Approaching a Christian Worldview of History

When an individual hears the term "a Christian worldview of history," there are probably several interpretations that may present themselves in one's mind. Perhaps the idea created will focus on biblical history from thousands of years ago. Or perhaps the said individual may determine that this idea focuses specifically on the history of the Christian religion. While these ideas are understandable, the term itself goes much further than the history of Christianity. This term focuses less on the past event and focuses primarily on the historian conducting the research. If this historian is looking at history using a "Christian worldview," their way of approaching and working with the subject will create a unique result that will remain beneficial to the historian even after the research has concluded. 

A step that should be considered when studying history with a Christian worldview and perspective is how Christians can use the guidelines found in the Bible to approach the subject. While many secular historians can quote sections of the Bible, the advantage Christian historians have is that the Bible to them is the living word of God that holds truths that are alive today. When a Christian approaches any kind of history, they should do it in a discretionary way, wanting to follow the teachings of the Bible. This can be seen in many different ways, but working unto the Lord rather than men, and concepts involving integrity, honesty, and morality should be vital to a Christian historian. 

By making these virtuous traits a top priority in our work, our Christian approach will be clearly seen by our peers and the rest of the world, regardless of whether one is studying the life of Jesus Christ, Henry VIII, or Abraham Lincoln. If a Christian historian put the practice of a Christian in their work it will be noticed and seen by the world. While there are many other examples that can be used when determining what a Christian worldview of history is, I believe it ultimately starts with the heart, and wanting to follow the Word of God by doing their work to the best of their abilities, "Unto the Lord, not men."

Written as assigned for Liberty University's HIST-491 Senior Capstone Seminar Assignment

Summer School

So, when coming to write this post, I noticed that my blog has had exactly 22,000 views since I started in July 2009. Thank you all for your support! I really appreciate it! :)

Anyway, yesterday was a very fun day. We went to Banner Oak School in Temprence Michigan. It is a one room schoolhouse that was built in 1871. And we got to play school! My family, and about 12 other families in our homeschool group came. We all dressed up in pioneer styled outfits, and brought lunch that a school kid back in the 1870's would eat. I brought an apple, a small loaf of bread, cheese, carrots, water, (yes, it was in a bottle) and a piece of apple pie. (Yum!)

Anyway, it was a lot of fun! A woman in our homeschool group was the teacher. She read us stories about bravery and telling the truth, and we all memorized a passage about perseverance. She asked us simple questions about history, geography, spelling, and grammar.

Each of us got a slate and chalk, and had to use a primer and write a passage of our choice on the slate. Mine was about enjoying God's gift of nature. (I can't believe that was used in public schools!)

At recess, we played several games, such as Leap Frog, Fox and Geese, and the Farmer in the Dell. We also played with wooden stilts.

My favorite part was towards the end. In the schoolhouse, their was an old piano, very much out of tune. I asked the "teacher" if I could play it. (Most of the kids were outside) And she said yes. So, right when I started playing, about 7 girls came in. I was playing I see the Light from Tangled, and all the girls started singing along. It was so much fun!!

Afterwards, my friend Abby and I went to Diary Queen. (Still in our outfits) People were looking at us funny. We made a point to talk about "getting money from the buggy" and "making sure the horses had enough water" in front of people.

My mom took several pictures yesterday. Here are some of them.

Group of kids that came. (I'm sitting on the step on the far left)

Lining up for class! (Girls first, or course)

Ready for class!

The Teacher

Some fellow school mates. :)

Reading some "old school books" (Not really. It was a sketch book)

Lined up to start the game!

The Boys

The Farmer in the Dell (I was the cheese that stood alone)

The stilts were a lot of fun!

It was a very fun day! I hope that we go again! I really learned a lot! Have you ever been to a One Room Schoolhouse? What was your experience? I'd love to read!! Please comment!

Thank you!!!

~Sam

A Very Long Day

Today was a long day.
I don't know if you really want to hear about what I did today, but I am going to share it anyway. :)

I woke up at 6:30am. Every morning, my mom and I will go down to the park down the street and walk on the path. We can walk 2 miles in less than 45 minutes. We like to go early, because we like the park to ourselves. :)

So, we went down there. We walked a mile when we decided we were going to stop. (It was really cold!) We thought later that day we would go back and walk the other mile. (But we didn't)

So, once we got back in the car, we drove to Sonic to get breakfast. I got a breakfast burrito, and I got my brother French Toast sticks. (My other two brothers and dad were at a camp out)

When we got home, we ate our breakfast, and then all of us got dressed in clean clothes, (Not sweaty workout ones) And we got back in the car and went to Hobby Lobby.

They were having a sale on Scrapbook paper, and my mom wanted to get some. (She has an obsession with paper.) lol Okay, not really...;) So, we got some paper, and I got a bracelet making kit.

Then, we went to Target. There was a sale on Sims 3 Games. Buy one, get one Free, which is a really good price! And my mom said she would buy one for me, so I could get the second one free. I ended up getting Sims Pets, and Sims Ambitions. But...I haven't played them yet. Why? (I will get to that later)

After we left Target, we went to Radio Shack, and got a purple cord for my ipod, (mine broke) and then my brother got some gadget for the computer, (I'm not sure what it is) And my mom bought batteries.

Then, we went home to drop Collin off, and then my mom and I went to the post office to send some bills, and my thank you cards for my party 2 months ago...:p

After the post office, my mom and I walked over to the Monroe 1812 Historical Museum to get information about renting costumes. (Apparently, you can rent costumes that look like outfits that people from 1812 would wear.) I need it for a school field trip. (I tell you guys about that some other time)

So...after that we went to Kroger, where did did a huge grocery shopping trip. And guess what I got? A lunch-able! I haven't had one of those since a 3rd grade Field Trip! :) My mom also bought 10 of the small Sunny D's for the kids that were camping out. So, after we were done at the store, we went to my brother's friend's house to give the kids the drinks.

And just to let you know...It is about noon now...

So, we stayed at their house for about an hour. I ate my lunch-able, and my mom talked to her friend, (My brother's friend's mom) Then, we went out to their chicken coop, and looked at the chickens. But I was really cold, so I went back to the car.

Once we were done there, we came back home. And do you know what I did then? I did School.

Yes I know! School on a Saturday! Does that seem wrong or what? Actually, I didn't HAVE to do it, but I wanted to. What to know why?

Well, do you remember when I said that I got the Sims3 Games, and I couldn't play them? Well, the reason why is this...

The only way my mom would buy them for me is if I finished ALL my school before I played them. And when I say all, I mean all. Not just for the day, or week, but the whole year. And let me tell you a secret...I'm really far behind...But don't tell anyone. I don't want people to know...

So, I sat down today and decided I was just going to do as much as I could. I decided to work on English, because I was the farthest in that. I was in Unit 6 of 9. (Crazy, I know) So, I sat at the computer, and worked, and worked, and worked, and worked, and worked for about 4 hours non stop. When my mom came back in the room, she asked how I was going. That's when I looked to see how far I had gone, and I was actually really surprised...

19 Lessons...19 LESSONS!!!

That was 2 units! I was now in unit 8!! I was actually really excited! So, when my mom and dad went out for dinner that night, I sat back down and finished 12 more...Another Unit!

So, on one Saturday afternoon, I finished 31 lessons, which equals 3 units. That means I only have one left!

15 more lessons, and I will be done with English for the year. I probably won't do it tonight, I am kinda brain fried...Plus, I need to clean my room before Mom and Dad come home.

Anyway, that was my day. It was very long, but it was a very good day. I would like to have another one like it soon...Very soon. :)

See you all later!!

The Reason Why...

Hey Everyone! Sorry that I haven't posted in like, forever! The reason why is this...

1. Since we started school this week, my mom made this new rule that my brothers and I are not aloud to go online Monday-Wednesday because she know that the computer distracts us. :p

2. My computer died on me. Yes, I am on it right now, but the person that looked at it said that is was on it's death bed. lol I won't be getting a new computer until I start 10th grade (Nine Months) So until then, I will have to use my brothers junky computer.

Anyway, so that is pretty much it. I will try to post more this week, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for reading!! ~Sammy

School has Started!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

I haven't posted in a while, because I have been very busy with School. In Michigan, all public schools can't start until after Labor Day. But when you are homeschooled, you can start whenever you want! So we started last Tuesday. And actually, the first week of school went pretty awesome. I love my curriculum this year. It's called Switched on Schoolhouse. (SOS) An it is actually fun. :) (SOS is what the Duggar's from 17, 18, and 19 Kids and Counting use) It is on a computer disk, so I do everything on a computer. (The other good thing about be doing this is that a few months ago, I got my own laptop in this deal) I did my English with SOS last year, so I knew how to use it. I am doing 6 main subjects this year...

Physics and Chemistry (Science)
Algebra 1 (Math)
Consumer Science (Home Economics)
English 1 (English)
New Testament Survey (Bible)
World Geography (History)

I have gotten A's and B's on pretty much everything so far. So it has been a really good school week. We are not doing school today, because we are having people over this afternoon, and we are going to finish the cooking and cleaning today. But we are going to do extra school on Friday or Saturday to catch up.

And I am VERY sorry about the Music Video. We have all the "Cast Members" planned out, but I still haven't gotten around to actually Planning a Date. But I promise that I will have on here by the end of fall. :( Again, I am sorry. :( well, I guess that's it!!!!