By now most of you have read, or read of, the opposing resolutions presented for consideration at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis.  The first one to be offered calls for Southern Baptists to pull their children out of public schools.  The second offered, in response, is supportive of public schools.  By the time you read this, the convention may have acted or refrained from action on either.  Odds are, because of the higher profile of the persons offering the resolution against public schools and the publicity campaign they have mounted, some consideration will be given to it.

Regardless of what takes place in Indianapolis, the resolution against public schools reflects the new spirit that rules the Southern Baptist Convention.  In every area of the perceived “culture war” the spirit is either to control or, failing that, to withdraw.  It seems beyond the comprehension of the new Southern Baptists to be in the world but not of the world.  They must withdraw from any part of Christendom or of society they cannot control.  

This is true also concerning other Christians.  Fellow Southern Baptists whom they cannot control must be forced out of leadership or employment in the SBC.  If they cannot control the world wide family of Baptists, they must withdraw from participating with them.

In truth, these new Southern Baptists can’t withdraw from the world.  The late Grady Nutt joked about going to a Baptist college that was ten miles from the nearest known sin.  I have a clue for Baptists.  If they put their children in Christian schools or home school them, there will be sin there also.  The “culture war” is being fought, not just between Christian homes and Christian schools and those that aren’t, but also within them. 

And, as the truth is known, for I have been there, some of the most serious sin can be found in Christian schools and Christian homes, i.e. spiritual arrogance and a judgmental spirit, both of which were condemned by Jesus.

That having been stated let me affirm that the home is the most important influence in a child’s life.  Coming from a solid home base, infused with the Christian faith and ethic, a child can go to public school and thrive.

And perhaps that child may influence another who is not so fortunate.