Well, it is somewhat normal to react this way– It’s the same as the wrath of a mother bear protecting her baby out of love. We don’t want anything to take away from the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Any hint of needing to add some kind of work makes those who love Christ and appreciate His sacrifice respond with a knee-jerk reaction –they are being loyal to our Messiah.

I had a similar reaction. For me the desire to protect my belief led me to deeper study and eventual realization that Jesus was a Hebrew and I could know more about Him by studying the customs of the Hebrews in Bible times.

After much study I learned about the dramatic turn from our Hebrew roots in the early church and how deeply man’s tacked-on traditions and Anti-semitism have affected mainline denominations today. Years of misunderstanding make people afraid to learn simple truths about God.

False Assumptions

I didn’t know I was seeing through years of mistranslation until I spent a lot of time studying and praying (please don’t take this as pride in studying—there is no other way to explain it) and working through ASSUMPTIONS from years of teaching. Once you put things into the Hebraic context and read Scripture with new eyes it all falls into place.

Always remember it is not a way to earn salvation or to be better than someone else. The concern that the Hebrews have to earn salvation is a false assumption. (Read a free excerpt from Assumptions That Affect Our Lives)

Quite the opposite–we don’t do ANY thing to earn salvation. Understanding the Hebrew language (how they use verbs for example) showed me it’s not even OUR faith that saves us. In the passages we interpret “faith” as “OUR faith” it is actually “God’s faith” or God’s faithfulness to provide a sacrifice or Jesus’ faithfulness to death on the cross that provides for our salvation.

The deeper I get into the Bible in this way the more I appreciate what God has done for us. I can say that this study has only brought me to a deeper appreciation and desire to be like Christ—never to rely on customs.

Those who have had been blessed to study and learn need to be very careful to never appear as if learning these things would ever take away from the perfect holy sacrifice.

Do You React With Opinion or Study?

I used to react to anything I had not studied with my strong OPINION. I have been humbled with this approach. We must all react to different views by studying what God’s Word says (hermeneutically) before reacting with personal opinion. In Romans 14, Paul is instructing and rebuking weaker believers to keep views to themselves, not to use them as a standard by which to judge others, and to truly study the matter so he will be “fully persuaded” (Paul is actually and presently teaching them so they can be fully persuaded and not remain ignorant, see Romans 14: 22, 3, 5).

No one wants to believe they are “weak,” but we ALL are weak in some areas. I certainly am–I am weak in MANY areas that I have not fully studied yet (such as the return of Christ). Someone else may be strong in this area and weak in others. If you haven’t fully studied the subject, pray about it. Don’t rely on pulpit teaching or opinion. Be a Berean–study and pray and then you can defend your belief.

Which brings us full circle to the main goal of Heart of Wisdom methods–for parents and children to learn to study God’s word for themselves and not rely on man’s teachings–a Hebrew method of teaching your children!.

Fruit Test

A quick way to judge any new teaching (actually, in this case, very old) is to ask “Does it focus on love?” —because Jesus taught that His ways can be summed up in two commands –loving God and loving others.

Walk Softly and Keep Your Eyes on Christ!

If you have been studying the Hebrew roots it is important to remember to use spiritual discernment when talking to Christians that are not aware of our rich heritage. Walk softly. Don’t get defensive –stay humble. If you must disagree do it in a sincere loving manner in prayer. Dr John Garr, author of Restoring Our Lost Legacy: Christianity’s Hebrew Heritage wisely said,

“We whom God is using to advance the radical restoration of taking the church back to its Jewish roots must ever remember that ours is not an elitist, exclusive, judgmental society. We must keep our eyes focused on the ever-moving Cloud of Glory; however, we must build bridges behind us while reaching out to new horizons of faith and truth.

Flexibility adds to our strength. It is never a sign of weakness to reach out to someone else in love and affirmation, even if we do not understand all they believe. Let us continue to work at Hebraic restoration, but let us also mirror the spirit of Christ who came into the world not to condemn but to save.”

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Using HOW has been a life-changing experience for our entire family. We spend more time together in God’s Word and are growing in our understanding together!

Learning Israel’s history has been a tremendous benefit to understanding all of history, past, present, and future. Also, learning about our Hebrew roots has brought new life to our relationship with God thru Jesus Christ.

The Science Units are wonderful as well, tying it all together in the creation order. We are just beginning the Wisdom Unit and are gleaning so much already. I know that God orchestrated HOW becoming part of our homeschooling.

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Mesopotamia Unit Study Review WOW! I loved this study! Forthe first time in my life I understand the chronological and geographical events of the Bible from Creation to the New Testament! My children really enjoyed it and had fun with all the maps. It was presented in a way that was easy enough for my 8 and 10 year old to grasp but also included enough meat for my 12, 14, and 17 year olds. We printed out the maps (Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, etc) from the HOW Internet site and charted each Bible event and location in the portfolios. Keep up the great work! —Debra Canton, Mom of 5

Wisdom Unit Study ReviewsI love the Wisdom Unit Study! We have homeschooled 9 years and this is the best study we have experienced. Robin has developed an excellent bible-based study and I appreciate her work so much. —William Canant Using HOW has been a life-changing experience for our entire family. We spend more time together in God’s Word and are growing in our understanding together! Learning Israel’s history has been a tremendous benefit to understanding all of history, past, present, and future. Also, learning about our Hebrew roots has brought new life to our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Science Units are wonderful as well, tying it all together in the creation order. We are just beginning the Wisdom Unit and are gleaning so much already. I know that God orchestrated HOW becoming part of our homeschooling.

Light Unit Study ReviewI was blown away by the Light Unit Study. We began because I thought it was subject we “had” to cover. What a delight! I’m amazed at how many spiritual lessons flow throughout the unit as we are learning science. I enjoyed it before I began teaching then learned that much more more once we worked together. I was very impressed with the depth in every lesson. My children are 9, 12 and 16. We all love the HOW approach! Thank you. —Renee, Science phobic mom

We are very excited about this “renewed” style of learning and the Hebrew based education that has become the center of our lives. We are so very grateful for everything that Robin has created within Heart of Wisdom.

The books she has written and the resources that are shared within HOW are phenomenal. HOW has paved the way to many an enlightened discussion in our bible studies and around our lunch and diner tables. Thank you for such enrichment.

I was drawn to these studies because of the focus on the Bible. But quite honestly, what is keeping me is the quality of content and the ease in lesson preparation!! I plan on staying with these studies as they come out. We are currently doing the Wisdom study and I absolutely think it is outstanding.

I would highly recommend HOW to anyone who has been intimidated by the preparation involved in doing Unit Studies. Robin has done a wonderful job in selecting resources and activities.

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We just started using the Heart of Wisdom unit studies and we all find that they are truly a blessing. I started by ordering the Light e-book and then I realized that I should start with Creation and then do Adam to Abraham. I ordered all the key resources, even though I do not need them. I am still waiting for a couple to come in. We are all looking very forward to it!!! Thank you and God Bless.

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I love Heart of Wisdom. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing this program to my attention. Your web site has also prodded me toward learning about Hebrew roots and Biblical Holidays. I feel like I’m entering a whole new world in my relationship to the Lord.

I am using HOW as the history program for my 11 year old and we are learning so much together. My high school son is using HOW for his Bible curriculum. It will take my younger son 2 or 3 years to complete and my older son only has 1 year left of school so he will finish it in one year.

I am so excited to be putting this material into both boys hearts so that they can have God’s wisdom and make wise decisions for their life. Thank you so much for this program! It is making a big difference in our lives.

I used Sonlight as a beginning homeschooler and appreciated the layout of timing & material usage (& the wonderful books), however; the H.O.W. focus point reaches for a greater depth in the study of and relationship with God that is precious to my soul and to the heart and focus of my family.

THIS (H.O.W.)is the way the Creator of my family has beckoned my heart to rear these children I’m blessed to have. Thank you, Robin, for obeying the Creator in your responsibility with H.O.W. so that I, in turn, can obey Him in my responsibility with my children.

This curriculum achieves the high hope my heart held for our homeschooling experience and my personal experience as a mother and an ever-learning believer. Importantly, too, lessons are already planned out for easy preparation. What a joy I count it all!

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My 16 year old has always been in Christian school until last year. He has always struggled to learn and hated school. Last year I saw him beginning to rebel like so many others his age. I did Abeka last year at home with him and he hated it too.

All summer I searched the web for something better and when I finally ran across the Heart of Wisdom web site, I felt my spirit dance inside me. I knew in my spirit that this is what the Lord wanted me to do. So this year I began my son, a junior on your program and he is thriving. His moods are better. He does his school work without being asked and is eager to do it. He does not argue hardly at all. He got grounded for not finishing some work and when I told him he could not go out with his friends until he finished his work, he did not argue or nothing(it was 4 days). It just goes to show that when we do things the Lords way He blesses us. I thank God for all the work you have done on this and will be doing. May God bless you and all your gifts to His work!!

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I have to tell you that finding your site was truly a Godsend. I’m brand new to homeschooling and had this idea in my mind of what God wanted me to do with our children and our family, but I had no idea where to start. When I began reading all of the material on the HOW site it was as if God were speaking directly to me. HOW is awesome! My children are in K – 2 – 7/8.

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This is my first year with HOW. I have now been teaching with it for about 6 weeks. I am still learning A LOT but am getting a little more comfortable with it. I still allow the children to spend too much time in all the different activities, but we are really enjoying it, and I feel, we are all learning a lot. I love being in the Bible more, textbooks less, and seeing how the Bible relates to our lives today.

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HOW is the best curriculum I have ever seen and/or used in the secular or Christian homeschool market- bar none! Nothing compares to it at all !! According to the kids- and me!

Plus- you don’t have to buy any key resource books if you cannot afford it. You can use the internet links and still cover everything in detail! So it is quite economical for families with small budgets. THAT is liberating in itself! We loved all the internet links. There was no way you could NOT learn, or miss something with the abundance of links for each e-book.

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I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for the truth in history/science told in a non-threatening way. Not doctrinal teachings, but the actual truth, no matter where that leads for your children and you. And what could be more Biblical than that?

The Bible incorporated into daily FIRST readings, as the primary curriculum, was the best thing we have ever done for our children. The perfect way to start a day, instead of trying to fit it in as a small subject. IT IS the subject, then all else falls in around it. And as Robin said once, if you get nothing else done that day, at least the most important thing has been finished. THAT is what we want for our children. The firmest foundation possible.

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Excellent array of resources, enough so that I don’t have to do too much work in watering the material down for my pre-K, K, and 1st graders.

I love the Hebraic focus. HOW Ancient History is very complete, easy to use and we love the Hebrew vocabulary lessons. We already had a few of the resources. (Writer’s Express, Beechick, Kingfisher) I have circulated this through our homeschooling support group and you have subsequently gotten a lot of exposure and three orders of “What your child needs to know when”, and another HOW unit study order. Thank you for excellent resources!!

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We finished the Creation Unit and we will be starting Adam to Messiah this week. It looks very well written,and has many resources to choose from. We enjoyed the Creation Unit.(Evolution is a very confusing topic, I think Creation is actually easier to believe and understand.)We are anxious to start our next unit Adam to Abraham.

This is the approach I’ve been looking for. It’s truly BIBLE BASED.

The Lord has put a great love in my heart to return to the Jewish roots from which Christianity arose. I am overjoyed to find Hebrew definitions and meanings included in the lesson studies. I know that God intends for my family to apply His Word in every part of our lives. Never was there an intention that we separate education and spirituality. God has a plan in HOW studies. Finding my niche and enjoying it all the way!

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We went to HOW for its Hebraic centered teaching and approach. We had been focusing on the Classical method but I didn’t like the Hellenistic approach and the almost total lack of Jewish presence.

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We have loved it so far, though we are moving slowly through the material for greater retention of the truths. We have only been using the materials for 1 month. I believe HOW is an answer to prayer & it has been a great blessing to my family. We are using Creation & Wisdom currently.

We are only a few lessons into it & already my 14 yr. old is planning to put a Creation Science Club together [there isn't one in our area] in order to encourage/ teach others the truth of a literal, 6 day Creation & its foundational importance.

The units are teaching ME so much. The Wisdom unit has been very convicting & has led to many precious & invaluable discussions with my children. I so appreciate the ease of use & the fact that HOW can be used in the way God leads a particular family using it. Because of this ability to flex to the family & be individualized, How keeps learning engaging & interesting rather than dry. Thank you Robin for all of the hard work you’ve put into HOW!

I first heard about HOW from a book called “The Things We Wish We’d Known” I was depressed with what I thought were my curriculum options, and was looking for some encouragement. I found your article and immediately used the address listed in the back of the book to find your books. Read as much as I could, prayed about making this huge change in our schooling. It’s frightening to toss out the textbooks. We have loved the change to HOW curriculum, I wish I had made this change years ago. I have always wanted to teach this way, but I was afraid of my own short-comings. I was afraid I didn’t have the knowledge that it would take to successfully teach my children without textbooks.

We had started a timeline, but it sat undone because we didn’t know where to find the resources to complete it. We started studying and celebrating the Biblical feasts; you gave us the nudge we needed to have a full experience of the feasts, without feeling like we were neglecting our school studies. We are thrilled with the change to HOW, school is finally the way of life we had wanted it to be. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for all of the time and energy that you have put into this work, so that other mom’s can be a success.

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I am using the Ancient History: Adam to Messiah bound book and I thoroughly enjoy it! My children like being able to choose their own activities and they can be as simple or complex as I need them to be according to the ages of my children. Thanks for such great materials to teach my children!

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I have just begun to use HOW for first year history – Adam to Messiah. I LIKE it A LOT! I searched for a year to a year and a half for a Hebraic homeschooling method. The Lord definitely led us to you and we are thankful and excited! I struggled on my own before, but now I have in my hands what I need and a suggested course of direction that we alter as the Lord leads. This year has definitely started off much better than in the past and we look forward to the remainder of the year! We are looking to purchase the Creation unit study shortly. Thank You!!!

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We have done unit studies for the last 4 years and started this one this year. I knew we’d made the best decision when, after reading one of the “Excite” sections, my 6th grade daughter declared, “I just love how this is written! It’s easy to follow and understand and really catches my interest!”

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I love all the information, I am very supportive of your work to heavily integrate the bible and Hebraic roots into this curriculum and that is what interests me most.

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I love HOW…we got past the 11th chapter of Genesis (which we spent a semester on)… Over all I LOVE the book and plan to use it till my child graduates ….thank you for the effort, time and prayer you put into this bo ok….

I’m planning to take my oldest from Creation through Present and use all the Science & Life Skills when she reaches High School. The younger children follow along at their own level. Thank you for providing RESOURCES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN. We’ll purchase units and use them as finances allow and rely on God to fill in the rest. I’m positive He will!

We started with the Creation Ebook. So much was learned. There are so many offerings in each lesson and it is wonderful. Thank You!

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It has been a terrific resource for my own study, which in my opinion is without question the most undermentioned area of homeschooling across the board for new and seasoned homeschoolers alike, Had I had this years I am certain my approach toward “unschooling” would have been much less a factor though honestly I am thankful I did it that way then plow on forward into my own understanding of “education”

I knew this was what God had intended for me after a very short time on your web site, I may not utilize all lessons, or resources with my kids but those we do are memorable to all of us. His timing is certainly not mine,come to think of it…and in all likelihood I would have had very unrealistic expectations on myself and my two children if I had found this earlier.

I disagree with Mary Prides magazines’ recent critique of HOW , in that I would never classify it mainly to families with lots of children. That was certainly never a consideration of mine. Just thought I would mention it as I found it odd!I also didn’t include in the above survey any intention of using some of your newer units. Would love to and will at some point I am certain but trying to prioritize and eliminate so much of what I have already purchased in the last 6 years(would fill a “real” classroom or two) but can’t say I am not tempted when I see them…I bought your What Your Child Needs to Know When years ago.

One confirmation God often gives me that I am plodding along the path intended for my family(OK perhaps not the path but at least on the map somewhere) is continued revelation to just how faulty my conception of education is was and continues to be and how HE continues to encourage my enlightenment despite my relentless insistence on using the compass rose of others. Thanks again Robin!

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This is a great study for the whole family… even my husband and college-aged son get in on some of the studies in the evenings. We also have a neighbor boy or two who occasionally join us in the afternoons for some of our best HOW studies that I save to do with them. ) My only negative is that my boys still don’t like to write, so assignments can take a long time to get done. I love to writ e… so does my sister and my nieces, so I don’t know if this is just a boy thing of not liking to write or what. They far prefer projects that don’t end up on paper in a notebook… this is starting our 3rd year using HO W…

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Dear Robin, At least 8 years ago I began looking into FAR ABOVE RUBIES and using it with my daughter. Thank you for making that available. After reading about H.O.W.in WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO KNOW WHEN, about 3-4 years ago, it Changed my life.

We dropped everything and began one of our best years ever. We just used the bible and other living books I had on hand, all three children (16,11,3) working together enjoying the Bible just from what you outlined in the book.(no extra money) Just implementing what we already had, never having had time to use before. I can tell all the hard work you put into Heart Of Wisdom Unit Studies come from what you have done with your own family, and it is defiantly an upgrade from FAR.

Thank You so much. I have Homeschooled for 15 years. I really have enjoyed using Your new study Adam to Messiah, once I finally got brave enough to down load it .I absolutely love it. (I am new to computers) But the links from the books are definitely worth it. Now I am ready to buy more Ebooks. Its not that hard or scary after all. Thanks again.

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We have had only positive times since we started HOW, our 5yo is coming along in leaps and bounds with her biblical knowledge which is always encouraging to see in your children. I put this sudden growth in her down to the discussion and writing/drawing that goes on after we have read a bible story rather than just the reading. I could go on and on about how changing to HOW and the 4 step lessons has been a positive change for our homeschool.

I love the Heart of Wisdom unit studies. My children are excited about school since we started these unit studies. My main reason for home schooling was to teach my children that God is the center, beginning and end of everything and this curriculum does just that. Thank you Robin.

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I love the approach, that it’s Bible based, and the great support found on the web site! This curriculum is so well organized, and it’s obvious you poured all your love into it! If anyone wants the curriculum they use to double as a “witness”, they should use HOW!

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You’re work is brilliant!!! I have researched your work for the past few months. I like to use the Charlotte Mason method and find your curriculum MOST informative. My family has homeschooled for almost seventeen years now. We try to keep most of our studies family based for group learning despite the different age levels. You have provided us with the Best layout plan for the most important subject, the BIBLE.

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I wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate the Ancient History: Adam to Messiah unit study. My children and I LOVE it. I have never seen anything quite like it. It is so wonderful to be able to use something where the children (and myself!) not only research historical events, but discover scriptural truth and evidence in them also. It is so fascinating! Some day, when my life slows down a bit, I would like to do what my son is doing in your book. Thank you so much for the time and effort you spent in putting this together. I can’t wait for the next unit that comes out!

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We have studied Creation and ancient history, but never like this before. I love how Robin has integrated God’s people into ancient history. We have studied Egypt, The Greeks, Mesopotamia, etc but I was always left wondering where God’s people were at and what they were doing during this time period. The curriculums we used gave us Biblical events and dates so we could see how the Bible lined up, but not really fitting it in with such detail. Now it’s like we are studying with new eyes! I think Robin has done a wonderful job. –Blessings,

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I L-O-V-E it. I am praising God for this marvelous curriculum! I am thanking Him for your steadfastness and dedication! Thank you to you, too! This is just what I have been looking for, and I am thrilled to have it available to us!! There is no labor that isn’t a thousand times more than planned – I just *know* that you will be reaping HUGE blessings from your labors with HOW for a l-o-n-g time to come. On the days that it really gets too much – PLEASE remember what a HUGE blessing you are giving many sincere Moms who are VERY grateful and thanking God for your work!

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We are just getting started on this journey and I already love it. I am so pleased to find an hebraic approach to learning that is for the entire family, not just the school-aged.

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I am using HOW with one daughter now (age 14) and another (age 13) will soon join her. I love it. It is so versatile both in use for different ages and in activities for different learning styles, etc. It is the first Bible study plan that I have stuck with for more than a week or two. Plenty of variety in this area too.

The lessons are well-written and offer many resources, both books and Internet, so there’s no trouble finding information for research. The web site gives lots of ideas for simplifying it for younger students too as well as tons of good info on educational philosophy which I love reading and rereading!

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My daughter has greatly enjoyed your creation unit and the Adam to Messiah unit. I purchased only the first two units in ebound form(would love to have them in book form). We just finished these studies. We took longer than the recommended schedule. I am currently taking a short fall break, as we started in the summer, and am trying to decide whether to purchase the next two units(one science and one history). I love your heart and focus on the scripture…

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I love the various internet resources. Most of them have been accessible and worthwhile.

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I really appreciate the internet links and reference lists. It is a big help, and reduces the time needed to prepare lessons. We also appreciate the reference to bibles verses in each unit. We are really enjoying our study of Ancient History – Adam to Messiah.

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I have found that using H.O.W. has developed in my daughter a love of the bible and has made a great change in her character development….and there are sooooo many things that catch her interest that at times she finds it overwhelming till we sit down and go over what it is she wants to accomplish for the year…and gives us a sense of focus…..

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I found out for us that trying to use all resources was too much and cut down on the internet links and a few books. Above where it asks about computer use. My children will not be using the computer till at least 16 or 17 depending on the child. Also of much help to us, we began using the Robinson Curriculum method with your books and my printing the unit page for the children as to which books they were to read. Later we will incorporate back in more of the assignments but we are in the middle of something else. We have a lot of discussion around the books we read from your units and it all relates some how to whatever other Bible Studies we are doing. There is a real depth there that we might not have had with out HOW! We are very pleased.

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We have enjoyed using your unit studied this far. My children are learning, but I do not think the realize how much. I enjoy starting with the Bible and making it the central theme. I know that this is the path that the Lord would have for my family as He continues to affirm this decision. We are excited everyday to see what we will be doing in the next lesson. I am able to do all my planning one day at a time and am not be overwhelmed with any of it.

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I love the format of the unit studies and find them to be easy to use .Thanks oh and by the way my children love them too.

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Your materials have been very helpful in teaching me how to draw Scriptural applications into all of our daughter’s lessons. Keep up the good work.

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LOVE IT! I already loved The Biblical Holidays Book that we started using last year. Then I loved the What Your Child Should Know When book I purchased after that. I was feeling more and more freedom as a Mom/Educator and growing to understand even more fully, WHO I AM as a Christian! (Geez, I’m 38, it takes soo long, it seems) And then, I accidentally found this site (haha) that pictured these 2 books that I already LOVED as resources…only to discover that ROBIN is the author of the whole curriculum!

I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I already knew I would love the material because of my life-changing experiences with the other books. I have recommended these materials to mothers over and over and over! I love going deeper with my girls in the Word. This was lacking terribly for our first 3 years, but I didn’t really ‘get’ what was discouraging me so. Now, I feel a real sense of purpose, vision and accomplishment. I praise God for how we are growing. I know we are just scratching the surface on all He has to teach and show us. Worship time is also very important to us, and that has gotten put aside a little for this, so i need balance. …. We just love it!

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What has absolutely helped me more than anything else is the 4 step lessons applied to our Bible time. I LOVE setting aside the first hour and a half each day to pray, worship, and study together. Our children are 7, 8 and 9 (almost 10), and their 4th step includes writing assignments, penmanship, dictation, map work, drawing, coloring, study of additional resources, and the occasional “project,” such as a diorama, salt dough map, or role play.

THANK YOU for challenging us to use the Bible as the “heart” of our studies. By the way, we only get through a chapter or two each day, but that works for us…we figure we’ll finish the Bible in about 5 years! We are using the NIV for now so that everyone can help in the reading.

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We are studying how to apply this system with our children. We can see God`s hand in this material. This is a tremendous revolution for parents willing to serve the Lord. Thanks for being a blessing for our family. God bless you with more wisdom.

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I am just getting started but what I appreciate best is that HOW gives me a game plan for teaching what I want to teach my children. It gives to me what I don’t have time to research and plan by myself.

I am very excited about these studies. It is exactly what I have been looking for. I am using it with my 2nd grader. I think it is great! …

• Purchase HOW Publications
• Download Free Sample Lessons and Excerpts

The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach: Bible-Based Homeschooling

The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach is for all homeschoolers who want to make the Bible the center of their school day. This giant 500+ page book provides you with the methods, program, and resources for a course of study where students spend half the school day studying God’s Word and the other half studying God’s world (academics). Students study history chronologically and science in the order of the days of Creation. This book will encourage, motivate you and instruct you, step by step, how to give your child a Bible-focused, comprehensive education from preschool through high school; one that will train him or her to read, to study, to understand, to love to learn and, most importantly, to desire and seek true wisdom. This approach can be used for all grade levels.

When homeschoolers are asked about this book, one word continues to come up over and over–Wow! Read the excerpt today to see what all the wow is about.

• The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (FREE 60-page excerpt PDF File)
• Start reading the Ebook today! $17.00 Add to cart
• Order the bound book. Retail $34.95 NOW $27.95 Add to cart

How do you feel about HOW? Add your comment below.

Click image for larger view

Four Years Repeated Three Times=12 Years

History is taught Chronologically. Science is taught in the Days of Creation Order.

Download the Year 1 Overview with resource lists here. The PDF is Internet linked to the resources.

• Year 1 History: Adam to Abraham, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Messiah
• Year 1 Science: Creation, Light, Energy, Matter, Motion, Electricity
• Year 2 History: Early Church, Vikings, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation
• Year 2 Science: Weather, Oceans, Plants, Geology, Astronomy
• Year 3 History Exploration, Colonies, New Nation, Civil War, American West
• Year 3 Science Ocean Animals, Birds, Insects, Land Animals
• Year 4 History: Industrial Era, WWI, Depression, WWII, Holocaust, 1960 to Present
• Year 4 Science: Anatomy human body

Required Books

• Bible
• Writing handbook
• The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach.

We provide preplanned unit studies for Year 1. You can use Heart of Wisdom methods with any curricula. You don’t really need a preplanned unit study.

Year One Unit Studies

We provide the unit studies for Year One because most ancient-history studies (even many Christian-based texts) concentrate on the pagans in ancient times, ignoring God’s people. Most homeschool parents do not have this Israel focused education background.

For example, Heart of Wisdom’s Ancient Egypt unit the focus is on Joseph, Moses, the Exodus, and God’s people (rather than on the pyramids and gods of Egypt). HOW’s Ancient Greece and Rome units focus on the Israelites fighting against idolatry under Greek and Roman rule (rather than on Greek mythology and Roman gods). Ancient History: Adam to Messiah includes all 7 history studies listed above chronologically. It includes Bible, history, geography, literature, government, composition, agriculture, religion, science, economics, and more. The lessons are full and require minimum preparation.

• Free Sample Lessons
• Create a Heart of Wisdom Year One Package
• Heart of Wisdom Link and Video Library

Recommendations for Year 2, 3, and 4

There are many, many fine preplanned studies that are appropriate for years 2, 3, and 4 from other publishers. We are working on specific list for each year now and will announce via email when they are complete.  Here are examples of the unit studies we recommend:

• Homeschooling in the Woods American History Studies
• Apologia Young Explorers Science Studies
• Teacher Created Thematic Unit Studies

Remember, You Have the Greatest Curriculum Available!

You have the best manuscript existing for teaching and instruction! All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Is the Bible enough if you are teaching a doctor, attorney, accountant, architect, etc.? Do you want them to be a wise, righteous doctor, attorney, accountant, architect, etc.? The Bible is the only place you can find true wisdom and righteousness.

1. Begin with God’s Word—build your foundation like the wise man who built his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24).
2. Pray for direction.
3. Have faith God God will provide.
4. Wait on God—enjoy the journey!—be excited about what He has in store.

God’s will is to lead us to the Promised Land of our homeschool journey, but we’ll only relax and enjoy the journey if we understand His plan for getting us there. A lack of understanding will result in confusion and bewilderment.

You can schedule by faith with confidence because God is reliable. If you ask Him he will show you–His grace, His mercy, His dependability. God promised to strengthen and equip you; to guide you in every situation; to meet all your needs; and never to leave you. He will consistently kept these promises. Have you asked Him to lead you in your homeschool? He will.

God has a plan for each of us, and He will lead you to the resources you need. We have listed hundreds of books on the topics contained in the four-year plan, divided by categories and years.

Curl up with your children and a living book. Teach them to love to learn!

Free Book Lists by Grade Levels

Ready to start? Go to Create a Heart of Wisdom Year One Package

We help you get comfortable with this approach providing the preplanned studies for the first year and guide you to other studies for the remaining years. The following prepared, 4-Step lesson unit studies are available from Heart of Wisdom:

1. Wisdom

HOW History Unit Studies

1. Adam to Abraham
2. Mesopotamia
3. Ancient Egypt
4. Ancient Israel
5. Ancient Greece
6. Ancient Rome
7. The Messiah

HOW Science Unit Studies

1. Creation
2. Light
3. Energy

Related Links

• Sample of a Delight Directed Day
• Multi-Level Teaching Sample Day (Knights)
• Teaching Grades K-3
• God Has a Plan for YOUR Homeschool
• Reading Aloud the Classics (download free 30 page guide by age level)

Trust God for what you need. When we rely on Him, we are on our way to creating in ourselves and in our children what Moses termed a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

We recommend you purchase The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach and read it before making any purchases. You can purchase the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach Ebook and begin reading in minutes.

• Free Excerpt: The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach
• Free Choosing and Using Resources Booklet Classics by Grade Level

The books we recommend are listed by Year at the Amazon Homeschool Store

Heart of Wisdom 4 Year Plan (Repeated 3 X)

Click for a larger view

Level 1 Knowledge (Grades K/1–3)

In a child’s earliest years, he is extremely curious and seeks as much information as he can possibly gather. This trend continues in a child’s formal education throughout the first few years. Children at this age inquire about everything around them-and it is amazing to see how much information they can actually retain. This stage is the first building block toward wisdom-introducing the “raw material” with which the child will later interact through understanding and practical application.

For children in kindergarten to grade three, days should consist of reading aloud, Bible memorization, copy work, oral narration, working on a Bible portfolio and timeline book, various art and crafts, phonics, math, and play. You will follow the four year plan by reading aloud daily from the Bible, history, science and story books.

The history and science unit studies are optional at this age. If you are teaching other children with unit studies, you can teach all the children together by watering down the material as needed. The focus of this stage should be the Bible and the three Rs (reading with a strong phonics base, writing, and math).

For Grades K-3 We Recommend:

1. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson (ebook)
2. Free Heart of Wisdom Lesson Plans
3. Chronological Bible: We recommend the Day by Day Kids Bible or The Jesus Storybook Bible
4. Rose Book of Charts, Map, and Time Lines (see excerpts here)
5. Bible story books
6. The Three R’s by Dr. Ruth Beechick
7. Phonics program (See more in the Language Arts section)
8. Math program on your child’s grade level.
9. Heart of Wisdom unit studies are optional for this age. They would need to be watered down. Start with Ancient History
10. Access to a variety of read aloud books for K-3. Click to download 30 page PDF (use as library list)
11. Heart of Wisdom Link Library lists link by themes in HOW 4 Year Plan
12. Click to learn how to utilize more free videos and resources online
13. Living books for history and science following the Four Year Plan. Children should have access to a variety of highly illustrated information books (plants, animals, how things work, how people live in various time periods, etc.).
    • HOW Year 1 History
    • HOW Year 1 Science
    • HOW Year 2 History
    • HOW Year 2 Science
    • HOW Year 3 History
    • HOW Year 3 Science
    • HOW Year 4 History
    • HOW Year 4 Science

As you teach Bible, history, and science, keep the four steps in mind:

Step 1. Begin by discussing what you are going to learn and relating it to something the child already knows about.

Step 2. Read aloud the text, and stop frequently to ask questions.

Step 3. Reinforce with an activity (copy work, illustration or other hands-on activity)

Step 4. Have them tell back what they have learned (narration) with you or another.

Sample Day with 5 and 7 Year-Old

Level 2 Understanding (Grades 4/5–8)

After the child has gathered rote knowledge (the basic facts), he may proceed to the second phase of learning, understanding. The basic idea behind the biblical word understanding is “division” or “discernment.”

During this phase, children begin to comprehend the meanings behind the things they learned in the knowledge phase. This can be done through definition (as Adam did when naming the animals), through comparison with other similar or dissimilar concepts, and through seeing the facts in the “big picture” or context of things. The learning of facts still plays a role, but these facts are seen as interconnected, in relationship to everything else that is learned.

In grades 5 through 8, the basic subjects that are studied remain the same, but the student begins to view them differently. It is not that the material becomes more complex, per se, but the student is able to approach that material in a different way, and knowledge and understanding begin to grow together toward the ultimate goal: wisdom.

For Grades 4- 8 We Recommend:

1. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson (ebook)
2. Free Heart of Wisdom Lesson Plans
3. Chronological Bible
4. Rose Book of Charts, Map, and Time Lines (see excerpts here)
5. The Wisdom Unit Study (excerpt, ebook)
6. You Can Teach Your Child Successfully Grades 4–8 by Ruth Beechick
7. Heart of Wisdom unit studies. Start with Ancient History
8. Heart of Wisdom Link Library lists link by themes in HOW 4 Year Plan
9. Click to learn how to utilize more free videos and resources online
10. Access to a variety of literature and biographies for grades 5-8.
11. Living books for history and science following the Four Year Plan.
    • HOW Year 1 History
    • HOW Year 1 Science
    • HOW Year 2 History
    • HOW Year 2 Science
    • HOW Year 3 History
    • HOW Year 3 Science
    • HOW Year 4 History
    • HOW Year 4 Science
12. Math program on grade level.
13. Grammar and/or writing program (optional).
14. Rosseta Stone or another foreign language program.

Level 3 Wisdom (Grades 9-12)

The final phase, which generally takes place in grades 9 through 12, focuses on wisdom and its lifelong pursuit. The fundamental biblical idea behind wisdom is application of truth. Wisdom must first arise from the student’s relationship to God (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom), but it is fed by the previous phases of knowledge and understanding through which the student has passed. Wisdom has been achieved, in the practical sense, when the student consistently makes choices that are pleasing to God and obediently follows God’s Word in every area of life.

True wisdom involves a right perspective, a way of looking at things and making decisions about those things that is based on the knowledge of God and the understanding of His will. It is possible for a person to be knowledgeable, even to have great understanding, but not be wise. Wisdom is the principal thing—we must teach our children its importance and then guide them to attain it throughout their lives.

For Grades 9-12 We Recommend:

1. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson (ebook)
2. Free Heart of Wisdom Lesson Plans
3. Homeschool High School book (college prep, trannscripts, etc)
4. Chronological Bible
5. Rose Book of Charts, Map, and Time Lines (see excerpts here)
6. The Wisdom Unit Study (excerpt, ebook)
7. Nuturing the Write Relationship
8. Writers Inc
9. Heart of Wisdom unit studies. Start with Ancient History
10. Heart of Wisdom Link Library lists link by themes in HOW 4 Year Plan
11. Click to learn how to utilize more free videos and resources online
12. Access to a variety of classical literature and Christian biographies.
13. Living books for history and science following the Four Year Plan.
    • HOW Year 1 History (all grades begin here)
    • HOW Year 1 Science
    • HOW Year 2 History
    • HOW Year 2 Science
    • HOW Year 3 History
    • HOW Year 3 Science
    • HOW Year 4 History
    • HOW Year 4 Science
14. Math program on grade level.
15. Grammar and/or writing program (optional).
16. Rosseta Stone or another foreign language program.

Heart of Wisdom Year 1: Key Recommendations
The reading assignment with pages numbers of these books are in the lessons
Free Heart of Wisdom Lesson Plans	Sample Day by Day Lesson Plans for Week 1 (5p PDF)
A Chronological Bible
The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (PB) or	Excerpt (60+ pages)
The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (Ebook)	Excerpt (60+ pages)
Nurturing the Write Relationship (PB) or	Excerpt (20 pages)
Nurturing the Write Relationship (Ebook)	Excerpt (20 pages)
Writers Handbook	Robin’s Review and Links to Student Samples
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines	Robin’s Review & SUPER Sample Pages
30 Days to Understanding the Bible (PB)	Robin’s Review
Ancient History: Adam to Messiah (Ebook)	Book Excerpt ( 42 pages!) Contents (5 pages)
Discover Jesus in Genesis (PB)
Adam and His Kin (PB)
Eyewitness Mesopotamia
Eyewitness Ancient Egypt (HB)
Our Father Abraham (PB)
Eyewitness Ancient Greece (HB)
Eyewitness Ancient Rome (HB)
Daily Life at the Time of Jesus (HB)
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (HB)
Wisdom Unit Study (PB)
Wisdom Unit Study (Ebook)
Walking Wisely (PB)
Creation Unit Study (Ebook)	Sample Lesson Resource List Objectives
Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation (HB)
Light Unit Study (Ebook)	Sample Lesson Objectives
Eyewitness Light (HB)
God’s Lamp, Man’s Light: Mysteries of the Menorah (PB)
Energy Unit Study (Ebook)
Eyewitness Energy (HB)	Sample Lesson Objectives
Eyewitness Electricity
Force and Motion
Properties of Matter (God’s Design)

A family with three children using textbook methods might have one child study the Civil War another learning about Ancient Rome while another is studying the American Revolution in history. In Science one child may be studying plants, another the planets and another reptiles.

In Bible one child may be studying Moses, another studying Joseph and another studying Paul. With unit studies, history, geography, art, music, science and Bible can all be taught together to all ages.

Each child studies the topic at his level. This saves over half of your teaching and preparing time.

All children can go on field trips together, many projects can be done together, writing assignments vocabulary words will be about the same topic, just on different levels.

For example while studying animals a younger child may be able to classify birds, mammals and insects. While an older child would classify animals in much more detail such as: Arachnids, crustaceans, etc. The older learns and helps to teach the younger while the younger learns from the older child.

Delight Directed: Planning

Delight-directed learning, with a set plan like Heart of Wisdom unit studies, begins by allowing children to be a part of the planning process. During the planning phase, allow the student to participate in choosing the resources for that unit (fiction novel, colorful reference book, video, Internet site, interactive multi-media, etc.). It’s very possible that a child might balk at the unit as a whole but later find a spark in one of the individual lessons.

To continue with the food analogy, a child might, say, groan over something he sees cooking, but after a taste, finds it pleasing to his palate.

Teaching Multi-Ages: Sample Day

Mother is teaching Jenny (fifteen), John (thirteen), and Joseph (ten) a unit on the Middle Ages.

During the unit planning the three decide together on the resources. They look through the resources at Homeschool-Books.com or in the back of The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach book at theMiddle Ages Resources. The three choose Kingfisher Illustrated Encyclopedia, and Eyewitness Medieval Life from their home library. Mother orders a novel,The Door in theWall (from the library or a vendor) to read aloud during the unit.

While reviewing the lessons the children show the most interest in knights, castles, and medieval feasts. Before the unit begins they will pick up books on these topics from the library. Several opportunities will occur during the steps in each lesson to bring into play the delight-directed methods. Let’s look at an example of how each of the three childrenmight discover their own level of interest in the lesson on knights.

Unit: Middle Ages. Lesson: Knights

1. In Step One (Excite) Mother is watching each student for a spark.

Step One activities evoke feedback which shows how interested each child is in the topic and suggests the possible duration of the lesson. As they brainstorm to make lists,John and Joshua both show an intense interest in this topic.

2. In Step Two, Mother reads the provided text in the unit, and then turns to the resources chosen during the unit planning phase. She reads aloud from the suggested pages in the Kingfisher Illustrated Encyclopedia and Eyewitness Medieval Life. John and Joseph spend time reading through the suggested web sites and library resources,and print out several illustrations of a knight’s armor and weapons.

Jenny also browses the Internet sites and chooses an image of a knight to add to her portfolio,but she leaves the boys to explore the sites as she moves on to Step Three assignments.

3. In Step Three, Mother allows each child to choose an activity:

• John (13) chooses to complete a writing assignment. Mother encourages this assignment because he needs more writing practice and he enjoys this topic. John writes a separate draft paragraph for each of several topics: tournaments, jousting, suits of armor, crossbows, and the Crusades. He searches or uses the Internet to find illustrations for each summary.
• Joseph (10) chooses to create a shield with a coat of arms. He uses colored pencils to design a coat of arms similar to those he viewed from the resources. He the makes the shield from cardboard and pastes or glues the coat of arms onto the shield.
• Jenny is not as interested in this topic so she copies a paragraph from Eyewitness Medieval Life and moves on to a math lesson (more about Jenny later).

4. In Step Four the students choose how they will share their work.

• During this step,Mother and John are busy revising and correcting John’s drafts .After the corrections John glues illustrations to the summary pages and includes them in his portfolio. He chooses to add more on this topic to his portfolio andshares it with his grandparents.
• Joseph shows his shield to his father and explains his coat of arms
• Jenny adds her writing and illustrations to her portfolio and shares the work with her brothers.

In this example all three children have learned about knights. John has obviously learned the most. We know all three have learned significantly more than they would in a typical school where the children would read perhaps one boring paragraph about knights.

John and Joseph will continue on this topic in the coming weeks by choosing a novel and/or illustrated reference books from the library on knights ,or by learning more from the Internet. Their wise mother will continue to fan the flame as long as the fire burns(weeks or months). If no spark had appeared during this lesson the amount of timespent on this lesson would have been dramatically different.

Jenny did not do a lot with the lesson on knights because she did not have a spark of interest. Later, however, Jenny’s spark shows up in the “Food in the Middle Ages” lesson. She ends up spending several hours researching and planning an authentic medieval feast for her family. She designs an elaborate menu for her portfolio and reads the library book Medieval Feasts to Joshua.

Four-Steps Summary

1. During Step One, look for the spark.
2. In Step Two, the spark will be your signal to encourage your student(s) to go on to more resources. If the lesson ignites  aspark for one child and not another (which will probably be the case) don’t force all the students into spending time on further study. Take a trip to the library, or order books, or allow computer time for Internet eesearch.
3. In Step Three, allow each child to choose the activity in which to do something with what he or she just learned. This could be anything from simple copywork or an involved project.
4. In Step Four, allow each child to choose how to share the material.

Teaching is much more than providing facts—real teaching means causing to learn. The delight-directed methods work when we provide opportunities for meaningful experiences,and then wait and watch for moments when children’s eyes light up. Then they’re off and running, determined and motivated to learn!

Also see

Related: An Unplanned Delight-Directed Homeschool Day

It’s a new, creative way to organize and utilize Charlotte Mason’s unique methods. Charlotte Mason was an educator in England during the nineteenth century, and her methods are currently experiencing a rebirth among American home schools. “Twaddle” and “living books” are terms coined by Mason.

The books we recommend for each year (Bible, history, science, classics, biographies, etc by grade level) are listed in The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (over 100 pages you can print out 31 page list of classics we recommend at the bottom of this page).

This four-year rotation course gives each child three distinct exposures to each topic on their own level over a 12 year period. Each unit study includes Bible, history, science, research, writing, and literature.

• History is studied chronologically.
• Science is studied in the order of Creation.
• Life-skills studies are added in middle and high school years.

We also list books by History and Science by year at the Amazon Homeschool Store (purchase new, used, or use for library list).

Books Recommended by Heart of Wisdom’s 4-Year Plan

• HOW Year 1 History
• HOW Year 1 Science
• HOW Year 2 History
  
• HOW Year 2 Science
  
• HOW Year 3 History
  
• HOW Year 3 Science
  
• HOW Year 4 History (These pages are Under Construction).
  
• HOW Year 4 Science (These pages are Under Construction).

Free: Choosing and Using Resources

Free Choosing and Using Resources Booklet(31 pages PDF)
Includes Classics by Grade Level

Click for larger view

Follow your student’s delight and allow them study topics of interest in depth.

Adjust your schedule to fit the needs of your family as the Lord leads.

Here is a sample of our Lesson Plans:

Heart of Wisdom Day by Day Lesson Plans for Week 1 (5p PDF)

Remember the goals:

1. To learn and obey God’s Word.
2. To develop a love of learning, and a lifestyle of learning.

History and Science Units

You can alternate science and history units: complete 1 history unit then 1 science unit or complete several history units then several science units or complete 1 science and 1 history lesson per day.

History Units

A typical school year is 180 days or 36 weeks. There are 206 lessons in Ancient History: Adam to Messiah. Using the one year schedule, students should complete 5 to 6 lessons a week or stay in each unit 3 to 7 weeks.

Ancient History: Adam to Messiah Schedule

Some homeschoolers are finding two years in Ancient History: Adam to Messiah gives a good foundation of Bible times.

Science Units

There are 97 lessons planned for Year 1 science . Using the one year 180 day schedule, students should complete2-3 lessons a week or stay in each unit 3 to 4 weeks.

You can easily get a good foundation in Creation Unit Study by completing one lesson per day (15 days or three weeks); There are enough resources and activities listed to spend one year studying a single unit or even several months on some of the lessons (if it is something that delights your child)

How Much Time in One Lesson?

On average one lesson can take 30 minutes to 2 hours or more. Each lesson  incorporates several subjects (Bible, research, writing, and learning skills). The time you spend on each lesson will depend on the level of your student(s), the resources and the activities you choose.

NEVER plan on using all the resources (many are listed to help you use what you may have on hand or to allow the child to go into depth when he finds something he is passionate about.)

You decide the pace

1. Step One takes about 5-10 minutes to discuss the lesson.
2. Step Two will take from 30 minutes to an hour researching and reading sections in the resources (longer if the student is extremely interested in the subject).
3. Step Three will take 30 minutes to two hours to complete a project (or much less depending on chosen activity)
4. Step Four will take up to an hour to correct and share work (or 5 to 10 minutes if only sharing).

Can I Complete More than One Lesson Per Day?

Absolutely. you can certainly complete several lessons in a day. For example our family completed four Ancient Greece Lessons ( funerals, weddings, drama and education) in one day. Some important lessons like understanding God’s covenant with Abraham might take two days study time. You can actually skip lessons (ask any public school teacher–they never finish a book in one year).

Be anxious for nothing, but in every-thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

The foundation of the Heart of Wisdom philosophy is to give up man’s standards and lean on God for what He would have us teach our children. Matthew 6:33 is our focus, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Following God’s timing is developing your faith.

If we focus on teaching our children God’s Word he will take care of any other needs. Pray and seek God’s leading. There is no better way to plan —let Him take you through His book at His pace!

God’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light—let the Spirit direct your schooling. When we lean on Him, He will transform every area of our lives! (Mat 11:28–30.)

What’s Your Schedule? Add your comments below.

Logic is a skill or a tool like a hammer. A hammer can be used to build something useful or as a murder weapon.

The words logic, classical, philosophy, dialectic, and reasoning sound extremely intelligent to our Greek ears. Homeschoolers immersing their children in the study of formal logic have well-meaning motives; it is understandable that homeschoolers want their children to become critical thinkers. We want to be able to defend the Gospel logically. We want our students to learn to evaluate their beliefs and the beliefs of others before they take on a course of action.

But logic and reality are not the same. Logical consistency does not always mean truth.

Sample of Man’s logic:

Now they said: Come now! Let us build ourselves a city and a tower, its top in the heavens, and let us make ourselves a name, lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth ! ( Genesis 11:4 )

Sample of God’s non-syllogistic logic:

God said, Nevertheless, Sara your wife is to bear you a son, you shall call his name: Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as a covenant for the ages, for his seed after him . ( Gen 17:19 ) Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set-time of which God had spoken to him. ( Gen 21:2 ) He said: Pray take your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac, and go you forth to the land of Moriya and offer him up there as an offering-up upon one of the mountains that I will tell you of. ( Gen 22:2 )

Human reasoning is limited by human experience. Eve trusted her reason over what God had said and logically concluded that eating the fruit of the forbidden tree was the best choice for her and Adam. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did ea t ( Gen 3:6 KJV).

Come, Let Us Reason Together

Come, let us reason together ( Isa 1:18) and look at more examples from the Bible.

• Was it logical for Peter to get out of the boat?
• Is it logical to consider it all joy when you encounter various trials ( James 1:2)?
• Is it logical to believe that God created the earth in six days?
• Was it logical for Cain to sacrifice fruit of his own work instead of a blood offering?
• Was it logical for Noah to build an ark where there was no water?
• Was it logical for man to build the Tower of Babel?
• Was it logical for Abraham to move away from his family and all he knew based on what he had heard from an invisible voice?
• Was it logical for Sarah to have a baby so late in life?
• Was it logical for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?
• Was it logical for Gideon, with the weakest clan, (Manasseh), to save Israel from the Midianites?
• Is it logical to turn the other cheek when someone slaps you?
• Was it logical for Christ, who was completely without sin, to give His life for us when we are so full of sin?
• God has every logical reason to punish us for our sins; but in His grace and mercy, He offered us His pardon through His Son.

There is no doubt that God wants us to use our minds. You are reasoning and analyzing now as you read this. Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord ( Isa 1:18). The word reason in the Hebrew is a legal term used for arguing, convincing, or deciding a case in court. God said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ( Hos. 4:6).

Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom

The Bible teaches that knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are virtues to be sought after. We are commanded to get wisdom and to get understanding ( Prov. 4:5, 7; 16:16, see also Ps a. 119:104). Paul prayed for Christ’s followers to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding ( Eph. 1:16-18; Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9).

The Bible speaks negatively of ignorance ( Ps a. 73:22; Isa. 56:10; Rom. 10:3; 1 Cor. . 14:38; 2 Cor. 2:11; 2 Peter 3:5). Paul frequently made the statement, I would not have you ignorant ( Rom. 1:13; 11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1; 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thess. 4:13; See also 2 Peter 3:8, 1 Tim. 1:13).

The Hebrews, however, never viewed wisdom as merely factual, cognitive information. Rather, wisdom was seen as understanding how to apply knowledge to a specific area. Wisdom began with the ability to see and evaluate all of life from God’s point of view (Proverbs 1:7).

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking is the ability to look at information, understand it and then determine how it relates to what one is studying. Being able to think critically helps us express ideas clearly and systematically. A critical thinker uses broad in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate beliefs clearly and accurately. The lessons in the Heart of Wisdom unit studies encourage critical thinking skills through sorting, sequencing, selecting, connecting, rejecting, and classifying the information that has been learned.

If we teach our children to become critical thinkers do we really need to also teach formal logic? Logic has limits. Countless problems have been presented to graduate students that arrived at the wrong answer (as defined by the rules of logic), whereas other students arrived at the right answer for the wrong reasons. Logic is not the only means of gaining knowledge and understanding. There is also experience, intuition, direct revelation, inspiration.

Author of several critical thinking books, Diane F. Halpern gives the follow fictional vignette that was taken from a real-life debate.

As far as Joan’s opponent was concerned, the debate wasn’t going well. It was clear from the sea of nodding heads and sounds of “uh huh” and “yeah” that Joan was scoring points and convincing the audience; whereas, her opponent seemed to be losing support every time he spoke. He wasn’t surprised; he had been warned. Joan had studied reasoning and now knew how to make people believe anything. Soon she would have everyone convinced that the war was justified and what was wrong was right. The way she’s going, she could probably make people believe that day is night. It certainly wasn’t fair, but what can you expect from someone who studied reasoning?

We normally think of logical reasoning as an important critical thinking skill—the sort of skill that you would use to make valid conclusions when dealing with information that is complex and emotional. But here one debater accused the other of cheating by using logical reasoning as a trick. Is this the way we want to win an argument?

What is Logic, Rhetoric and Dialectic?

Formal logic is the study of the principles and methods of argumentation. The study of logic came from ancient Greek philosophers Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Aristotle (student of Plato and called “the father of logic”) compiled the system of formal logic in use today and wrote a thesis on rhetoric still used in universities today.

Aristotle defined rhetoric as the art of persuasion. An argument in logic is a set of statements. Some of the statements serve as premises (or statements of evidence), and others serve as the conclusions that can be drawn from the premises. Syllogism is the most common type of argument form in deductive logic. Example: All German shepherds are dogs. All dogs are mammals. Therefore, all German Shepherds are mammals. The conclusion is the final statement; the other two statements are the premises. Aristotle taught that syllogism was the main instrument for reaching conclusions. Aristotle believed that knowledge of the world could only be obtained through experience.

Dialectic is defined by Funk and Wagnalls’ Dictionary as the art or practice of examining statements logically as by question and answer to establish validity. The Socratic dialectical method was one of cross-examination. In Plato’s dialogues, Socrates characteristically argued by means of cross-examining someone else’s statements in order to pull out the contradictions in the other person’s position.

Philosophers and educators have occasionally recommended the teaching of formal logic as a means to critical thinking. Not all educators agree with this theory. Robert H. Ennis’s book Philosophy of Education reports that, although rational thinkers exhibit certain proficiencies, tendencies, and good habits, he explicitly rejected formal logic as a method of teaching rational thinking as “too elaborate.”

Research on cognitive processes reveals that there is a great difference between everyday reasoning and the logical system devised by logicians. A great deal of everyday thinking is practical, intuitive and emotional. Thinking in formal logical terms requires explicit training, but it is still difficult for highly-educated people, even those trained in logic. Wason and Johnson-Laird created an experiment called card-tuning to test the ability of adults in formal thinking. The results are so striking that the vast majority of adults, including trained logicians, not only got the given problem wrong, they usually gave the same logically incorrect answers.

Human Reasoning or the Bible?

Based on our world view, our final authority is either human reasoning or the Bible. The same natural human reasoning that the ancient Greeks so venerated is manifest in today’s liberal secular/humanistic thinking. Secular liberals believe that all men are searching for truth and every man gets a portion of it, so nobody is wrong and nobody is right.

MAN”S LOGIC: It doesn’t seem rational that God would make a Hell; therefore, they believe that there is no Hell. Reason says, “I don’t believe what the Bible says because it does not fit with my rational thinking.” Or “I can’t believe there is a God of wrath, so there must not be a God of wrath.”

Oswald Chambers said, “The salvation of God does not stand on human logic; it stands on the sacrificial death of Jesus. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creatures by the marvelous work of God in Christ Jesus, which is prior to all experience.”

Should a Christian Teach Logic?

Logic is not pagan or evil. The God-given ability to reason well is a critical thinking skill that is vital in science, mathematics, law, forecasting, diagnosing, and just about every other discipline. The ability to reason well is of great importance.

Critical thinking skills are not right or wrong. Logic is a skill or a tool like a hammer. A hammer can be used to build something useful or as a murder weapon. Logic skills can be developed as a tool to defend the Bible or to tear it apart. Are books good or evil? Books can be used to spread the Gospel or promote pornography.

Thinking along these lines—are cows good or evil?

• In Bible times domesticated cattle were used by the Hebrews in many ways: as a food source (in 1 Kings 4:23 Solomon’s daily household ration included thirty cattle and oxen), as sacrificial offerings (Solomon offered twenty-two thousand oxen in 1 Kings 8:63), to pull carts ( Num. 7:3), as pack animals ( 1 Chron. 12:40), for threshing ( Deut. 25:4) and, together with sheep and goats, for milk products and dung.
• On the other hand, the ancient Egyptians worshiped cows. In the wilderness, the Hebrews, looking back to Egypt, built a golden calf to worship. This idolatry brought death to three thousand Hebrews.
• Today the majority of the population in America believes cows are healthy to eat. The average diet includes milk and/or hamburgers. The U.S. beef industry generates an estimated $175 billion in economic activity
• Some people believe cows are full of harmful antibiotics and poison their body. Medical reports say eating beef has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes. Drinking milk has been linked to asthma, allergies, intestinal bleeding, and juvenile diabetes. Cutting dairy products out of your diet gives you a greater chance of avoiding bronchial, respiratory, and stomach problems.
• The Hindu religion teaches the sanctity of animal life, and while they themselves usually live in abject poverty, the animals among them are maintained in idleness. Over 50% of the population of India is malnourished while large portions of government funds go to provide food, shelter and health care for cows.

The answers to our questions will depend on who we ask, and their worldview and their reasoning. We can’t always trust human reasoning, especially in moral and spiritual matters. But this fact does not negate the importance of logic and reasoning.

It is essential to adopt the attitudes and dispositions of a critical thinker when studying the Bible. Author Marvin Wilson asks excellent critical thinking questions of the Bible such as, “What is the inner world of biblical thought? What is the cultural mind-set of the authors of Holy Writ? Are we to understand the Bible chiefly through the eyes of Hellenism [Greek thought and culture] or through the eyes of Judaism [Hebrew thought and culture]?

Basic Bible hermeneutics contains logical principles that must be applied in order to correctly understand the Bible—who is the author, when did he live, what is his point of view, what was the cultural and historical setting of the time in which he wrote, to whom was he writing, and in which language was he writing?

Now, we have validated that reasoning is an important skill, but we must also recognize that there is an innate weakness in human logic. Logic means correct reasoning, but following logic does not always produce a valid conclusion. If there is not enough information or wrong information is in the chain of reasoning, the conclusion will be wrong.

Paul says, We know in part ( 1Cor 13:9), and we see through a glass darkly ( 1 Cor 13:11 KJV). Problems arise when we trust logic more than God or His Word. It’s really a matter of motivation, priorities, and balance.

Marvin Wilson describes the difference between block logic and Greek logic in Our Father Abraham:

The use of what may be termed block logic is another important contour of Hebrew thought. Greek logic, which has to a large extent influenced the Western world, was different. The Greeks often used a tightly contained step logic whereby one would argue from premises to a conclusion, each step linked tightly to the next in coherent, rational, logical fashion. The conclusion, however, was usually limited to one point of view—the human being’s perception of reality.

By contrast, the Hebrews often made use of block logic. That is, concepts were expressed in self-contained units or blocks of thought. These blocks did not necessarily fit together in any obviously rational or harmonious pattern, particularly when one block represented the human perspective on truth and the other represented the divine. This way of thinking created a propensity for paradox, antinomy, or apparent contradiction, as one block stood in tension—often illogical relation—to the other. Hence, polarity of thought or dialectic often characterized block logic.

It is particularly difficult for Westerners—those whose thought-patterns have been influenced more by the Greeks and Romans than by the Hebrews—to piece together the block logic of Scripture. When we open the Bible, therefore, since we are not Orientals, we are invited…to undergo a kind of intellectual conversion to the Hebraic world of the East.

Let us turn, then, to some of the many examples of block logic found throughout Scripture. The book of Exodus says that Pharaoh hardened his heart, but it also says that God hardened it ( Ex. 8:15 ; cf. 7:3). The prophets teach that God is both wrathful and merciful ( Isa. 45:7 ; Hab. 3:2 ). The New Testament refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” ( Jn. 1:29 , 36; Rev. 5:5 ). Hell is described as both “blackest darkness” and the “fiery lake” ( Jude 13 ; Rev. 19:20). In terms of salvation, Jesus said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away,” yet no one can come “unless the Father draws him” ( Jn. 6:37 , 44). To find life you must lose it ( Mt. 10:39 ). When you are weak, then you are strong ( 2 Cor. 12:10 ). The way up (exaltation) is the way down (humility) ( Lk. 14:11 ). “Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated” ( Rom. 9:13 ; Mal. 1:3 ).

Consideration of certain forms of block logic may give one the impression that divine sovereignty and human responsibility are incompatible. The Hebrews, however, sensed no violation of their freedom as they accomplish God’s purposes. Upon a more careful reading of the biblical text, one can often observe that the Bible views one block from the perspective of divine transcendence—God says, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart”—and the other from a human point of view—“Pharoah hardened his heart” ( Ex. 4:21 ; 7:3,13; 8:15). The same is often true of Scriptures which deal with the themes of predestination/election and free will/ human freedom.

In sum, the Hebrew mind could handle the dynamic tension of the language of paradox, confident that “all is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven”…Divine sovereignty and human responsibility were not incompatible.

The Hebrew knew he did not know all the answers. His position was “under the sun” (Ecc. 8:17), so his words were few (5:2). He refused to over-systematize or force harmonization on the enigmas of God’s truth or the puzzles of the universe. He realized that no one could straighten what God has made crooked (7:13). All things, therefore, did not need to be fully rational. The Hebrew mind was willing to accept the truths taught on both sides of the paradox; recognized that mystery and apparent contradictions are often signs of the divine. Stated succinctly, the Hebrews knew the wisdom of learning to trust God in matters that they could not fully understand.

While philosophical and structural divisions of learning obviously have an important role to play in contemporary education, our Western culture—especially on most levels of secular and Christian instruction—has provided little understanding concerning the nature of Hebrew thought. Thus we have the natural tendency to impose more rational and systematic categories of thought on the Bible. The Bible, however, tends to reject most carefully worked-out charts and thoroughgoing attempts at schematization. Neither God nor his Word may be easily contained in a box for logical or scientific analysis.

Both God and his Word have a sovereign unpredictability that defies rational, human explanation. [Not only because of our perceptive inability to see things invisible or to see the forest while we’re down here among the trees, but also because God’s motives, thoughts, methods and goals are perfect while our hearts and minds have been perverted by the Fall.]

The Semites of Bible times did not simply think truth—they experienced truth…truth is as much an encounter as it is proposition…To the Jew, the deed was always more important than the creed. He was not stymied by language that appeared contradictory from a human point of view. Neither did he feel compelled to reconcile what seemed irreconcilable. He believed that God ultimately was greater than any human attempt at systematizing truth. Walking in truth ( 2 Jn. 4 ) and living the truth ( 1 Jn. 1:6 ) were a higher priority than rationally analyzing the truth. In the words of the renowned biblical scholar Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchikk, “We [Jews] are practical. We are more interested in discovering what God wants man to do than we are in describing God’s essence…as a teacher, I never try to solve questions because most questions are unsolvable.” He concludes, “Judaism is never afraid of contradictions…it acknowledges that full reconciliation of the two is possible only in God. He is the coincidence of opposites.” (Wilson, p. 150-153).

The Hebrews of Bible times believed that “walking in the truth” ( 2 John 4 ) and “living the truth” ( 1 John 1:6 ) were higher priorities than rationally analyzing the truth.

The classical Greek education model focuses on literature and logic.
The biblical Hebraic education model focuses on God’s Word and faith.

Don’t We Need Logic To Defend Christianity?

According to the rhetorical and argumentative standards of Aristotle and the other humanists, every argument had to be answered.

According to God: Remind them about these things, solemnly calling on them in the presence of God not to argue about words, since that is of no use and tears down those who listen. Do your utmost to let God see that you at least are a sound workman, with no need to be ashamed of the way you handle the Word of Truth. Avoid all that profane jargon, for it leads people still further into ungodliness (2 Tim. 2:14-16).

Teaching Critical Thinking

I used A Case of Red Herrings with my children to improve their thinking skills. It’s a book on critical thinking that teaches the student to follow lines of reasoning, generate hypotheses, analyze information, test possibilities, and look beyond the obvious. It involved reading short mystery stories where some of the clues gave a false lead. It was fun and educational. The children learned how to note key words and understand critical thinking. We used the book to improve study skills.

There are fine Christian resources on logic such as The Thinking Toolbox: Thirty-five Lessons That Will Build Your Reasoning Skills and Logic in 100 Minutes and The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Six Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning, 2nd Edition. You can use any of these resources to introduce logic and critical thinking to your children. Do they need formal logic? Pray about it. God has a plan for your child. Ask Him and He will equip you to prepare them.

You can teach critical thinking to your children daily while studying God’s Word. One way is by asking open-ended questions to clarify their ideas and beliefs (Jesus taught by asking questions). Ask them what they mean when they comment on a passage. Question their comments to discover their assumptions to find if their ideas line up with what Scripture teaches. Challenge them to validate their ideas with evidence from another portion of Scripture. Ask for examples of how they have practiced or applied the information. Ask your students to narrate or rephrase a passage.

Finding the Balance

Knowledge, understanding, and diligent study are of utmost importance for believers. But we also see the problems with large amounts of time devoted to the study of formal logic.

A good test of our priorities is how we spend our time and money. If you spent curriculum money on books on logic but have no Bible study tools in your library, you probably need to rethink your priorities. If you spend two hours at night planning logic lessons and an hour each day teaching logic, but only spend 15 minutes in Bible study, you need to rethink your priorities. Pray about priorities and balance. You will never go wrong when you immerse yourself and your children in studying the Word and in solid biblical teaching.

Nothing in our life—not logic, nor math, nor language, nor literature, not even family or church—should have higher priority than the Word of God. When some thing replaces the lordship of Christ, that thing can become idolatrous and cause us to be susceptible to spiritual disaster.

There is an account of an old recipe for chicken which started out with this instruction: “First catch the chicken.” The author of this recipe knew how to put first things first. It all comes down to established priorities—we put the things that should be in first place in their proper order. When the study of formal logic to defend God’s Word takes the place of time spent studying God’s Word, we have lost our way.

Much of the above is from The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach. Download more excerpts here.

Related Posts:

• Classical Education
• Everyone Has a World View: Do You Know Yours?
• Homeschool and Views of Knowledge
• A Wisdom Parable
• An Easy Way to Make Homeschool Decisions
• Are You Interpreting the Bible Correctly?
• Creating Reminders for Our Children
• Discover the Biggest Mistake Made by Homeschoolers!

Heart at Home Blog: I organized my computer cables–come see!

Footnotes

1. Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985.
2. Henle M. ( 1962). “On the relation between logic and thinking”. Psychological Review, 69, 366-378.
3. Halpern, Diane. Critical Thinking across the Curriculum: A Brief Edition of Thought and Knowledge. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Publication Year: 1997. Page Number: 80.
4. Wason, Peter Cathcart Psychology of Reasoning: Structure and Content (1972) Harvard University Press .
5. Robert H. Ennis, “A Conception of Rational Thinking,” in Jerrold R. Coombs , ed., Philosophy of Education, ( Normal, Ill.: Philosophy of Education Society, 1974), pp. 3-30.
6. Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest.
7. Achtemeier, Paul J., Publishers Harper & Row, and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper’s Bible Dictionary. Includes Index. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
8. Washington Times Editorial, http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20040115-085001-1690r.htm
9. The Environmental Impact of Eating Beef and Dairy Products”
10. Wilson, Marvin. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, Grand Rapids , MI : Eerdman’s Publishing Co. , 1989, p. 5).
11. IBID
12. The red herring term came from the practice of using smoked herring fish to distract dogs following a scent trail. The strong smell would obscure the real trail. When an irrelevant topic is introduced to divert the attention away from the topic that’s being discussed, or an argument where the premises are not logically connected to the conclusion. It is also referred to as “changing the subject.”
13. Penguin logic cartoon is by Randy Glasbergen. Visit Randy’s site @ www.glasbergen.com

In this approach, the Bible is the main focus and the core of the curriculum, with the secondary focus dedicated to developing academic skills. Students spend half the school day studying God’s Word (direct Bible studies) and the other half studying God’s world (derived studies-history, science, etc.) using a unit study approach. Language arts are practiced throughout the day along with Bible and academic studies. Although we use the term “half the school day,” we don’t mean three hours of Bible followed by three hours of academics, because students work in the Bible in all studies-hence half the school day.

To form a mental image of this approach, imagine four stacks of books: stacks A, B, C, and D.

• Stack A includes Bible, Bible study tools (Bible dictionary, atlas, concordance, customs and manners reference, lexicons, etc.), and a writing handbook.
• Stack B includes books related to a history theme (reference books and literature).
• Stack C contains books related to a science theme (reference books, textbooks, and science project books).
• Stack D includes books related to life skills (self-help, marriage, parenting, interior design, car repair, etc.).

You will use the books from stack A (Bible) exclusively the first hour or two of the school day, depending on your students’ ages.

You will use stacks A (Bible) and B (history) the second half of the school day for a number of weeks. Then, stack C (science) replaces stack B (History) for a number of weeks. Stack D (life skills) is not used until the high school years, when the school day is longer.

Writing, spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation, handwriting, vocabulary, phonics, and critical-thinking skills are not learned as separate subjects, but are integrated into each study.

Is it working? Is the homeschool movement fulfilling its goal? Homeschoolers are avoiding the public school agenda, but are they replacing it with the truly biblical way of learning? We know what to reject; do we know what to pursue in its place?

Education (and all human activity) must be defined in God’s terms. There is a danger revealed in Romans 1 for those seeking knowledge without God “. . . because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (21). They let their imaginations run wild and began worshiping things apart from what God had revealed of Himself. Their imaginings, Paul says, led them straight into idolatry.

We are challenged to search out God’s purpose and standards for education. It is not enough to simply borrow a curriculum of the western tradition and sprinkle it with Christian words. God, in this world, has appointed wisdom to be the structure, method and goal of our learning.

Wisdom is far above all of these. All other educational goals, even a good-paying job or socialization are casting a shadow of vanity. We must return to the biblical standards for education if there is ever to be a holy generation, set afire by truth, and inspired in our daily lives.

What makes Christian Education Christian?

What is the real purpose of education? Why do Christian schools insist on using Greek and Roman standards for education? Does the Bible give a pattern of learning? What is wisdom, and what is the Christian community?

It may be difficult, at first, but it is essential that we compare our educational goals to God’s Word. Education affects every area of human experience. The way we see our world, the values we hold important, the skills we feel are necessary, our opinions of the past, present, and future—all are clearly affected by our education and our educational philosophies. Education is a process that forms one for life.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1–2).

Wisdom First

Man should begin his journey to obtain knowledge by first acquiring wisdom. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3–4).

Wisdom comes from God’s word. Consistently Christian education (and this means consistently throughout education) must be built up, line upon line, from a foundation of Scripture. The tools of categorization, logical demonstration, and communication skills are to be used to identify systematically and put to proper use all things according to the interpretation given in the Word. All human skills and educational abilities are to be subjected to the authoritative revelation of Scripture. These must have but one foundation.

We cannot stand with one foot on the Bible and the other on human mystic tradition or we will be torn asunder. We must build foursquare on Scripture alone.

Suggested Memory Verses

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:14).

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom; though it cost all you have, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. ( James 1:5)

My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. Proverbs 3:21–24

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Adapted from portions of The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach and Far Above Rubies: Wisdom in the Christian Community by David Mulligan

The Heart of Wisdom teaching approach is a four-year program consisting of several multi-level unit studies where each member of the family studies the same subject at the same time on their own individual level.

This four-year rotation course gives each child three distinct exposures to each topic on their own level over a 12 year period. Each unit study includes Bible, history, science, research, writing, and literature.

• History is studied chronologically.
• Science is studied in the order of Creation.
• Life-skills studies are added in middle and high school years.

• Download Homeschool Danger Audio Here: Do you doubt your ability to homeschool? Do you worry if you are doing enough? Many parents fall into this homeschool pit . I fell into it. I describe avoiding the pit and how to gain the confidence you need to teach your children. (27 minutes)
• Download Heart o Wisdom Overview Audio Here: I answer questions about the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach.

Comments

1. 

   Comment by Angela :

   Robin I am so excited to hear you SPEAK for the first time tomorrow! I have passed the word and hope that my community gives you a good showing!

   Angela’s last blog post..Robin Sampson Free Online Conference Tomorrow!

2. 

   Comment by Susan :

   Eek! I’d love to join you…desperately want to, but can I stay up for a 1am start time? I’ll see…life has been hectic here lately and I’ve been sooo tired.

   If I don’t get to join in, I hope your talk goes well for you Robin, as I know it will be gratefully received by others.

   Bless you online friend, who is always in my prayers,
   Susan <

3. 

   Comment by Susan :

   Oh! We are talking in the AM, aren’t we? Morning?

4. 

   Comment by LeeAnn :

   Thank you for taking the time to leave the link! I’ll listen to it!

   LeeAnn’s last blog post..Wednesday–successes and questions

5. 

   Comment by Penney Douglas :

   I listened to the audios. They were wonderful. You did a great job and the message about fear was excellent.

   By the way, I just had my 10th baby Wed. night, 8-6-08. Her name is Abigail Eden. She and I are both doing well.

   Love,
   Penney

   Penney Douglas’s last blog post..The Best Dad in the Whole World

6. 

   Comment by kim :

   Thank you for the message on “Danger in the Homeschool”!!
   I am soooo guilty of this fear and intimidation. My heart yearns to follow anywhere He leads, and REST in Him and His undying love for me and my children!!
   thank you!

7. Pingback by Free Homeschooling Audio’s | Quiverfull Family :

   [...] Sampson at Heart of Wisdom has two free homeschooling audio downloads available at her [...]

8. Comment by ~*Mona*~ :

   Hello! This sounds like a very interesting podcast. I am a homeschooler of 6 children and enjoy anything that pertains to that. I wanted to listen to the podcast (well, actually download because I have turtle-net) but it is telling me I am at a broken link. Is it just me or is the link truly not going where it should? Thanks for any help!

   BLessings,
   Mona

9. 

   Comment by littlesanctuary :

   great podcast Robin.

10. 

    Comment by Susan :

    Oh yeah! I’m interested in more…if and when you’re able.

11. 

    Comment by MoBo :

    Oh please definitely do more podcasts. I so enjoyed hearing your heart. Your motives behind the HOW Approach are in alignment with things I have been taught over the last few years; I am quite interested. I would also like to know how you approach Math. Thank you for your faithfulness.

12. 

    Comment by joy :

    I have become afraid of many things. I have yelled at my son lots of times. I can’t make decisions anymore because I married a man I thought was godly, but turned out to be treacherous. Because of my apparent lack of discernment and countless failures in all areas of life since, and advice from “experts”, I put my son into the local public middle school instead of homeschooling this year. I had no idea there would be so much opposition: legalism and apathy from staff and administration, an increasingly urban atmosphere and emphasis on not thinking. My son did not want to go to this school, but I could’nt decide what was best. So having no confidence in myself and no direction for homeschooling, I took him to that place. He’s smart and I felt I was keeping him at an academic disadvantage, but according to testing done at school, last year he learned as much with me at home, having no experience, as the other kids learned in public school. We used to have time to go to the gym and take walks in the park. We don’t now. There’s more tension because of all the meetings and phone calls and lack of cooperation from the school. I know there are times when parents must take their children to a public or private school (We also had a bad experience with one of those), But my fear made me send my child somewhere icky…more guilt, shame, self-loathing. I just wanted to thank you for the insight and let others know our experience. One question: Have you ever completely given-up on God?

13. Comment by Wendy :

    Thank you for this podcast. It is what I needed to hear. The Lord has been speaking to me about resting in HIM. This is a wonderful confirmation.

14. Comment by Mrs. Hewett :

    Robin,

    I love the Heart of Wisdom teaching approach and look forward to using it with my children as they reach “school age”. Thanks for providing the homeschool audio above – your perspective on Christian homeschooling is invaluable.

    Blessings,

    Mrs. H

15. Comment by Elizabeth :

    I love getting advice. The Bible says for the older women to teach the younger women. I would love to hear what you have to say! Thanks for doing what you do and keep up the good work!
    In Christ,
    Elizabeth

16. 

    Comment by Kate :

    Thank you so much for your words…they speak to my heart. I am looking forward to redoing our family’s educational (and lifestyle) focus using the HOW approach. The Lord is worthy of being our all in all! Kate in GA

17. 

    Comment by Kathryn :

    Thanks for the great words – and for letting me know you are on twitter. I started following you today and I can already see that your words of faith and inspiration are going to be just what I needed.

    I stumbled across your book “What a Child Needs to Know When” just when I was considering giving up on homeschooling. It was the perfect words are the perfect time. You have the ability to explain what most of us know in our hearts and that makes following our hearts much easier.

18. 

    Comment by Janis :

    Wonderful words. What a blessing to everyone. I wholeheartedly agree in every way with every word. Your message confirms everything the Lord has led our family into for well over a decade, with many striking parallels to your own.

    Oh, how I need to learn to rest in Him, EVERY moment of EVERY day, by His Spirit. Thanks so much for your gentle but firm and fortifying message, Robin. Shalom.

19. 

    Comment by Laura :

    Your writings have been an important part of my growth as a follower of Christ (which of course impacts homeschooling). Thank you for your oppenness and gentle spirit.

20. 

    Comment by Jacque :

    Great audio! I will be listening to it again!

    I will blog about it and Tweet about it then too. I will let you know as described. I am also going to email some of my friends, because some of them are not on the internet, blogging, etc., and I want them to know!
    
    Thank you for this. You are a sweetie!

21. 

    Comment by QuietMom :

    Fabulous. Can’t wait to listen to the audio. Love your stuff!
    Annette

22. 

    Comment by Susan :

    Robin,
    Lovely audio! Great advice regardless of age, gender or the family size.

    I’ll be sure to continue to point homeschoolers toward the Bible and your site.

    Regards,
    Susan

23. Comment by Debbie :

    Thank you so much for your encouraging words, they were like a drink of cold water to my spirit!

24. Comment by Kim :

    I came across your site on another homeschoolers blog. Fear…something I struggle with daily. I am not even homeschooling yet, as I will begin doing preschool homeschool with my little boy in the fall, but I already have many fears regarding it.

    My husband and I knew from the beginning that we would most likely not send our children to preschool and that I would teach them from home at this age level. However, after observing children and teachers in the public school setting as a teacher myself, my husband and I have begun praying about whether or not to homeschool indefinitely. But then the fear sets in.

    Fear…what will other people say about our decision, what will our family think about our decision, will our children miss out on social opportunities and friendships with their peers, will we be able to stay focused on the task at hand and stay organized? These fears are real and make me second guess our decision. However, we continue to bathe this decision of whether to homeschool indefinitely or not in prayer, prayin that the Lord will open or close doors when and where needed.

    I am so blessed to be a mother and thankful that the Lord has entrusted my son, and soon my unborn daughter into our care.

    Thanks for your encouraging words regarding fear.

    Kim

25. 

    Comment by Karen :

    Thank you so much for your encouragement. I will be starting homeschooling with my high schooler next week. I also have an infant that will be homeschooled from “day one”. I can’t wait to read your book. Blessings!

26. 

    Comment by Julie :

    I so needed to hear your words of encouragement today. I agree with everything you have said and am so happy that you have chosen to share with others! Thanks!

    I can’t wait to read your books!

    Have a blessed week!
    ~Julie

27. Comment by Homeschooling :

    This is absolutely fabulous stuff! Want to have some more from your side.

28. 

    Comment by Sally Sundeen :

    This sounds like the book to have when it comes to homeschooling around a Bible based curriculum. I’ve heard such great things about this book, and unfortunately I do not have it. I am a new homeschooler, with a Pre-K child. I would love to have this and be able to use it from now through high school!

29. 

    Comment by HSB Suzanne :

    Thank you for your encouraging words. The audio is awesome! I appreciate your commitment to the Lord.

30. 

    Comment by Karen :

    Oh girl, I ask myself these questions every single day! You were speaking straight to me. “He flows out of us when we abide in Him!” This is exactly what I needed to hear. I know I know this but I not only want to know it but live it. I am so grateful for the life God has given me yet I’m not showing gratitude the way I’ve been living. I know God is not pleased when I’m constantly overwhelmed and frustrated. This is not His Will for me and there is nothing more I desire in this world than to please God Almighty.

    Robin, You were used by God this very day to speak straight to my heart.  You have rekindled His fire within me and a desire to be filled with His living water. You said “If we are not producing the fruits of the spirit that we are quenching the Holy Spirit” I about lost it. This is a very hard pill to swallow and very hard to admit but I’ve let outside circumstances and the constant disapproval of others change my heart and create doubt & fear. I must stop and hear God calling me back to the simple truth. In & through Him I can do all things! Thank you so much for such an amazing message.

    God Bless,
    Karen @ Lil Momma’s Haven

31. 

    Comment by Amy B :

    I heard about this over at the Homeschool Lounge! I’m off to listen to your download now… I could use some motivation!

32. 

    Comment by Stephanie :

    The new header looks great. Did you create it yourself?

33. 

    Comment by Kym :

    I just got your checklist book and the Biblical Holidays they are really great. can’t wait to listen to the audio.

The classical book list entitled the “Great Books of the Western World” contains the writings of Plato, Sophocles, Aristotle, and other men who declared that the answers to life’s mysteries and problems are found in men and not in God (even the Koran is on the list). Our children should be immersed in the sixty-six great books in God’s Word, and books by Christians, not in writings by men who knew not our Lord!

This surge of interest to return to Greek classical education cries, “We need to return to the traditional literary culture, the classical standards of the past.” Insistence on a “back to basics” curriculum of “reading, writing and arithmetic,” has again become popular. It is a desire to turn back to the fork where we took the wrong road.

The classical method that was developed in ancient Greece and Rome, and established in the Middle Ages, was used almost exclusively in the Western world until the nineteenth century. The main focus was reading the Greek and Roman classics. To be in touch with literary arts marked one as accomplished.

We understand this desire to return to a better way, but believe that, instead of returning to the ancient Greeks’ ways, we need to return to the biblical model. Our only hope for a stable, ongoing, integrated culture is placing the Word of God at the center of our thinking, speaking, and acting. Literature and all literary arts must give place to mastery of the Bible. And they themselves become servants to the Word of God.

The Greek model is comprised of three phases of learning: 1) grammar, 2) dialectic, and 3) rhetoric. It is similar to the biblical model except for the main ingredient: true wisdom cannot be gained by unaided human reason. The Greeks wanted to conform to the good and natural things of the world, but without God this is not possible.

We must do more than rail against godless education. We must identify a distinctly Christian curriculum—one that takes its identity, its motion, from the reality of our redeemed condition—one that begins with the authority of the risen Christ speaking through His Word.

It is not enough to know what we are against; we must know what we are for. Dismantling the world is one work; building the kingdom is another. If we fail to make a positive contribution to education, if we keep the same old public school agenda packaged in Christian dress, our children will not prosper as they should. Without fundamental changes, we are only straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel. We cannot let the wolf of antichrist values in because he is wearing sheep’s clothing.

There is a long tradition in this country of resistance to the wisdom of the Greeks: Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Noah Webster all judged the classics to be of scant use. (Learning from the Greeks, Commentary Magazine, Valiunas, 1998)

Literature is a blessing, but should never be the purpose or center of learning. When we return to Scripture-centered education, two things occur:

1. We can view language in its splendor without the danger of it replacing religion. We can appreciate it as God’s gift to us.
2. Considering language as a skill, we can study it in a deeper way.

There can be no doubt that literary education is more whole, more human, and more satisfying than scientific technological education. But is even literary education enough? Good literature—Scott, Milton, Virgil—promotes courage, insight, high morality, and imagination—but it can never do what the Bible does.

Why Go Back to Ancient Greek Ways? Why Not Return to Biblical Methods?

David Mulligan, author of Far Above Rubies, explains that when we hear the phrase “returning to traditional methods” we need to ask “whose tradition?”

In reacting against modernist educational failure comes an instinctive turning to traditional schooling. What does this mean? Does the bare use of nineteenth century educational material safeguard the essential Christianity of our school? There is a nagging sensation that we have not yet gotten down to the bottom of things. What is traditional education? What is the tradition? It isn’t modernism. We know that traditionalism offers another way to look at the world. We know that, but what is it? Where did it come from? Is it just a haven for Christians playing modernist Babylon?

We just want to be sure, lest we be like the man who, to escape the lion, ran into the house and was bitten by a serpent. An essential element of this truly Christian education is discovering what we mean by traditional or old-fashioned education, and to that question we have now turned.

Teachers of philosophy give their lives to examining convictions by which people can live, in order to develop a consistent worldview and way of life based on reliable evidence. The Bible warns against philosophies whose highest realities and concerns are atoms, energy, cosmic laws—or even humanity—those founded on the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ.

To build a thoroughly Christian educational system, we must begin with a thoroughly Christian definition of education. What does the Bible tell us about education? What is it? What is it for? As we have stated, nothing is self-defining or of absolute value except God, so how can education be thought of as having intrinsic value? The value we usually give to education is the value imputed by man. Is that really valid? The intrinsic value of education is so taken for granted in our culture that our institutions of learning are intellectually considered to be common ground between the believer and the unbeliever.

The Emperor is Naked!

I have watched this growing trend reflected in the availability of numerous Greek mythology and philosophy books in homeschool catalogs and at curriculum fairs. I feel like the little boy who felt that he must point out the emperor’s obvious lack of clothing. Well-intentioned Christians have combined classical Greek educational methods with Bible-based curricula, which is exactly the same error that the early Church committed!

The Bible warns us about Greek philosophies:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Under the ancient Greek system, learning begets goodness. Under the biblical system, goodness begets learning. All non-biblical education assumes that man can become learned without God. Biblical education makes knowledge the foundation of learning.

Greece was a once mighty empire. The ancient Greeks promoted beautiful fashion, fine dining, sonorous music, aesthetic arts, vigorous athletics, captivating entertainment, and a bevy of similarly stimulating activities. The ancient Greeks were the most advanced and sophisticated culture of their time. Were it not for their excellence (applying the principle to modern terms), we would not have heart transplants, ballet, air transportation or, for that matter, the Internet.

So why didn’t the ancient Greek empire survive more than a few hundred years? Historians concur that they were destroyed by moral decay. Pursuing knowledge without God is a recipe for disaster. We simply cannot survive without clear moral direction.

Three Approaches to Classical Literature—and HOW’s Alternative

Currently there are three different approaches to literature using the classical approach:

1. With the traditional focus on mythology and Greek philosophy.
2. Using the classical methods, but rejecting material written by pagans.
3. Immersion into the classic literature from a critical viewpoint.

1. Traditional Focus on Classics

The focus of the traditional classical approach (as promoted in the book The Well Trained Mind) is on Greek mythology, philosophy, logic, and Latin. The current best-selling homeschool book on the classical approach focuses on creating a student Plato would be proud of. Students of all ages, beginning with kindergarten, are immersed in stories about Greek gods. Mythology and philosophy are encouraged, while there is no emphasis on Bible study, and only a scant mention of religion. The authors suggest reading the Bible during history studies because it “ought to be treated as a serious philosophical document.”

There is legitimate cause for concern when a curriculum’s focus is on mythology and philosophy rather than the Bible. Proponents of classical education defend the study of mythology (which is really the study of false gods, idols, and/or demons) by saying that the myths are an integral part of our Western literary heritage. (Rodd)

It is short-sighted to use the argument that children need to study mythology in order to be adequately aware of the world; the same argument would imply that our children should be immersed in books on New Age philosophies, astrology, witchcraft, reincarnation, or Harry Potter. A well-grounded Christian adult with discernment may safely choose to study these subjects, but we should be careful not to feed these as entertainment to our children. Jesus said, Therefore, be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).

2. Adoption of Classical Methods but Rejection of Classical Literature

Some using the classical approach avoid the pagan literature. There are Christian homeschoolers who use the classical approach because they view the Trivium— grammar, logic, and rhetoric—as a worthy form of structure, but reject the writings by pagan authors (which is somewhat like trying to order a cheeseburger without the cheese). There is nothing inherently wrong with acknowledging these three discernible stages of learning (grammar, logic, and rhetoric); it is only common sense that children go through certain basic learning stages that build upon each other. It seems somewhat ironic to me, though, that one would use classical methods designed by classical authors, but reject the classical authors’ writings. I do, however, applaud their efforts to avoid evil.

3. Focus on the Classic Literature From a Critical Viewpoint

There are other Christians using the classical approach that focus on the Bible. They immerse students in the “Great Books of the Western World,” but do so from a critical viewpoint–—to teach their children about the positive and negative influences these books have had on our culture—which is an understandable endeavor. But this too seems an irony—that one would use the classical methods designed by the classical authors to teach students the deficiencies of the writings of the classical authors. But I am glad to see they are evaluating the writings from the standpoint of Scripture.

Heart of Wisdom’s Alternative

We recommend reading the good books–but not the books on traditional classical list.

Download Our List Here 31 pages PDF includes classics by grade level

Ask yourself if the book has value; does the book emphasize a Biblical worldview in some way?

To ignore the classics would be like a doctor disregarding the symptoms of a serious disease. We need to understand the classics for ourselves and to teach our children the impact of these works on our history and philosophy.

We can reject the classical teaching approach, as the Hebrews did, but study the impact of classical literature on our culture. Our children need to understand the world’s philosophy so they can recognize and avoid it, just as a doctor must study in order to recognize disease. However, when a doctor studies a disease, he takes precautions lest he catch the disease. He does most of his studies at a distance. When he does examine a patient with the disease, he does so with limited exposure. We can teach spiritually mature students, from a biblical worldview, about the influences of the classical authors sufficiently, with historical analysis and brief excerpts, without immersing them in pagan writings.

John D. Beckett explains in his book Loving Monday: A biblical worldview has awesome implications for those of us in the secular, Greek-thinking West. As we allow it, the Bible speaks to us concerning government, economics, education, science, art, communications and business. Really, it speaks to all of life.

Abraham Joshua Heschel encapsulated this approach to study by saying that

The Greeks study in order to understand while the Hebrews study in order to revere.

God’s Word and ways are ineffable: only by doing them can one understand them.

Don’t get bogged down in the knowledge of the Greeks. Spend your time learning what the Bible says about education.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS MOVE BACK TO CLASSICAL EDUCATION?

I’m curious—what do you think about this giant movement toward classical education? What do you think about The Well Trained Mind being the most popular book for homeschoolers? Sound off in the comments section below.

Also see: Should Christians Teach Logic?

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Comments

1. Comment by Tamara :

   Robin, Thank you so much for your obedience to God. I had been homeschooling through a charter school until last year when my husband, through God’s leading, lead me out of my “homeschool prison”. God then lead me straight to your website. We did HOW Year 1 last year and it blessed my socks off! Your article on classical education is a great reminder that the most classical of all literature is the Word of God! Lead on brave lady–there were weeks there where the Holy Spirit led me to pray for you both day and night–so thankful to God you are on the mend. God’s richest blessings to you!

2. Comment by Sabrina Thompson :Thank you for pointing out the Biblical reasons to reject the Classical approach.I bought the best selling book on classical education “The Well-Trained Mind” and found it to be the worst home schooling book I have read. It is impractical, irrelevant and sometimes ridiculous. This book hardly mentions Bible and when it does it is obviously Catholic.The author appears to be unaware that children learn by doing, that learning is meaningful, and that there are many ways to learn. I can’t imagine why anyone would be attracted to this book except Satan influence to get us off the Biblical course.
3. Comment by Peggy :AMEN! We need to focus on THE living book- The Bible. We don’t need Homer and Plato answers to life without God. Nor do we need the modern teacher of the classical approach (author of The Well Trained Mind) Susan Bauer’s ideas (rigid, stifling, harsh, severe, and downright boring) zapping all the fun out of learning.Philo of Alexandria (and many others), a Hellenized Jew merged Hebrew mythical thought with Greek philosophical thought in the first century B.C. which resulted in almost 2000 years of pagan Christianity for the Catholics and a very distorted view for many protestants. Bauer doesn’t really try to merge the Bible- she just ignores it or misquotes it.
4. Comment by Jennifer :Acckkk….guurgggll…bleh. Oh, sorry…that would be the choking out of yet another child’s joy in learning, the removing of yet another child from actual Truth. Classical homeschooling of the Greek persuasion has caused so many families, while striving for truth and excellence, to steer farther and farther away from the One who is truly excellent.Over 3 years ago, when I was a new homeschooler attempting to traverse the waters of curriculum and philosophy, a friend excitedly shared The Well Trained Mind with me, and I dutifully researched it all over the internet. Site after site claimed that it was the best thing since sliced bread, and not sharing it with my child would be an extreme injustice. So I bought SotW, along with some other recommendations, and started my child out on the path of learning for knowledge’ sake. Well, about 3 weeks into it, my 7 year old son (how open a child can be!) asked why he had to learn things that weren’t true. Manual in hand, I plunged forward, confident that I was doing what was best. Didn’t all the sites say so?A few months later, he had approached me a few more times, asking me why history contradicted God’s Word, and why his history curriculum consistently contradicted even the books it suggested he read. Well, even my trusty manual couldn’t answer that one for me…so I bravely took matters into my own hands and (gasp!) gave up the manual. We floated for a while between unit studies, workbooks, and just reading what looked good. While I felt a bit lost without a manual as a compass, this allowed me to see that I was removing him from his true Compass, and I began to search out what I should do according to God’s Word. I realized that I was given the responsibility to raise my son to be a wise, godly man that could be used by God to His glory, not a godless thinker who seeks to glorify his own knowledge and abilities. Eventually, I found Heart of Wisdom when I was searching the internet one day, and I was intrigued. I was a bit put off by yet another Classical approach, but I downloaded the free excerpts, and wow…was I impressed. A teaching approach that strives to glorify God in our children while teaching them to study to show themselves approved. I couldn’t get enough of it, but I thought there had to be a catch somewhere. I read through hundreds pages of excerpts…and there was no catch.The Hebrew approach to teaching has turned things completely around for both my son and me. He loves to learn in order to become who God would have him be, and I am constantly and consistently challenged to present knowledge of the world around him, worldviews, historical information, and scripture in a way that will truly illuminate God’s plan for him.
5. Comment by Kim :Thank you so much for allowing God to use you to help lead Gods people OUT!!!
   Getting out of Egypt seems to be the story always told, but getting Egypt out of us is the ongoing saga of the wilderness!

   Seems like every year the pressure to go back and conform to the pagan model of education places such pressure on us. Fear that our children will not measure up to the education system and standards (standards, yeah right!!) of this world is a fear most homeschool parents go through time after time.

   Again, I must repent for “respecting” the educational gods of this world and allowing them to intimidate me back to the pagan pattern.

   All over the country, even the world, God is calling HIS people OUT. He is calling us out of the murky waters of compromise and syncretism found not only in education but in churches that are becoming more and more liberal, corrupt politics, immoral entertainment… all over the world!

   Does anyone else hear the cry of the spirit that we are hearing?…. “Who is on the Lords side, come out from among them and be ye seperate!” I believe its getting louder and louder.

   Your website and articles have blessed us beyond words as God continues to confirm what we are hearing in our spirits.

   Thank you!

6. Comment by Kara :Thanks Robin, I have been so blessed through HOW, and I pray my children are being blessed because of that. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the idea that they need this “classical” approach to education because it is so accepted!!! It is hard not to just follow, it seems safer. But quite honestly it just doesn’t make sense when we consider what our purpose here on earth is! Thanks for continuing to very clearly spell that out!
7. Comment by Suzanne Watkins :I do not at all like the idea that The Well Trained Mind is the best selling homeschool book! I don’t think it’s worthy of that at all and I have read it (well parts of it). As a matter of fact, I read parts of it and even bought SOTW and found it so dark and offensive to my soul that I trashed it rather than reselling it; I just plain didn’t want anyone to end up with it because I was willing to basically give it away.But, I guess here’s where I’ll get the bash, I do like another classical ed book that is VERY focused on the Bible and does not use the pagan classics. It blends perfectly and reinforces much of HOW for me. It’s called Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn and I do like it. They are serious about the Bible being foundational and permeating everything. They are also VERY serious about not treating children like recepticals and using the better late than early approach for “bookish studies” like the Moores. This is the ONLY classical resource that I have found helpful. In the early years they are much more CM like HOW is and they even focus on the fact that at any age, all literature (no matter it’s rave reviews or classical status) is not suitable or edifying to the body of Christ). I know this may be the most unpopular post in response, but I truly do not see that much difference in the Bluedorns approach and the HOW approach with the exception of HOW focusing on Hebraic roots I think the Bluedorns have actually included that in their teachings without calling it the same things, too. Just my .02; I think by blending them, I get more encouragement for homeschooling my children God’s way. I love HOWTA and am so thankful for all the encouragement. I also love the Bluedorn’s and find them equally encouraging along with the Clarksons, who minister to me greatly!
8. Comment by admin :Thanks Suzanne. I agree. “Teaching the Trivium” is not in the same league as “The Well Trained Mind” at all. They do not recommend the pagan writings and they FOCUS on the Bible. The Bluedorn’s and the Clarksons are very encouraging! Thanks for bringing this up. No bashing here.
9. Comment by Shirley Peaberry :I was appalled to see a review calling “The Well Trained Mind” the “homeschooling Bible”?!!! The only thing biblical about this book is its length. A book’s popularity doesn’t make it a classic; it merely makes it a fad.If this is what it takes to have a well-trained mind, I don’t want one. Implementing just a few of the book’s suggested methods created a joyless learning experience for my children and me. Training (instructing/drilling) and educating (developing/enlightening) are clearly not the same thing. Also If the authors have such well-trained minds, why do they take so long to make their points? The book is BORING!We should know there is a problem when EVERY private Catholic school is uses the classical appraoch.
10. Comment by Stacy Smith :Robin,
    I was blessed to have had the Lord lead me to you before any of that stuff! I am currently reading ‘Assumptions That Affect Our Lives’ and that should be recommended reading for all homeschoolers!
    May God continue to bless you! I am praying for you.
    stacy
11. 

    Comment by Eren :

    great article Robin!
    We need to be careful not to love traditions and unfortunetly people have loved tradition above God’s truths.
    GBU,
    Eren

12. Comment by Melanie :Robin,
    WOW! God inspires me again through your writings. I have studied HOW for a few years but this is my first applied year of embracing the method. I deeply desire for my children to be trained Biblically!
    I feel like my family’s alone in this, then at a perfect time I find an article to encourage me to hold on to the truth I know. We must not blend with the world’s methods. We are a peculiar people, a holy priesthood, set aside to be a light on a hill, to be salt to this generation. If we lose our saltiness, what good are we to God’s kingdom? Robin,May God continue to bless your ministry!! In Messiah’s Love, Melanie
13. Comment by Kathleen :This is the key paragraph – I love it!The Greek model is comprised of three phases of learning: 1) grammar, 2) dialectic, and 3) rhetoric. It is similar to the biblical model except for the main ingredient: true wisdom cannot be gained by unaided human reason. The Greeks wanted to conform to the good and natural things of the world, but without God this is not possible.Robin, an individual who is not regenerated by the Holy Spirit will simply be unable to understand God’s ways. I dare say most people who claim to be Christians today are not actually saved, but have simply agreed with someone that they are a sinner and have “received” Christ as their Savior as a response to an open-ended invitation. God is the only one who can save a person. You can not save yourself – not even by “making a decision for Christ.” Today’s evangelism pleads with people to turn to Christ and accept Him instead of just preaching the news and letting God’s Holy Spirit convict and regenerate. Man has very little to do with saving souls. He is called to preach. God saves.Until He does, man’s understanding is darkened and no amount of “education” or logical argument will turn on the light. Prayer is the only hope.
14. Comment by H0MEFree :It grieves me when I think of how Christians absolutely REFUSE to make Bible the center of their homes. Even worse, homeschooling Christians.

    Churches are full of children and teens who do not know the Bible! Beyond a couple stories of Noah, Adam & eve and Jesus walking on water, they do not know a thing.

    I urge new & veteran homeschoolers alike- make the Bible and study of it your priority.
    Most nod and say “I know” or “I do”, but what they really mean is that they have a Bible workbook or textbook and teach Bible as a class or subject. They totally have missed the point.

15. 

    Comment by Dana :

    Your post reminded me of when a few years ago & I became aware for the first time the many different methods of homeschooling. The classical approach seemed interesting to me so I did some research. I was co-leading a group of homeschool moms with a friend that was very structured with a classical curriculum. So I dealved more deeply & kept trying to implement it, but something just kept stopping me. I tried to read books on the classical approach & it just didn’t make much sense to me. Everytime I would share some it with my husband he was quick to say, “I don’t want my kids taught like that, go back the scriptures.” His wisdom saved me so many tiems from going the wrong direction in our school. Now, we are firm in our “approach”. IT is all based on the word of God and teaching our children how to live an abundant life based on His precepts. Thanks again Robin!

16. Comment by Yeshua_is_Lord :Shalom my Beloved Sister }}!I hear/feel the cry of your precious spirit and when I got your e-mail, I wanted to write in to you and comment as you’ve requested.By the GRACE and MERCY of Abba Father Alone, He has given me a “grieving/conviction” to AVOID this type of material for my own reading/consumption, let alone to “feed” to our children, whom the Lord has Blessed/Entrusted us with their care for these years (and how FAST these years are passing )Robin, I’m so excited and blessed that The Holy Spirit is actually leading me and our family to “feed on” Jesus in a “new” way for our family. He has given me a Strong Desire to Call my Jesus Yeshua now too. The Holy Spirit is saying to me, yes…that’s okay, call Him Yeshua–don’t be ashamed/afraid/hesistant/proud to and The Holy Spirit Inviting/Calling us to Join Him in the Feasting on Jesus/Yeshua thru learning (and simultaneously teaching) our children about our Hebrew Roots of our Beloved Christian Faith. (MINUS and being ever mindful against any and ALL pride/superiority that *may* rear it’s ungodly head in our lives because of this “new” way of Seeking His Wonderful Face and that our total Focus MUST on Jesus (and NOT making the external an object of idoltry–which He is warning me is easy to do/fall into, if we are led by our flesh and understanding instead of His Holy Spirit Alone…of course )It’s actually AMAZING that I got your e-mail, because the Holy Spirit has just started “wooing” me just about a week now to begin this Fantastic Journey of Discovery and Deeper Love/Obedience to our Heavenly Father!

    We’re very much looking forward to checking your Biblical Holidays out from the library. It’s actually coming thru inter-library loan and will take about 6 weeks for me to actually get it. It’s totally worldy/sad how our BIG CITY library has little or NO books on Hebrew Roots of Christianity, at all–but if I were looking for ANYTHING on “classical” education or anything pagan…tons and tons books available. So WHAT! I’m counting it all joy anyway–knowing that God’s Ways are NOT our ways.

    That’s another thing the Holy Spirit is daily whispering to me in regard to us accepting His Invitation to discover This is a “new” way of Feeding on Jesus AND seeking God’s Heart/Wisdom on His Ways of Old and to understand more the Heart of Jesus and what His earthly lifestyle/background was when He walked this earth and Taught/Called people in Israel), that’s what our Sweet Holy Spirit is leading me to learn and teach our children from now on. The Scripture verse He’s gave me in this “Mission” is:

    “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Proverbs 22:28 and

    And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:14

    Our family is VERY interested in learning more about this (the meaning of Biblical Holidays and how they related to the Coming of Jesus and Fulfillment of The Old Testament too…

    Robin, I’ve been praying for you and thinking about you and this e-mail you’ve sent about Classical Education. Here’s is what The Holy Spirit wants me to ask you and then share with you about this matter:

    1.) Robin…are you praying/interceeding with deep groanings and consistency for these folks(OH PLEASE DON’T ANSWER THAT HERE, OKAY:o), If not, PLEASE do ) For Father’s Sake and theirs.

    2.) NOTE: Robin, NO MATTER how many hundreds or thousands of times you’ve read this text of Holy Scripture, READ it again BEGGING Abba to open the eyes of your beautiful spirit and give you a FRESH revelation/illumination on this text and PLEASE Beg Father to show you how He wants you to think/react/believe regarding this matter of the worldliness of classical education. (PLEASE don’t forget to REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS and again I say Rejoice while you’re counting this seemingly grievious matter of Classical education being a stumbling block to untold thousands of saints, counting it ALL JOY, Because Our God IS Alive and He Rules and Reigns and Know/Sees ALL and Jesus/Yeshua in Lord and in TOTAL control of EVERYTHING )…We MUST Remember that and Trust Him with all our spirits and NOT trust our DESPERATELY Wicked hearts.

    The Sermon on the Mount
    1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

    The Beatitudes
    3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    4 God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

    5 God blesses those who are humble,
    for they will inherit the whole earth.
    6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
    for they will be satisfied.
    7 God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
    8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.
    9 God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.
    10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

    12 Be happy about it! Be very glad!

    For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

    Teaching about Salt and Light
    13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

    14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

    Teaching about the Law
    17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

    19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

    **** 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!****

    Teaching about Anger
    21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,you are in danger of being brought before the court.

    And if you curse someone,you are in danger of the fires of hell.

    23 “So if you are presenting a sacrificeat the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

    25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

    Teaching about Adultery
    27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye[l]—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand[m]—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.

    It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

    Teaching about Divorce
    31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
    Teaching about Vows

    33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

    37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’
    or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
    Teaching about Revenge

    ****** 38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[q] carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.********

    Teaching about Love for Enemies
    43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[r] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies!Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

    Signed,

    A sister in Christ

17. Comment by Penney Douglas :Hi Robin,I’ve just started reading, or should I say, devouring the HOWTA. I’ve read samples from your website and I’ve read parts of What Your Child Needs to Know When, but now I can hold the HOWTA book in my hand, and read over and over again until it sinks in what you are really saying, and I’m finally getting it. I’ve learned to let the Spirit lead in our homeschooling more and more. He has never led me to the Classical approach, even though it seemed attractive to me several years ago, because it seemed like a way for me to have very polished, well-educated students who could hold their own in any intellectual debate or other setting where they would need to have superior thinking skills. It seemed like the best way to educate, because I wanted my kids to have well-trained minds. I just liked that concept. Well, I never got anywhere near it. The Lord never led me to buy the book or really try to research the methods at all. I didn’t know why. Now I know why, thanks to you! I’ve been using your ideas, on a shoestring, for about a year now. I have been studying the Bible with my kids and using teachable moments to really discuss things as they come up in life. We are really applying the Bible to issues we deal with such as jealousy, sibling rivalry, pride, anger, love, sharing, rejoicing with others when they rejoice and weeping with others when they weep, etc.

    I’ve tried to teach more like Jesus did, since I’ve started really digging into the HOWTA. The Bible reading has been fascinating, using the Narrated Bible. Your recommendations have been so helpful and spiritually inspiring. We never would have learned such things from trying to use the classical approach because we would have been so caught up in knowledge that we wouldn’t have had time to seek wisdom. I’m really starting to see the difference between the two. I’m starting to really value wisdom, too. And I feel very good about teaching my children true wisdom.

    I am concerned about the many homeschoolers that are just “doing school” at home instead of ministering and really teaching their children in the ways of the Lord. I’ve seen some homeschooled children who are bored, legalistic, obnoxious, worldly, etc, and I don’t believe that God is being honored or put first in their homeschooling, or they wouldn’t be turning out that way. I think your challenge to homeschoolers to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead them in their home schooling is a wake-up call to many home schooling moms who are just going through the motions or doing what seems right to them or whatever is popular. And we need to pray without ceasing for all of the Christian homeschoolers to start really relying on the Holy Spirit to lead them. I know He will lead them to what is good and wholesome, and I know that He will lead them to His Word first! I personally know many homeschoolers who are only doing it because they know the public schools are not right for their children, but they would put them in Christian school if they could afford it. They see homeschooling as a last resort. I see it as the very best way to educate and train and raise up our children in the way that they should go, if we do it His way. Heart of Wisdom is the best way I’ve seen to do it His way. I haven’t really researched other similar approaches. God led me here, and I’m happy with the fruit I’ve seen in myself and my children from using this approach.

    Robin, thank you for sounding the alarm, and helping others to see the danger in using false measures of what comprises a “good” education. God is using you mightily. Keep on going with all He’s leading you to do. It is a great work. I’ll pray for you, my sister, for strength and wisdom and every spiritual blessing!

    Love,
    Penney

18. Comment by Penney Douglas :I’m sorry for not leaving breaks for paragraphs. I guess my post isn’t the easiest to read. Sorry about that. I was kind of in a hurry
19. Comment by Stacy :Robin,We are in our second year of homeschooling. I found the HOW website during the time I was praying about homeschooling. Your article about Classical education on the website helped me so much. If I had not read that article I could have been one of those new homeschooling families that began using classical education curriculum because I was very new and inexperienced.
20. Discernment and wisdom come from experience, prayer and warfare. When we are “new” to something we most often lack that discernment and wisdom. I was very thankful that you shared this information on your site. It is very convicting. I feel that the enemy is using classical education just as he is using “religion” and replacement theology to mask the truth from Christians. Anytime we remove God’s Word from our lives and our decision making processes we are opening a door for the enemy to enter in and wreak havoc in our lives. These two scriptures came to mind while I was thinking about how to comment:Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.Matthew 6:33Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

    When I reflect on all the mistakes or hard times I’ve gone through in my life, I always see where I didn’t allow the Holy Spirit to guide me and I didn’t go to the Word of God for directions. He gave us a handbook full of truth. Each scripture has more than one layer of information. The more we study and read the Word, the more the Lord can show us. When we don’t teach our children the Word of God, not only are we walking in disobedience, but we are depriving them of the only thing that will help them through their walk in this life and keep them on the straight and narrow path to Jesus. Our live are not about man….IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!

    Blessings,
    Stacy

21. 

    Comment by Robin Sampson :

    Paul was concerned that no false teacher take the Colossian believers captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.
    
    Any man-made philosophy that has no place for Christ is unworthy of our consideration. We are rich in Him; why lower ourselves to follow man-made doctrines? Let religious teachers come along with their “hidden doctrines”; we have all wisdom hidden in Christ, and we are “hid with Christ in God” (3:3).

    Paul wrote not against all philosophy but against false philosophy, as the Bible also speaks against false religion (James 1:26). The particular false philosophy at Colosse was “hollow” (kenes, “empty”), “deceptive,” and based on human tradition . . . rather than on Christ. True Christian philosophy “take[s] captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
    
    Philosophy is the love of wisdom, but if one loves wisdom that is not Christ (the Sum of all wisdom, Col. 2:3), he loves an empty idol. Such a one will be “always clearning but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7).

    This kind of philosophy is based on the world’s basic principles (stoicheia, “elementary principles” or “elemental spirits” (Col. 2:20; Gal. 4:3, 9). This may refer to the evil spirits who inspire such heresy and over whom Christ triumphed (cf. 2 Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 6:11-12). Such a philosophy is demonic and worldly, not godly or Christlike.

    Unless believers are careful, such philosophy may ensnare them, taking them “captive.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

    So burdened was Paul, he was in spiritual conflict, wrestling in prayer against Satan who was seeking to lead these believers astray. Paul knew how to overcome Satan—prayer and the Word of God (Eph. 6:17–18).

    He longed to see the saints united in Christ, enjoying the riches of blessing in Him. The false teachers had their fascinating philosophies, but in Christ we have “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (v. 3).

    Man’s philosophies are attractive. They give a show of wisdom and intelligence, and too often young Christians are “beguiled” by these “enticing words” (v. 4).

    How tragic it is when young people go off to secular schools and fall prey to man-made philosophies that deny Jesus Christ and the Bible. “Beware lest any man take you captive” (spoil you—v. 8), warns the apostle. How is the believer to overcome these philosophies? By walking in faith and growing in Christ.

    As you were saved by faith, so walk by faith. As you were saved by the Word, so walk according to the Word. As you were saved through the work of the Spirit, so walk in the Spirit. The Christian life continues as it began, by faith in God.
    
    Have roots that dig down into the richness of the Word. Have foundations that are strong, laid upon Jesus Christ. How important it is to be taught the Word of God! Believers fall prey to religious philosophies unless they are rooted in Christ, grounded in the Word, and built up in Bible truth.(Wiersbe, W. W.)

    Bottom Line: The Biblical concept of education was not “to impart knowledge” or to “prepare oneself intellectually”. It was to produce holiness and to impart a distinctive lifestyle. When Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about the importance of teaching in the Church, his concept of education was Hebrew, not the popular Greek classical of the day.

22. 

    Comment by Tracye :

    I completely agree with you Robin. It seems to me that the “new” found classical approach is nothing more than a redressed lie from the enemy of our souls; Satan. He roams about seeking whom he may devour and with the classical approach teaching the things of the pagans he has an open door to the minds of children.

    The Word of God is our foundation and should be given and taught to our children as our foundation. All else is sinking sand.

    Here are a few Scriptures that all Christian families would do well to heed.

    Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

    Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the Armour of light.

    Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

    Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

23. 

    Comment by prayermom101 :

    I agree that is why I chose not to go with classical education. I chose HOW and combining student of the word to use for my children.

24. 

    Comment by Cindy :

    Robin,
    I am so glad you wrote HOWTA and other articles about this issue. Because we as true believers are in the Diaspora, it is hard not to be influenced by the world’s philosophy of education. Long ago, before I came to the Hebrew roots of the faith, the Father showed me that “Christian” education was just like the world’s…it just had a few Bible verses thrown in, maybe some “Christian” books, prayer before class, chapel, etc. (I went to Christian school and Christian college so I feel qualified to make this assessment.)
    Even now, I am still learning HOW to teach my children from a Biblical perspective and being led daily by the Ruach/Spirit. His ways/thoughts are not the world’s ways/thoughts. They are HIGHER! We must be careful not to let the world press us into its mold (Rom. 12:1). I feel like I am on a journey, like Abraham…I know where I’m leaving, but not quite sure where I am going! But HE knows, so I just strive to follow Him day by day.
    It is my belief we are entering the last 7 year Biblical cycle…we are preparing for Yeshua’s return to rule and reign and we will not necessarily be spared the hard times coming on this world leading up to the time of His return. I want my children to be prepared for whatever He has for us in these next few years. How will classical education prepare them for THAT?
    So…as far as classical education, I see it as a last ditch effort by the Enemy of our souls to snatch our children/families away. We are commanded not to learn the way of the heathen. He does not like mixture! So we cannot take something that is founded on worldly philosophy and make it Biblical! BEWARE whenever you hear someone say, “All truth is God’s truth.” That is usually from someone who is NOT basing their thinking solely on Scripture.
    Keep up the good work Robin. And I am glad to see you moving from the DC area…for your protection.
    Shalom,
    Cindy in eastern NC

25. 

    Comment by Training Hearts :

    Wow! Wonderful words of wisdom and many of the comments above fit my heart’s desire.

    Thank you for sharing this (and I look forward the book list that you link to).

    BTW, my Spiritual Sunday is up here:
    http://www.traininghearts.com/blog/?p=475

    Blessings, Tamara
    http://www.TrainingHearts.com

26. 

    Comment by Pati in WA :

    I started out with WTM, loving the “intellectual” approach to homeschooling, reading “Repairing the Ruins” and other books by Christian classical-schooling authors. SOTW was a real disappointment, Baruch HaShem!!!

    Robin, your words and concern about the classical approach really resonated with me with I found HOW and I knew I wanted more Bible than greek philosophy in teaching my girls! HOW has really impacted my whole approach to homeschooling!

    I have many homeschooling friends who love the classical approach, and I have shared with them, gently, some of the concerns. I’ve found many to be receptive, and shared my copy of HOWTA with many. One thing I’ve gently shared is that the classical approach is the basis of humanism – it’s where the secular humanistic culture we have comes from.

    When they ask what “curriculum” I use for Bible, I say, just use the Bible. I use the NKJV and my 5 year old has no problem. I also remind them to focus on Israel for ancient history, and that immersing themselves and their children in the Bible & Biblical culture can only have a wonderful effect on them all!

    And to Him who sits at the Right Hand of the Father be all the glory!

    Shalom and L’Shanah Tovah!
    Pati in WA

27. 

    Comment by Kelly in GA :

    Robin,
    Thank you, once again, for your godly wisdom and insight. If only I had discovered your approach to education five years ago when I first began my research into homeschooling.
    My oldest daughter was then only 3 years old, and a very well-intentioned friend tried to mentor me and suggested several homeschooling books for me to read, one of which was The Well-Trained Mind. She said that it was a “must-have for every homeschooling mom, whether you decide to use the classical method or not”. (Another one she recommended was Gayle Graham’s “How to Home School– A Practical Approach”, which I love…these books are quite the opposites, I think).
    In an effort to educate myself about how to homeschool, I bought WTM and read it. I was not only overwhelmed by the book, but also discouraged and confused. I wanted to give my daughter a ‘good’ education, but the approach seemed rigid, academically strenuous, and quite frankly, boring. (I did not know enough about Greek vs. Hebrew education to make a judgment about it from that perspective.)
    I kept the book on my shelf, knowing that I would never implement a classical education but thinking I might ‘need’ some bit of information from it at some point. I think the only real benefit I gleaned from its many pages was the idea of keeping notebooks for certain subjects. That and the fact that I think it drove me to search for a far different approach to teach my children. (I finally decided that the book was a waste of space on my precious bookshelves and sold it last year at convention. Had I been able to read your article first, I may have been inclined to trash it instead.)
    For the first couple of years, we went with Sonlight and that worked okay for us. I really loved the idea of a literature-based approach, but I still felt that something did not quite fit or was missing. I leaned heavily toward giving the Charlotte Mason approach a try, but was too chicken to totally give up workbooks and other traditional methods (I forgot to mention that I have a M.Ed. in secondary science education, but I am retraining my thinking about education… all those years learning and teaching in public schools makes for a hard habit to break ).
    A couple of years ago, I found your web-site while doing a search on notebooking. I have been totally blessed by the e-group and your blog articles and all the information on your site. I have learned so much without even reading HOWTA (which I have purchased and plan to read by this year).
    We have implemented Bible reading/study as the first part of our daily lessons. And I am weaning off workbooks in favor of learning- by-doing. My children and I are enjoying learning together even more as I learn to relax and not worry about checking off my little boxes as we complete a lesson (though I do still keep a lesson plan, but try to use it more as a guide and not an inflexible plan).
    I plan to begin using the HOW year-one in a couple of years when my oldest is in 5th grade. I so look forward to doing the studies with her. By the way, I looked over the classical book list, and my eyes glazed over by the middle of the 10th grade list. Your book list is far more appealing with several books that we have already read and many we look forward to reading.
    Well, I got long-winded without intending it, but Robin, I just want to thank you for your heart in sharing the wisdom and knowledge that God gives you about His ways and the opportunity for us to share in response to your teaching. I pray rich, abundant blessing on you and you family as you continue to seek and share His Truth.

    In the Fullness of His Love,
    Kelly in GA

28. 

    Comment by Elisa :

    Dear Robin:

    Here is our experience with Classical Education. After having pursued a classical education for some time with our children we began to see disturbing streams of common thought. Basically, that “I am what I think” and “I think due to the wonderful literature to which I’ve been exposed” and an attitude that the Bible is fine as an educational tool as long as it’s kept in its place…its very little place on the shelf alongside all the other intellectual pursuits called “education.” I began to feel a twinge of caution, but disregarded it. After all, we were creating well-trained minds, right?!? Wasn’t that the most important goal of education?

    When we began studies of the roots of our faith right alongside Classical Ed. we saw vast differences in educational approach as well as religious mindset. As we went deeper into what we considered some of the “Founding Fathers of our Faith,” (all the way to Constantine), we asked ourselves why had these men striven so desperately to obliterate everything Hebrew from our religious practices??? What was so wrong about Hebraic lifestyle, worship, and thought that was so abhorrent to them? Wasn’t our collective Messiah a Jew??? Without going into detail (you can find more than enough information on this easily for yourselves w/o my risking general offense here), we became so disturbed by the message of Greco-Roman Classical Education & its anti-semitic bent — basically, that all information of value comes from the Greek cultures & great minds of worldly thought of that era and that our responsibility as parents was to make sure that our kids are as intelligent & talented as we can possibly make them (outward appearance of perfection)– that we discarded the C.E. approach lock, stock, and barrel. I was most disturbed by the fact that it took us a year and a half to fully realize how insidious this approach can be as it takes over the whole mindset of a family & home educating community.

    When an educational approach makes my children blend in and actually supercede their worldly counterparts, intelligence- and talent-wise, it begs the question: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” We must remember that we have been called “chosen, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…peculiar…” that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us OUT of darkness into His marvellous Light. Different. If we are not different than the world, then what’s the point of calling ourselves His? If we are teaching our children based on Greek standards, then we are not following the God who has made abundantly clear “What fellowship has Light with darkness?”

    I pray that those considering a Classical approach are more discerning than I was. I pray that they will learn from the experience of those who have gone before them, tried it, and regret the experiment deeply. I pray that our precious Father will impart wisdom to the homeschooling community at large by granting boldness to those who have the opportunity to influence many — thank the Lord for families such as the Sampson’s — to speak forth that wisdom and save innumerable children from growing up to think more highly of themselves than they ought due to an education steeped in the philosophy of self and self-actualization brought to them through an educational philosophy based upon Greek classical literature, not upon God and His commands to His children. Whose children ARE we? Let’s look to our Father for His guidance and discard the so-called wisdom of man.

    Sincerely & tremblingly His,
    Elisa

29. 

    Comment by Cindy :

    Amein Elisa!

30. 

    Comment by Mara B. :

    God bless you, Robin, for your heart and your obedience to God’s Word. The path of education, in general, is disconcerting. Not only do they expect all children to learn things that of no Kingdom value, they expect us to blindly follow them down that road, regardless of the fact that we homeschool. I have purposely chosen NOT to follow the “world” and teach my children from the Bible. I don’t care if they ever hear or learn anything by Plato, Socrates, or any of the other classical authors. If it doesn’t acknowledge and honor God and His Word, it’s not going to be used in this homeschool! God bless you and I am praying for your continued recovery,
    Mara

31. 

    Comment by Sandy Meguiar :

    Dear Robin,
    I’ve noticed a cycle in my fairly new homeschooling experience. Every time I have begun to fear I look again at the Well-Trained Mind and the Story of the World series. Then when I repent and put my trust back in our Saviour, where it should be all the time, He leads me back to HOW just like that first time over a year ago.

    Thank you for your humble spirit to obey HIM, your failful example and encouragement.
    Sandy M. (in Portland, TN):)

32. 

    Comment by Sandy Meguiar :

    Sorry for the typo…..It was supposed to say ‘faithful example’
    Sandy M.

33. 

    Comment by Lee Underwood :

    I must say that I was very blessed when I came upon your Web site. I have been trying to explain to people about Greek education for quite a long time but it seems that they all think that is where the wisdom and knowledge comes from. I really like your article and your Web site. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry. May He also bless those who have taken the command to “teach your children” seriously.

34. 

    Comment by Deanne :

    HI Robin,
    Once again, you have expressed my belief’s much more eloquently than I ever could! I praise God for “teachers” like you that help ME to keep my focus on training my children for the Lord’s glory and not for man’s (or MOM’s) glory!! Thank you for your faithulness in spreading the Word God has give you.
    Deanne

35. Pingback by Training Hearts » Blog Archive » Spiritual Sunday :

    [...] week I found Robin’s article on Classical Education inspiring.  It’s very interesting and she is seeking input so I thought I would feature it [...]

36. 

    Comment by Adena (cre82learn) :

    I have been a subscriber for awhile and a reader for a long time. My children’s favorite curriculum has been Adam to Messiah. This has been the *** BEST *** article regarding classical education I have ever read. I totally agree with you. I met with a well-known author of a classical curriculum once. Every fiber of my being was screaming NOT to follow this. First, I had a problem introducing my young children to Greek ideals. I discussed with her that most importantly my goals for home education are to 1-develop my children in Biblical ways so they will establish their own relationship with the Lord and 2-a lifelong love for learning. I did not see where the classical method supported either of these. My children love to go off on rabbit trails and if in the process of memorizing all those facts they want to learn more about something, I am told they have to wait until it is covered in x year. If my children express a desire to learn, I will not tell them no. If I wanted to depress their curiosity and immerse them in worldly ways of thinking, I would have sent them to public school!!

37. Pingback by Friendship Alley » Blog Archive » Are You a Christian doing Classical Education?? :

    [...] are doing it, ever thought about doing it, heard of it (you have now ) please go over and read the best article I have ever read concerning it. And if you would like a really good Ancient World History program [...]

38. 

    Comment by PlainJane :

    Hi Robin,
    I’m sorry it’s been a while since I last visited – summer busy-ness and all, but I just wanted to pop in before I even have read your post and say how much (or should I say “HOW much” lol)I appreciate you and your ministry and your willingness to stand up for the TRUTH. I am soooooooo with you 100% on Classical Ed., I have even pondered writing a book about/against such. I’m sending this post to my email so I can read a hard copy of it in the morning – in my comfy chair.
    Love you.
    Best Wishes for your move and wishing you continued healing.
    Shalom & Blessings to You and Yours!

39. 

    Comment by Julie :

    Robin,

    I have to say that I enjoy the HOW. The Well Trained Mind is not the final authority on a Classical Education (I personally do not like it at all). A true classical education has little to do with unbiblical classical literature, but rather with the stages of learning. It is not all joyless, rote learning, but rather organized, thoughtful learning. I have classically educated my children for 9 years following recommended methods in Teaching the Trivium, including a dyslexic child. They have prospered both in their minds as well as in their hearts. I have children who love the Lord and have a passion for His word and truths and I am saddened that your posters assume, rather falsely, that all classical educators remove God from their homeschool and pursue knowledge not wisdom. I think there are many, many methods of home educating, and that one particular philosophy does not mean that the Lord is not central. I hope your readers will actually look back over their posts and see the judgement they are putting forth. It seems rather unbiblical in and of itself.

40. 

    Comment by Julie :

    After I left my last comment, I felt I really wanted to say one thing more. I think as homeschoolers, we need to do our best to support one another. I know I am doing what I absolutely believe is the very best I can to train my children up to be wise, biblical thinkers who have a heart for God. But as I began pondering all of the previous posts, I realized as well that many of those posting have probably encountered others who are arrogant in their choice of curriculum, certainly some who are Classical educators. So for those of you who have never encountered humility from a Classical educator, may I humbly submit to you that not all classical educators are cut from one mold? I hope that each and every reader pursues God first and has a blessed journey in their homeschool.

41. 

    Comment by Cindy :

    I understand what you are saying, Julie. I am not familiar with Teaching the Trivium, although I have heard of it.
    Robin is trying to get back to the source of education the way YHWH intended. She has sought out the source of classical education which is from Greek philosophy, which is humanistic. The question we need to ask is can we take something that is humanistic at the core and “Christianize” it? I don’t believe it can be done, but that is my opinion.
    I am glad you are pleased with how your children are turning out. Praise His Name! May we all seek to do His Will in the education of our children.
    Cindy in eastern NC

42. 

    Comment by Jess :

    While I understand that any curriculum or plan can be used in a way that is not Christ centered, that does not mean that just because you follow the outline of a certain book or method you are therefore doing what those others are doing. Does that sound as garbled as it seems, lol?

    I enjoyed reading the WTM book because it gave me a lot of helpful suggestions that I have utilized successfully in our homeschooling. I use notebooks…just not one for every subject. I love using dictation to see how well my children grasp a topic and their memorization skills are phenomenal after having used this method for two years now. We memorize scripture and use the WTM methods for having them stand straight and still, look at their audience, and speak clearly. I think it’s improved their public speaking skills enormously and they love to show off all the poetry and scripture they’ve memorized.

    The WTM suggestions for what order to teach science in have been very helpful to me, whereas before reading that book I was floundering in a sea of information. It also made me realize that it’s okay to focus on learning as many facts (multiplication tables, states & capitols, etc.) as possible while they are young and soak it up like a sponge. That way they will be ready to use this foundational knowledge when they are studying subjects more in depth during middle and high school.

    We are reading the SOTW, volume 1, currently and have enjoyed it immensely. I like that they are getting a good overview of chronological history at a young age and we consider the stories from other cultures to be a sort of “social studies” and a jumping off point for discussing how these groups departed from biblical truth.

    So, to sum it up, I read many different books and websites about homeschooling methods and then I use them in a way that we feel is pleasing to God and gives our children a broad education with a biblical view point while still being orderly, but not rigid.

    Jess

43. 

    Comment by Randy Turner :

    Doesn’t it bother anyone that the Catholics all use this educational approach WAY before it began fad in homeschooling? Thomas Aquinas’s (the patron saint of education) loved classical education methods and Greek philosophiers.

44. 

    Comment by Debbie Barns :

    Jess,

    I understand what you are saying but I completely disagree and your post confirms Robin’s point why classical is so dangerous!

    Homeschoolers get excited about WTM because chronological history, 3 levels of learning, memorization, etc seem so good compared to dry textbooks. This is COMPLETLY missing the main point.

    Robin does not object to the teaching methods. She objects to the PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE METHODS. Just as the philosophy behind the public school is humanistic– classical education is HUMANISTIC. This does not mean all the mothods public school or classical uses are bad or wrong but it does mean we need to be AWARE of the underlying philosophy!

    I (like you) teach the chronological history, Latin roots, memory work, etc. That’s not classical, they are teaching methods that work (actually more Hebrew than Greek).

    The thing Robin objects to is the books on the”Great Book” list, 95% of which promote humanistic thinking. Let me repeat, The books on the “Great Book” list PROMOTE HUMANISTIC THINKING. What logic is there in learning about men whose lives were morally opposed to our own?

    The “great” Greek philosophers were so morally depraved, anti-God, and anti-Semitic. Why do you want your children to learn from them? Hitler used successful teaching methods too. Should we follow him? You don’t have to follow Catholic author using humanistic authors to use methods that work.

    I am sure there are Christians using these methods that love the Lord and focus on Bible but I also have to say I never met one. Every single person I know using this approach (well over 20 in the last few years) are wrapped up in pride and superior attitude. Any conversation that shed a negative light on classical made them defensive.

    Robin’s book explains the subtle deceptions between Greek and Hebrew thought that most people are not aware of. She recommends we learn about and teach our worldviews before reading Greek philosophy!

    God cares about what we THINK about. He wants us to renew our minds according to His word not according to Susan Bauer, Homer, Thales, Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle

    Again, I understand what you are saying. The approaches seem good–but what is under the surface? Satan always throws in truth with his deceptive ways to keep us off guard.

    Have you read anything on worldviews?

45. Pingback by deannecrawford.com :

    [...] or “Classical Education (for one of the BEST articles I have read on Classical Education click here), a Lifestyle of Learning or even “Family worship”. Yes, home education is a good thing and [...]

46. 

    Comment by H0MEFree :

    The information in this post is not new for people who are familiar with the HOW method.
    However, I am glad you posted it.
    I have gotten to the point where I am beginning to feel classical ed is evil.

47. 

    Comment by Heather :

    I liked this article very much! Thank you for the encouragement.

48. 

    Comment by Pam Rinas :

    Dear Robin, Thanks for a very well done piece. Articulate, straightforward and right on!!!! My oldest of seven is 20 and I’ve done the homeschool thing throughout. I love my life and that whole classic approach, exhausted me just thinking about it. I knew it wouldn’t work for me but some of your points I had never even thought of. I am now more grounded to share with others as I have young mom’s ask me a lot of things. I just came across you as a resource today, I’ve been in the dark about you too. It will be a pleasure to share your info. Thanks for your commitment and sharing your wisdom with me/us. Joyfully, Pam Rinas

49. 

    Comment by Lilgoatlady :

    I was so glad to finally see someone saying what I’d been thinking! I want my child to have a solid education, but I just can’t see the value in concentrating so much time and energy on pagan “classics.” A general knowledge of the subject matter or story-line is plenty.

50. 

    Comment by Rachel :

    I’m a bit confused. My children attend a Classical School and they teach using the trivium. However they also teach the Bible. I’m afraid I don’t really understand the Classical method of education. I ready some info about it on a website and began studying it in depth after I realized that the school does not teach Black History nor did it show any interest in the Inauguration. We are an African-American family and the school where my children attend is geared toward drawing inner-city African American children although there are some Caucasian students. They keep saying they want the children to be multicultural but teach the children nothing about their own culture. What I read says this about teaching them their own culture: 3) It gives all children competence in the current system of language and allusion that is dominant in the nation’s economic and intellectual discourse.

    This third requirement raises a question about including a strong element of the so- called “dominant” culture. Common sense and experience both dictate caution in trying to revolutionize American culture through the school curriculum by neglecting or even rejecting the currently dominant culture. That would simply harm children who are in most need of help. In order to get a good job a young person must be able to communicate in speech and writing in the standard language and allusion- system of the marketplace. Since this system of intellectual currency is in broad use by millions of adults, it is a highly stable system that is slow to change. Hence, in order not to penalize students, schools must include as part of the curriculum the system of language and allusion that is currently in place.

    This means that a cosmopolitan, centrist curriculum will initiate evolutionary rather than revolutionary change in American culture. Nonetheless, wherever there is an opportunity for fostering greater cosmopolitanism, it should be encouraged as insistently as is feasible without injuring any child’s practical chances in life.

    As earnestly as I welcome this movement towards a multicultural redefinition of American culture, I must quickly add that the issue of multicultural redefinition must not distract us from the issue of educational excellence and fairness in areas beyond the history and literature curriculum. For even after our curricula have included many more elements of African, African-American, Native American, Asian, and Latino culture, we still face the task of giving all children a good education.

    It will do black American children little good, for example, to learn a lot about their African and African- American past if they still cannot read and write effectively, do not understand natural science, and cannot solve basic mathematical problems. In the information age, such educational defects simply prolong victimization by keeping people in menial jobs, if there happen to be enough menial jobs to go around. The only kind of multiculturalism that can overcome this victimization is the kind that invites all children to become active, effective members of the larger cosmopolis. Every child should be able to read a serious book or training manual. Every child should be able to communicate with strangers in the larger society, give a talk to unknown fellow citizens, and to understand what is being said in such communications.

    Cosmopolitanism is a true friend of diversity. It is the only valid multiculturalism for the modern era. Only a cosmopolitan, centrist core curriculum can enable all children to be well educated. The great ethnic diversity of America is not going to disappear just because we adults decide to empower children with a core of commonly shared knowledge — a common school-based culture in addition to their home culture. If we Americans are to choose between the narrow ideal of ethnic loyalty and the broad ideal of social fairness, let us without hesitation choose fairness. To me that seems a bit racist because it teaches them that the “dominant” culture is White European and that’s how they should pattern themselves. Someone please help me understand so that I won’t misinterpret what I’m reading. Thanks.

51. 

    Comment by Joel Britton :

    Robin summarizes Greek society and education by stating, “Pursuing knowledge without God is a recipe for disaster.” However, it strikes me that since God created the world and everything in it, there is great value that can be gleaned from even pagan methodologies and education styles. Paul cites Greek poems to Zeus while he speaks on the Areopagus about the “Unknown God”; this implies that pagan religious poetry is useful for understanding how God operates and interacts with mankind.

52. 

    Comment by Shoshannah :

    Excellent article with many good points. However the idea that, “Historians concur that they [the Greeks] were destroyed by moral decay,” is very misleading. It is abundantly evident to me that historians do no such thing. The Greeks had rivalry and division working against them, not moral decay. (That was Rome’s problem.)

    “All of these accomplishments came from a group of small city-states in ancient Greece. And yet Greek civilization also contains an element of tragedy. For all of their brilliant accomplishments, the Greeks were unable to rise above the divisions and rivalries that caused them to fight each other and undermine their own civilization.” (Western Civilization, Volume I: To 1715, Jackson J. Spielvogel)

    Rome ultimately conquered Greece, but not before trying to fix them. In 196 B.C. Rome brokered the freedom of the Greeks from Macedonian rule and spent the next fifty years trying to broker a peace between the warring factions without taking direct control of their lands. This was because Rome loved everything Greek, even importing Greek tutors for their children. Rome’s love for everything Greek, and adoption of so much Greek culture was to such an extent that some historians have even stated that Rome was, in large measure, a continuation of Greek culture. Unable to fix the Greeks, Rome conquered them. Greece simply “fell” to an overwhelming military might.

    I actually agree with Robin that the study of the Bible should take pre-eminence over classical education. People who have HAD that “Classical Greek education” are the very ones who most need to hear Robin’s message.

53. 

    Comment by Cingy Glenn :

    Can you go in to more detail about the differences between “Classical Greek” and a “classical approach” that is well steeped in the Bible?

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