Christian Education Awareness Network (CEANet)
Presents
a Book Review:
Let My Children Go
Why Parents Must Remove Their
Children From Public Schools NOW
by E. Ray Moore, Jr., Th. M.
Review
by James A. Boyes, CEANet Host
ISBN 1-931600-16-3
The place was The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. The occasion was Commencement, 1993. The graduating class of that year had voted to have former President Ronald Reagan as Commencement Speaker. The college from which I had graduated in 1965 had a grand tradition of allowing fathers who were Citadel Alumni to award their graduating sons their degrees. (E. Ray Moore, Jr., Th. M., from Let My Children Go)
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I offer the following appraisal of Rev. E. Ray Moore’s new book, Let My Children Go. I’ve spent the past week reading this excellent tool designed to recapture K-thru-12 Christian education as a church-, and family-related ministry. Rev. Moore has put together what could be the very instrument used to help turn American culture away from the abyss of intellectual and spiritual decay. But before the church can restore its God-ordained role towards assisting the K-thru-12 education of Christian children, its pastors and other leaders must comprehend and apply what Moore identifies as "a Biblical theology of education."
In Let My Children Go, Rev. Moore, through the use of God’s Word and traditional Christian worldview logic, paves the way for our realization of the sharp differences between the mission of humanist-orientated, state education, contrasted with the Biblical basis for Christian education in the home, and private schools. Many of these differences are seemingly harmless until one examines them with the light God gives each and every Christian. And, according to Moore, we must set aside our humanist inclinations and consider this issue from God’s perspective, not our own. We must apply God-centered thinking, as opposed to man-centered thinking when it comes to encouraging the church towards "a Biblical theology of education."
So, is Rev. Moore merely sounding his trumpet to make popular yet another recipe for educational reform? Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of reform, Rev. Moore calls for Christians to abandon state schools or "Pharaoh’s school system (i.e., government schools) for the Promised Land of Christian schools or home schooling."
Why is abandonment of state schools necessary? Can’t we just "fix" the problem of public education with better ideas, more money, more teachers, new technology, etc., etc? More and more Christians are beginning to understand that the clear answer to this question is an emphatic "No.!" State schools, according to Rev. Moore, are built upon a socialist, humanist-oriented model. Socialism, from its very foundation, is not compatible with Christianity and a free market economy. Government education’s socialist model is, however, a brilliant means by which to inculcate the hearts and minds of children toward the goals and purposes of the state.
Thus we begin to see a battle line drawn by those who wish to indoctrinate children toward the goals of state education, versus those who wish to educate and point children toward their Creator to fulfill His purposes in their lives. And with Christ, we must keep in mind; there is no neutral ground.
In so many ways, throughout this far-reaching treatise, Ray Moore conveys the strong and powerful message that we must stop "...raising generation after generation in a system called ‘public schools’ where Jesus Christ cannot be named and where the Bible is the most censored book." Rev. Moore has left no stone un-turned in this book.
Chapter One "The Family School" covers his own personal history in the home schooling movement along with the success story of his family, followed by the clash between the Goals 2000 federal education mandate and the early stages of the Exodus Mandate (then called Exodus 2000) movement.
Chapter Two "Get Behind Me Horace Mann: The Rise and Fall of State-Sponsored Education" covers the history and background of American public education, the rise of secular humanism, and the emergence of progressive education. Moore also acquaints the reader with the School-to Work federal education law and how this mandate has changed the whole purpose of public schools. It is here that Ray Moore draws upon educational discernment from the past: namely, Dr. Archibald A. Hodge, R.L. Dabney, J. Gresham Machen, and Dr. Gordon Clark.
Chapter Three "Toward a Biblical Theology of Education" is perhaps one of the more essential chapters, as it sheds light upon the Biblical purpose, and application of education in the Christian home and private Christian schools. It is here that Rev. Moore draws upon The Great Commission as a foundation for K-thru-12 Christian education. He also covers the need for education-friendly churches and the educational responsibility of Christian families.
Chapter Four "The Basic Errors of State-Sponsored Education and Why Reform Will Not Work" delves into the four basic errors of state-sponsored education as expressed by Marshall Fritz, founder and director of the Alliance for the Separation of School and State. Also observed is the unconstitutional foundation of state education along with the distinction between free market education and state-sponsored schools. Is, however, Christian education a mere "choice" between these two models?
Chapter Five "Winning the Hearts and Minds of the Shepherds" is, in my estimation, the most crucial chapter in the book, because of Moore’s use of Scripture to assist pastors and other Christian leaders to see the significance of their role in moving the church and families towards the complete restoration of K-thru-12 Christian education as a church/family ministry. Moore also draws upon parallels between the American Church today and the German Church prior to World War II.
Chapter Six "Minefields on the Road to the Promised Land" helps Christian parents and pastors to know why they need to steer clear of government funded vouchers, charter schools, state certification / accreditation, and character education reforms.
Chapter Seven "Civil Disobedience: We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men" explains the relationship between Christians and government authority and the Biblical limits to government authority. Also covered are instances of Biblical and Christian disobedience.
Chapter Eight "The Next Great Awakening" considers the results of a fresh obedience by Christian parents in the area of Christian education, resulting in a new revival in America. Moore also takes note of the growth and rise of the home school movement and the close relationship between home schooling and Christian education. Also covered is the impact and value of Christian education issues as addressed by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
Chapter Nine "Prospects for the Exodus Mandate" takes a look at objections to the Exodus Mandate, along with prospects for the future of this important ministry.
"Let My Children Go: Epilogue" draws the book to a close through the use of several military/historical battles paralleled with the spiritual/educational warfare we find ourselves in today. And it is here that Rev. Moore leaves us with the following caveat:
"I see a serious defeat before us if we do not seize the moment and rescue the children from the bondage of Pharaoh’s schools and lead them to the Promised Land of Christian schools and home schooling. ...Church history will not be kind in the remembrance of this disaster should it happen. ...Similarly, Christian families will one day ask, ‘Why did our pastors and Christian leaders fail to lead our families and children out of danger and into the safe pastures of Christian schools and home schooling?'"
I highly recommend all Christian parents, leaders, and educators obtain and study the contents of this book as soon as possible (see ordering instructions below). Let My Children Go receives my highest endorsement as a tool to communicate the need to separate Christian children from humanist-oriented, state-controlled schools, and draw them back to our Lord, our families, and our churches as the means for their education.
After reading this book, you’ll want to order more copies to share with your pastor, family members, friends, local Christian bookstore, and/or local public library. Ask about the multi-copy discounts for buying 3, or more copies of Let My Children Go (see ordering instructions below).
Related Web Links:
(Book) Let My Children Go by E. Ray Moore, Jr.
(Video) Let My Children Go by E. Ray Moore, Jr.
The Alliance for the Separation of School & State
How To Order Let My Children Go
Click Here ==> Let My Children Go, if you would like to order this book at Amazon.com.
Title: Let My Children Go
Pages: 352
by E. Ray Moore, Jr., Th. M.
ISBN: 1-931600-16-3Copyright (c) 2002 by E. Ray Moore, Jr.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.)
U.S. Army Reserve Ret.
All Rights Reserved. Used on CEANet with permission.
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