Voddie Baucham: The Homeschool “Why”

Why did Voddie passionately encourage Christian parents to homeschool? Sure, he thought it could lead to higher test scores and better college options. But academic success wasn’t his “why.” His primary motivator was the souls of children and obedience to the Lord.

He knew American public schools are anti-God, by both their curriculum and by federal mandate. He saw the statistics that tell of large percentages of children who turn away from Christ shortly after leaving home. Consequently, he remarked, “If we continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, we need to stop being surprised when they come home as Romans.” In other words, if you naively send your children to be taught by an anti-God institution, don’t be shocked if they become like their teachers.

Now, homeschooling your children doesn’t guarantee their salvation, and sending them to public school doesn’t guarantee their destruction—I hope that’s obvious. As a parent, you aren’t in ultimate control over your children’s hearts, but you are responsible for, in the best way you can, pointing them to the Savior and discipling them toward loving and obeying his Word.

This is why Voddie, having nine children himself, was convinced that Christian education is not only wise—it is biblical. The command for parents to bring their children “up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) isn’t just for after-school hours. Your local public school isn’t interested in discipling your children in the ways of the Lord or giving them a biblical worldview. Instead, they would be actively working against your goal of shepherding your children to love the Lord. They (as a whole) are fools according to Scripture (Psalm 14:1), and we know that “the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20).

Some parents push back, saying they send their children to a public school so that they can “be salt and light” to the unbelievers there (Matthew 5:13–14). At first, this may sound admirable. After all, every Christian parent should seek to raise children who build the kingdom of God and represent Christ to the world. But as Ken Ham has said, “Your children can’t be salt until they have it. . . . Our job as parents is to make sure we put that salt in them.” Voddie also encouraged parents to train their missionaries before sending them out and not to “send your missionaries to be trained by your adversary.”

In Mark 12:15–17, Jesus tells the Pharisees to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus was telling them that they should pay taxes because Caesar’s image was on their denarius. Voddie relates this principle to parents’ educational choices, encouraging them not to send their children to an anti-God governmental school. “Bring me a child. Whose image is on the child?” he asked. Of course, the answer is “God’s” (Genesis 1:27). Voddie concludes: “Then you must not render him to Caesar.”

So why do you homeschool? Is it so that you can have more schedule flexibility, more time with your children, or more rigorous academics? These can be benefits of homeschooling, but if they are your sole motivators, you’re missing the point—and you won’t have a sustainable foundation when the house gets wobbly.

Raise your children in such a way that the world doesn’t dim their light but rather their light shines bright within the world.

Instead, your “why” should be to render to God that which belongs to him, every hour of the day. To fulfill his commands to make disciples and raise your children in his instruction. To shepherd your children’s souls for eternity. To raise your children in such a way that the world doesn’t dim their light but rather their light shines bright within the world. This is the homeschool “why” that Voddie proclaimed. Out of love for God and for your children, ask God for wisdom as you make decisions about their education and teach them about their Creator and his world.

God sent our children to us—he has entrusted us with them. And we have the privilege, the authority, and the opportunity to invest everything we can into their lives. That’s why we do what we do. — Voddie Baucham