Simply stated, a Christian worldview is the lens through which people see and interpret the universe, humans, nature, and events. This view is characterized by three primary confessions or predispositions that are indisputable and firmly seared in the minds of those who profess to be and in fact are Christians. God exists and seeks to have a personal relationship with humans is the most fundamental of these beliefs. God is not a projection or a watchmaker or a force. God is real and relational and has knowledge of us and interacts with us and hears us when we pray. God is creator is the second major proposition. All that exists came into being as a result of the creative act of God. If one accepts the theory of evolution, then evolution is part of the creative processes of God. If one accepts the theory of the Big Bang, it was God who caused the Big Bang.

Thirdly, God has acted particularly and most profoundly in history by sending God’s son, Jesus Christ into the world to reconcile us to each other and to God. Christians make no apologies for any of these major, bedrock beliefs and see no reason to debate, prove, or minimize them. Each of these confessions must be represented in a curriculum for it to qualify as Christian. God must be seen as active in history and in the lives of humans.

And though it may not be clear to us, God is moving all of creation to a predetermined end known only to God. Thus, there is a purposefulness to our lives and to events in history. This is not to say that everything which happens is God’s will for humans can and oftentimes do act contrary to God’s will. These principles or worldview must be clear and unequivocal for a curriculum to be considered Christian.

If you would like more information about homeschool lesson plans [http://homeschoolingbasics.info/homeschool-lesson-plans] as well as general information on homeschooling, please visit [http://homeschoolingbasics.info]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Rodriguez

The early life of Noah Webster was dedicated to building an educational system that would impart, “a love of virtue, patriotism, and religion”, based on scripture. These were the three characteristics that he deemed as necessary to maintaining the American Christian republic. He, like most Americans of his time time “affirmed that the principles of republican government have their origins in the Scriptures.”

Noah Webster provided a steady stream of text books that were rooted in Christian morality. In his Moral Catechism he wrote, “God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.” Noah Webster published his “Speller” in 1783, followed by a “Grammar” in 1784, and a “Reader” in 1785. These works were shortly followed by his “Elements of Useful Knowledge”, which contained the history and geography of the United States. The crowning glory of all of his works was the Dictionary of the American English Language. All of these works were based in the Christian worldview. Mr. Webster comprehended that only a public educated in this Christian worldview would be equipped to withstand an onslaught from anti-Christian philosophies.

Indeed it was his text books that carried Biblical principles over the American countryside. His “speller”, which became popularly known as the “Blue Backed Speller”, sold over one hundred million copies over a one hundred year period. As a result the American public was prepared to accept Mr. Webster’s analysis of the philosophies of the French Revolution when her missionaries launched their attacks on Christianity and republicanism.

Noah Webster took up the pen against these subversive doctrines in his Minerva Magazine during 1790’s. He warned that “If…that system of raising a multitude of isolated private clubs over the nation as its guardian – should spread thro the country, we may bid adieu to our Constitution.” The Christian nature of America’s education system overcame the attacks of the Jacobins. The Enlightenment thinking of the French Revolution was never able to gain a foothold in the thinking and activities of 18th and early 19th century America. It wasn’t until the 20th and 21st centuries, long after Americans began to reject Biblical Christianity, that these anti-Christian and anti-republican philosophies were able to hijack the American system of government.

Randy Pope, our primary author, is the founder of Modest Clothing Distributors and Natural Healing Herb. He served on City Council ran for School Board, City Treasurer and State Representative. He has worked inside and outside of the political machine for over 30 years. Randy has a burden to bring a Christian worldview to the market place of ideas. He is now doing this at http://www.christianworldviewofhistoryandculture.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Pope_I

A 2003 Christian college graduate in business administration, Joel has already guided NetworkStreaming to 33 employees and a customer base of over 1,300 in 50 states and 32 countries around the globe. NetworkStreaming’s customer list includes such names as AIG, Nissan, UBS and Farm Bureau Insurance to name a few.

So what impact did attending a Christian college have on Joel Bomgaars, and what led to his tremendous success? NetworkStreaming states: “Our vision is to provide technical solutions while honoring God and developing our people.” This one sentence provides great insight into the priorities of Joel and his company.

A CEO’s perspective on hiring Christian college graduates

While it’s significant to talk about how greatly Joel values his Christian college education, it’s a different matter to see it demonstrated in a tangible way. Perhaps the most compelling example of Joel’s high regard for his education is revealed by considering those he has employed. Currently, over half of NetworkStreaming’s employees are individuals, who at one time or another, attended that same Christian college he attended. From the perspective of a CEO, Joel believes that recruiting Christian college grads is simply a wise business decision, as they often bring a solid work ethic, integrity, strong interpersonal skills and a well balanced view of life to the workplace. These characteristics can provide the building blocks for a strong foundation leading to success in their profession. Joel believes that Christian colleges provide a great starting point in business for these reasons.

Why did someone like Joel Bomgaars attend a Christian college?

Joel knew early in the process of choosing a college that a small Christian college was the right choice for him. His decision took him only a short drive of 10 or 15 minutes from his home. This arrangement allowed him to have a job near his home while attending college. His motivation for attending a Christian college was rooted in his desire to be in an environment that would encourage “wisdom and values” in addition to knowledge. Joel felt those values would not be promoted at a secular school, and it was important to him that his education come from a “Christian world and life view”. Joel believes the nature of a Christian college leads to academic strength because of the importance the Christian faith places on striving for excellence in all areas of life.

The professors Joel encountered had an approach to teaching that was based in Christian service. This service-oriented outlook translated to relationships that extended beyond classroom walls. Joel noticed professors who were actively engaged in the lives of their students.

How the Christian college experience impacts Joel’s decisions today

Joel believes one of the reasons for his success is the high value that Christian colleges place on relationships. This emphasis impacts his daily decisions at NetworkStreaming as he recognizes the importance of each person as an individual who has been created in the image of God. Even when Joel encounters a difficult employee situation, respect for the individual is essential. This perspective appears to contradict today’s business culture where decisions often seem to be based exclusively on financial considerations. The success of NetworkStreaming suggests that Joel’s approach has served him well.

Evaluating “Success”

One of the threads that is woven throughout my discussion with Joel is the importance that he places on people. Joel makes it clear that his staff are one of the most vital components to his success. And as important as it is to have good people around him, Joel’s quick to say that “blessings from God” are probably the primary reason for his achievements. On the wall inside Joel’s office you would see, “the horses prepare for the day of the battle but victory rests with the Lord.” In talking with Joel, there is a genuine humility that causes him to realize that while a company can have a great product or staff, ultimately “success” is a gift from God.

Getting real… and a little advice

When asked about how his college experience influences his personal life, Joel speaks of such concepts as balance and a Christian worldview. His Christian college background helps Joel harmonize his family, friends and work. Joel would “highly recommend attending a Christian college” because of the significant impact it can have on one’s personal and professional life. When asked if he had to do it over again, would he attend a Christian college, Joel responds, “absolutely”. Joel believes that his education was “worth every penny.” For Joel Bomgaars, attending a Christian college was a key step on the road to his success.

———-

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Seagren

All schools and educational options have something to offer, whether the schools are public, private, religious, charter, home, or non-sectarian. However, there is also Christian Classical Education, which is different in that it is promoting the most proven form of education.

Some of the greatest and most famous leaders, thinkers, and scientists were products of Christian Classical Education. Some of those very leaders and thinkers were also the founding fathers of America.

Respected leaders, movers, and shakers continue to emerge from a shattered version of classical education. Regretfully, the untainted form of classical education includes a Christian worldview.

The reason Christian Classical Education is so successful is because of its basis in Trivium. Children go through three learning phases, regardless of how fast they learn.

Memorization is the focus through grades K-6. Forming arguments based on logical and critical thinking is the focus in grades 7 to 8. Grades 9 through 12 hone in on teaching independent thinking and communication. These phases constitute the Trivium, effectively teaching children to communicate persuasively through speech and writing.

Christian Classical Education involves a variety of subjects, but usually covers history, literature, art, language, science, and math. Students are also assigned to read works that cover Western literature and Western philosophy.

It’s also common for students to learn classical languages like Greek and Latin, which was very common in classical curriculum. Some of the better known teaching methods also include debates, Socratic teaching, and lectures.

There has never been a greater need for Christian Classical Education. The world has become a constantly shifting, changing place: We leap from one technology and pop culture to the next. These along with geopolitical forces are constantly restructuring our daily lives.

The skills necessary to get and keep a job are constantly changing. No matter how the world changes, we will always have need for great thinkers and speakers. People who aren’t afraid to learn new skills and master them quickly are desired in every field. Classical Christian Education has produced the very people needed in a changing world.

Discover the power of a Classical Christian Education [http://www.raisealeader.com/blog] and join the Raise a Leader Revolution. You can finally afford to take control of your child’s future and launch your child into greatness. Join us in saving our nation one true leader at a time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayley_Kenzie

What does that mean for homeschoolers? Some Christian homeschoolers accept psychology wholesale, some reject it entirely, and some wrestle with which aspects to accept and which to reject. This article suggests that whatever you believe about psychology, the time to address academic psychology is BEFORE your student leaves home for college.

If your student goes to college, there is an excellent chance he/she will take an introductory (at least) psychology course. Most medical schools, liberal arts colleges, seminaries, and teacher’s colleges require students to have some exposure to psychology. Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors at public and Christian colleges and universities. College enrollment in psychology courses outpaces every other scientific discipline. Christian students are often ill prepared to confront the criticisms of Christianity and the anti-Christian worldview presented by modern psychology. The material taught in introductory psychology courses WILL challenge their worldview. University level instruction in modern psychology is generally atheistic and humanistic. Psychology departments often are home to the most anti-Christian intellectuals on college campuses. As a group, psychology professors have high levels of agnosticism, skepticism, and atheism. The psychology professor is unlikely to be sympathetic to your child’s Christian worldview and may attack their faith as unscientific, irrational, prudish, exploitive, controlling, inhibitive, oppressive, and naïve.

If psychology is fraught with such danger, shouldn’t Christian homeschoolers reject it completely? Maybe. But isn’t the humble investigation of all of God’s creation part of what it means to love God with one’s mind? Do Christians, and by extension Christian homeschoolers, have a duty to explore all of God’s creation? Does that duty to explore extend to His grandest creation; Mankind? Does that duty extend to Mankind’s mind? Though the conflicts between modern psychology and a Christian worldview are many and perilous, it may be a mistake for Christians to completely reject the study of psychology.

The bottom line is this. Beginning with Darwin’s Origin of Species, all sciences, including psychology, underwent a transformation. Scientific data were interpreted in ways to exclude supernatural beliefs. Darwinian evolution imposed itself on the Christian understanding of life (biology) and then tried to exclude anything Christian. Darwinian evolution imposed itself on the Christian understanding of Man (psychology) and then tried to exclude anything Christian.

The study of the soul, the mind, the brain, and behavior (psychology) are right and proper for Christian homeschoolers. The goal of Christian education, in biology, physics, theology, chemistry, and in psychology, is to understand God’s creation and, in the words of Johannes Kepler, to “think God’s thoughts after Him.” Christians have a duty to assert the Christian worldview in academia and Christian homeschoolers have an opportunity to lead that effort. The involvement of homeschoolers in the study of psychology is an integral part of that effort.

Now browse your favorite homeschool catalogue. Count the number of biology, physics, history, and chemistry texts (and every other academic discipline) written from a Christian perspective. Lots right? Now count the number of psychology texts. Zero right? This article suggests that the absence of material for Christian homeschoolers to study psychology is a function of those critics referenced in the opening paragraph.

Those who condemn psychology cast their nets too wide. Those on the web and in Christendom who criticize psychology are generally critical of “counseling” psychology. The criticisms may be correct, but psychology is much more than counseling. It is not the purpose of this article to evaluate the criticisms of counseling psychology. Many critics seem to be thoughtful God-fearing Christians. But painting the entire discipline with the same brush used to paint counseling psychology causes many Christians to shy-away from the whole field. The study of the mind, memory, emotions, learning, development, sensation, neurons, and all the other topics that comprise psychology, is right, proper, and important for Christian homeschoolers.

Want to use this article in your website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Tim Rice, D. Min. is the author of Homeschool Psych: Preparing Christian Homeschool Students for Psych 101 available at http://www.homeschoolpsych.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Rice

Below you will find a number of The Christian Connector (CC) questions and Sara’s responses (SG). Our hope is that Sara’s experience at the Christian college she attended will be an encouragement to you. Sara attended the same Christian college where her dad taught biblical studies.

CC: Did you plan to be in the Christian music industry while you were in college?

SG: Like any girl who grew up singing Amy Grant songs into her hairbrush, I had secret dreams, but no, I did not see myself doing this in any real way.

CC: What led you into Christian music?

SG: Well, it’s a long story, but in a nutshell, my husband believed in me, and felt that the music I was writing in my piano room would be well received by others, and put his time and energy to that end.

CC: What do you most, and least, enjoy about being in Christian music?

SG: I love communicating and meeting with people, and I love the work of writing music. My least favorite part of Christian music is that label. I don’t think music can be Christian or non-Christian. I think Christ calls us to a fully integrated life of faith, and as an artist, I want to write honestly from my worldview.

CC: How would you describe the professors at the school you attended?

SG: When someone has a genuine relationship experience with God it is like a diamond ring that comes in a velvet box. When it comes time to hand that experience down I think sometimes it is human nature and the nature of institutions to hand down, not the ring, but the velvet box thinking, “This is how the ring came to me, it must be how it will come to you too.” It takes a very special place, and very incredible people to pass down the ring instead of the box.

CC: Did you consider schools other than your final choice?

SG: …I never really considered going anywhere else. I practically grew up on the campus, going to games, talking about worldview and “All Truth is God’s Truth”… I don’t remember thinking about any other college.

CC: What did you most enjoy about your college experience?

SG: Having my dad for a class called Essential Christianity. The texts were Mere Christianity and Celebration of Discipline, and the point of the class was to get students to think about their own worldview outside of the way they were raised. I got to see what my dad did every day when he took his briefcase and left the house – I got to see what he was really passionate about. All of our conversations around the table made more sense after that class.

CC: What do you think were some of the advantages in attending a Christian college versus a secular school?

SG: Well, I made every major decision of my life at that time. I met Troy (her husband), I picked a career, and the seeds that many of my professors planted are still with me today. I know many people who made it through secular schools just fine, but I really enjoyed learning about Literature and History through a Christian worldview.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your personal life?

SG: My marriage and friendship with Troy is the most personal and meaningful thing… Our parents both went to (the school we attended), so we had a lot in common. I might not have found that at another school.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your professional life?

SG: The professors … really encouraged me to think about my worldview, to take it apart, and to ask good questions. They believed that God was big enough to handle my questions, and that questions and conversation are a part of intimacy with God. Also, as a Liberal Arts college, we were encouraged to see the purpose of every career path, not just that of a pastor or missionary. These ideas still influence my music a great deal.

CC: What was your major in college?

SG: English and Social Science Education

CC: Can you share any longer term goals you may have, say over the next ten years?

SG: Well, my goals for the next ten years are the same for my life in general: to know Christ more, to continue to build a strong marriage, to be a good mom to these boys.

CC: If you had to do things over again, would you attend a Christian college?

SG: Yes. I feel like that was a formative time, and I was so impressionable. I’m grateful there were so many people who cared about, not just attaining knowledge, but about my becoming a whole person.

CC: What advice would you give to those who will read this in regards to attending a Christian college?

SG: I don’t feel like there is one way to do anything – God is creative in the way he teaches us, but for me, my Christian college experiences, and the friends I made were and still are priceless.

The Christian Connector, Inc. would like to provide a special thanks to Sara Groves.

You can learn more about Sara and her music by visiting her web site: www.saragroves.com

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Seagren