It's about time!!!

I am so excited to share with you a new publication for teens called Philosophy Adventure.  As stated on their website, “Philosophy Adventure™ is designed to help students 6th-12th grade cultivate and defend a biblical worldview by teaching them how to write skillfully, think critically, and speak articulately as the explore the history of ideas." 

If you know me well then you know I have a passion for organizing and conducting co-ops, believing that there are many advantages to meeting at least once a week with other homeschooling families.  This curriculum, although it can be used at home by an individual, is very conducive to being used in a group setting!  In fact, I believe students will get far more out of this study if they meet together to tackle the questions asked, discuss the topics presented, and give oral reports after further research has been completed. 

By the way, if you want to know more about setting up a co-op, check out this blog!  

When I evaluate a new curriculum I ask these questions:

1. Is the product user friendly so that I can pick up the book and begin using it or does it require a lot of time and effort to understand it in order to use it?

2. Is the information necessary, interesting, and vital to my child’s education?

3. Is it affordable?

In the case of Philosophy Adventure, I would say a resounding YES to all three of these questions.  The author's goal was to make the product engaging, easy to use, and empowering and they have more-than-successfully reached those goals.  As a bonus, a chart is included to guide parents into translating the study onto a transcript, to-wit:

Another passion I have is for teaching a biblical worldview to my students and this product covers that as well.  Many parents are intimidated by the thought of teaching worldviews and philosophy, but these are two of the most important subjects to be mastered.  Instead of filling their minds with information to spit out for a test, teach them how to think, how to question, how to research, and how to discuss!!!  

We will be using this product in our spring co-op!!  You should too!

Zeitgeist, Deceptions, and Summit

Having the privilege of being able to attend some of the lectures taking place at Summit Leadership Camp, here in Tennessee, I am excited to be learning along with the students!  Today I heard from several different speakers, but there is one in particular whom I want to write about ... Sam Youngs.  I will tell you more about Sam later, but first I will tell you why I enjoyed his talk so much.  For one thing, Sam talks fast and fills the hour with a lot of information.   Some might say he talked too fast.  I thought it was perfect. Secondly, Sam shared information that is new to me.  It's not that I know everything there is to know about worldviews, but rather that I have attended these talks at Summit so often that many are refresher courses for me.   Of course, every year there will be new books, movies, and current events to discuss so there is bound to be new material.

What Sam talked about is not actually new news, but it was new to me.  He mentioned a movie that is available on Netflix instant queue called Zeitgeist: The Movie.  This documentary style movie was made in 2007 by Peter Joseph and Peter Joseph's goal is to accomplish three objectives.  The first objective is to convince the viewer that the story of Jesus is simply a compilation of stories derived from other religions and myths.  This is what Sam shared with the group today.  The second objective of this movie is the suggestion that there was a U S conspiracy behind 911 and the third objective is to convince the viewer that those behind the conspiracy are out for economic gain.  It seems a little bizarre that a director would attempt to combine these arguments into one film.   I will have to watch the film in its totality before I can even comment on the last two objectives.

Regardless of the conclusions drawn by the movie producer, this is a movie worth watching and critiquing with your older children, or with a group of friends.  The part Sam talked about involved the various myths and religions that seemed to be similar to the biblical story of Jesus (virgin birth, performed miracles, 12 disciples, etc.), but with additional stories that were ludicrous and unbelievable.You'll understand this remark when you watch the movie.  After Sam pointed out some of the fallacies involved in this movie, he told the students that they should learn to ask these specific questions regarding the information contained in this film.

1.  Where did the producer get his information?
2.  Is the source reliable?
3.  Why is it that the source has access to information that is unfamiliar to so many?
4.  Is the source an expert in this field?
5.  What are the actual religious and mythological stories in their entirety?

Sam, along with the other speakers at Summit, encourages the students to always be respectful when engaging in controversial discussions.

Sam Youngs was homeschooled in Florida.  He attended Summit, first as a student, then as staff. Now he is a Summit speaker as well as an instructor in critical thought, Bible, and worldviews at Bryan College.

Islam, Infidels, and Summit Ministries

Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am a huge fan of Summit Leadership Camps sponsored by Summit.org.  My oldest daughter first attended Summit in Tennessee 17 years ago and, since that time, most of my children have either attended the camp one or more times, and/or staffed at the camp.  This year my son, Matt, is attending Summit for the second time and I have had the privilege of being able to attend some of the lectures.   Just how amazing is this camp?   Amazing enough that Matt was willing to contribute $500 of his own money towards the tuition in order to sit in lectures morning, afternoon and evening for more than ten days.  Enough said!

Before I tell you about today's speaker let me tell you about a book I'm reading.  A friend of mine suggested I read a certain book that she had recently read, but as soon as she realized I ordered the book she had misgivings and began apologizing and second guessing the wisdom of her suggestion.  Her backpedaling actually made me even more interested in the book and I assured her that I would not be upset with her for recommending it.  The book is entitled Infidel and it's the true story of a girl, Ayann Hirsi Ali, who was born in Somalia and raised in a strict Muslim family. She eventually escapes a forced marriage, seeks asylum in the Netherlands and is disowned by her Muslim family.  Although I haven't finished reading this book, it is very interesting and, if I am correct, by the end of this story Ayann will have completely turned her back on God.  Even though I had studied a little bit about Muslims, I had no idea how loyal Muslim family members are to each other, their clans, and their country.  On the other hand, the mistreatment, at least in this girl's story, of children, women and unbelievers is horrific.  When I saw that there were three lectures today on Islam I made a point to attend.

The speaker today was Dr. Nabeel Qureshi.  He was raised a devout Muslim, but became a Christian when he was in college.   His story is riveting.  One comment he made was difficult to hear.  He talked about how few Muslims in America ever have contact with Christians.  He even told of a foreign student who came to American with two suitcases filled with gifts for families who invited him over.  When he returned to his country after he completed his education, his two suitcases were still filled with gifts.   No one had invited him into their home.   In America we have so many foreigners come here, that we can befriend and share our faith as "foreign" missionaries without ever having to step outside of our own country.

Dr. Qureshi also shared that as a child he was not only taught to be a devout Muslim, but he was also taught apologetics so he could defend his faith, answering Christians who tried to tell him that Jesus was God. He could quote more scripture than the Christians who were willing to talk to him.   It wasn't until he formed a friendship with a Christian named David Wood that his beliefs were really challenged.  They say that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care and, in this story, this is so true.  David and Nabeel became good friends and they were friends for quite a while before Dr. Qureshi came to the realization that Islam offered neither an assurance of salvation nor the possibility of having a true relationship with God. Here is a short version of his testimony:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oait1A5K1k4.

The first lecture today was Dr. Qureshi's testimony.  The second lecture was an explanation of what Islam teaches as compared to Christianity, including information on the veracity (or lack thereof) of sources for each belief system.  During the third lecture Dr. Qureshi discussed the fact that Jesus' death and resurrection is pivotal to a Christian's beliefs and then he shared true stories of conversions that are taking place all over the world.  The students were listening intently and wanted to hear more.  I could have easily listened to him for several more hours.  Now that I'm home I can't wait to finish this blog, get back to the book, thank my friend for recommending it, and hope that you have been encouraged to delve deeper into these issues and to consider making new friends!!

Welcome to Worldviews in Review

Help!  I'm drowning in a world of worldviews!!

Okay.  I hear you and I am here to help. This blog will enable you to stay connected with current worldview issues of the day.  In addition to keeping you abreast of current events, I will include book, curriculum, article, blog and movie reviews that pertain to worldview issues (pretty wide open, I know, but I will be selective with what I share).  Feel free to ask questions, make comments, or send me information that may inspire a post!

This first post will include an article that I recommend you read (but don't link to it just yet):  http://www.salon.com/2013/07/01/be_employable_study_philosophy_partner/

Nancy Pearcy, whose opinion I greatly respect, brought this article to my attention via Facebook. http://www.pearceyreport.com 

The author of the article suggests that studying philosophy is vital to a good education.  The author is Shannon Rupp.  I had to do a little investigating to discover if Shannon is a she or a he.  She's a she.  Not that it matters except that I didn't want to say "he thinks" if Shannon is a she, and she is, so I won't say he.

Having homeschooled my children for more than 27 years, I have come to realize that there are some subjects that are very important, but that are, for the most part, omitted from high school and saved for college.  Public speaking is one such subject.  We speak every single day of our lives, so why wait until college to hone that skill?  Logic is another subject I was never taught and did not learn until I learned it alongside my children.  Such an important subject, and one that can be introduced during the elementary years for goodness sake!  

And, philosophy!  This is a subject that Shannon says is vital for a good education and I agree most hardheartedly now, but I would have scoffed at this notion years ago.  Shannon even admits, "Yes, the course of study that has long been denigrated as frivolous and useless in the job market has been the part of my education that I lean on again and again. For work and everything else."  Then she further convinces you of the importance of studying philosophy.  Personally, my 5th child, Jon Jon (yes, I still call him that and he's married and expecting his first child any day) is the one who opened my eyes to the importance of studying philosophy. Right now I am in the process of reviewing a new philosophy curriculum for homeschoolers and so far I am quite excited about it.   Go ahead and subscribe so you can read all about it in an upcoming post.  

Shannon ends her blog stating that the ability to think clearly will enable someone to do whatever else it is he/she may want to do.  Her wording is better than mine so go read her blog now and after you read Shannon's blog, take a look at this book as an introduction into the Socratic method of learning:  http://www.amazon.com/Best-Things-Life-Peter-Kreeft/dp/0877849226