February 2018 We encourage you to forward this update to faculty, staff, board members, or other interested parties. The King’s University Events From the Director—Philip Hills How Rights Are the Best Way to Destroy Rights School News Updates from our Schools Events Alberta Youth Call 2 Prayer Administrator/Board Conference District Meetings Global Outreach Professional Development School Global Outreach News Student Activities School Mission Trips Teacher Conventions 2017–18 Classrooms for Africa Project College Corner We Want to Serve You Prairie College Events ACSI Canada Bookroom Ambrose University Open House Keep Us Informed Vanguard College Preview Days or Personal Visits Contact Us Peace River Bible Institute Events Rosebud School of the Arts Summit Pacific College From the Director—Philip Hills How Rights Are the Best Way to Destroy Rights Human rights exist because people believe in absolutes. In other words, there are some things that are right for everyone regardless of who they are and when they live. Though the governments are the ones who enshrine and enforce these rights, they do not create them. Governments recognize their existence and then shape laws intended on protecting and promoting them. I know that some of you are thinking that many people who support and protect human rights would call themselves relativists and atheists. But their efforts to advance just treatment of others exists in contradiction to their stated philosophy. Relativists must always live in tension with the universe and humanity. This is because the universe is impossible to understand without referring to order and design. Even the evolutionary worldview appeals to a sense of ascending complexity overseen by some type of ‘providential’ energy. The story begins with disorderly slime and ascends to complex humanity. [Return to top of page] The nature of humanity also contradicts the relativist. Inborn in every person is an innate sense of justice. Every child is outraged when treated unjustly. If there is no ultimate meaning and purpose to life, then the very quest for rights is a delusional and pointless pursuit. Some relativists will admit this, but most declared relativists cannot. They contradict their stated view of the nature of truth by their passionate cries against the violation of women’s rights or the oppression of specific identity groups. Which brings me to the strange real-world result of those who pursue the expansion of rights while being philosophically committed to relativism—real rights are destroyed. How can this be? Let me demonstrate with current events. The federal government is now asking any organization that applies for a summer student grant to indicate that they support reproductive rights of women (abortion being part of this). Organizations such as the Mustard Seed in Alberta and all Christian Camps are suddenly faced with signing away their right to hold a Pro-Life theology to receive government funds to hire students in the summer. Abortion is justified on the notion that a fetus, though human, is not a person and is not only outside of legal protection, but under the authority of the mother alone. She has the power of life or death over her fetus. The right to an abortion is characterized as a hard-won woman’s right (even though in Canada it is not a right and is only permitted because no law exists to define and control it). And the present federal government is insisting that to protect this right it will now actively discourage religious organizations from publicly opposing it (through restricting their access to government funds). [Return to top of page] All genuine human rights compliment each other because they all rest on the idea that all are created equal by God. Rights that are promoted by those who believe that we are self-defining beings ultimately erode genuine rights. The great irony is that the rights advocates are actually advancing the end of their freedom, not the expansion of it, because they are destroying the traditional rights that their freedom depends on. If we believe that we are meaningless beings, while fighting for greater freedom and justice, our efforts will actually destroy the very society we long to preserve and improve. The reason for this is simple. Genuine rights are not the product of our imagination—they are eternal and Genuine rights are not the product of our imagination unchangeable. They are discovered, not invented. They —they are eternal and unchangeable. are God-defined, not man-conceived. I guarantee that the current campaigns for an expansion of human rights will result in dramatic loss of rights for everyone. People of faith are faced with that already, but so will progressive rights advocates, because they are advancing all of us closer to the day when the government will realize that they are no longer accountable to any group. Governments without a sense of accountability to God and to the people of their nations always do terrible things (because they come to believe they are the ultimate standard of justice and truth). So please do not misdiagnose the efforts we are making to maintain the rights of Canadians to believe in God, run schools that reflect that belief, and hold government to account. We are not simply working to keep our schools open—we are hoping to keep Canada free for everyone. Transcendent, God-focused rights bring dignity and purpose to all people. Rights that arise from an atheistic orientation, ultimately dismantle free societies, and leave human authorities with absolute, destructive powers. The last century saw this in places like the USSR and China (as well as Europe under the Fascists). Let’s pray, lobby, and work to prevent our country from becoming a human rights violator in this century. If we are not willing to fight for our unalienable rights under God, we will experience diminishing rights under man. [Return to top of page] Events Find information and register for events on our website. The ACSI Events Calendar for 2017/2018 is posted on our Home page. Administrator/Board Conference This year’s MB Administrator/Board Conference will be February 15, at Linden Christian School in Winnipeg, MB. Check here for online registration and updated information. District Meetings The MB meeting will be held February 15, 2018, at Linden Christian School, Winnipeg. The BC meeting will be held March 2, 2018, at Cornerstone Christian School, Abbotsford. Agendas will be sent to member schools approximately one month before the scheduled meeting. Updated information is available on our website. Professional Development In keeping with our mission to enable Christian educators to effectively prepare students for life, ACSI offers professional development specifically designed to benefit teachers and administrators within our member schools. It is also a good opportunity to meet with colleagues and continue to build a support network for your school. The Island PD Day will be on February 9 at Campbell River Christian School in Campbell River, BC. Go to our website for online registration and more information. The PD North Day will be on February 23 at Westside Academy in Prince George, BC. Go to our website for online registration and more information. Registration deadline is February 9. [Return to top of page] Student Activities The foundation of a good life is both an understanding of God’s Word and a commitment to live in a way that reflects His character. The most important thing we can do is to equip our students, then give them a life-applicable understanding of the Word. Our annual Spring Musicale for Jr. and Sr. High choir and bands will be held May 3–4 at Prairie College in Three Hills, AB. For more information visit our website. Drama Xchange will be held May 15–16 at Rosebud School of the Arts in Rosebud, AB. This event for junior and senior high drama students presents an opportunity for your school’s drama department to showcase the work of your students for their peers as well as to interact with professionals in the dramatic arts community, and to discover how to become redemptive influences in this essential industry. For more information visit our website. Teacher Conventions Our Teacher Conventions are focused on ways to continually improve as Christian schools. Brochures for all conventions will be sent to your schools. Check our website for more information or to register online. ACSI members go to my.acsi.org to join the Teacher Convention group on ConNEXUS for discussion and information. MB: February 16, Linden Christian School, Winnipeg | MB Teacher Convention College Corner If any of our member colleges have an upcoming open house or other event that would be of interest to our students, please let our office know so that we can include the information in upcoming issues of the Communicator. [Return to top of page] Prairie College Events Prairie College Youth Conference—“Deeper”: *NEW DATES for 2018 are February 9–11. Prairie Preview Days—are FREE one-day events that include information sessions, campus tours, a demo Bible class, a chance to meet with admissions staff, faculty, and coaching staff and enjoy a meal in the Dining Hall. Preview Days for 2018 are: March 9 and April 14. Prairie College Personalized Visits—we will personalize your very own FREE campus visit and create a customized experience that will meet your needs. Our Admissions Office is open Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM all year round to serve you. For more information or to arrange a visit email us or call 1.800.661.2425. Ambrose University Open House You are invited to join us for our Winter Open House, Thursday, February 15 from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM.