Robert Lewis Dabney (1820-1898)

Robert Lewis Dabney is one of the great Christian thinkers of the last century and a favourite of mine. I own and have read many of his books and I recommend his work (especially his theological work).

Dabney had a long and prosperous life during which he was a farmer, architect, preacher, Professor of theology (Union Seminary, Viriginia), Professor of philosophy (University of Texas) and soldier (Confederate/ Chief of Staff for Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

Dabney was a man who examined the trends of his day, in light of the Word of God, and warned of their consequences for future generations. He is remarkably accurate on many subjects.
During the 1870's he wrote the following in the Princeton Review about the new free government schools that had been recently introduced into his native Virginia. He said "we have seen that their complete secularisation is logically inevitable. Christians must prepare themselves then, for the following results: All prayers, catechisms, and Bibles will ultimately be driven out of the schools."

Dabney saw that government schools, which in his day were very Protestant, would not stay Christian. He said that the government schools, once they were secularised, would have the following consequences: "Infidelity and practical ungodliness will become increasingly prevalent among the youth."

The schools took nearly one hundred years to be totally secularised. But it happened as Dabney said it would, and who can deny that 'infidelity and practical ungodliness' are not rampant in our country.

Dabney had a Biblical worldview, he understood people and human institutions in light of the Scriptures. That is why he was able to see how social movements of his day would play out in time. Today there are millions of Christians that are heeding his advice about government schools and going to private, Christian and home schooling.

By God's grace, as Christian parents reawaken to their responsibility to give their children a solidly Christian education; perhaps we will see true spiritual revival in this land. Pray for or land and her leaders.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Kenith