on the War Between the States, battle by battle, illustrating Lee’s character poured out in that most trying time. He had to remain constant when the North had blockaded or destroyed the South’s food supplies, when his men had no shoes, when battles were uneven, and lost, and he saw his beloved men die around him.

His men revered him. Knowing this, he once commented that when he was feeling discouraged and fatigued, he was careful not to reveal this in his facial expression, lest his men despair.

The core of his character was his faith in the sovereignty of God. Without that anchor, it would have been impossible for him to have demonstrated godly character unfalteringly.

Anecdotal evidence shows remarkable character. During the battle at Petersburg, he and the officers were given turkeys for Christmas eating. Lee gently refused his, asking that his portion be sent to the underfed soldiers in the hospital. The other officers were shamed into following his example.

In addition, his home, Arlington, was confiscated by the Union troops. It was later turned into the now-famous Arlington National Cemetery. His household possessions had included personal belongings of George Washington, Lee’s hero. When asked later about the items permanently stolen from him, he answered, "I hope the possessors appreciate them and may imitate the example of their original owners, whose conduct must at times be brought to their recollection by these silent monitors."

After the war, the North, the South, and Europe made him generous offers of employment and honor. He refused them all, taking a position at rundown Washington College (renamed Washington and Lee after Lee’s death). Every student was known to him by name. With kindness and gentleness he commended and rebuked, when necessary.

Everywhere he went, crowds gathered by the hundreds to glimpse him, especially the "old soldiers," whom Lee treated with utmost respect and love. Women named their babies after him. Lee graciously acknowledged the attention, but in his humility, he never sought it.

Author Steven Wilkins, a pastor and historian, divides the book into two parts. The first part gives a chronological account of Lee’s life. The second part describes the character of Lee—his Christianity, role as husband, father, leader, and his views on public issues like slavery and states rights.

My only regret about the format of the book is that only one illustration of Lee appears and that one is on the dust jacket. I longed to see photos of him and his family.

Call of Duty is appropriate reading for adults like me who know little about Lee, and because it is written in short, simple chapters, it is suitable to be read to elementary-age children as history and biography or to be used as enrichment reading for older students.

After the scandals in America leadership in recent years, we would all do well to wash our minds out with this biography.

The book is available c/o J. Steven Wilkins, 224 Auburn Ave., Monroe, LA 71201 for $15 (no shipping or tax), or on the Internet at Amazon.com.

  **  It is sad that we do not have followed the original principles of a Godly Education...    Because God is the source of all Love and Truth and full of Grace...