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Scriptural Responses to Earthly Leadership

January 19, 2021 by Jenna

earthly leadership nero
As we approach Inauguration Day, you and your children may be having regular conversations about the outcome of the elections, how leaders are chosen, and how Christians should respond to leaders who do not value God’s commands. The Bible should always guide our responses to the major events in our lives. However, our world often appears differently from the way it did in Bible times.

In Bible times, when leaders were often born into their roles, it was easy to see how God chose leaders. In a democracy, the people choose our leaders. Certainly God remains sovereign over all the choices of man, but is it possible that God intended for us to have a better leader but allowed the people to choose a worse leader? Are our current leaders not the leaders He chose for us? How should we as Christians respond to earthly leadership?

The Source of All Earthly Power

While the Bible doesn’t mention democracy as a form of government when it talks about rulers and where their power comes from, it does say that wherever the powerful seem to get their power, that power comes from God (Psalm 75:6–7). In Romans 13, Paul establishes that the whole idea of government, and those that make up government, is instituted by God: “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1b). Governments exist and have authority because God has willed it to be so.

The Response to Divinely Sanctioned Authority

Paul goes on to teach that, because government is from God, the authority of government officials is sanctioned by God. “Wherefore (because the powers that be are ordained of God) ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” Romans 13:5. If we disobey government, we also disobey God. We can’t say that God has not chosen our leaders in order to justify disobedience to the government. Rather, we are to “render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:7). We don’t just give taxes, but also honor and obedience.

The Only Reason for Disobedience

Since all people are sinners, earthly governments and the people that make up governments are broken. Secular leaders often choose to hinder the spread of the gospel and the teaching of God’s truth, and the persecution of Christians may come at the hands of governments. Christians must continue to follow God’s commands, no matter the demands of the government they are under. In Acts 5, the Sanhedrin command Peter and the apostles to stop proclaiming the name of Jesus. But they respond with “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). So long as our governments allow us to continue following God’s commands, we should honor and obey them. If our government prevents us from following His commands, then we must follow God’s commands, even if it means government consequences and punishments.

The Testimony of Obedience

It may be tempting to think that we can better support and advance God’s purposes in the world by constantly declaring every way that our government and leaders are wrong. But being disagreeable doesn’t change minds. Instead, Peter tells us that we should submit to our government in order to have a good testimony before a lost world. “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:13–15). We do kingdom work as we humbly submit ourselves to our government for the Lord’s sake.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33–34). The ways of the Lord are matchless and mysterious and often beyond our understanding. In His love, grace, and power, He may choose good leaders or bad leaders for us. He may use our earthly leadership for punishment or for blessing, and we could not fathom His purposes. After all, if God had not put a man who chose to please the crowds in charge of Jerusalem, would Pilate have given over an innocent man to certain death? We might not guess God’s intentions, but we can know that He has chosen each of our rulers.

Filed Under: Shaping Worldview Tagged With: biblical worldview, christian worldview, government, homeschool, inauguration day, obedience

4 Simple Options for Modifying BJU Press Curriculum

January 12, 2021 by Jenna

boy using spelling 3 modifying curriculum post
Have you ever noticed that life and homeschool curriculum just don’t always see eye-to-eye? The days are either too short or they somehow get too full. How can you possibly get every subject done and all the extras, too? If you’re overwhelmed with life events, if you’re transitioning to a new curriculum, if you’re just getting into homeschooling, or if you’re spending way too much time each day just getting through curriculum, it may be time to consider modifying your curriculum to make it simpler for you and your children.

This doesn’t need to be another daunting task for you to accomplish. Modifying your BJU Press curriculum doesn’t usually mean rewriting it or finding additional resources to add to your day. Modifying either your parent-led or video course curriculum usually means deciding which resources provide the most value to your family and focusing on those. Our writers never intended for students to answer every question and complete every activity. Each book has more than you need for the completion of the course. An important learning principle is that successful education doesn’t mean doing all the things all the time. Successful learning comes when you do the things you have time to do effectively. We will look at ways to modify the program so it works better for you, but first, here are some things to consider before making those modifications.

[Read more…] about 4 Simple Options for Modifying BJU Press Curriculum

Filed Under: Simplified Homeschool Tagged With: homeschool, learning styles, modifying curriculum, types of questions

4 Tips for Creating a Positive Tone in Your Homeschool

January 5, 2021 by Megan

mother daughter with positive tone
Homeschooling is hard. Parenting is even harder. We homeschool parents probably have it the hardest of all—we have to be both the teacher and the parent all day long. This dual role can be a blessing. We have the opportunity to deal with character issues that would likely not be addressed if our child sat in a traditional classroom. But wearing both hats can also be deeply discouraging. Without a positive tone in our homeschool, we may feel like we are constantly having to correct our children. We’re correcting their schoolwork, their attitudes, and wrong behavior. Correction, correction, correction. All. Day. Long.

We homeschool parents have a unique superpower—we set the tone of the atmosphere in our homes. Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling grumpy everyone in your house gets grumpy too? The same phenomena happens when we are full of joy. It’s contagious. So if we want to change the tone in our home away from the constant doom and gloom of correction, we are going to need to change both our words and our actions. Here are some ways to get you started on creating a positive tone in your homeschool.

Read tips for creating a positive tone in your homeschool!

Filed Under: Shaping Worldview Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool parenting, parenting, Positive reinforcement, tone

Snow Day Activities: Choosing Joy in the Winter

December 18, 2020 by Guest Writer

snow flake for snow day activities
Snow fell for three days in a row, burying my yard in over two feet of dense slush. It was March, and I was ready for spring. But I had to dig out of more snow than I had seen in my lifetime! What an introduction to a Midwest winter. I grew up in the south, where snow days were too few. But I was not enjoying them as an adult. Maybe you have read this anonymous quote, “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.”

Instead of letting winter weather get you down, find ways to keep learning. Enjoy God’s winter creation like you do the other seasons. It would be easy to let winter keep you from restarting school after the break. Ease into it, and choose joy in some of these winter weather learning opportunities. Every subject has winter learning potential.

[Read more…] about Snow Day Activities: Choosing Joy in the Winter

Filed Under: Successful Learning Tagged With: homeschool, joy, snow, winter

Celebrate the Life of Christ!

December 18, 2020 by Jenna

merry Christmas: celebrate Christ!
This coming year holds much uncertainty. Uncertainty for families, uncertainty for our country, and uncertainty for the whole world. After a tumultuous 2020, the unknowns of 2021 may tempt us to be anxious and afraid. But Christ promises true peace and joy if we trust in Him. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, let us all celebrate the life of Christ before the new year. And may we begin this new year filled with hope because Christ has overcome the world. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Filed Under: Shaping Worldview Tagged With: 2020, 2021, celebrate Christmas, celebrate life of Christ, Christmas

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The BJU Press blog publishes content by different writers for the purpose of relating to our varied readers. Views and opinions expressed by these writers do not necessarily state or reflect the views of BJU Press or its affiliates. The fact that a link is listed on this blog does not represent or imply that BJU Press endorses its site or contents from the standpoint of ethics, philosophy, theology, or scientific hypotheses. Links are posted on the basis of the information and/or services that the sites offer. If you have comments, suggestions, questions, or find that one of the links no longer works, please contact us.

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