There is some debate raging in reformed circles about the extent to which Christians should involve themselves in the culture. My husband says that wherever two or three reformed Christians are gathered together, there you will find three or four opinions.

Some contend that to take dominion means confronting the present corrupt culture and transforming it through selective participation. These people sometimes accuse those who avoid most of the popular culture of living in a Christian “ghetto,” and I have heard the term “sheltering” used as if it were an epithet.

Others reject the popular culture for the most part as being too depraved for redemption (we’re talking about a belief system lived out in society…not individuals, who are never too depraved for God’s miraculous redemption). They understand that they must live in this world and have an impact upon it through preaching the gospel and obeying God’s commandments in every area of life. Most of these Christians agree that they have a responsibility to participate in all areas of society (government, arts, media, technology, education, etc.) with the goal being to bring all into obedience to God’s law. Yet they strive to avoid compromise and maintain their distinction from the depravity of the popular culture. They shelter their tender shoots, their children (”I feed and clothe them, too”: RC Sproul, Jr.) until they are strong enough to take up the mantle of responsibility and continue to fight the seed of the serpent.

There are, of course, shades of gray in these two positions; they can overlap in many of their beliefs. But there seems to be some animosity between these camps lately. Perhaps you can tell that I (and my husband) take the latter position. We may occasionally eat meat offered to idols, but we have found that most of it is crawling with maggots and rather unappetizing, as well as unhealthy.

Franky Schaeffer hit the nail on the head when he said that evangelical Christianity was “addicted to mediocrity.” We have a long way to go before we recover a distinctly Christian culture. Veggie Tales and WWJD bracelets are not it. But there are glimmers of light as Christians realize the importance of God’s claim over every area of life. Pieter and Ben are at a conference this week where one of the speakers, Calvin Jones, is discussing music. Calvin is a very talented Christian musician who glorifies God with his talent. He has used his musical abilities to work on movie and TV soundtracks and commercials for corporations. We certainly need more Calvin Joneses. But we also need to be patient while we work for change, not growing weary in well-doing. And we don’t experiment with our children, seeing how close to the flames they can get without getting singed.

Dave Hegeman and Franklin Sanders have both written sensible ideas about how to be in this world but not of it. Taking dominion does not mean we lose our distinctives. Obey God and be patient.

Update: Valerie found this website with some pictures from Freemantle’s book…you really need to see how lovely it is.

If you are interested in classical education, or just want to have an excellent library, you have to look at my bargain page with the updates from Bookcloseouts. There are dozens of Penguin Classics for sale there…lots of source material from Josephus’s history of the Jews to Herodotus’s Histories. I have listed many of the books I thought would be of interest to classical home educators.

But wait (like my infomercial?)…there’s more! They have James Freemantle’s handwritten, hand painted and illuminated The Psalms of David in a facsimile edition! This is a gorgeous and much-sought-after book. It would make a wonderful gift.

I also found some resources for younger children which would go well with studying the classic tradition, and some odds and ends. Take a look. And don’t forget to use the coupon for $5 off an order of $35 or more, code: treasure, password: bookcloseouts.

Please email me at carmon(at)softanswer(dot)com if you want to be on a list for occasional updates to my bargain list…I promise not to share your email or to spam you, cross my heart.

Time to plug some great resources…

Our family has celebrated Reformation Day on October 31 for many years. We like to remind our children of the bravery of the Protestant reformers who gave everything to stand firm upon the foundation of Sola Scriptura, securing the blessings of spiritual liberty for us, if, to borrow a phrase, we “can keep it.” October 31 is the anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his grievances with the Roman Catholic church to the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517. One way we celebrate this German birthday of the Protestant Reformation is to have a German dinner of sausage, sauerkraut, applesauce, dark bread and hot apple cider.

James and Stacy McDonald of Homeschooling Today magazine have republished an historical fiction novel of Luther’s life called From Dark to Dawn. They are offering a pre-publication special for this book, which has been endorsed by R.C. Sproul, Jr. Stacy says it is excellent literature and “a true lost classic.”

If you want to have a full-fledged party to celebrate Reformation Day, Doorposts has published a book to give you lots of ideas for going about it. A Night of Reformation is a detailed guide for planning a shin-dig centered around remembering the godly reformers. This would make a terrific unit study. It may seem early to be thinking about this, but if you start now, you could even organize a celebration for your whole church! I highly recommend this book.

I know I’m not the only one who takes prayer much too much for granted. My friend Valerie knows how to pray and how to wait for the answers.

Tonight she told me an amazing story about an auction she attended at a library which was closing. She went at the last minute, not sure if she could afford to buy anything. She had been praying for 20 bookcases for her big library for a couple of years. When she got to the auction, there were 24 solid wood bookcases with walnut fronts. So what did Valerie do? She prayed for the Lord to let her buy the bookcases and asked that the bid would not exceed $200.

These bookcases were in the juvenile section of the library, and they auctioned off that part last. By the time they got to it, there were only about thirteen people left of the original 100. The auctioneer decided to sell the whole wall of lovely bookcases as a lot, and he started the bidding at $20. Valerie waited with bated breath while she counted to 15. Nobody bid. So she offered him $10 for all 24 bookcases with walnut fronts.

“That’s a hard bargain, but sold for $10,” said the auctioneer.

If you think that you can’t possibly live on one income, you need to talk to Valerie. She doesn’t let a little thing like being short of cash get her down. She prays and watches God do miracles. This is not an isolated instance…this is her life. Read more about her trust in God in her homeschooling adventure, and learn more about how she became such an expert about children’s books.

Note to self: “Self, stop complaining and start praying!”

What? Excuse me? Can You repeat that please?
(Too much time in the world—not enough on my knees)
It’s hard to concentrate with the whispering in my ear;
The tickling feels good but makes it very hard to hear.

Listen, My son, to the mighty water’s roar,
Not the babbling leech that only cries out for more.
Focus your earlids on the One who can save
And snatch you before you sink under the wave.

I thought I heard something, but I drowned out the sound
With the drone of the crowd and the din all around.
The music is cranked up so I don’t hear His voice;
I’ll just harden my heart—but isn’t that my choice?

You didn’t choose Me, son, I first chose you.
Your hearing is dull though My mark’s in plain view.
Heed Rachel’s weeping and the wilderness cry;
Wisdom is shouting—don’t turn a blind eye.

I did hear Your voice, but I hid from You, Lord.
I covered my ears, was blind to your Word.
Have mercy upon me, restore my good name:
Against You have I sinned, I take all the blame.

My sheep hear My voice, they feed on My Word,
Sweet as the grass blown by the breath of the Lord.
Come, feast with Me, son, with joy in your heart.
My robe is upon you—make a fresh start.

Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite, ca 1871-73

Albert Bierstadt

Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com