Observing Notes
I sat down this weekend to watch Shiny Happy People, not really knowing what to expect.
I knew enough to know what it might cover, but not enough to know what direction the documentary would take.
I know enough now that the producers were not approaching the topic from a Biblical standpoint - to be honest, I don’t think anyone was, whether they were in front of the camera or behind.
But that is neither here nor there.
Rather, there are a few things that stood out to me as I watched it all unfold that I keep mulling over.
Arguments were presented against the homeschooling movement - especially the Christian homeschooling movement - and in light of what was uncovered by the documentary, it was understandable.
However. If you paused and listened carefully, you would find that the arguments presented against faith based homeschooling are almost identical to the conservative arguments against public education. It was striking. Words like, indoctrination, brainwashing, radicalization were tossed around freely to explain why homeschooling was dangerous to children and society at large. But isn’t this what we hear frequently to encourage parents to pull their children out of the “corrupt” public school system? It’s two sides of the same coin, and for the first time, I saw this clearly.
One man worshipped by thousands - and not only worshipped, but blindly followed, like sheep being led to the slaughter.
One man was able to dictate, control, and put forward a corrupt and heretical ideology that well-meaning parents bought into. Who doesn’t long to have a perfect formula to turn out perfect children and families? One man who was able to control the trajectory of thousands of families, and not for their wellbeing, but for his own glory and fame.
Left unchecked, the goal of one man was “world domination”, couched with good sounding ideals that are void of the Gospel of Jesus.
Marry young, have as many children as the Lord allows, sharpen the arrows in your quiver and then send them out as warriors to take the world for God. And this does sound good!
Only, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20), and, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)
Why are we encouraged, as sojourners and exiles, to abstain from the passions of the flesh? Peter continues, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (v. 12)
“Passions of the flesh” can sound ominous, sensual, sinful - and you wouldn’t be wrong to think so. Where a wrong turn can be taken is when there are only certain sins that are placed in this category. What can be forgotten in all the craziness is that the unchecked desire for the appearance of godliness is just as dangerous as fully giving oneself over to lust.
Paul wrote about the wickedness of the last days to Timothy, and notice what is included in this chilling list,
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Households are crept into, weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions - passions that may begin with very good intentions, turn so quickly into weapons of destruction.
What does this have to do with a documentary on fundamentalism, the IBLP, and the homeschooling movement?
It goes back to what I mentioned at the beginning - the arguments that both sides of the aisle are using to try and prove the other wrong and wicked and destructive to society as a whole.
And they aren’t wrong - because both sides will lead to destruction eventually.
Back in April, when we drove through 4th Street and saw how Madison House was chained up and broken, I told you, “This is what it looks like when the Gospel is removed.”
The only thing that can bring about any lasting change to a community, a school system (public, private, or homebased), a life, is the Good News of Jesus Christ. because our citizenship is in heaven, where Jesus is. It is there that we are to fix our minds, because He is there, interceding for us.
Again, Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Our ultimate destination is with Jesus in glory - this world is not our home. But while we are here, for however many days the Lord has given us, He has given us a few things to do, some of which are,
Follow Jesus’ example of humbling Himself and taking the form of a servant. (John 13, Philippians 2)
Go into the world and share the gospel because He is with you. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Do everything without grumbling and complaining, and shine as lights in a crooked generation for Him. (Philippians 2:14-15)
LIve worthy of the life He has called us to with hopeful expectation as we wait for His appearing. (Titus :11-14)
Boldly share the Gospel with whoever Jesus crosses your path with - you have seen clearly, you have lived the truth of it firsthand - when the Good News of Jesus Christ is pushed aside and removed, all hell breaks out.
He has brought you this far - continue to trust that He will bring you further still until He finally calls you Home.
I am so proud of you dear four, and you fill my heart and prayers.
All my love,
The one who sojourns with you
