Greetings from Me and My House,
We are eagerly awaiting Baby’s arrival any day now at our house — with much left to be done before I feel “ready” to take a “baby break”. Nice thing about birth and new babies, they MAKE you stop and take time out from your busyness. With our daughter’s wedding less than one month away though, there is still plenty to be done here. I will definitely not get bored while waiting for Baby.
Are you looking at the subject of this post and saying, “Wait a minute. Worldview isn’t one of the 7 Pillars.” You are so correct! Actually, Worldview is the House itself. It is Wisdom, for Wisdom is seeing ALL the world and life (all learning) from God’s perspective; and what is a Biblical Worldview other than thinking God’s thoughts after Him.
Wisdom is what the whole ministry of Me and My House is about. Seeing from God’s perspective; thinking His thoughts – renewing our mind to have the mind of Christ; and living it, holy as He is holy; and of course, discipling our children in it. (See back post from March to read more of our thoughts on “the Principal Thing.”)
Anyhow, this post is titled by Wisdom’s 7 Pillars because it is following the format of the other posts with that title, in listing resources for learning and teaching a Biblical Worldview. It encompasses all 7 Pillars. Our emphasis is to raise our children to have a consistency in thinking Biblically in all areas of life, so we incorporate Biblical Worldview (the search for God’s Wisdom) into everything we study. Some of the resources we use for that are listed below.
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If you read our “Off to a Home Ed Start” post in May, you know that the Principle Approach is a Discipleship/ Christian Worldview method of education. We utilize a lot of the resources written by “Principle Approach” authors/speakers, but more than that we agree with their method of “4R-ing” a topic (we adapt it a bit in L.E.D., which is also what PA is all about). But whether you are “4R-ing” or utilizing the 6 Processes of Learning in L.E.D., the principle is the same; you are researching, particularly from Scripture to find what God has to say and what his viewpoint is on the topic you are studying.
Some PA resources (in addition to a method similar to theirs) that we utilize in teaching a Biblical viewpoint (building a foundation – or is that house – of Wisdom) – and some authors and ministries that produce PA (and PA-type) resources that we recommend are:
Encyclopedia of Bible Truths (EBT) by Ruth Haycock – is a reference book for self-study (without having to do ALL the looking up yourself) on what Scripture says about many topics. It is categorized by “subject” and outlined by aspect giving Scriptures for each area – somewhat like a Nave’s Topical Bible for “school subjects”. We find this indispensable, and highly recommend it! Useful for parents in their planning, and students of all ages for research.
A Guide to American Christian Education for Home and School (ACE) by James Rose – is PA resource that I find invaluable in helping me see
the Biblical viewpoint for teaching our studies. It gives overviews and outlines for teaching many “subjects” from a Biblical viewpoint.
Christian Home Learning Guides (CHLG) # by Marshall Foster is also a great overview for presenting a Biblical Worldview throughout the “subjects” learned (PA). ** See note a very bottom of this post.
The first 2 are probably my biggest planning helps for teaching everything from a Biblical Worldview. EBT and CHLG are 2 of the biggest ongoing resources used by our Youth.
Rudiments of America’s Christian History and Government by Rosalie Slater & Verna Hall is the Foundation for our “Fear of the Lord” Foundational topical study when our children reach the Youth season, beginning formal study. (“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”) Through it, and the resources we add to it, we teach a Foundation for Creation and HisStory – God’s story of His earth and its inhabitants. (Our younger children do not personally go through these resources, but are taught the same principles as we study through this.)
Some of the study resources from F.A.C.E. (Foundation for American Christian Education) utilized in this course are:
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary – written back when the words of our language had meaning and significance and written from a Biblical viewpoint, meaning Noah Webster (the Father of the American Language – and certainly the Father of the American Dictionary, although “Webster’s” dictionaries have changed MUCH since Noah’s time) tells you what God meant when He used that word (obviously translated into English from the original language). *** see note at very bottom of this post.
Teaching and Learning American Christian History (T&L)
Christian History of the Constitution (CHOC)
Consider & Ponder (C&P)
A few other foundational resources (those specifically from a PA are
marked *) we use are:
*America’s Providential History by Steven McDowell & Mark Beliles – should be read by everyone – and given for graduation (or anytime) to any student in government schools.
*The American Covenant by Marshall Foster & Mary Elaine Swanson comes in at a VERY narrow second to the above. (Video available from MMH, but not book)
Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation by Dennis Petersen is another one
that EVERYONE needs to read.
Science & the Bible by Henry Morris as well as MANY other resources from ICR, and Master Books too. Genesis Flood and Genesis Record are 2 more in-depth books by Morris.
Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick, also her Genesis: Finding our
Roots.
Other topic specific resources I’ll save to list under their appropriate “Pillar” in future (or have listed in past) posts.
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2 resources on foundational, biblical core beliefs – knowing Biblical
answers and absolutes are:
Answers for Difficult Days # by David Quine – a short study of the Word answering 7 vital questions we all have. Highly recommended as a basic.
Beyond Belief by Josh McDowell – covers the absolutes of very basic
Christian beliefs – key convictions we must hold to as absolutes. It doesn’t cover many areas or in depth, but these are areas that our CHRISTIAN society has compromised on. I think it’s beyond sad that this book is needed for Christians. But statistically 91% of our Christian teens don’t believe in the moral absolutes of the Bible.
Others specifically for understanding the core beliefs of a Christian Worldview are:
Know What You Believe – and
Know Why You Believe – by Paul Little – 2 classics on what and why Christians believe what they do.
So What’s the Difference? – a classic on the beliefs of differing religions.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (It’s a classic, but it’s been a long time since I’ve read it)
and books by Francis Schaffer.
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Resources specifically for teaching Worldviews are:
How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer – is THE classic, for a background on the thoughts that have shaped our society, that should
not be missed be anyone.
Understanding the Times (UTT) by David Noebel (abridged – published
by ACSI or original/unabridged) – is an fairly in-depth coverage of Christian and other worldviews today covering 10 main areas of thinking – law, history, ethics, etc. We’ve used both the abridged and unabridged (depending on the youth), and generally incorporate the 10 areas into their appropriate “Pillar”, rather than studying this book straight through on its own.
Thinking Like a Christian also by David Noebel – is a 12 week course overview by video presenting only the Christian Worldview aspect out of UTT. We consider it a “basic” introductory resource, perhaps a good place to start. But, we believe it is important to not just teach our children what Christianity believes (although of course that is of utmost importance), but also, our Youth, what they are up against – or to recognize where their own thinking has been influenced by non-Biblical thinking. This would be a great resource to do an Introduction to Biblical Worldview course for home ed co-ops or Sunday School/Bible Study type classes.
The Universe Next Door by James Sire – is a “classic” on worldviews. It covers a chapter on what each of the major worldviews believes. It includes several other worldviews, whereas Noebel groups some of these groups together (into 4 basic worldviews, I think).
How Now Shall We Live? by Chuck Colson is a hefty (like Understanding the Times UNabridged book) that contains many “How to’s” in living out a Biblical Worldview.
Life’s Ultimate Questions by Ronald Nash is another biggie – THE Introduction to Philosophy text, if you want to begin to go deep.
Below are a few easy reads on Worldviews. The above read more like texts, these more like “real books”. Each in itself would not constitute a “course” in Worldviews, but are GREAT (and required) reading as a part of our Worldview training:
Tearing Down Strongholds and Defending the Truth by RC Sproul, Jr. – is a great easy read for showing how the non-Christian worldviews are not consistent with their own supposed beliefs – “self-contradictory and self-refuting” – good practical apologetics – defense of Christianity against other worldviews.
Straight Thinking in a Crooked World by Gary DeMar – is more in depth than the above. It’s basically on defending the Biblical Worldview by taking the others down to their pre-suppositions and showing they don’t have a leg to stand on – their inconsistancies. I personally preferred Tearing Down Strongholds…
Persuasions: A Dream of Reason by Doug Wilson – is short little story with chapters about those with various worldviews, walking toward the abyss “meeting up with” and conversing with Evangelist. Very good – small, quick and easy read.
We also have several tapes by many different homeschool speakers that we utilize as a part of our Worldview training:
Thinking Biblically, Speaking Secularly (and MUCH more) by David
Barton is one favorite. (Too many to look up and list right now anyhow. – These are off the top of my head, so must be the best since I remember them – right?)
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In addition, Jeff Myers has MANY great resources for equipping our kids to stand and to LEAD in our society from a Biblical Worldview. Check out myersinstitute.com . (Some available from MMH.)
Marshall Foster has some great tapes on training your children from a Biblical Worldview. Our favorite series is: World Changers, but I don’t know that it is available anymore. Battle for the 21st Century – is on building a family dynasty for the glory of God. It is available. Check out the Mayflower Institute at www.mayflowerinstitute.com
Also, you may want to read: Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview by Israel Wayne for ideas in incorporating a Biblical Worldview into your teaching at home.
Also don’t forget the PEERS test – to evaluate your/your student’s worldview. It’s from the Nehemiah Institute nehemiahinstitute.com
Other Biblical Worldview websites you may want to check out are:
www.biblical-worldview.com – Israel Wayne – includes much info and also many links to other Worldview ministries.
www.worldview.org – Worldview Academy
face.net – Foundation for American Christian Education
achipa.com – James Rose – American Christian History Institute
wallbuilders.com – David Barton – Wall Builders
www.americanvision.org – Gary DeMar – American Vision
icr.org – Institute for Creation Research
www.drdino.com – Kent Hovind – Creation Science Evangelism
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SUMMARY – Our top picks – don’t miss resources:
Encyclopedia of Bible Truths
Guide to American Christian Education
Understanding the Times
How Should We Then Live?
Answers for Difficult Days (and possibly Beyond Belief – they’ve got to
know these are ABSOLUTES for ALL).
Tearing Down Strongholds
America’s Providential History
Rudiments …
and a STRONG foundation in Genesis and Creationism.
Then incorporate whatever else is most applicable to YOUR family. (American Covenant and Know What/Why You Believe are also on our
“required” list.)
Whew! Not at the end of our resources, but that’s the cream of the
crop.
Resources followed by a # are not available through Me and My House ministries. Please check the author’s websites. For all others just enter the name into the search box on our Resources & Recommendations pages: http://me-and-my-house.org/resources.htm
Search by any of the authors’ names, on our webpage listed above, to see all available by them.
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