Commentary
Week: November 10th - 14th, 2025
11/10/25 - The Giver
Has your child been assigned to read a book called The Giver? If so, you might want to talk to the teacher.
Many elementary and junior high teachers assign The Giver for their students to read. Many parents are concerned about the book because of its descriptions of euthanasia and sexual awakening in the main character.
While I like the book's conservative message against the dehumanizing dangers of government, it isn’t well served when students are not emotionally or intellectually ready to appreciate the issues it raises.
If teachers aren’t willing to draw parallels between the society described in The Giver and disturbing trends in American society today, then the book is reduced from being thought-provoking education to being merely titillating entertainment.
Another option is to read the book with your student and discuss it along the way. You can be a gateway to better education for your local schools. For more resources visit our HOME PAGE.
11/11/2025 - Christian Impact: Value of Life
The birth of Jesus not only impacted the world spiritually, it improved the lives of people. For example, Christianity elevated the value of human life.
Being pro-life is not new to Christians. In the late first century church leaders wrote a document called The Didache (or Teaching of the Apostles). It was used for teaching in churches. In Didache chapter 2, verse 2 church leaders wrote, “thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.”
It was a common practice in the Greek and Roman world to commit infanticide against undesirable children. But as Christianity spread, so did the value of human life.
Today’s students need to learn how Christianity has been a force for good in the world. That’s what Gateways to Better Education does. For more information, visit our HOME PAGE.
11/12/25 - Christian Impact: Science
Did you know that scientific inquiry has its roots in Christian theology?
Christian theologians long ago asserted that God is rational. And since He is rational, His creation can be studied.
For instance, it was a Franciscan bishop, in the 12th century who was the first to propose the inductive experimental method. That means people can develop general principles from specific facts. In other words, things could be verified by experience, or as scientist call it, experiments. This, was a departure from the Greek approach that believed knowledge should only be acquired by thinking, not experimenting.
The Bible teaches that God is rational, and the world has benefited from that.
Today’s students need to learn how Christianity is a force for much good in the world. You can be a Gateway to Better Education for your local students. For more resources visit our HOME PAGE.
11/13/25 - Christian Impact: Elevating Women
Because Jesus was born, the status of women around the world has been elevated.
While many Christians throughout history failed to follow the teachings of Christ and the apostles, the Bible is clear in its honoring of women.
Before Christ came, Roman and Greek society did not highly regard women. For example, “respectable” Athenian women were not allowed to eat or socialize with male guests in their own homes.
But Christianity taught there is no distinction in value between men and women. As the Church spread, so did the value and rights of women. For example, before the influence of Christianity, the burning of widows was practiced in places like India, China, Scandinavia, and Finland.
Today’s students need to learn how Christianity is a force for much good in the world. That’s what Gateways to Better Education does. For information, visit our HOME PAGE.
11/14/25 - Faith is More than an Opinion
Too often in today’s cultural debates people confuse someone’s faith with their opinion. So, when it comes to a moral position based on religious faith the attitude is, “Well, just change your opinion.” But it doesn’t work that way.
An opinion is a viewpoint based on beliefs. I can’t change my opinion if it is based on my belief about what God says is right and wrong. It’s not my opinion, it’s God’s. My beliefs and actions have eternal consequences. They are not whims. Worshiping God is not a hobby. Going to church is not a social club.
We are told by the current culture that we need to get on the so-called “right side of history.” Well, as a Christian I’m most concerned about being on the right side of eternity.
When it comes to your children’s faith as they attend public schools, you must guide them to stand strong. For more resources visit our HOME PAGE.org.