A Strong Defense for Biblical Homeschooling: John Stamper on Parenting, the Gospel, and Public Education

In a recent episode of the Master Books Podcast, author John Stamper, the mastermind behind Conflicted: Pulling Back the Curtain on Public Education, delves into the intricate relationship between parenting, education, and the ongoing battle within the public school system. Stamper, who left the Chicago Public School System due to conflicts with his Christian values, exposes the intentional challenges faced by parents and the erosion of traditional family values in the United States.

The focal point of the discussion revolves around Chapter 10 of Stamper's book, aptly titled "Parents Matter," where he sheds light on what he describes as an "intentional, systematic, and devastating war" waged against parents and traditional family values (pg 133, 07:48). The episode unfolds with an exploration of key themes:

Stamper emphasizes the pivotal role of parents as the primary models of the gospel for their children. He discusses how the public education system undermines Christian doctrine and diminishes the influence of parents, starting as early as 07:30 in the podcast.

Homeschooling from a biblical worldview emerges as a central theme, aligning with the model presented in the Bible. Stamper encourages parents to take charge of their children's education, steering them away from influences that dismiss the existence of God (timestamp 10:07).

The doctrine of intersectionality, dividing individuals into "oppressors" and "the oppressed" based on factors like race, gender, and religion, is dissected. Stamper explores how this divisive ideology undermines unity, turning classmates and colleagues into enemies (timestamp 12:45).

Drawing from personal experience, Stamper reveals how the school system is designed to disrupt the nuclear family, with policies and influences contributing to division and fragmentation (timestamp 14:30).

The infiltration of Marxism in the education system is discussed, tracing its roots back to Karl Marx's stated intent to "dethrone God." Stamper sheds light on the destructive influence of movements like Black Lives Matter within schools (timestamp 14:55).

Stamper encourages parents to exercise their freedom to homeschool giving them more influence in their children’s lives. Homeschooling with a curriculum that is grounded in a biblical worldview allows parents the freedom to teach their children diligently in the ways of God, drawing from the principles outlined in Deuteronomy 6 (timestamp 19:19).

A shocking revelation surfaces as Stamper exposes the early sexualization of children within public schools, as young as kindergarten. Concepts like the "gender unicorn" are discussed as tools that go beyond mere brainwashing, to what Stamper refers to as kidnapping a child’s mind (timestamp 21:19).

Within the podcast Stamper unveils the secrecy in school policies, revealing that public school teachers in the Chicago public school system were instructed not to inform parents if their children adopt different gender identities at school (timestamp 23:29).

Stamper draws parallels between current strategies of indoctrination and historical events like the Holocaust and World War II, as outlined in Chapter 8 of his book (timestamp 26:32).

John Stamper's insights into the challenges faced by parents and the systematic war on traditional family values within the public school system serve as a wake-up call for those concerned about the direction of education. His book, Conflicted, offers a comprehensive exploration of these issues, urging parents to be vigilant in shaping their children's education and preserving their family values in the face of evolving ideologies.