The Harsh Truth about Public Schools

I have been looking for a book for young parents that are considering what type of schooling to pursue for their children. Do they consider public schools, private schools, Christian schools or homeschooling? I believe that I have found what I have been looking for in The Harsh Truth about Public Schools by Bruce N. Shortt. This book was originally printed in 2004 and then reprinted in 2007. Mr. Shortt and T.C. Pickney made national news in 2004 when they submitted the Christian Education Resolution for consideration at the Southern Baptist Convention. They had recommended homeschooling as the best choice.

This book contains 466 pages. It is well documented.
Titles of chapters include the following:
Why are you educating your children at a pagan seminary?
Do you like your daughter's nose-ring and tongue stud?
My child is on the honor roll
A blackboard jungle
School reform: A popular delusion
Government schools: The wages of Christian sin
Are your children unequally yoked?
Leading your children into the Promised Land of Homeschooling and Christian Schools.

Martin Luther is quoted in the introduction of the book. Here is what Luther says: " I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth."

As I read this book I thought of all the Christians I know who send their children to the public schools. I know pastors who send their children to the public schools. I just do not understand. Deuteronomy 6: 5- 7 must be missing from their Bibles. " You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." In the chapter titled Are your children unequally yoked? it states that 85% of children from Christian families are in government schools. That is a lot of Christian children in the public schools. It would appear that Christian parents differ very little from non-Christian parents regarding the education of their children. Another verse that must be missing from some Christian parents' Bible is Romans 12: 2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you many prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. "

Bruce Shortt's book is straightforward and easy to read. This book is based upon a clear understanding of God's educational mandate to parents. We as parents are to educate our children. Also, included in this book is a description of the anti-Christian thrust of the government school system which results in moral relativism, academic dumbing down, far-left programs, and near absence of discipline.

I do recommend this book to all young parents who are considering school choices. God does hold us responsible for the education of our children.