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Wisdom for shaping how children see the world

Practical, biblical insight for parents, pastors, and educators — 618+ articles on family discipleship, church ministry, and Christian education.

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The RenewaNation Review

The University System Is the Progressives’ Seminary

Hezekiah KantorOne hallmark of religions is they often have an institution of higher learning, where the most ambitious and well-schooled young people go to complete their religious training and enter the world as leaders of their faith. In Christianity, we call these seminaries. A seminary is the…

Brian MashburnOct 12, 20215 min
The RenewaNation Review

Which Faith Is Allowed to Mix?

As shocking as it may sound, public elementary and secondary schools in the U.S. were overtly Christian in orientation and practice before the twentieth century. This is evidenced by the texts commonly used in public schools. Texts such as the McGuffey Readers contained many references to Scripture…

Brian MashburnOct 5, 20215 min
The RenewaNation Review

Every Church an Educational Center

I recently came across an announcement Martin Luther gave to his church members that was in some ways hilarious and, in other ways, would have gotten him thrown out of most churches today. His opening sentence was, “I understand that this is the week for the church collection, and many of you do…

Brian MashburnSep 28, 20215 min
The RenewaNation Review

How Modern Education Has Destroyed the Next Generation’s Soul

Students are taught self-esteem and sexual promiscuity more effectively than science and civics. Hardly a day goes by that you don’t hear the question: “How did we get in this mess?” Where did this lunacy come from, and how did it all happen so quickly? Well, let’s play a game. Let’s play…

Brian MashburnSep 21, 20214 min
The RenewaNation Review

The Future of Christian Marriage

John Stonestreet and Shane MorrisAsk any random group of ten elderly couples about their marriage, and half of them will probably say something like this: “We were high school sweethearts, tied the knot soon after graduation, worked our way up from nothing, had kids, and here we are. Being married…

Brian MashburnSep 14, 20211 min
The RenewaNation Review

What Is Justice?

We all desire justice. One of the most common phrases in the human language is: “It’s not fair.” When someone gets away with something wrong, it bothers us. Unfortunately, justice is a confusing, foggy topic for many right now. As a result, we are prone to absorb society’s ideas about a subject…

Brian MashburnSep 7, 20217 min
Ten Ways the Free Enterprise Economic Model Aligns with ScriptureThe RenewaNation Review

Ten Ways the Free Enterprise Economic Model Aligns with Scripture

Lies about capitalism and socialism abound today. In addition to being fed the lines that capitalism breeds envy and that socialism is fair and compassionate, young people are hearing that the Bible affirms socialism. Even church kids are buying it, but young believers who espouse a biblical…

Brian MashburnAug 31, 20216 min
Foundational Principles of Biblical Earth StewardshipThe RenewaNation Review

Foundational Principles of Biblical Earth Stewardship

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. All creation belongs to Him (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 24:1). Though God reveals Himself in creation, the Bible, and His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, He is distinct from and transcendent over creation (Rom. 1:25). Those who deny the Creator/creature…

Brian MashburnAug 24, 20211 min
How to Help Children Understand and Defend Their FaithThe RenewaNation Review

How to Help Children Understand and Defend Their Faith

You have helped train your children or grandchildren in the Christian faith. They are familiar with key Bible characters and stories, and they have even memorized Scripture passages. You’ve explained the gospel. They know that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose again. They have even…

Brian MashburnAug 17, 20215 min
Solzhenitsyn’s ProphecyThe RenewaNation Review

Solzhenitsyn’s Prophecy

On June 8, 1978, a man with a craggy face and a beard came to Harvard University, where I was then a graduate student, to give the annual commencement address. The man was not a Harvard graduate. He was not a professor. He was not an American. He did not speak English. His address, given in his…

Brian MashburnAug 10, 20212 min
2021: A Pivot Year for Charitable GivingThe RenewaNation Review

2021: A Pivot Year for Charitable Giving

Where will charitable giving go in 2021? It’s a critical question. Why? In recent years, total charitable giving has run in the $400 billion range. The nonprofit sector contributes more than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for over 5 percent of GDP.1 The 2020 Nonprofit Employment Report…

Brian MashburnAug 3, 20216 min
A New Way to Measure Success in the Church and SchoolThe RenewaNation Review

A New Way to Measure Success in the Church and School

I was privileged to be a senior pastor for more than eighteen years. I was driven by a passion to see people come into a relationship with Christ and develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus. These passions and a strong sense of calling were the driving forces behind my reason for entering the…

Brian MashburnJul 14, 20213 min