By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Robert Bortins

Christian education is no longer a fringe idea; it’s becoming a mainstream mandate for many families who see public schools as a spiritual battleground.

The Exodus Mandate Vision

E. Ray Moore, the founder of the Exodus Mandate Project, argues that Christian parents have a biblical responsibility to withdraw their children from government‑run schools. He describes his own family’s transition to homeschooling in 1977, when he and his wife moved to West Lafayette, Indiana, to start a campus ministry at Purdue University. “It was God’s providence that led us to homeschool,” Moore says, recalling how his six‑year‑old son’s schooling sparked a lifelong commitment to Christian education.

Moore’s organization urges parents to either enroll in private Christian schools or adopt a homeschool curriculum, emphasizing that the choice is rooted in Scripture rather than political ideology. The Exodus Mandate Project has produced the award‑winning documentary “Indoctrination, Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America,” which features Moore’s mother, Leigh Bortins, among its interviewees.

Historical Roots of Christian Schooling

According to Moore, the United States was founded on the principle of Christian education. He contends that early American settlers established schools to preserve their faith and that this tradition has been eroded by modern public education systems. “We birthed the American Republic on the back of homeschooling and Christian schooling,” he asserts, linking contemporary homeschooling trends to the nation’s founding ideals.

Moore also references a statistic that “80 percent of Christian children who are public school” students do not receive instruction that aligns with their faith. While the transcript does not provide the source of this figure, Moore uses it to illustrate the perceived gap between public curricula and biblical teachings.

Impact on Families Today

Listeners of the conversation, including longtime supporters of Classical Conversations, echoed Moore’s praise for faith‑based education. One parent expressed deep gratitude, saying, “I do feel like I have a debt of gratitude to you, your family, all of CC for just the fruit that has come from CC. I appreciate all that you guys do, both through this wonderful podcast and also through Classical Conversations, which I am convinced is the best education resource out there.” This testimonial underscores how organizations like Classical Conversations provide structured curricula, community support, and a sense of shared purpose for homeschooling families.

The Exodus Mandate Project and Classical Conversations both emphasize community building. Local homeschool groups meet weekly for lessons, worship, and fellowship, creating networks that replace the social environment traditionally found in public schools. For many parents, this model offers both academic rigor and spiritual formation.

Broader Cultural Implications

The shift toward Christian homeschooling carries implications beyond individual families. As more parents opt out of public schools, public school districts may face declining enrollment, which could affect funding formulas and resource allocation. Simultaneously, the growth of private Christian schools and homeschool cooperatives may influence local economies, creating demand for faith‑aligned educational materials and facilities.

Critics argue that withdrawing from public schools can lead to segregation and limit children’s exposure to diverse viewpoints. Proponents counter that a biblical worldview provides a moral compass essential for navigating a pluralistic society. Moore concludes that the choice is ultimately about obedience to what he describes as a “biblical mandate,” urging parents to consider the long‑term spiritual health of their children.

As the conversation wraps, the host encourages listeners to explore local homeschool communities via Classical Conversations’ website, reinforcing the message that support is readily available for those ready to make the transition.

The discussion reflects a broader cultural conversation about the role of faith in education, highlighting a movement that sees Christian schooling not merely as an alternative, but as a necessary safeguard for the next generation.

The full episode of Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins is available on OBBM Network TV.