In this episode of the CounterRevolution Podcast, John Rushemeza examines the ideology behind modern education—specifically critical pedagogy, the educational arm of critical theory that now shapes teacher training, curriculum design, and social-emotional learning in many schools.

Drawing on the work of thinkers like Paulo Freire, Henry Giroux, and the history of the public school system, this episode explores how education has increasingly become a tool for cultural transformation, political activism, and ideological formation.

Christians often assume schools simply teach reading, writing, and math. But the truth is that education is never neutral—it always disciples.

This episode explores:

• The historical origins of public schooling
• The rise of critical pedagogy and neo-Marxist education theory
• How Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and other frameworks apply these ideas in classrooms
• Why many educators openly reject the idea of educational neutrality
• Why the church and Christian families must reclaim education as a form of discipleship

If education shapes worldview, then Christians cannot ignore what children are being taught.

• What critical pedagogy actually teaches
• The influence of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed
• The role of Henry Giroux in spreading critical education theory
• The historical development of government schooling
• Why many critical theorists say education is inherently political
• The connection between critical pedagogy and social emotional learning (SEL)
• Why Christians must reclaim education as a ministry of family and church

00:00 Introduction – Why Education Matters
01:40 The Purpose of the Counter-Revolution Podcast
03:20 Why education cannot exist without truth
05:10 The myth that public schools are neutral
07:45 The historical origins of the public school system
12:00 Education as a tool for social control
18:10 Education is discipleship (whether we admit it or not)
20:30 What is Critical Pedagogy?
23:30 Paulo Freire and Pedagogy of the Oppressed
28:10 Why critical theorists reject educational neutrality
33:45 Henry Giroux and the spread of critical pedagogy
37:40 Critical consciousness and ideological transformation
42:20 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and critical pedagogy
46:30 The Supreme Court case and LGBT curriculum debates
53:40 Why education activism starts with worldview formation
58:10 Why the church must lead in reclaiming education
1:02:00 A call for Christians to build new institutions

Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy…”

If you want thoughtful conversations about Christian education, worldview, and cultural renewal, subscribe to the channel and share this episode.

The Counter-Revolution Podcast explores how Christians can reclaim education, culture, and discipleship by recovering a distinctly biblical philosophy of learning.

Are Christian parents, pastors, and grandparents finally ready to face the truth about government schooling?

In this episode of The Counterrevolution Podcast, I sit down with Alex Newman and Robert Bortins, co-authors of Woke and Weaponized, to talk about the spiritual, historical, and ideological roots of America’s education system.

This isn’t a conversation about test scores or policy tweaks.

It’s about discipleship.

Because education is never neutral.
Someone will shape your children.
The question is: you or the state?

We discuss:

* Why government schools were never meant to be neutral
* The Marxist and progressive roots of modern education
* John Dewey, Robert Owen, and the intentional reshaping of society through schools
* Why “School Choice” (government-funded private education) is not true freedom
* The difference between education independence and government dependence
* Why pastors must start paying attention
* Homeschooling and church-based education as frontline resistance
* Practical steps families and churches can take right now

If you care about the next generation, this conversation is for you.

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Guests:
Alex Newman – Journalist, founder of Liberty Sentinel
Robert Bortins – CEO, Classical Conversations

Timestamps:
00:00 Why parents and pastors should care
03:30 Why this book, why now
08:30 How this differs from earlier books
15:00 Education is never neutral
22:00 The historical roots of government schooling
28:00 Can we “fix” public schools?
34:00 School choice vs “School Choice”
42:00 Alternatives and practical solutions
50:00 Why Classical Conversations refuses government money
56:00 The path forward for families and churches
1:01:00 Final encouragement and resources

🧭 Episode SummaryIn this episode, I address a revived age old debate within evangelical circles: Is it sinful for Christian parents to place their children in government (public) schools? Sparked by Doug Wilson’s recent “No Quarter November” comments and Owen Strachan’s written rebuttal, I walk listeners through the theological, historical, and cultural arguments surrounding Christian education.

I explain why I largely agree with Doug Wilson’s premise—that education is always discipleship and therefore never neutral—and why I believe the government education system is fundamentally opposed to biblical Christianity in its design, origins, and daily practice. As Doug puts it, “Having Christian children in the government school system is what theologians of another era would have called sinnity-sin-sin.”

I then respond to Owen Strachan’s objection to the claim that it is sinful for Christians to put their children in the government school system. Owen argues that public schooling remains a “gray area,” and I take time to carefully examine the assumptions behind that argument.This episode calls Christian parents, pastors, and institutions to re-evaluate their relationship with public schooling, understand its unavoidable worldview implications, and pursue faithful, sacrificial alternatives grounded in Scripture.⏱️ Chapters00:00 — Introduction to the Counterrevolution Podcast00:47 — The Purpose of Education in a Christian Context04:09 — Debate on Government Schools and Sin09:29 — Responses from Prominent Evangelicals14:54 — The Case Against Government Education20:56 — Understanding the System: A Biblical Perspective26:38 — The Role of Christians in Education32:41 — The Need for New Institutions38:35 — Concluding Thoughts on Education and Discipleship48:03 — The Dilemma of Education Choices51:11 — The Monolithic Nature of Public Schools59:31 — Discipleship Through Education01:06:57 — The Sin of Compromised Education01:11:15 — The Call for Courageous Action01:17:59 — Outro🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Education as discipleship, not neutrality• The seriousness of labeling something “sin”• How Christians of past generations viewed government schooling• Owen Strachan’s “gray area” argument• The myth that public schools vary fundamentally across the country• Historical roots of the American school system (Mann, Dewey, secular humanism)• Why Christian teachers in public schools cannot disciple• How SEL and humanistic frameworks shape student beliefs• The church’s responsibility to teach, warn, and provide alternatives• The moral responsibility of parents who understand the dangers• The call for institution-building and long-term Christian reformation

📚 Resources & References Mentioned

• Doug Wilson — No Quarter November• Owen Strachan — “Doug Wilson vs the Public Schools on the Freedom of the Gospel”• Alex Newman — Indoctrinating Our Children to Death• David Goodwin & Pete Hegseth — Battle for the American Mind• Israel Wayne — Education: Does God Have an Opinion?• Foundational quotes from Horace Mann, John Dewey, Francis Potter• R.C. Sproul on the myth of educational neutrality• Pastor Doug Wilson — The Case for Classical Christian Education📝 John’s Core Argument• Education is always discipleship.• Government schools were built on anti-Christian presuppositions.• Christian parents who knowingly choose such systems over faithful alternatives commit sin.• Many Christians choose government schooling from habit or convenience, not conviction.• The church must speak clearly and build new institutions.• True reformation requires courage, sacrifice, and countercultural obedience.

If this episode challenged or encouraged you, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and check out Substack for more essays and commentary. Consider supporting the ministry as we work to redeem, reform and reclaim education as a ministry of the family and the local church.

The Mask Is Coming Off: The Fetzer Institute’s Next Move on Government Education

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Counter-Revolution Podcast, I unpack one of the most important truths we need to recover as Christians: education is discipleship.

Education is never neutral—it always forms beliefs, values, and worldviews. The question isn’t whether our children are being discipled—it’s who is discipling them.

I take a close look at a recent statement from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) about “educating the whole child,” and I explain why this idea of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is not just educational—it’sspiritual formation rooted in secular humanism.

I also expose how organizations like the Fetzer Institute and CASEL are openly promoting a new kind of spirituality in education that leaves Christ out entirely, while reintroducing pagan, mystical ideas in His place.

This episode is a call for parents, pastors, and churches to wake up, take responsibility, and reclaim education as a Christ-centered ministry of the home and the local church.

🔑 Key Points

• Education is discipleship. Every school system is shaping hearts and minds.

• Parents are the primary educators. God gave children to their parents, not to the state.

• The local church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is spiritual formation—just not in Christ.

• The Fetzer Institute and similar groups are pushing spirituality without the Gospel.

• 92% of U.S. public schools use SEL, meaning nearly every child is being discipled by a secular worldview.

• True Christian education must be Christ-centered, Bible-saturated, and church-supported.

  
  

  Scripture References

• 1 Timothy 3:15 – The church as the foundation of truth

• Ephesians 6:4 – Parents raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord

• John 14:6 – Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life

• Matthew 12:30 – “Whoever is not with Me is against Me.”

  Topics I Discuss

• The AFT’s post about “educating the whole child”

• How SEL serves as secular discipleship

• The spiritual and mystical origins of SEL

• The Fetzer Institute’s “spirituality in education” initiative

• Why public education cannot be neutral or redeemed

• The biblical model for family and church-based education

• Mentioned Resources

• American Federation of Teachers (AFT) – Post on whole-child education

• Fetzer Institute – Promoting “spiritual education” globally

• CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) – SEL advocacy

• Lisa Logan, Education Manifesto – Substack article on SEL’s religious roots

• Fetzer Institute Video: The Science of Spirituality and Education (YouTube)

Quote Highlights

“Education and discipleship are not two separate programs—they are one and the same.”

“Social and Emotional Learning is a doctrine of demons—it’s discipleship, just not unto Christ."

My Challenge to You

• Parents: Pull your children out of government schools. There is no neutral ground.

• Pastors: Study, teach, and warn your congregations about the spiritual nature of education.

• Christians: Build and support Christ-centered alternatives.

• Listeners: Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with others.

  
  

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Quote Highlights

“Education and discipleship are not two separate programs—they are oneand the same.”

“Social and Emotional Learning is a doctrine of demons—it’s discipleship,just not unto Christ.”

“You can’t make the world more loving without Christ—it’s impossible.”

“Education must be Christ-centered, Bible-saturated, and submitted to theauthority of Scripture.”

My Challenge to You

Connect with Me

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Summary:In this episode of the Counterrevolution podcast, John interviews Garritt Hampton, a filmmaker and advocate for homeschooling. They discuss the importance of education as discipleship, the role of parents in educating their children, and the challenges and rewards of homeschooling. Garritt shares his personal journey from working in Hollywood to becoming a homeschooling advocate, and the making of the documentary 'Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution'.TakeawaysEducation is discipleship, not just academics.Parents are called to steward their children's hearts and minds.Homeschooling allows for a biblical worldview in education.Public schools are not neutral; they have an agenda.The church should support parents in educating their children.Government involvement in education can lead to control.Homeschooling can be done with limited resources.Revival in education starts with individual families.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Garritt Hampton00:03:00 The Importance of Education as Discipleship00:09:00 Garritt's Journey from Hollywood to Homeschooling00:15:00 Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling00:21:00 The Role of the Church in Education00:27:00 Government Involvement and Control00:33:00 Revival and the Future of EducationStay ConnectedCheck out my Substack: ⁠substack.com/@johnrushemeza⁠ Support the show: ⁠coff.ee/jrushemeza⁠Follow me: ⁠@JohnRushemeza on X⁠Follow Garritt: ⁠GarrittHampton

In this episode, my brother Lennox Kalifungwa returns to The Counterrevolution Podcast for another thought-provoking conversation.He unpacks the urgent need to build distinctly Christian cultures and restore education, leadership, and creativity to their biblical foundations.Lennox explains why classical Christian education is vital for shaping future generations who think and live according to truth, beauty, and goodness.He challenges believers to recover confidence in their faith, lead in institution building, and engage boldly in cultural renewal because when the Church withdraws, society decays.Rejecting God, he argues, inevitably leads to chaos, but living in alignment with God’s created order brings **true freedom and flourishing.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Lennox Kalifungwa03:00 – Building Distinctly Christian Cultures06:00 – The Role of Classical Christian Education09:00 – Exploring Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Society12:00 – Institution Building as a Path to Cultural Renewal15:00 – The Church’s Mandate in Discipling NationsKey Takeaways:* Building distinctly Christian cultures is essential for societal transformation.* Classical Christian education shapes the next generation of leaders.* Christians must lead in cultural renewal and institution building.* Truth, beauty, and goodness are inseparable foundations for education and life.* Rejecting God leads to moral and cultural chaos.* Education should be rooted in objective truth and God’s created reality.* The Church’s mission is to disciple nations and shape culture.* True freedom means living in harmony with God’s order.---Notable Quotes: “The state of the culture is the resume of the Church.”“Building distinctly Christian cultures is essential for renewal.”“Truth, beauty, and goodness are inseparable realities.”“Freedom means living according to God’s created order.”Resources Mentioned:* No Place for Truth — David Wells* The Case for Classical Christian Education — Douglas Wilson* Dominion — Tom HollandAbout This Episode:This conversation calls Christians to **reclaim the task of discipling nations**, restoring education, and building institutions that reflect God’s truth and order.If you care about **faith, education, and cultural renewal**, this episode will challenge and inspire you to think bigger about what it means to live as a Christian in today’s world.Connect:👉 Subscribe to The Counterrevolution Podcast for more conversations on faith, culture, and education.👉 Follow me on X @JohnRushemeza#ChristianEducation #CulturalRenewal #BiblicalWorldview #LennoxKalifungwa #CounterrevolutionPodcast #ChristianCulture #TruthBeautyGoodness #ClassicalEducation #DisciplingNations #ChristianLeadership

Welcome back, family and friends! I’m your host, John Rushemeza, and this is the CounterRevolution Podcast—a podcast dedicated to unpacking education, equipping Christians to think biblically about discipleship, and reclaiming education as a ministry of both the family and the local church.

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Polander, Director of the Turning Point Education Association (formerly Turning Point Academy Association). Scott shares his personal story of faith and ministry, his experiences studying and serving overseas, and his current work equipping churches and families to take education back from the state and root it firmly in God’s Word.

• Scott’s journey from Wheaton College to seminary in Sydney, Australia, and years of pastoral ministry.

• Why education is mission and how the church cannot outsource discipleship to the government.

• The Five C’s model of education:

  1. Christian – God as the foundation of true knowledge.

  2. Classical – Building on the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages.

  3. Conservative – Preserving what has been faithfully handed down.

  4. Collaborative – Partnership between families and churches.

  5. Cost-Affordable – Making quality Christian education accessible.

• Turning Point’s work:

  • Planting classical Christian schools across the U.S.

  • Providing free curriculum (like the popular Constitution Kid).

  • Hosting the annual Educator Summit with leaders such as Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Carol Swain, and David Goodwin.

  • Coaching churches through an 11-month process to start schools.

• The importance of the local church reclaiming education as discipleship (1 Timothy 3:15).

• Why separating “spiritual” education from “formal” education has been a grave mistake for Christians.

• Education is not neutral—remove God, and even math and science become distorted.

• Churches used to lead in education, and they must reclaim that role today.

• Resources are already available—pastors and families don’t have to start from scratch.

• Turning Point Education equips and connects like-minded believers so they don’t feel isolated in this fight.

• Learn more about Turning Point Education

• Explore the Turning Point Education Association

• Check out the book The Trellis and the Vine (mentioned by Scott)

• Summit Ministries – Biblical worldview training for students and leaders

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a pastor, educator, or parent who is wrestling with the question of Christian education. Together, we can redeem, reform, and reclaim education for the glory of God.

🔑 Topics We Cover🙌 Key Takeaways📚 Resources & Links🎧 Listen & Share

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I share my heart on why Christians need to take education seriously as discipleship. For me, education is not neutral — it’s always about forming hearts and minds. That’s why I believe families and the church must reclaim education from the culture, because public schools are discipling our children away from Christ.

I walk through the alarming reality: research shows that 92% of conservative Protestant families send their kids to public schools, and 83% of evangelical teens are in those schools. Yet many of these students abandon their faith by the time they finish college. That’s no accident — it’s the fruit of a system designed to undermine biblical truth.

I also expose the real agenda of the National Education Association (NEA). Becky Pringle, the president of the NEA, recently gave a speech that sounded less like professional development and more like a political and religious sermon. She used language of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” as if these were sacred values, while pushing critical pedagogy rooted in Marxist and socialist ideologies.

This is why I say public schools are not safe or neutral. They are mission fields for a secular religion that directly opposes the gospel. The NEA is not just about teachers’ rights — it’s about power, politics, and shaping culture. And Christian parents who send their kids into that system need to realize what’s really happening.

Key Points I Cover:

• Why education is discipleship.

• Statistics on Christian families and public schools.

• How the NEA and Becky Pringle openly reveal their agenda.

• Why critical pedagogy is a threat to biblical truth.

• How DEI functions like a religion in public schools.

• The urgent call for families and churches to reclaim education.

Scripture I Share:

• 1 Timothy 3:15 — the church as the pillar of truth.

• Matthew 28:19–20 — the Great Commission as both preaching and teaching.

• Ephesians 5 — exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness.

My Takeaway:
I believe it is time for Christians to remove their children from public schools and disciple them in the truth of Jesus Christ. The NEA has made its agenda clear, and as believers, we cannot stand by silently. Education belongs to the family and the church — not to a godless system.

In this conversation, Bryan Osborne discusses the critical issues surrounding Critical Race Theory (CRT) and its implications for the church and society. He emphasizes the importance of a biblical worldview in understanding justice, identity, and authority. Bryan argues that CRT undermines biblical authority and the sufficiency of the gospel, presenting a false narrative that divides society into oppressors and the oppressed. He encourages parents and church leaders to equip the next generation with a solid foundation in biblical truth to combat these ideologies.

Takeaways

• Critical Race Theory undermines biblical authority.
• A biblical worldview is essential for understanding justice.
• There are only two authorities: man's word and God's word.
• The gospel is sufficient for racial reconciliation.
• Parents must ground their children in biblical truth.
• Critical Race Theory is a new face of an old idea.
• The secular worldview lacks a consistent moral foundation.
• Social justice and biblical justice are fundamentally different.
• White fragility is a concept used to silence opposition.
• Education is a key battleground for these ideologies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brian Osborne and His Work

09:32 Understanding Worldview and Its Importance

16:57 Defining Critical Race Theory

21:25 Critical Race Theory as a False Gospel

29:17 Understanding Critical Race Theory

35:06 The Impact of Critical Race Theory on Society

40:57 Infiltration of Critical Race Theory in the Church

51:23 Social Justice vs. Biblical Justice

57:24 Understanding Relativism and Authority

01:01:52 The Role of Parents in Education

01:07:16 Building a Biblical Worldview

01:14:36 The Sufficiency of the Gospel

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Guest: Rhonda Thomas, CEO of Truth in Education

In this powerful episode of the Counter Revolution podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Thomas, founder and CEO of Truth in Education, to expose the spiritual dangers behind the growing push for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in our schools.

Rhonda doesn’t hold back as she exposes SEL for what it is, a “doctrine of demons” disguised as psychological support. We unpack its spiritual roots, connections to Eastern mysticism, and how it subtly replaces biblical truth with secular ideologies. More than just a curriculum concern, SEL is a spiritual weapon from the forces of darkness and our children are the targets.

We also discuss the urgent need for churches to engage in the fight, the role of education as discipleship, and what parents and pastors can do right now to push back. This is more than a teaching method, it’s about the soul of the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• SEL is more than a teaching method—it’s a belief system that conflicts with a biblical worldview.

• The church must reclaim its voice in education and advocate for truth.

• Parents are called to be spiritually and intellectually engaged in their children’s learning.

• Biblical compassion must be taught over secular “empathy.”

• Education shapes disciples—either for truth or deception.

  
  

If you’re a parent, pastor, or educator who cares about the future of our children, now is the time to get informed, speak up, and take a stand. Visit Truth in Education to learn more and get involved.