From the Frontline

From The Frontline-Episode 124-Essentials for Education

Essentials for Education

Recent surveys in the USA report that 40% of parents with school aged children are now considering home education. This is not only due to the Lockdown, but in response to a seemingly never-ending stream of shocks and scandals coming out of public schools which call into question their effectiveness, their philosophy and the very real damage being done to young people in these schools.

My wife, Lenora, was trained as a school teacher, yet chose to home educate our four children. My eldest daughter, Andrea, experienced four years in a public school before we began home schooling. Her SAT scores earned her a scholarship to Arizona Christian University, where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Journalism and English. Now she is a mother of two young boys and committed to home education.

How did their experiences lead them to the conclusion that home education is most effective and beneficial for our children? What resources are available for parents wanting to home educate their children? What lessons can be learned from those who have gone before us? What does one need to do to get started? What help is available to a family committed to home education?

“…Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders he has done… so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be… stubborn and rebellious… whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.”

Psalm 78:4-8

From The Frontline-Episode 123-When Disaster Struck-African Penguin Rescue

When Disaster Struck! - African Penguin Rescue

20 Years ago, on 23 June, 2000, the Chinese bulk ore carrier MV Treasure sank off the coast of South Africa, in Table Bay, endangering the largest colonies of African penguins in the world with over 1,300 tonnes of bunker oil. How did this disaster occur? What was at stake? How did Capetonians respond to this, the greatest ecological disaster to ever hit our shores? Who are SANCCOB? Who responded to their calls for help? What were some of the challenges that needed to be overcome? What lessons can we learn from this historic ecological disaster and the monumental efforts by volunteers to rescue over 40,000 penguins, clean up the beaches and rehabilitate those who had been oiled?

“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

Proverbs 12:10

From The Frontline-Episode 122-The Untold Story Behind the Soweto Riots 1976

The Untold Story Behind the Soweto Riots 16 June 1976
Tomorrow, 16 June, is a Public Holiday, Youth Day, in honour of the Soweto youth Uprising of 16 June 1976. Much mythology has arisen. However, most are not aware of what really happened, before, during and after that dreadful day. At this time, with riots, looting and arson tearing apart many cities in the USA, the experiences and insights of Christians in South Africa 44 years ago, may come at a most opportune time.

Friends of mine, Patrick Johnson, who pioneered and authored Operation World, (the first edition of which was actually printed by Dorothea Mission) and Tom Barlow, who co-authored with me, South Africa – Renaissance or Reformation? was a missionary of the Dorothea Mission at that time. The book Soweto… But God! was published by the Dorothea Mission, which was embedded in Soweto. Their first hand, eyewitness insights to this pivotal event in the history of Southern Africa, are unique. This was not written by journalists from the outside, but by Christian missionaries with a lifetime of dedicated service to the very communities which were torn apart by revolutionary violence. The targeting of Christians and burning of churches and the homes of ministers of the Gospel was not reported in the secular media. Nor was the targeting of Christian parents in Soweto and the radicalisation of the youth.

“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts…”

Ecclesiastes 9:3

From The Frontline-Episode 121-Is Black Lives Matter a New Religious Cult?

Is Black Lives Matter a New Religious Cult?

Black Lives Matter and Antifa have been in the forefront of the violent riots causing colossal devastation across 145 cities in the United States of America. What does Black Lives Matter stand for? What are their origins? What is their agenda? Where do they stand on critical issues such as the family, economics, crime and punishment, government and education? What practical solutions do they offer? What is their track record? What is the fruit of their movement? How should Christians respond to their demand to kneel to them and ask for forgiveness from them and repeat their slogan? 

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 

1 Kings 19:18

From The Frontline-Episode 120-Racism, Riots and the Role of the Media

Racism, Riots and the Role of the Media

In this last week, we have been subjected to mass media 24/7 hyper-focus on a horrifying incident in Minnesota and the wide spread protests, riots and looting that followed. Apparently devastating riots and widespread looting have been reported in 145 cities and towns in the Unites States of America alone, in the last week. Is this really spontaneous? Or is there evidence of orchestration behind the scenes? What role does the mass media play in fanning the flames and pouring fuel on the fire of popular discontent? What causes police brutality? Why does the mass media select certain incidents and ignore so many others which are frequently even worse? What are the dangers of Trial by Media? What is behind the popular mass-media narrative of victimisation? How can we know whether what we are being told is true, partially true, or completely false? What sources are reliable? What sources are suspect? What does the Bible teach on these matters? What can we practically do to bring understanding, healing, grace and justice into this situation?

“Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.”

Psalm 55:11