In this conversation, Douglas J. Pietersma, Ed.D explores the vital role of home education as a form of discipleship, distinguishing it from traditional schooling. Drawing from biblical foundations, he unpacks the responsibilities of parents, the church, and the broader Christian community in the formation of children. Dr. Pietersma, also critiques the influence of secular ideologies on modern education, and calls believers to reexamine the historical and philosophical roots of public schooling. This episode is a timely challenge to reclaim education with Christ at the center.📝 Key TakeawaysEducation and schooling are not the same—education is discipleship.The Bible provides a clear framework for how children should be taught.Parents are the primary educators of their children.The church must support families in their educational calling.Critical theory and secular humanism shape much of today’s public education.A revival in education requires a return to biblical foundations.Christian schools should focus on discipleship and evangelism, not just academics.Government policies often undermine parental authority in education.🔖 Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Home Education and Its Importance03:08 – Defining Education vs. Schooling11:59 – Biblical Foundations of Education19:07 – Education as Discipleship28:03 – Parental Rights in Education36:07 – Philosophies of Education and Their Implications41:51 – Understanding Critical Theory and Its Implications44:09 – The Role of Parents in Education49:14 – Historical Context of Public Education52:25 – The Influence of Atheism in Education56:58 – Critical Pedagogy and Its Roots01:00:24 – Challenges Faced by Teachers and Students01:02:03 – The Salt and Light Argument in Education01:10:25 – The Church's Responsibility in Education01:18:43 – The Path Forward for Christian Families🔉 Memorable Quotes“Education is discipleship.”“All education is religious in nature.”“God has a plan for education.”❤️ Support the ShowIf you found this episode valuable, consider supporting the work:☕ Buy me a coffee📬 Subscribe on Substack📢 Share the episode and leave a review to help others discover the show!

In this episode of the Counterrevolution Podcast, John had the privilege of speaking to the Great Larry Alex Taunton. Larry Alex Taunton is the Executive Director of the Fixed Point Foundation and the host of Ideas Have Consequences. We discuss the significance of ideas, good or bad and their consequences in shaping culture. Larry is in the business of demolishing "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God". We explore the importance of education as a form of discipleship, the role of parents in their children's education, and the need for a biblical perspective on ideas in general. He emphasizes the necessity for parents to take an active role in their children's upbringing and education, advocating for homeschooling as a means to instill values and beliefs effectively.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Larry Alex Taunton

02:54 The Concept of Ideas Have Consequences

08:14 Biblical Perspectives on Ideas

17:29 The Importance of Education in Discipleship

29:00 The Role of Parents in Education

40:14 Final Thoughts on Parenting and Education

Resources Mentioned

• 🎙 Ideas Have Consequences Podcast (Larry Taunton)

• 📖 The Faith of Christopher Hitchens – Larry Alex Taunton

• 📖 Around the World in More Than 80 Days – Larry Alex Taunton

  
  

  Stay Connected

• Check out my Substack: substack.com/@johnrushemeza

•  Support the show: coff.ee/jrushemeza

• Follow me: @JohnRushemeza on X

• Follow Larry: @LarryTaunton on X

📅 Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Lennox Kalifungwa to discuss the high stakes of modern education from a biblical worldview. Drawing on two of his recent writings—Sauron’s Sorcery as Secretary of Education and The Great Reformers Didn’t Need Seminary—Lennox calls Christian parents, pastors, and educators to sacrifice comfort, reclaim discipleship, and restore the Church’s role in raising the next generation.

This is a wake-up call: education is not neutral, and the State is not a co-parent. If we fail to disciple our children in the truth, the world will gladly disciple them in lies.

Lennox Kalifungwa
Christian thinker, writer, and speaker
Substack: lennoxkalifungwa.substack.com
Twitter/X: @LennoxKal

• Why education is always theological, never neutral

• The spiritual consequences of State-controlled schooling

• What Tolkien’s Sauron teaches us about Statism

• How Christian parents unintentionally partner with Caesar

• Why the Church must rebuild a distinctly Christian education model

• The legacy of Reformers who shaped nations through biblical conviction

• The call to raise disciples—not subjects or consumers

📖 Article 1: Sauron’s Sorcery as Secretary of Education
📖 Article 2: The Great Reformers Didn’t Need Seminary

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Lennox Kalifungwa

03:11 The Role of Education in Society

05:45 Sauron and the State's Role in Education

08:53 The Dangers of State Education

12:01 The Myth of Neutral Education

14:48 Idolatry of the State

17:52 The Church's Role in Education

20:58 The Sovereignty of God in Education

24:01 The Call to Action for Christians

26:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

47:46 The Role of Fathers in Education

54:08 Understanding Christian Paideia

59:46 The Impact of Seminaries on Theology

01:09:49 The Need for a Theology of Everything

01:20:03 Reclaiming Education for the Church

01:27:46 Practical Steps for Reforming Education

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a parent, pastor, or educator.
📩 Subscribe for future episodes and bonus content.
💬 Have feedback or a question for Lennox?

In this episode of Counterrevolution, I’m joined by Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations®, for a conversation on the spiritual crisis in education.

Robert isn’t just another voice in the homeschool world—he’s the embodiment of a Christian counterrevolutionary. Under his leadership, Classical Conversations has grown from a grassroots effort to the largest classical homeschooling organization in the world, serving families in over fifty countries.

He’s a man with a global vision, grounded in local obedience:

• He sits on the academic board of the Classical Learning Test

• Advises Gutenberg College

• And is a member of the C12 Group, the largest Christian CEO network in the world

In this episode, we dive into the growing popularity of school choice among Christian and conservative circles—and why Robert believes it’s not just flawed, but theologically dangerous.

“Whenever a Christian supports school choice, what they’re really saying is, ‘I support the government confiscating your home... and using it to fund my child’s education.’ That’s not charity—it’s economic idolatry.”

Robert doesn’t mince words. He warns that accepting Caesar’s money invites Caesar’s control, Robert doesn’t hold back from challenging prominent conservative leaders and organizations, who suggest that government funds are acceptable at least for now. Robert insists the corruption is the system: coercive tax redistribution can never be justified biblically.

We also explore:

• The Protestant compromises of the 1800s

• Why education is under divine judgment, not just political failure

• And how Choose Education Independence offers a way forward rooted in:

  • Parental authority

  • Church-based discipleship

  • Private funding

  • And trust in God, not the state

This is a message the Church desperately needs right now. If you believe education is about discipleship, then who funds it—and who controls it—matters more than ever.

Host: John Rushemeza
Guest: Kerry Lee Morgan, Attorney and Legal Scholar

In this episode of CounterRevolution, host John Rushemeza sits down with attorney Kerry Lee Morgan to explore the far-reaching implications of compulsory education laws. They argue that these laws infringe upon parental rights and religious freedom, raising critical questions about the state's role in shaping educational content. Through historical analysis and legal perspectives, the conversation highlights the clash between government control and family authority.

Morgan emphasizes the importance of a Christian philosophy of education rooted in biblical principles and critiques the effectiveness of government-controlled schooling. The episode delves into topics such as the impact of truancy laws, the public good argument for education, and the historical context of state involvement in education. It ultimately calls for parents to reclaim their authority and reestablish the church's role in supporting education.

• Compulsory education, while often seen as necessary, may be tyrannical and coercive.

• Kerry Lee Morgan brings deep legal and historical insights to the discussion.

• Truancy laws can lead to severe consequences for families.

• Government overreach in education infringes on parental rights and religious freedom.

• Parents are more equipped to educate their children than the state.

• The public good argument for compulsory education is flawed and should be re-evaluated.

• The church has a critical role in supporting and discipling children through education.

• Historical laws, such as the Old Deluder Satan Act and Virginia's emphasis on reason-based education, illustrate the tension between state control and parental authority.

• Figures like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson advocated for freedom of thought and opposed coercion in education and religion.

00:00 – Introduction to Compulsory Education and Its Implications
04:59 – Kerry Lee Morgan's Background and Insights
10:11 – The Nature of Compulsory Education Laws
14:53 – Truancy Laws and Parental Rights
19:49 – The State's Role in Education and Parental Authority
25:04 – The Argument Against Government-Controlled Education
29:54 – The Crisis in Education and Community Responsibility
35:12 – The Public Good Argument and Education
39:57 – The Role of the Church in Education
45:00 – The Salt and Light Argument in Public Schools
50:02 – Historical Context of Education Laws
55:04 – Conclusion and Future Considerations
56:12 – Historical Context of Education and Religion
01:03:16 – Government Control and Family Life
01:10:40 – The Role of Parents in Education
01:18:27 – Legal Perspectives on Education and Religion
01:25:39 – The Challenge of Changing Mindsets
01:37:15 – The Call for a Christian Philosophy of Education

✅ Compulsory Education as Tyranny: Exploring the coercive nature of state-controlled education and its impact on family autonomy.
✅ Historical Legal Perspectives: Insights into laws and constitutional perspectives that emphasize reason and oppose coercion.
✅ Truancy Laws and Family Impact: Understanding the severe consequences that truancy laws impose on families.
✅ A Call for Christian Education: Advocating for a philosophy of education aligned with biblical principles.

✅ Stay connected with Counter-Revolution for future episodes exploring faith, freedom, and family.

If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it and leaving a review to help others discover the show.

Description:
In this episode of the Counterrevolution Podcast, John Rushemeza and journalist Alex Newman expose the global education agenda shaping young minds. They discuss UNESCO’s push for global citizenship, the hidden influences of organizations like the Fetzer Institute, and the growing role of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools. We also discussed "School Choice", its link to UNESCO and their global agenda for education. Is education just about academics, or is it a battleground for indoctrination?

🔹 How UNESCO and Common Core influence education globally
🔹 The real meaning behind Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
🔹 The spiritual dangers of secular education frameworks
🔹 Why school choice might actually increase government control
🔹 The urgent need for Christian discipleship in education

🎙️ Don’t miss this powerful conversation on why education is at the heart of the culture wars—and what parents and churches must do to reclaim it.

📢 Subscribe for more critical discussions on faith, culture, and education!

#Education #ChristianPhilosophy #UNESCO #GlobalCitizenship #CommonCore #SEL #CultureWars #Discipleship #ParentalResponsibility #ChristianValues #SchoolChoice

This is the second part of my conversation with John Stamper, this time focusing on his book, Courage to Stand: Profiles of Enduring Faith. In this discussion, we explore the themes of courage, faith, and the importance standing on our convictions no matter what.

John shares powerful stories from his book, highlighting Christians who remained steadfast in their faith despite great challenges. We draw connections between these historical figures and the struggles believers face today, emphasizing the need for boldness, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God.

We also discuss the importance of living out one’s faith in a world that often opposes biblical truth, the challenges Christians face today, and the vital role of community support in standing firm. The conversation encourages believers to be doers of the Word, prepared for adversity, and committed to seeking God with intention.

Finally, we reflect on the purpose of Stamper’s book—to inspire courage in believers across all walks of life—and the necessity of speaking truth in love to those searching for faith.

Takeaways

• Every Christian should have a Christian philosophy of education.
• Courage to Stand is aimed at Christians in public schools.
• The stories in the book apply to Christians of all ages.
• Courageous stands are taken by everyday people.
• Christianity requires actions and courage.
• The book serves as a guide for building spiritual resilience.
• Historical figures provide relatable examples of faith.
• Seeking God is essential in facing challenges.
• The stories encourage personal reflection and growth.
• The author aims to motivate and inspire through these narratives. Christians should ask themselves, 'What would I do?'
• Being a doer of the word is essential.
• Intentionally seeking God can be challenging.
• Courage to stand applies to all believers, not just teachers.
• Being ready in season and out of season is crucial.
• Difficult times can strengthen one's relationship with God.
• Community support is vital during challenging times.
• Unbelief can lead to discouragement; stay connected with others.
• Knowing God's character helps during trials.
• Speaking truth in love is essential for sharing the Gospel.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Christian Philosophy of Education

02:49 Courage to Stand: Profiles of Enduring Faith

05:51 Inspiring Stories of Courageous Christians

09:01 Relatable Heroes: Finding Strength in Faith

11:50 Lessons from Courageous Lives

14:51 Encouragement for Today's Challenges

18:11 The Call to Action for Christians

20:34 Living Out Faith in Daily Life

22:28 The Purpose of the Book

24:25 Courage to Stand in Adversity

25:13 Examples of Courage in America

28:16 Finding God in Difficult Times

31:26 The Importance of Community

33:14 Speaking Truth in Love

SummaryIn this episode of the Counter-Revolution Podcast, I get to interview John Stamper, a Christian author and former public school teacher. we discuss the ideological shifts in public education, particularly since 2020, and the challenges faced by Christian educators in a system increasingly influenced by critical race theory and gender ideology. Stamper shares his personal journey from teaching in Indiana to Chicago, highlighting the conflicts he encountered during mandatory training sessions that contradicted his Christian values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in education and the need for a Christian philosophy of education to counteract the prevailing secular ideologies in public schools.Takeaways• Education is a form of discipleship that shapes children's values.• Public schools are increasingly influenced by ideologies contrary to Christianity.• Mandatory training in public schools often promotes leftist ideologies.• Parents must be vigilant about who is teaching their children.• The public school system is functioning as intended, not broken.• Christian teachers face significant challenges in public schools.• Language manipulation is a common tactic in educational policies.• Teachers unions often support ideologies that conflict with Christian values.• The history of public education reveals its anti-Christian roots.• God provides guidance and opportunities for those who seek Him.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Counter-Revolution Podcast02:43 John Stamper's Background and Experience05:50 The Shift in Public Education10:30 Personal Experiences in Public School19:32 Mandatory Training and Ideological Conflicts25:34 The Impact of Ideology on Students30:08 The Role of Language in Education32:57 The State of Public Education Today35:21 The Flaws of Public Education41:24 Christian Philosophy vs. Secular Education47:21 The Reality of Public School Systems51:54 Teachers Unions and Their Influence59:15 Leaving the Public School System01:04:24 Advice for Christian Parents and Teachers

In the second part of our illuminating interview with Israel Wayne, author of *Education: Does God Have an Opinion? A Biblical Apologetic for Christian Education and Homeschooling*, we tackle the pressing issue of how public schools are failing our children—not only academically but spiritually. This episode confronts the controversial notion that civil government should have no role in teaching, especially from a Christian perspective.

Join us as we discuss the challenges faced when addressing anti-biblical content in public school curricula. Our discussion highlights the resistance encountered not only from educators but also from church leaders, raising urgent questions about the adequacy of parental instruction in countering secular teachings at home.

Episode Highlights:

Guest: Israel Wayne, Author of "Education: Does God Have an Opinion? A Biblical Apologetic for Christian Education and Homeschooling"

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Us:

This is more than just a conversation about education; it's a vital discussion about laying a foundation for a lifetime of faith and virtue. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories that will empower you to navigate the complex landscape of education in a faith-driven manner. Don’t miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode with Israel Wayne!

Episode Summary:

This is part one of a two episode series. In this enlightening episode, I sat down with Israel Wayne my hero and author of "Education: Does God Have an Opinion? A Biblical Apologetic for Christian Education and Homeschooling". Israel is a prominent advocate for homeschooling and biblical education, and he shares profound insights on the critical roles that fathers and mothers play in teaching their children. We delve into the importance of a biblical foundation in education and discuss the challenges posed by modern educational systems, particularly the role of government schools.

Throughout our conversation, Israel discusses the biblical mandate for fathers, emphasizing Ephesians 6:4 and the concept of *paideia*, which encompasses a holistic approach to education. We explore how historical shifts, including the Industrial Revolution and the American Civil War, have impacted family dynamics and parental roles in education.

Israel also critiques the current state of public education and highlights the alarming statistic that 85% of evangelical Christians send their children to government schools. He advocates for a return to biblically based education and encourages families to reclaim their God-given responsibilities in nurturing their children’s spiritual and academic growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

Episode Highlights:

Conclusion:

Israel Wayne's insights challenge us to re-evaluate our understanding of parental responsibilities in education. He encourages us to embrace a biblically grounded approach to nurturing our children, reclaiming the family’s role as the primary educators while minimizing governmental influences.

Links and Resources:

- Book: Education: Does God Have an Opinion? a biblical apologetic for Christian education and homeschooling

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with friends and family who may benefit from a deeper understanding of parental responsibility in education!