Aspiring PolyMathis

NEW ARTICLES TO COME AT NEW SITE: PastorMathis.com

2015-08-25T16:43:00.001-06:00

NEW ARTICLES TO COME AT NEW SITE: PastorMathis.com

All my old stuff will be slowly moved there. And these two sites (polymathis, too) will always be here until Google kicks me out!..Don't laugh, Examiner.com canned me for writing too many gay marriage articles.

Pastoral thoughts on family integrated church movement, 8 part series

2014-07-30T14:28:00.001-06:00

In Scotland, by the North Sea, the small town of Elgin had simple educational requirements. The directory for the local grammar school required that "upon the Lord’s day, masters and scholars shall convene in school at eight o’clock in the morning, and after prayer in the English tongue, the several classes shall be exercised—the seniors in the exposition of a sacred lesson [of the Psalms or catechism]...and the juniors in getting ‘by heart’ some select English psalms, or the ordinary catechism; they shall return to school in the afternoon at the first bell after sermon, and be exercised till the second bell in reading their sacred lesson…" (Grant, 427).

This requirement is dated 1649. Scotland had Sunday school 131 years before the supposed first Sunday school of Robert Raikes.

[Continued here...]

[The following are Pastor Mathis' lecture notes in a multi-part series from the Spring 2014 Presbytery of the Midwest Seminar, "A Pastoral Evaluation of the Family Integrated Church Movement." More information on the movement, homeschooling and the history of Christian education, see the new book Uniting Church & Family(Kindle format).]

Homeschooling academic success exaggerated

2013-06-20T14:25:00.004-06:00

A recent Breitbart news article continues to propagate exaggerated claims of homeschooling academic superiority. Quoting an older article that summarized various unsubstantiated claims about homeschoolers in general, the Breitbart article garnered over 2000 comments.

The article slowly spread across cyberspace, propagated through local facebook postings, and was picked up by a Colorado news source. Although some of the readers noted in the comment section the unsubstantiated nature of the news-report, one respondent replied: "So what, who cares? The article is interesting and I happen to know that universities love home schooled students."

(continued here)

What will four more years look like?

2012-11-07T10:41:00.001-07:00

What will the next four years of an Obama presidency be like?

To know the future one must investigate the past. In this case, the place to start is with his own words:

"Implicit in [the Constitution] structure, in the very idea of ordered liberty, was a rejection of absolute truth, the infallibility of any idea or ideology or theology or 'ism,' any tyrannical consistency that might lock future generations into a single, unalterable course..." (The Audacity of Hope, p. 93).

(continued here)

Christian news perspectives on the Aurora movie massacre

2012-07-24T12:53:00.003-06:00

I have a unique opportunity to write unfettered for a secular news source. As the Christian Perspectives Examiner, I pray that my past and future articles will glorify God through this horrid crime:

1. People seek God after Aurora movie massacre
2. Aurora theater massacre affects local Christians
3. Christians pray for Aurora theater massacre

Post-analysis of Supreme Court's defense of Obamacare

2012-06-30T07:27:00.000-06:00

1. Foxnews on Robert's non-existent rationale and the definition of tax.

2. A proposed non-political solution at the Wall Street Journal.

3. How the younger are adversely affected by this law at Reason.

4. Freedom from paying other people's murders is a concern forgotten by many.

5. Other social-impacting concerns (no law is an island), here.\

6. Summary of minority opinion's rebuttal, here.

7. Helpful summary of the underlining constitutional problem, the General Welfare clause, here.

8. From Judge Napolitano, here.

Family Integrated Church four-part podcast series

2012-06-18T07:04:00.003-06:00

For those who prefer audio interviews, here is the entire four-part series:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Otherwise, check out the written series of related articles here.

Part 3 of family integrated church podcast series

2012-06-14T12:07:00.003-06:00

Continued here.

God strikes High Park

2012-06-13T13:30:00.001-06:00

The outstretched arm of the God of heaven struck the mountains of Colorado. In an apparent lightning strike, fire broke out in High Park late last week, according to the Denver Post.

[continued here]

Part 2 of family integrated churches podcast series

2012-06-07T07:53:00.000-06:00

At Thatmom.com, here.

Colorado homeschool summer conference

2012-06-01T15:20:00.000-06:00

"...This yearly conference focuses on the family, discipleship, parenting and worldview thinking. In fact, CHEC has morphed beyond simple basic information and support for homeschoolers..."

continued here.

Family Integrated Church interview series at Thatmom.com

2012-05-29T16:19:00.000-06:00

Here is the beginning of a series of interviews I gave Mrs. Campbell at thatmom.com.

Homeschooling organization misquotes history

2012-04-23T12:18:00.001-06:00

"In connection with the Family in Crisis symposium in Denver, an article was posted claiming historical precedence for rejecting Sunday school. The article, "R.L. Dabney on Sunday Schools Superseding God’s Means of Grace," was posted from a Colorado based homeschooling organization, Generations with Vision. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate that at least one significant leader in early American Protestantism stood soundly against the newly formed Sunday schools of the early 1800s." Continued here.)

Christian viewpoint of the Columbine massacre

2012-04-20T20:01:00.001-06:00

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold sought redemption through the barrel of a gun. Butchering innocent students in a fit of rage, these two American youths were angry with life, themselves and God. Through the demented logic of hate-filled hearts, they sought what all mankind secretly desires: deliverance from a guilty conscience. Such an incredible analysis will be ridiculed, but please follow this line of reasoning." (continued here.)

Denver pastors discuss family integrated churches and like matters

2012-04-18T11:07:00.000-06:00

"At a symposium in Denver, a panel of three pastors discussed why Christian families are losing their children to the world and how this can be prevented. Local homeschooling advocate and internet talk show host, Rev. Swanson, was on the panel presenting his vision of family restoration. The event was hosted at Park Hill Presbyterian Church on Monday night, April 2."

Continued here.

Review of Cameron's Monumental

2012-03-30T09:47:00.000-06:00

"Monumental is a movie based on zeal. A zeal to bring America to her former glory. But it is a zeal not fully in accord with the facts."

(continued here)

Impeachment bill in US Congress

2012-03-12T08:32:00.002-06:00

"Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that, except in response to an actual or imminent attack against the territory of the United States, the use of offensive military force by a President without prior and clear authorization of an Act of Congress violates Congress's exclusive power to declare war under article I, section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution and therefore constitutes an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor under article II, section 4 of the Constitution."

Full information here.

Government free to kill US citizens?

2012-03-09T14:24:00.001-07:00

The Family in Crisis: Three Pastoral Responses [a symposium]

2012-03-07T13:02:00.002-07:00

There will be a public discussion about all issues germane to the crisis in the families, including family integrated churches and the like. The building is small but the event will be recorded. The hosting church has made the formal announcement:

"You are cordially invited to a panel discussion at Park HIll Presbyterian Church on April 2, 2012, at 7 p.m. entitled "The Family in Crisis: Three Pastoral Responses." In a discussion moderated by the Rev. Greg Thurston, the Revs. Kevin Swanson, Shawn Mathis, and Matthew Kingsbury will present their views on how the Church should respond to the difficulties faced by Christian families today, interact with one another, and take questions from the audience. Held in conjunction with the next stated meeting of the Presbytery of the Dakotas, this evening is intended primarily to further discussion within the presbytery. As this is a matter of great concern to all the Churches, however, we earnestly desire the interest and input of all the brethren."

As soon as the recordings are up, I'll pass the link on.

A sketch of the history of Christian age-segregation

2012-02-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

The following is a sketch of the facts I have uncovered in my research over the last few years in response to claims from many homeschoolers and/or family-integrated proponents. It is a slightly modified reprint (spelling and format) from the original posting at puritanboard.com:

Hello Boliver,

If you are referring to Divided, please see the comments at the puritan forum here. And my review here.

It is important to know that the organization behind the movie actually has two problems with the modern "youth programs": separation from parents and age-segregation. Thus the history of Christian schooling as well as catechizing are both relevant in showing the gross inaccuracies of this movement.

[To fully understand the NCFIC and her leaders please read my article, What is a Family Integrated Church? (According to a current church member of Mr. Brown's church and one-time intern for Mr. Brown and currently employed with the NCFIC, Mr. Glick, my article was accurate).]

Here is a sample of the history of catechizing (and school class divisions).

Jewish Church: "In this period a synagogue presupposed a school, as with us a church implies a Sunday school. Hence the church and Sunday school, not the church and the district school, is a parallel to the Jewish system. The methods in these schools were not unlike those of the modern Sunday school. Questions were freely asked and answered, and opinions stated and discussed: any one entering them might ask or answer questions. Such a Jewish Bible school, no doubt, Jesus entered in the temple when twelve years old...in the apostolic period teachers were a recognized body of workers quite distinct from pastors, prophets, and evangelists (see 1 Cor. xii. 28, 29; Eph. iv. 11; Heb. v. 12, etc.). The best commentators hold that the peculiar work of teachers in the primitive church was to instruct the young and ignorant in religious truth, which is precisely the object of the Sunday school." (A Religious Encyclopedia, Schaff, 2262)

Ancient Church: “These catechetical classes and schools were intended to prepare neophytes, or new converts, for church-membership, and were also used to instruct the young and the ignorant in the knowledge of God and salvation. They were effective, aggressive missionary agencies in the early Christian churches, and have aptly been termed the 'Sunday schools of the first ages of Christianity.' The pupils were divided into two or three (some say four) classes, according to their proficiency. They memorized passages of Scripture, learned the doctrines of God, creation, providence, sacred history, the fall, the incarnation, resurrection, and future awards and punishments..." (Schaff, ibid)

Reformation & Post-Reformation:

The Geneva Academy had two divisions: schola privata and schola publica (the Academy proper). The schola privata (the lower school) was divided into seven grades, admitting children as young as age six. Most boys stayed in each grade a year, but could advance earlier. School began at six in the summer and seven in the winter and lasted until four in the afternoon. Children went home under escort from nine to eleven in the morning. Classes were on Saturday as well and included an afternoon recess. The children sung Psalms one hour a day as well. Catechism classes were held Sunday afternoons. (The History and Character of Calvinism, John T. McNeil (New York: Oxford University Press, 1967), 194ff. cp. Calvin and the Biblical Languages, John Currid (Christian Focus Publications) 2007).

Article 21 of the Dutch Church Order of Dordt (1618) orders that “consistories everywhere shall see to it that there are good school teachers not only to teach the children reading, writing, languages, and the liberal arts, but also to instruct them in godliness and in the Catechism.” (cf. the full Dordt instruction for catechetical teaching here).

"John Knox devised a system of Sunday schools, at the very beginning of the Reformation in Scotland, which system has been in operation in that country more or less extensively ever since. So that the Sunday schools which now exist in Scotland are derived, not from the system of Raikes in England, but are only a revival of the old system of the Reformer. These schools are frequently referred to in the records of that Church, and in the biographies of good men connected with it. In 1647, the General Assembly recommended to all universities to take account of their scholars on the Sabbath day of the sermons, and of their lessons in the catechism [students at "universities" could be as young as twelve]. John Brown, the godly carrier, had in his day a Sabbath school at Priesthill. It is stated, on the authority of Rev. John Brown, D. D., of Langton, Berwickshire, that Sunday schools were in existence in Glasgow, and other places, in 1707. They were in operation in Glasgow, and other places, in 1759, and also in many places in 1782." (The Congregational Quarterly, 1865, p.20)

The pastors and elders of the Bohemian Unity of Brethren church would assemble the older children of the church after the worship services to examine how well they retained the sermon; “hence our ancestors held separate addresses to the different classes, the beginners, the proficients, the perfect; also to the single, and again to the married by themselves: which practice it is evident was not without its advantage.” "At the conclusion of the noon and afternoon service, the elder youths and girls remain, and are examined by the preacher (one of the elders assisting him with the former, and one of the matrons with the latter) to ascertain what attention they have paid that day in hearing the word of God, and how much each has retained. Moreover, during the Lent season, on Wednesday and Friday evening, meetings are held, termed salva (from the hymn..."Save us, Jesus, heavenly King,") in which the mystery of redemption is diligently inculcated, especially upon the young." (Church Constitution of the Bohemian, 136ff.)

Early America:

The church in Norwich, Connecticut, in the Spring of 1675 covenanted together to instruct their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord: “We do therefore this Day Solemnly Covenant to Endeavour uprightly by dependence upon the Grace of God in Christ Jesus our only Saviour. First, That our Children shall be brought up in the Admonition of the Lord, as in our Families, so in publick; that all the Males who are eight or nine years of age, shall be presented before the Lord in his congregation every Lord’s Day to be Catechised, until they be about thirteen years in age. Second. Those about thirteen years of age, both male and female, shall frequent the meetings appointed in private for their instruction, while they continue under family government, or until they are received to full communion in the church.” (110ff. The Ecclesiastical History of New England, p.665 )

"It is well known that every respectable family had a regular weekly exercise in the catechism [in early New England]; and also that once a week in some towns, or once a month in others, the minister gather the children and youth of his parish, at two o’clock, on Saturday afternoon to catechize them." (The Congregational Quarterly, 1865, 21)

As late as 1808 (before Sunday Schools reached critical mass), the General Association of the Congregationalists in Connecticut, “That they [parents] require them to attend public catechisings till they are fourteen years of age, and thenceforward, during their minority, to attend seasons, that may be appointed by their pastor, for the religious instruction of youth.” The Panoplist, 1808, p.159

"My first acquaintance with Mr. Donnelly [early 1800s] was when I became a pupil in his school in my father's neighbourhood, in Chester District, S. C. I entered his school at an early age; and as he was my first teacher, (my parents excepted,) so he was also among the last. Under his tuition I studied the elementary branches, such as reading, spelling, etc., and recited to him the Larger Catechism. The Bible was not then excluded from the school, on the ground of its being a sectarian book…the afternoon of every alternate Saturday was spent in reciting Catechisms and portions of Scripture, which had been previously committed to memory- He was a rigid disciplinarian of the Old School…” Letter, 1862, Rev. McMillan to William Sprague, Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. 9, p. 26

If you have any more questions please ask.
If interested in more of how Christians educated over the centuries, please see my blog, ChristianNurture.blogspot.com

Additional (2.7.12): I have combed some of the sessional minutes of Scottish churches in the 1600s: they had age-segregated Sunday school between services. I'll gather that info soon Lord willing.

Ron Paul on the National Defense Act

2012-01-24T16:55:00.002-07:00

Ron Paul highlights in South Carolina

2012-01-20T08:36:00.001-07:00

Two things he said that I do not hear other politicians saying: a corrupt culture produces bad laws. And more laws will not fix a corrupt culture.

Federal Reserve finally audited

2012-01-13T08:40:00.002-07:00

Read the report here.

Stewart on Ron Paul being second

2012-01-12T17:57:00.003-07:00

Santorum's view summarized

2012-01-05T21:53:00.001-07:00