Today was spent preaching on worldview, history, and fatherhood at the San Antonio FEAST home school conference. One of the reasons why I enjoy these conferences so much is the eclecticism of the families who attend. A conference never passes without gloriously diverse and often passionate discussions with multi-flavored Christians on things of God. Today, I enjoyed a delightful discussion with a dear Mennonite brother who was blessed by many of my conclusions about generational faithfulness and Christian community, but who struggled with my theology which understands the Bible to teach continuity between Old and New Testament and embraces the sovereignty of God. Of the greatest concern to him, however, was that I would put pop-guns in the hands of little boys since “that breeds un-Christian violence.” I explained that God designed boys to be protectors and providers. Consequently, in my view it was the obligation of fathers to teach their sons how to use firearms for the purpose of self defense (and even provision of food), and that the Anabaptist position on “passive non resistance” was not only unbiblical, it was downright wicked and contrary to Scripture. Men should be ashamed of thinking themselves spiritual to sit and watch as their wives and children are molested and shot or their nation invaded. We agreed to disagree and parted as brothers. Earlier that day, I did a live radio broadcast on WKSLR for the Adam McManus show, discussing everything from home education to the problems with feminism. Great fun.

Beall and I first began participating in the FEAST conferences eight years ago and view the families who run this organization as among the finest in the nation. They are like family to us. We are especially grateful for the steady leadership and faithfulness of FEAST leaders Ruth and Gavino Perez, who for more than a decade have played a landmark role in encouraging the 6,000 plus home educators who live in San Antonio.

From Doug’s Bookshelf: Little Bear’s Outdoor Adventure Guide for the All-American Boy is 191 pages of pure boyhood. Here your sons will learn to trap, to build snares, to tan hides, to make cabins and shelters, and to do the things that boys love to do — and should do — to prepare them to be men. Available from Vision Forum.