Philosophy and its Damage

Hi Parents,

Today in my blog, I have been impressed to share with you just a brief message that the Lord gave to me this morning while in family worship. The Lord loves our children even more than we do, so we can rest assured that all of His instructions on their education is for their present and eternal good. What I am about to share is expounded upon in more detail in our HOMESCHOOL HELP! Starter Info' Pack, but due to the urgency of the times we are in, I am making this appeal in this blog.

In our morning family worship during the week days, we use the Family Bible Lesson, from the SonLight Education Ministry. For a while we have been studying the story of Noah, and the flood. A very well known children's story, however, with great implications to our future standing with God. As I was reading about the power of God being shown when the animals were going into the ark in an orderly fashion, one sentence in particular resignated deeply within my heart, and it was this:

'Philosophers were called upon to account for the singular occurrence, but in vain. It was a mystery which they could not fathom. But men had become so hardened by their persistent rejection of light that even this scene produced but a momentary impression.'{PP 97.3}

Did you catch that? Philosophers were the ones who saw the power and open demonstartion of God's Spirit working, and they couldn't make sense of it. In other words, they could not understand the things of God. We are told that it was the Philosophers who tried to make sense of Noah's message by using human reasoning. That, my friend, is the essence of Philosophy. Let me share with you what the Wikipedia has to say about the study of Philosophy:

'Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. It is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument. The word "philosophy" comes from the Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophia), which literally means "love of wisdom", and was originally a word referring to the special way of life of early Greek philosophers.'

In a nutshell, Philosophy is about coming to an understanding of the things of life, including our values, through the process of rational argument: If it doesn't make sense to the human mind, it is to be discarded. That's what it teaches. So it is of no surprise that the great antedeluvian Philosophers, due to their rational arguments of the coming flood, rejected it, and so their hearts were hardened, that God's manifestation of His power, which was a sign that their probation was about to close, made little impression on them. The message of Noah took faith to accept, for to the human mind, it did not seem logical. I mean, they had never seen rain before; the earth was watered by the dew from heaven. Nature was bound by laws, and should Noah's message be true, that would mean that the earth would turn out of it's course. So surely, it can't be true, so they reasoned.

Note one more thing about the definition of the word Philosophy. It's rood word is Greek, meaning the 'Love of wisdom'. It is historically and Biblically proven that the Greeks are well known for their 'wisdom', namely the Grecian Education System. Let's see what God's Word has to say about this Grecian Education System, namely, Philosophy:

'For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom..' {1 Corinthians 1:22}

'For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.' {1 Corinthians 3:19}

God says that the 'wisdom of this world', 'Philosophy', is 'foolishness' to Him. What is a fool?

'...The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God.' {Pslam 53:1}

A fool is simply an unbeliever, but not so much an outward one. Note, he says in his heart, that there is no God. In other words, he may be an outward believer, but in his heart, there is unrest and doubt regarding spiritual things. That's exactly what Philosophy produces in the heart, yes, even a professed Christian. He doubts the things of God. He is what we would call today, an atheist.

Putting all this together, our loving Heavenly Father has given us a warning in strong tones of love, that Philosophy, which so happens to be the system of education taught in the schools, teaches our children to make sense of the things around us, and even our values, by using rational arguments. This type of reasoning will do one thing and one thing only, and that is create within our children the spirit of unbelief, to the point where spiritual things will not be accepted unless it can make sense to the human mind. Parents, God's ways do not make sense to the human mind, for God's ways are much higher than ours! Therefore, the Word of God will not be held as true in our children's hearts, and the signs that are thickening around us on every hand that point to probation closing, will make no impression on their hearts.

Parents, I appeal to you today, to take your children out of the schools as fast as you can before the vain philosophy corrupts their little minds and hearts, for the Bible says:

'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}

Finally, to my fellow homeschoolers, too often it is the case that parents choose to home educate, but follow the same curriculum, the same Philosophical system that are found in both state schools and many church schools. This is not true homeschooling. True home education is that which will fit our children to be useful and self supportive while on this earth; fortified and prepared for the soon coming crisis; and finally moulded and polished for the heavenly kingdom.

In the HOMESCHOOL HELP! Starter Info' Pack, I speak about this and many other topics at length. It will definitely inspire nd equip you to give your children the education that God originally designed for them, and is still possible and practical today. I can email it to you for the price of only $30.

God Bless, and Happy Homeschool!

(Principal of Harper Bell Academy)

Bible History in the Homeschool

Dear Fellow Homeschooler,

In this blog post, I would like to give you a sneak preview into the world of our school at Harper Bell Academy, by sharing with you a piece of work that was produced by a nearly eleven year old student. If you noticed the title, you will see that our History lesson is a Bible History lesson. This simply means that we study the great empires of the world in times past, and see what the Bible has to say on these things. We at HBA, believe that when students study historical events, and see that they were predicted, prophesied in God's Word hundreds of years before, the Bible becomes alive to them as their faith is built upon the reliability of every Word that proceeds out of God's mouth. This is one of the reasons why God gave to us prophesy, for He said that He has told us these things before, so that when they happen, we might believe.

Not only is Bible History a great faith builder in the promises of God's Word, but the student gets a revelation of what is to shortly take place in the future, for God tells us that the thing that has been shall be. The child already has witnessed how God's Word was fulfilled in the past, and so when they are taught that those events will happen again, as found in such and such verse, they will believe it, and seek a readiness of heart and mind for such a time.

The portion of work that I have posted here, is from our class today, where Rachel did her written review on the Battle of Actium, which begun the reign of Pagan Rome. For this subject, I used the book, Daniel and the Revelation, by Uriah Smith. I made sure I studied and understood it first. Then I re-packaged it for the understanding of my fourth grader. It was fun in class, because it was like reading an adventure story.

Here is the written review from Rachel A. Wells (Without my editing the needed corrections):

'In the past, nations would conquer areas by war and conquest. But Rome was to do what the nations before him didn't do- to conquer nations by letting them surrender their land to him. He would conquer the "fattest place of the province", or the areas that were rich in resources. And all that Rome conquered, the spoil, the prey, and riches were given to them. They were treated kindly.

Three men, Mark Antony, Augustus Caesar, and Lepidus swore to avenge the death of Julius Caesar. Mark Antony was sent on government business to Egypt. (Antony was Augustus' brother-in-law by marrying his sister Octavia.) While there, he fell in love with Cleopatra, Egypt's queen. He divorced Octavia, celebrated triumphs at Alexandria instead of Rome, and gave provinces to Cleopatra. (By this time, Lepidus was out of the triumvirate.) Augustus had no difficulty in getting the people to be on his side. At last, Augustus decided to war against 'Egypt', but it was directed at Antony. Antony's fleet had five hundred ships, bearing men who had no experience in war. Cleopatra's ship was like a palace of gold with purple sails, with Antony still following behind.

Augustus had a trained army, although less in number, and not so beautiful. Antony assembled his fleet at Samos. Next spring, he and Augustus met on the Sea at Actium, Egypt. Antony's counsellors told him not to war at sea, but send Cleopatra to Egypt, and trust the issue to his land forces. Antony didn't take this advise. The contest was decided when Cleopatra ran off, carrying her fleet with her, Antony still following her. At last, the land forces deserted him, going to Augustus for surrender, who received them. Antony, seeing that the battle was lost, killed himself. Octavia married Antony so that he and Augustus could be reunited. But neither were content with half of the kingdom.'

For more information on how to make the Bible the foundation of your school lessons, and more, I would suggest you get your hands on our Homeschool Help! Starter Pack, for just $25, emailed to your account. Contact me at:evergreenchilded@yahoo.co.uk

Children and Bible Memorising

Hey Parents!

Every evening, in Family Worship time, in our home, I have scheduled for my daughter, Rachel, to recite a Bible verse(s) that she has memorised quite a while back. This way, it keeps the Scripture fresh in her mind, and as we discuss it's meaning, it becomes more real and relevant to her.

Memorising the Bible can be fun for our young people in various ways. However, one method that I have found to work wonders with Rachel, is giving her incentives, rewards for being able to recite the passages fluently each evening. As I began brainstorming aloud on what to do with her, Rachel added to my idea. We decided for this week, that if Rachel got the Scriptures right, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in worship, then for each day she will earn ten minutes extra to add onto Family Time on Thursday. I know that Family Time, is Rachel's favourite part of the day, so if she could get an extra forty minutes with mother, just playing around, or whatever she wants to do with me, then she would anticipate it. I then added that if she could correctly recite the verses also on Thursday, Friday and Sabbath night, then on Monday, next week, we can knock out all the schoolwork in the morning, and have the afternoon to ourselves to do something special!

This way, Rachel will make sure that the Scripture she picks for worship, she will go through it in the course of the day. Thus Rachel's mind will become disciplined through habit to think on God's Word often throughout the day, because she has that extra incentive that she is going to earn minutes with mother if she gets it right in worship. Not only that, but it builds up good memories in the child's mind, in regards to the Word of God; that it is a good thing, and you will be happy when God's Word is hidden in your heart, and you meditate on it day and night.

We want our children's hearts, don't we? Well, let's begin by taking the time to create ways to cultivating the garden of their hearts.

God Bless you, and I hope this has given you something to work with.

The Ten 'Do's and Don'ts' of Homeschool

Happy Mid-week Homeschoolers!

In the past ten plus years of home schooling my daughter, I have had many parents approach me with various questions of how to start and maintain a successful home schooling program. The idea of educating our young people in the home environment, so as to build Godly intellect and character, is very appealing, but the planning of such a work, can be quite overwhelming and daunting, I am sure. So in this blog, I have decided to make your lives a little easier by summarising the counsel I have been sharing over the years, in just ten points, to give you a jump start. I have called it, The Ten Do's and Donts of Homeschool.

1. Do not think that home education is about using the same curriculum that are being used in the schools out there. Remember, 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'. That is to be the foundation of any curriculum that we decide to use.

2. Do not think that in order to have a successful home school setting, that your room needs to be jam packed with all the school books, atlases, models, educational toys that you can get your hands on. Your room does not have to look like a regular classroom in order for your child to learn well. In fact, the more simpler the school environment, the less stimulated your child will be, thus the easier it will be for them to be attentive in class. By all means make use of what is out there that will aid you in your child's education, and if you have the finance to make a collection, then go ahead, but don't feel bogged down and pressured if all you can afford are the basic necessities for home school.

3. Do not compare another parent's teaching method with your own. It is good to examine prayerfully the advice and examples set by other homeschoolers, but remember, each child is unique as their personalities, so what will work for the Jones' family, may not necessarily work for the Johnson's children. At the end of the day, let God have the final word as to how we go about educating out young people.

4. Do not feel that because you are not a professional teacher, then that disqualifies you from being a teacher of your child. Every mother, by virtue of design, is qualified to educate their children. Now, circumstances may demand a plan b, but qualification for this work comes by Divine calling and not degree assigning.

5. Do not deprive your children of social interaction, when guarding their associations. Giving of yourselves in play and just quality family time, will give them a sense of assurance and contentment that they do not need the unhealthful companions to satisfy their need for fun and interaction.

6. Do submit your desire for homeschooling, to God. Seek His answers for what curriculum to use; what associations to expose your child to; what spiritual teaching He would have you to bring out of the lessons; how to support yourselves financially from home....

7. Do make it a rule to daily read one of the Spirit of Prophecy books on education. I began with Child Guidance and Adventist Home. These have become my daily manual (even though I haven't read it for some time now, but I am returning. I just can't do without it!).

8. Do provide opportunities for you and your child to do regular witnessing of some sort. Show them that education is not education if it is not imparted to the benefit of others.

9. Do pray with them often, especially when they are struggling in a class, and they are getting frustrated. Let them see that you will never leave them or forsake them, but will sit with them and pray them through, until they have solved the problem.

10. Do write out a priority list of all the needs of the home, then set them into a schedule. Without a schedule, the home school will be an absolute shambles.(If you would like more information on how to set up a schedule, then leave a comment below and I will get back to you)

Happy Homeschool, as we co-work with our Heavenly Father, to give our children characters that are Evergreen!