by Rev. D.A. Maclean, M.A., Halkirk
Jeremiah’s lamentation was, “This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished and is cut off from their mouth”. Jer. 7, v. 28.
We witness the same tragic situation today as the foundations of truth and absolutes are being continually condemned. The Law of God is forgotten but it must not be forgotten if moral education is to continue being taught in a changing and affluent society. In this age of moral licence man in his relationship to God is hardly mentioned. The root of the trouble is sin but sin has come to be regarded as a sickness and those in authority have employed armies of sociologists and psychologists to deal with a worsening situation. The tragedy is that society has almost completely abandoned the Moral Law. In their thinking they are confused and in their outlook they are beclouded and they hate and detest the only remedy. The Ten Commandments reveal the holy character of our God. This is where we must admit that the church has gone astray. The God of the Bible is forgotten. How sad the consequences, equity is no longer an integral part of our way of life.
Our work is not only to confront those who make absolute denials such as atheists and agnostics but those who do not accept Bible truth in its entirety. In an age when we have hardly any absolute standards almost every basic Christian doctrine is either rejected, denied or distorted. People can say different things and one dare not say categorically that any viewpoint is entirely wrong. One would like to know how we can speak confidently of black and white in a grey age. Freedom of thought and expression are encouraged and all approaches to moral issues are considered valuable contributions. The vague thinking of this age would probably say that all are equally right. The kind of conduct expected of us depends on the environment which tells us “What is the done thing”. Convention in any environment is so fallible and wobbly a guide that without any hesitation we call it defective. But if the individual is to decide righteously he needs more than the backing of thoughtful public opinion. The only sure guide is Bible teaching and the only test of our views is whether or not they are four-square with Scripture.
Moral education is always needed. We are living in a period of rapid social change but alas how difficult it is to give this education when there seems to be hardly any recognised standard of reference and hence no solid foundation for right and wrong and of the superiority of right over wrong. We must admit that the climate is not very invigorating for the teaching of moral responsibility. Moral education, however, is not a function of churches and schools only but of society as a whole and this includes the family unit which is the basis of society. Sad to say most parents, teachers and spiritual leaders are indifferent and the general policy is “train them to fit in”. MAN’S idea of God and of Truth are very poor weapons with which to fight the evils and temptations of modern society when materialism and permissiveness are portrayed in almost every walk of life. To a great extent the revealed will of God in the doctrines of His Holy Word is rejected. Sad to say this is largely true of what is called the Christian church.
The disregard for sacred things has resulted in an increase of profanity and we are now facing a major national scandal because of laxity in religion and morals. There are so many trends in “permissiveness”. Immediately we hear the word “permissiveness” we are too ready to associate nothing with it but increased promiscuity and drug taking among teenagers. There is much more which does not seem to hit the headlines and yet has an equally bad effect in a moral and spiritual way. Some of these trends in permissiveness can be noticed in many aspects of life. In the home there is a breakdown of parental control and outside the home an increase of juvenile delinquency. This laxity is also found in man’s attitude to religion. The mass media follow the pop scene plays and of course unscrupulous men exploit the young in many channels because of the money involved.
Hooliganism is a most serious problem and this is witnessed even in acts of wanton destruction on school buses. Many are concerned and are seeking hard for a suitable basis for ethical teaching. This cannot be done in a cold clinical fashion. We are certain, however, that the only motivating force for morality is the Christian faith.
We cannot always blame the young and few topics are more important to parents than discipline. Every child needs careful instruction and discipline if he is to grow up to become a responsible adult. Homes which have no established rules and regulations have significantly enough many offenders. Children when allowed to do what they like are often inconsiderate of other people’s feelings and are resentful of any kind of authority in the family and also in the school. No one can act as he pleases; we have to live within certain boundaries. It is a known fact that children feel more secure when they know what is expected of them. If “we spare the rod” we “spoil the child”. If parents give an explanation of “rules” the children will come to know the necessity of having rules and certainly they will be happier within these bounds. Children must learn that obedience is important and this frame-work of law and obedience brings security and a continued sense of duty for all concerned.
When the worship of God is not practised in the home regularly what can we expect? It was wisely said that the home without family prayer is like living in a house without a roof. The family altar has proved a blessing to many and it continually strengthens the moral fibre to meet the temptations of modern life. Without doubt the family prayer circle exerts a tremendous influence for good. To attend church regularly on Sabbath and week days is a duty but important as this is it can never take the place of family worship. It is in the home that godly instruction is given. Precept and example will undoubtedly mould and develop the character of the young. God’s word is very plain concerning this, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”. Deut. 6, 6 and 7.
Religious education in schools is most important and parents have every right to know what is being taught. It is sad to relate that in an age of much learning Christian teaching is replaced by humanism and intellectualism. From a Christian standpoint, I express the view that the teaching of Religious education should not be enforced on all teachers. This teaching should be left in the hands of those who feel it a vocation to volunteer. There is much need of having consultants in the field of Religious education but unless they know the Lord their professionalism can be nothing but a deadly miasma. The teacher must on no account be “a blind leader of the blind”. The child’s religious and ethical judgments are based on what he learns. It may well be that the child’s only religious education is what he receives at school—the only factor which by God’s mercy could bring salvation to him. The Bible has a unique place in communicating the saving knowledge of God. We face difficulties in seeking to help our pupils but we believe that the Bible is authoritative and must continue to be presented in its fulness. What is meaningless to adults is as meaningless to children so careful attention must be given to make Biblical teaching clear. For example, salvation will continue meaningless unless there is an understanding of sin. It is sad that much of the inspired Truth is regarded in much the same way as fairy stories. As the children are at a very impressionable age it is the parent’s duty to keep a clear eye on their children’s education outside their home and also to try to keep in touch with their families after they go to College or University. As the parent holds a key position in the home so does the teacher in the school but teaching Scripture is entirely different from teaching English and Mathematics. The role of the teacher is unique here. Through the teaching of Scripture the teacher’s aim ought to be to create conditions that can only be found in Christian homes. Such an attitude is essentially relevant to Religious education.
In a world of humans we face tremendous problems and mounting tragedies. In a tragic age are we seeking a practical solution? As the parent and teacher hold a key position so the Gospel minister should be a specialist in dealing with human problems. These problems are the fruit of man’s sin and the only remedy is found in the Word of Truth.
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only waymarks to direct us. Jeremiah said, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls, But they said, We will not walk therein”. Jeremiah 6, 16. He addressed the people in a metaphor and he thought the people were in a position to judge for themselves. The advice given is for all times. By the “old paths” we are to understand the foundational and unchanging truths of the Bible. Briefly these are, that all men are ruined by sin; that redemption is only through Christ in His finished work on the Cross and that regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the teaching we must turn to and seek prayerfully to grasp. Pseudo-religion, however popular to the unconverted, will not give light or life to any soul. It is a liberal Gospel and is the product of the Minds of the false prophets of our times. Bible truth, when it is set aside, is replaced by a gospel of man’s devising. Many ministers believe in universal redemption and the emphasis is almost always on the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than at funeral services where it is customary to eulogise the deceased irrespective of the life he had led. The need of a change of heart and life appears to be overlooked entirely and the precious promises of everlasting life and happiness are measured out indiscriminately. It is little wonder that non-church goers are bewildered and cynical. The word of Christ is unequivocal. “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7, 21-23.
The only prospect of moral and spiritual prosperity is in a return to Bible truth. The answer is in the Gospel provision. As in Jeremiah’s day, so today. Modern man, while he glories in being open minded, treats the Gospel solution—the only remedy—with prejudice and intolerance. This is his ‘honesty’. As man’s fundamental problem is his relationship to God, it can only be rectified by exercising faith in Christ and repentance towards God. So it is to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is as relevant today as in past generations that we must turn. The experience of all who have found forgiveness and rest is that this Gospel is indeed adequate and that it will satisfy in every respect.