The Decline of America Due to the Decay of the Family and the Abdication of Its Responsibility to Educate the Next Generation

Stephen McDowell

The family is God’s chief instrument of dominion. It is God’s primary tool for extending His kingdom — His government — in the earth. Children are arrows or weapons that God gives the family to prepare to shoot into the culture and the future (Psalm 127:4). If the family is faulty, the fulfillment of the mission wanes and the nation will decline.

There are numerous signs of decay in the American culture. The most disturbing is the breakdown of the family. In 1960, 72% of adults were married. Today it is about 50%. In 1960, 65% of those filing taxes were married and 35% were unmarried; today, 39% are married, and 61% unmarried. In 1980, 18% of children were born outside of marriage; today over 40% are born outside of marriage. Today, only 32% of people think premarital sex is wrong; 69% thought so in 1969.

In the recent elections, for the first time voters in three states (Maryland, Maine, Washington) approved homosexual marriage. Before this, voters had rejected such initiatives every time (in 32 states). Nationwide polls show that 60% of the populace believes that marriage is between one man and one woman. While it is good a majority believe this, it should be an overwhelming majority considering: 1) this has been the overwhelming view of mankind since recorded history,  2) numerous studies show there are detrimental effects on children raised in homosexual families, 3) the Bible is clear on the definition of family. Added to this is the fact that no more than 3.7% of the population is homosexual. Why then has this small minority been able to force their views upon so many Americans today? Why is the family breaking down so rapidly in recent decades?

One primary reason is that the secularists have been very effective at taking control of state schools and educating the American citizenry with their relativistic, immoral, statist ideas. Christians have been greatly impacted as well: 75% of youth raised in Christian homes who attend secondary public schools lose their faith (about 25% who go to Christian schools, and 15-20% of homeschoolers lose their faith). And for Christians going to secular colleges, somewhere between 71-88% deny the faith by the time they graduate (with about 50% denying their faith who attend Christian colleges). Considering that most Christians send their children to state schools, it’s no wonder we have decaying families. And remember, as the family goes so goes the nation.

The Christian family, with the arrows (children) it shoots, is becoming less an instrument of God’s kingdom and more an instrument of man’s kingdom. We have given the enemy our greatest weapon (our children), and he has armed them and used them against us (the nation and liberty). This explains why so many people have embraced socialistic governmental ideas, and why the culture is decaying. It also reveals the great need for Biblical worldview education.

Reformation leader Martin Luther warned:

“I am afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.”

Nineteenth century theologian A.A. Hodge presciently observed:

“I am as sure as I am of the fact of Christ’s reign that a comprehensive and centralized system of national education separated from religion, as is now commonly proposed, will prove the most appalling enginery for the propagation of anti-Christian and atheistic unbelief, and of anti-social, nihilistic ethics, individual, social, and political, which this sin-rent world has ever seen.”

To learn more: see this free presentation on “The Family and Christian Education: the Means of Transforming America and the Nations”

This Biblical Worldview University presentation includes:

• The family’s Biblical mission, purpose, and responsibilities
• The importance of education for liberty and prosperity
• The Biblical model of education
• Biblical education was central to America’s great liberty, prosperity, virtue, and justice.
• Numerous examples from American history
• How to receive a truly liberal arts education

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