Posted in The Principle Approach: A Summary
The Principle Approach as it relates to World History and American History
Is it just an American History approach?
This part and the next part really go hand in hand, but it seemed too much for one part. So this part is more on the philosophical side and the next part will be on practicalities, actually putting some of these things into practice.
God’s Hand in History
We are all aware of how history has been taught traditionally. The majority of a student’s history studies consist of 200 years of American History. This, of course, provides a very narrow-minded understanding of our world. God did have a very special plan for America, but it did not begin…and it does not end in America.
When I was young, I thought history was the most boring subject in school…that was until I started homeschooling and I came to understand that God has something to do with history…that He has a plan of redemption for mankind and this earth that is ongoing until the end; which is revealed by the study of all of history. It then became much more than a bunch of dates and dead people. History came alive! Searching for the evidence of God’s hand moving through history is what makes history exciting.
So when I began teaching, I taught chronological history giving the same amount of emphasis to American History as I did to World History. My emphasis was actually on ancient history where it is very obvious to see God’s hand in history revealed to us through the Bible. However, although the Middle East, and particularly Israel, is the origin and the completion of God’s plan, there is a lot that God has done and will do in between. Also, what God has done in America is of special importance, which I previously had failed to emphasize in our study of history…but more on that in a little bit.
Why is it important to know and understand God’s Hand throughout all of history?
Knowing and understanding God’s hand throughout all of history is one more step in helping our children become wise to the world. If they understand what’s gone on in the past, they’ll understand more of what’s going on in the present. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The battle between good and evil is reflected throughout all of history.
When you study history following the hand of God, you will inevitably follow the movement of the Gospel from Israel and throughout the world. You see over and over again “the struggle against the powers of this dark world”, the battle between good and evil. As you study men and women in history, it reveals those who have overcome and those who have fallen and the resulting consequences. My desire is to elevate those who have overcome so that my children’s heroes will be these people, and not our “heroes” of today, albeit, sports, entertainment, or whatever.
When they see what has gone on for 100’s of years since the fall of man, it will not be so hard for them to see this battle in the age that we live in now. And more importantly, our hope and desire is that it will not be so hard for them to recognize this battle in their very own souls.
The Role of Geography in History
Looking back through history, Verna Hall explained a unique observation in the role of geography in God’s plan. The continent of Asia is described as the origin of the “human family, its races and civilizations, and the systems of religion which rule the most enlightened nations, all had their beginnings here.” {CHOC, I, pg. 3)
Although not the continent of origins as Asia, Europe is described as the continent of development housing the Indo-European race, a “people of progress”. Although they had their origin in Asia, their “fullest expansion and activity” occurred after they had migrated into Europe. “The arts and learning of antiquity attained their highest development...in Greece and Rome. Christianity also, only germinated in western Asia…gradually attained its full development” through the Reformation. {CHOC, I, pgs. 3-4}
But America attained a special place in history when the Pilgrims, following God’s leading, chose to make her their home. The Pilgrims were not representing England; they were fleeing England. God had a unique plan for this soon-to-be new land of emigrants, using the Pilgrims to accomplish His plan in making America an example of the most complete expression of Christian civilization.
What about American History?
As a result of America’s special place in history, The Principle Approach provides an emphasis on American History, with a specific focus on the Pilgrims. {Please bear with me as I try to explain. As I stated earlier, American history has been a weakness of mine. I will try to explain what I have learned through PA…and what I am in the process of currently covering with my children. If anyone has anything to add, please do share.}
Long before the Pilgrims were known as “Pilgrims”, they were among a group in England called Separatists. The Separatists had been suffering much in England for their stance on following the inerrant Word of God. King James held it highly illegal for them to congregate and imprisoned many of them. Although the English government may have called them Separatists and some may have been active in a political sense; they were more simply congregations meeting secretly in homes to worship.
The Pilgrims were one of these congregations under the pastorate of Richard Clifton, and later by the well-known John Robinson, and also William Brewster, an elder in their church. These congregations saw the Church of England with all its “courts, cannons, and ceremonies” described by William Bradford in “Of PlymouthPlantation” as not much different than the popery. Due to the writings of William Bradford, we have an inside look on how this congregation {“the Pilgrims”}, used the Bible as their political textbook where everything was compared to what the Bible taught. If the Church of England was in line with Scriptures, they would obey. However, wherever they were contrary to the Scriptures they would only obey the Word of God.
This common thread of using the Bible as a political textbook is seen as the Pilgrims moved onto Holland for freedom of worship and later to America. They self governed themselves through discussion and debate comparing all things with God’s Word. The use of the Bible as a political textbook is seen consistently through the original writings of our founding fathers from the first signs of democracy with the Mayflower Compact through the Constitution of the United States. Of course, we remain ignorant to many of these things since most of us were taught American history within a spiritual vacuum. PA breaks down this wall, and American history is taught based on this country’s Christian heritage and the road to training ourselves and our children to live and act under the principles of Biblical self-government as exemplified by the Pilgrims and many of our Founding Fathers.
The Principle Approach and History
Is PA a World History approach? An American History approach? I believe The Principle Approach is more accurately described as an approach to all of history, focusing on our Christian heritage.
I hope this has given you an overview of how PA relates to American and World History. As I said earlier, this week and next week really go hand in hand. This week was more the philosophical side and next week will be more the practical side to get a feel on how some of these things may be put into practice.
Next time….
§ What is a Providential View of History? What is the Chain of Christianity?
Staying faithful,
Karen
_____________________________________________________________________
