I’ve been asked how/through whom we were introduced to the Principle Approach. The answer is several people, each adding a piece and drawing us deeper. I don’t know that I can even remember the exact order, but here it is somewhat.
Dr. Paul Jehle – spoke at our state hs convention in 1990 or so. I was intrigued. It was probably through him that we learned of F.A.C.E. and ordered some Journals and tapes of a conference. I don’t remember if we got the Red Books (T&L and CHOC) from FACE at that time or not. My favorite resources by Jehle are his tape sets on 7 Pillars of Wisdom, and Universal History. I am eagerly awaiting his book, “Go Ye Therefore and Teach“.
I somehow found out about Marilyn Howshall’s Lifestyle of Learning and ordered her magazines, and learned more of PA through her, especially that it could be done in a relaxed environment. If I didn’t have the foundational Red Books from FACE yet, it was at this time I got them, and Webster’s 1828 Dictionary and possibly their “Rudiments Student Handbook“, that I highly recommend.
Also around this time I got James Rose‘s “Guide to American Christian Education“. This book really helped open up PA to me, and has probably been my most used PA resource. Another highly recommended resource.
Also, shortly after that, I think, I met Kris Bayer, a home educator in NE who had written a short book on PA, called “Come Let Us Reason”, that really simplified it, bringing more understanding.
Probably my favorite person to meet, who really influenced us most was Marshall Foster. Our vendor’s booth was across from his at a hs convention, and we enjoyed listening to him and talking to him, and bought his book and tapes, and caught the vision. He brought PA teaching for the family/in the home down to the “king-size” bed approach (rather than the desks and classroom approach), making it more appealing, more realistic, more family oriented, and more in line with our family’s style. His book “The American Covenant“, and tapes from conferences (that are no longer available that I know of) are our favorites. Of the 2 tape sets that I love and recommend of his, one is still available, The Battle for the 21st Century. Our favorite, on World Changers, is not. And I’m hoping it hasn’t gotten away; I don’t see it on the shelf, so don’t have the exact title.
Stephen McDowell was another PA teacher that we’ve met only in his books and tapes. “America’s Providential History” was given to our oldest daughter at a church dinner honoring graduates. That would’ve been in 1994. In the years following we purchased some of his other books and tapes. I’m tempted by his 24 tape teaching series on PA, but havent’ succombed yet. “Liberating the Nations”, and “America’s Providential History“, are recommended.
K Alan Snyder is a more recent introduction, 2 or 3 years ago. When I bought his book, “If the Foundations Are Destroyed” I didn’t know it was based on PA, but recognized the Principles as I read. I recommend it too.
My first introduction to Katherine Dang was through Rose’s GACE, in which she wrote some of the sections. But it has only been in the last couple of years that I have received other teachings from her. She quickly became a favorite though. In a previous post I gave a link to online free mp3 downloads by Miss Dang. They are highly recommended. In addition I have seminar CD’s by Miss Dang that are excellent. (These can now be downloaded for free also. See info for both here.) Her “Universal History” books are on my books-to-order list.
To summarize, the most influential and instrumental PA teachers in our journey have been: Marshall Foster, Paul Jehle, Katherine Dang, James Rose, and Stephen McDowell. Others have also each added their individuality to our understanding. We recommend several of their resources to help you get a clearer understanding of Biblical Principles education.
