Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Welcome to "Write Your Own Vision"... 

Week 17—Assignment

• Lesson 9
  • Write Your Own Vision
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • None
• Assignments:  Begin the process of writing your vision.

 Lesson 9—Write Your Own Vision

If you're a natural visionary, this task will be easier to do at this time.  But if you are not, just take a year or so to get your feet wet and then attempt to write down your vision for you and your children based on this study and the Christian Philosophy of Education Chart; which you completed.  God bless you in your continued endeavors to apply The Principle Approach simply as the Lord leads you.

In His Grace and Service,

Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 16—Assignment

• Lesson 8
  • The Principle Approach—Education for the 21^st Century
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • None
• Assignments:  Complete 5^th, 6^th, 7^th & 8^throws of Chart on “The Teacher”; “The Student”, “Curriculum” and “The Methods”.

Lesson 8—The Principle Approach—Education for the 21^st Century

I love this lesson because it brings together, in one place, all the loose ends concerning what The Principle Approach means as a comprehensive education.  I believe these guidelines are so valuable to review periodically to see where you’re at and where you would like to focus.  Of course, these are just guidelines; for our ultimate guidance comes from the Lord and His direction in our lives.

            Part of the instructions in this lesson is to complete a word study on “consecrated mind” and “intellectual virtue”.  Is that not our ultimate goal for our children?

            After my word study I came to understand a consecrated mind as one that is set apart for that which is holy.  It is a mind that is not conformed to this world but is renewed daily through prayer and the Word of God.  Intellectual virtue is comprehending and communicating ideas that are right and good, applying God’s law as the standard.

            Are these not very high standards?  Yes, they are!  We are not capable, in our own stead, to lead our children in this direction.  It must be the Lord that leads and not “we ourselves”.  That is the only way I see this possible for my children.

Guidelines of an Education based on The Principle Approach

PA Educational Distinctives

• Supremacy of the Bible
• Application of Biblical Principles
• Recognition of America’s Christian history and Biblical form of government
• Vocabulary of liberty in the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary
• Cultivates the teacher as the “living textbook”
• Classical, Bible curriculum
• Individual learning styles
• Biblical Christian worldview
• Student accountability for his learning
• Teach children the art of self-government 

Goal for internal qualities:

1. To know God;
2. Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
3. To honor parents and build a Christian family;
4. To be made complete and adequate to fulfill the calling of God;
5. To develop into wise and virtuous men and women;
6. To be found capable of being an independent scholar. 

Goal for External Qualities

1. Stewardship
   1. To wisely govern one’s personal God-given internal and external property reflecting the character of Christ.
   2. To understand Christian economics
   3. To be equipped and apprenticed in a tent-making occupation
   4. To embrace the Biblical work ethic
2. Scholarship
   1. To embrace the Word of God as the only rule for faith and practice
   2. To reason Biblically and logically
   3. Demonstrate basic skills and technology of research
   4. To have full knowledge and understanding of—

                                                              i.      America’s Christian history and government

                                                            ii.      Universal history and literature

                                                          iii.      The Providential Hand of God and the history of liberty in Western civilization

                                                          iv.      Great classical literature and languages

                                                            v.      Mathematics and the sciences

                                                          vi.      The fine and performing arts and the aesthetic components of life

5. Mastery and appreciation of foreign language beginning in primary school, with an emphasis on Latin in the middle school, and choices of Romantic and classical languages in high school.
2. Servanthood
   1. Demonstrate a love for God through service to others
   2. Demonstrate civic concern and volunteerism
3. Statesmanship
   1. Honorably represent Christ, family, school, and nation
   2. Trained in leadership skills
   3. Give a defense for the hope that lies within
   4. Demonstrate vision for local and national effectiveness in witness and mission.

Well, we’re done except for Lesson 9; which is “Write Your Vision”.  I hope that you have found some of these notes helpful in your study.  God lead you as you continue to delve into applying Biblical principles as part of your daily education of your children.  God bless you all.

 Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

 Welcome to "The Curriculum"... 

Week 15—Assignment

• Lesson 7
  • The Curriculum [and The Methods]
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 102-112
• Assignments:  Define teacher, student, curriculum (and others); Work on 5^th, 6^th, 7^th & 8^throws of Chart on “The Teacher”; “The Student”, “Curriculum” and “The Methods".

Lesson 7—The Curriculum

            In this lesson, we are working on the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th rows of the chart.  Actually, this will take longer than this week.  I originally had the 7^th row (Curriculum) and 8^th row (The Method) set for next week, but this week we are going over curriculum and methods.  However you proceed and however long it takes, just do it at your pace.  Feel free to save the 7^th & 8^th rows until next week or whenever it works best for you.  We love “freedom” in education!

            Let’s see…where have we been?  We’ve studied “Gaining the Mind of Christ”; “The Notebook Approach”; “Education, A Whole View”; “Our Heritage of Christian Education”, “Gaining a Providential View of History”; and a detailed review of the 7 principles.

            Now how about that “curriculum”?  Haven’t we been saying all along that PA is not a curriculum?  Well, it is not a curriculum in the sense that we understand curriculum—with all lessons being prepared and provided by an outside source with little input by ourselves—and if you don’t get to the end…we’ve failed.  J

            This lesson helps us understand how “curriculum” can truly be unique to each family as the Lord so leads.  It shows how curriculum is really about (1) subjects, (2) scope & sequence, and (3) methods and tools with the goal being “effective growth in understanding and character”.  Again, a Christ-centered education is about instilling God’s principles through the use of information while a man-centered education is simply information driven.  Here are some of the highlights.

• Curriculum is subjects (whole body of knowledge taught); scope and sequence (how it is ordered); and methods & tools (means of teaching).
• Christian education requires a living curriculum—“one that inspires and nourishes the inner man, one rooted in Divine revelation.”
• In the Principle Approach, “subjects are unified Biblically, historically, and governmentally.”  How subjects are governmental is a another whole study.  The Judah Bible Curriculum (JBC) and A Guide to American Christian Education (GACE) are excellent resources in learning how to think governmentally.
• The Noah Plan doesn’t recommend or provide secular textbooks, student workbooks, or teacher manuals with all lessons prepared.
• The Noah Plan does provide a (1) scope and sequence, (2) subject guidelines, (3) course overviews, (4) directed courses of study, and (5) Christian methods of study.  The following is a quote from one of NP’s lesson plans…"The model set here in the Noah Plan Lessons should be seen only as a point of reference for the individual teacher or parent. The goal is not to do as much as you can. The goal is to practice the methodology at the pace that is practical and effective in the particular application. How much of the curriculum (The Noah Plan Guides) you cover is a matter of individual need, practicality, and conscience.  The key word for Noah Plan users is Liberty!"  [The Noah Plan Lessons Kindergarten, 2003, pg. xvii]
• The Noah Plan is Biblical, historical, and classical.
• Don’t forget to review “Teaching Methodology Demonstrated in the Bible noting the Bible’s use of “principles”, “providential history”, and “individual character”.
• Also, of interest, note the “Curriculum Scope and Sequence” for all grades and, what I’ve found most helpful, “Designing Curriculum Using the Four R’s”.

 Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Welcome to The Christian Principle of American Political Union... 

Week 14—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • The Christian Principle of American Political Union—7^th Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 85-87; 134-136—Outlining The Christian Form of Our Government
  • T&L pgs. 262-268—Key to Expanding the Principles
• Assignments:  None

This week we are discussing the 7^th principle—The Christian Principle of American Political Union.  You may want to review this principle in Week 5 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—The Christian Principle of American Political Union

      “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”

Ephesians 4:13 

            The principle of Christian unity is further defined in the Bible as follows:

            “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment”.  1 Corinthians 1:10 

            “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.”  Psalm 133:1

            T&L describes how the Pilgrims learned Christian Unity from the New Testament Churches.  For 150 years, the colonists practiced Christian self-government.  About 10 years before the Revolutionary War, England began to exert her pressure on the colonists to conform to monarchy rule.  They knew this to be wrong.  “They knew their rights and liberties were of God and not of man and therefore they were united in this conviction.”  [T&L, pg. 267]

            Christian political union first occurred throughout the colonies at the time of the British tax on tea—England’s effort to exert her authority over the colonies by taxing them without any representation.

The Christian Principle of American Political Union is expanded throughout the grades with “Leading Ideas” encompassing the events that occurred in Boston and the response by the colonists in support of Boston when England enacted the Boston Port Bill to shut down the harbor.

“Within the space of two months, for the first time in Christian history, three million people achieved Biblical Christian Unity.  As the support flowed into the town of Boston, the colonies found themselves united both in the cause of Liberty and in the ‘unity of Spirit.’  Thus there was achieved in the seventeen hundred years of Christianity—a unique event which revealed the Chain of Christianity and its inseparability from America.”  [T&L, pg. 263]

            The principle of The Christian Principle of American Political Union is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

The Christian Principle of American Political Union

Grade Level	Layer	Red Books
Primary	Boston Patriots and the Tea Act	T&L pgs. 263-264 CHOC, I, pgs. 327-339
Elementary	Boston Port Closed—A Day of Fasting and Prayer	T&L pgs. 264-266 CHOC, I, pgs. 327-346A; 271-282; & 320-323
Junior High	The Cement of American Union	T&L pg. 267 CHOC, I pgs. 16, 17; 249-252; 334-339; & 346B-364
Senior High	American Unity is Christian Unity	T&L pg. 268 CHOC, I pgs. (various—see T&L pg. 268)

 Note:  These are suggestions only and not necessarily the way you need to approach this and not necessarily the way I have approached these areas of learning.  We have freedom in education! 

            In order to more fully understand Biblical Christian Unity, I did a word study on unity and also studied the differences between unity and individuality.  It became clear that unity does not mean we all think alike.  If that were the case, there would be no individuality among us.

American Political Union is a kin to the unity of the church.

As God created every snowflake to be completely unique, so is every person.  Their thoughts are unique; their process of thinking is unique.  This is acceptable, blessed, and designed by God as long as every thought is in conformity with Christ.

Although we are unique and individual, Christ has called us to be united in spirit and truth.  Since the same Spirit dwells within us, we should all have the same disposition and goals, united under the same head (Christ), and possessing the same godly character.

Unity differs from the collectivism of socialist countries because unity includes diversity and individuality; whereas, collectivism suppresses individuality.

So should unity be under a Christian government.  E Pluribus Unum means “the one from the many”.  Just as the one (Church) is from the many (believers); so is the one (Nation) from the many (states).  Our great nation came to be because we were “free from the benumbing influences of centralization on the one hand, and from the fatal dangers of disintegration on the other.”  (Frothingham)

The Biblical principle of self-government as applied to the “individual” developed into the “state” as applied to our Christian government.  The Biblical principle of unity as applied to the “church” developed into the “nation” as applied to our Christian government.  As we believers are one in Christ, our Nation is the union of many individual states.  “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

            I never realized the true impact of what really happened in the hearts of the colonists in that simple history story we read as children—“The Boston Tea Party”.

Karen 

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

 Welcome to How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted... 

Week 13—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted—6^th Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 82-84; 131-133—Outlining The Christian Form of Our Government
  • T&L pgs. 250-261—Key to Expanding the Principles
• Assignments:  None 

This week we are discussing the 6^th principle—How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted.  You may want to review this principle in Week 5 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted

      “The government of the United States is acknowledged by the wise and good of other nations, to be the most free, impartial, and righteous government of the world; but all agree, that for such a government to be sustained many years, the principles of truth and righteousness, taught in the holy Scriptures, must be practiced.  The rulers must govern in the fear of God, and the people obey the laws.”

Emma Williad, 1843 

          Although Jamestown was the first to establish Christian law in America, “[t]he seed of Christian self-government, born in the first century of Christianity, came to these shores with the tiny settlement of the Mayflower Pilgrims.” [T&L, pg. 250)  “For America the first seed of Christian self-government was the Mayflower Compact of 1620.”  [CHOC, I, pg. 259]

            It is interesting how the Lord removed the Pilgrims (then “Separatists”) from England and transplanted them in Holland for 12 years before their journey to America.  Starting in England and during those years in Holland, they followed the process of comparing all things to God’s Word.  Is it any wonder that this group of incredible believers were able to commence their government based on God’s principles of self-government reflected in His Word…something that Jamestown was a long time in adopting.

This principle reminds us that our republican form of government, planted here by the Pilgrims, requires the people to be self-governed; which can only happen if they are taught the Holy Scriptures—containing those precious seeds of self-government.

          The study of this principle focuses on the man who earned himself the name The Father of the Revolution, Samuel Adams. 

“There were very few whose minds could comprehend the important distinctions…or whose reasoning could discern the approaching events of the controversy.  Mr. Adams, buoyed up by a sense of the justice and righteousness of the colonists’ demands, stood forth first in their defense, and heroically won his title – THE FATHER OF THE REVOLUTION…”  American Eloquence, 1857 [CHOC, I, pg. XIV]

            He identified how this nation’s true security lies in the virtue of her people and rulers.  As described in CHOC, I, pg. 250, “The external threat to our nation will never be so great as the challenge within.”  Samuel Adams showed his insight concerning the need for integrity of the people in order for this nation to stand strong.  If the people lead, the people need to be virtuous.  Samuel Adams stated…

“A general Dissolution of Principles and Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the Common Enemy.  While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal Invader…If Virtue and Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslaved. This will be their security.” [CHOC, I, pg. 251] 

            Samuel Adams reasoned that, “The absolute rights of Englishmen and all freemen, in or out of civil society, are principally personal security, personal liberty, and private property. [CHOC, I, pg. 254]  Adams’ use of language had been influenced by John Locke, “a great Christian philosopher of an earlier century” [CHOC, I, pg. 252-253]; who had stated that “no one ought to harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions.”  Doesn’t that sound familiar…“the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” contained in the Declaration of Independence.

            One last thought on Samuel Adams that is of interest to those of us who homeschool… 

“Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age, by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and, in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self-government, without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies, great or small; in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system…”

            The principle of How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted is layered with The Noah Plan as follows: 

How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted

Samuel Adams—Christian Patriot

            Now it may seem difficult to impress on the minds of young children the character of one such as Samuel Adams since he was a leader in reasoning.  However, in addition to him being the one to first stand up for the colonists’ rights and being a leader among them, he is right in the middle of the story of Paul Revere in 1775. T&L, pages. 255-257, refers to the story of Paul Revere and his ride to Lexington to spread the alarm.  He rode to the house of Reverend John Clark where both John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying under guard of eight men.  The colonists had sought to protect them.  Paul Revere sounded the alarm personally to these men and they were hid away during the battle of Lexington.  Unbeknownst to the colonists, the British had issued orders to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock as leaders of the opposition to England. 

Patriotic Letters—Committees of Correspondence

            In order to unite the colonies, in 1772 Samuel Adams had started the Committees of Correspondence.  He wanted each town to express itself and write to other colonies.  He felt that they must “discuss, dispute, and debate the implications of their position.  [CHOC, I, pg. 254]  He felt “education in constitutional principles would result in lawful action—while a lack of such knowledge might result in riot and rebellion.” [CHOC, I, pg. 258] 

The American Colonies Practice Self-Government for 150 Years

            With the first seed of Christian self-government starting onboard the Mayflower with the Mayflower Compact of 1620, for 150 years thereafter the colonists practiced Christian self-government before the War for Independence.  On T&L, pg. 260, there is a list of “Restrictive Acts of the British Crown” starting in 1664 and the self-government response of the Colonists—“Fidelity of Colonists to Principle of Local Self-Government”—through to the ultimate decision to engage in battle at Lexington and Concord in 1775.  The corresponding pages in CHOC, I, are also included. 

Liberty Under Law 

            What is liberty under law?  Liberty is freedom, but without restraint or Christian self-government, there is anarchy.  The Pilgrims, “in fleeing from the despotism of a centralized church did not reject a government of laws.  But they recognized that law must spring from an internal conviction rather than derive its sanction from the force of external control.”

Summary of the “How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted”

            “How the Seed of Local Self-Government is Planted” is a kin to the planting of seeds of our faith.  Here, the seeds of self-government relate to the application of our faith since self-government is God ruling internally from our hearts.  These seeds are planted internally, first in ourselves, and then in the lives around us.  As the planting of the seeds of our faith will take sprout in the lives of others, so will the planting of the seeds of self-government, ultimately once again producing a government of the self-governed so that, as Samuel Adams stated in 1764, government can truly only exist to ensure our rights.  In this way, we have freedom of the constraints of government regulating our lives and we can truly live in the freedom of liberty as our forefathers envisioned and laid down their lives for their freedom.

Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 12—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • The Christian Form of Our Government—5^th Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 79-81; 128-130—Outlining The Christian Form of Our Government
  • T&L pgs. 240-249—Key to Expanding the Principles
• Assignments:  None

This week we are discussing the 5^th principle—The Christian Form of Our Government.  You may want to review this principle in Week 5 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—The Christian Form of Our Government

v    “As men we have God for our King, and are under the Law of Reason:  as Christians, we have Jesus the Messiah for our King, and are under the Law reveal’d by him in the Gospel…”

“The Reasonableness of Christianity” John Locke, 1695

            Do you recall in the Bible when the people of Israel were demanding a king?  What was God’s response?

1 Samuel 8:5-9—“…appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.  But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD.  The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. "Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.  "Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them."

            Jesus Christ is our king!  In fact, He is the King of Kings!  A Christian Form of Government does not include a monarchy for Jesus Christ is our king and we shall look to none other.

            During the making of America, the Word of God was used as the political textbook.  The monarchal reign of England had been the example for the colonies of both Jamestown and the Pilgrims.  Though Jamestown was more of a transplanted England in many respects, the Pilgrims were the ones who deviated.  They compared all things to God’s Word.  They used the Word of God as their political textbook.  They recognized that Jesus Christ was their king.  They would have no monarchy. 

            As you’ll recall from the 4^th Principle—Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property—we learned that the greatest of all property is internal; the free choice of opinions and communication of them.  The liberty of conscience is the most sacred of all property.  This requires that we be Christ-governed to be conscientious; requiring that the internal demands of God’s laws be written on our hearts.  So it follows that the first aspect of our Christian form of government is internal.  Here’s is a breakdown that I hope is helpful. 

Two aspects of our Christian form of government—

• Internal (Spirit of the Law) – Nature and Essence
  • The Christian Principle of Self-Government (2^nd Principle)
  • Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property (4^th Principle)
  • The Christian Principle of American Political Union (7^th Principle)
• External (Letter of the Law) – Structure and Framework
  • The Separation of Powers
  • The Principle of Representation
  • The Dual Form of Our Government

The Separation of Powers

Isaiah 33:22—For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us.

• Legislative
  • When we contemplate doing any action—we are, in essence, legislating how we will perform this action.
  • Either we are governed by the laws of God and man—or we are lawless.
• Executive
  • Putting plans into action and doing the action, or executing the plan, becomes our executive function.
• Judicial
  • Reviewing action already taken becomes our judicial or judging function.
  • A Christian has the Bible as God’s law upon which to base his judgment of action.
  • As the Constitution is the law of the land, the Bible is the law of the individual.

The Principle of Representation

Exodus 18:17-27

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro’s advice

• Moses was the people’s representative before God and they were to take their disputes to him.
• Moses was to teach God’s decrees and laws; show the people the way to live and the duties they were to perform.
• Select capable men…
  • Who fear God
  • Trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain
• Appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
• They were to serve as judges for the people; but take the difficult cases to Moses. 

Rev. Thomas Hooker, Connecticut, 1638

--The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut based on Deut. 1:9-18

• Lecture leading the way to the first written constitution in America—Connecticut. (T&L pg. 241; CHOC, I, pgs. 250-252)
• Dr. Hooker’s development of the political principles of representative government.

1. The choice of public magistrates belongs to the people by God’s own allowance.
2. Privilege of election shouldn’t be exercised according to the humors, but according to the blessed will and law of God.
3. Those who have power to appoint magistrates, they must set bounds of power and place to which each magistrate is called. 

The Dual Form of Our Government

Matthew 22:37-40—Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it; love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

• 1^st Commandment—Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, & mind.
  • Individual Christian self-government—represents one’s duty to God
  • National Federal Government.—represents one’s duty to his country
• 2^nd Commandment
  • Individual Christian self-government—basis of our relation to our neighbor—all those around us.
  • State Government—Basis for the relationship of the individual states.

Separation of “Church and State”

Matthew 22:37-40/Exodus 20:1-17—10 Commandments

            The principle of The Christian Form of Our Government is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

The Christian Form of Our Government

Summary of the Christian Form of Our Government

            With the Lord as our lawgiver, judge, and king; we call on Him when we are planning an action, before we execute an action; and when we review our actions.  All aspects must be compared with the Bible—our political, educational, and life textbook—to walk in His will for our lives.  Beyond our personal application, Christ is the lawgiver (Bible), our judge, and King.  We will always serve Him.  From here, the Founding Fathers were inspired to have three spheres of government—legislative (law making); executive (law enforcement); and judicial (review).

            It is essential in a representative form of government; that self-government exists.  In order to self-govern, the people need to know God’s laws and His decrees.  Also, when choosing representatives the people are responsible for choosing high caliber men who fear God, who are trustworthy men, who hate dishonest gain, and who will not show partiality.  The people should consider the will and law of God in their choices.  Then they may be blessed of God.

            In these and other aspects, America became a Christian nation, not because of a majority of Christians in America, but because her form of government was Christian.  Our God only needs a remnant.  At the founding of our nation, He used a remnant of His most dedicated followers to accomplish the Godliest form of government known to man.  We can be encouraged that He only requires a remnant to maintain the Godliest form of government known to man.

 Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 11—Assignment

Lesson 6

• Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property {James Madison}—4^th Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 76-78; 125-127—Outlining Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property
  • T&L pgs. 225-239—Key to Expanding the Principles
• Assignments:  None

      This week we are discussing the 4^th principle—Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property.  You may want to review this principle in Week 5 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property

v     “For men being the Workmanship of One Omnipotent, and infinitely wise Maker:  All the Servants of one Sovereign Master, sent into the World by his Order, and about his Business, they are his Property, whose Workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one another’s Pleasure…”  {“Of Civil Government”…John Locke, 1689} 

What does the Bible say about property in general?

Genesis 1:1—In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  {He is the Creator of the heavens and earth…all things are His} 

Isaiah 43:7—Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made,  {He made us…we are His}

Revelation 4:11—You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. 

Ephesians 2:10—For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

            These verses impress upon me that, by His will, we were created and fashioned for His glory.  We are His workmanship.  Through His graciousness, He has given us dominion over all things on earth.  Through this dominion, we have received exclusive rights of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of this external property. 

But the greatest of all property is internal; the free choice of opinions and communication of them.  The liberty of conscience is the most sacred of all property.  One must be truly Christ-governed to be conscientious where the internal demands of God’s laws are written on your heart.

                1 Corinthians 4:2—Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.       

Acts 24:16—So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

            The principle of Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 10—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • America’s Heritage of Christian Character—3rd Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 73-75; 122-124—Outlining America’s Heritage of Christian Character
  • T&L pgs. 210-224—Key to Expanding the Principles
  • CHOC, I, pgs. 1-9—
• Assignments:  None

v     “This divine power of the gospel revealed itself to the heathen in the lives of Christians, which showed forth the virtues of Him who had called them out of darkness into his marvelous light, and enabled them to walk as the children of God, in the midst of a perverse generation, among whom they shone as lights in the world!…The whole life of the Christian, from the beginning to the end, is a conflict with the world and the powers of darkness, a conflict within and without…”  Neander “Memorials of a Christian Life,” 1852

T&L, pgs. 210-215, referred to above, begin with a discussion of the Christian life concerning “liberty of conscience”, “conduct toward government”, “the Christian as a soldier of the Lord” and the Christian life contrasted with paganism.  This principle focuses on the Christian life as it relates to “Faith & Steadfastness”, “Brotherly Love and Christian Care”, “Diligence & Industry” and “Liberty of Conscience”.  As referred to below, this principle is taught using the Pilgrims as the leading idea.  However, since “Faith and Steadfastness”, “Brotherly Love and Christian Care”, “Diligence and Industry” and “Liberty of Conscience” are all Christian principles contained in the Bible, it can be taught with many leading ideas from individuals in the Bible and other individuals in history. 

Why were these traits so evident in the pilgrims?  The Pilgrims used the Word of God for their source in all their actions.  Since the Word of God called on them to act in such a manner to walk as children of God, they did so.

            How is this Biblical principle of Christian Character (faith, steadfastness, brotherly love, Christian care, diligence, industry, and liberty of conscience) defined in Scripture? 

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall...”  Matthew 7:24-29

            “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7 

            “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

            “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”  Acts 24:16 

            Of course, with these character traits, there are numerous verses that are applicable.  These are just a few key verses that PA has identified.

            The principle of America’s Heritage of Christian Character is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

America’s Heritage of Christian Character

Note:  These are suggestions only and not necessarily the way you need to approach this and not necessarily the way I have approached these areas of learning.  We have freedom in education! 

            As you can see, the teaching of all the layers for this principle is bound in the Heritage of Christian character as exemplified by the Pilgrims.  So much is known about the Pilgrims due to William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation”.  CHOC, I, pgs. 182-240, contains lengthy excerpts from that book.  However, it is quoted directly with the older English spellings and a bit difficult to read.  You may wish to purchase a modern translation of this book.  In order to fully understand the Pilgrims and this 3^rd principle as it relates to them, “Of Plymouth Plantation” is a must read. 

CHOC, I pgs. 1-9—

            I believe understanding the Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government will help in the process of understanding what goes wrong when the government over-governs. 

The Christian Idea of Man—pgs. 1-2

            This is a contrast between man’s idea of man and government and God’s idea of man and government.  This idea has also been described as “The Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government”. 

            “The individual was regarded as of value only as he formed a part of the political fabric, and was able to contribute to its uses, as though it were the end of his being to aggrandize the State.  This was the pagan idea of man.”  CHOC, I, pg. 1

            “Christianity then appeared with its central doctrine, that man was created in the Divine image, and destined for immortality; pronouncing, that, in the eye of God, all men are equal.  This asserted for the individual an independent value…that man is superior to the State, which ought to be fashioned for his use.”  CHOC, I, pg. 2.

America’s Heritage of Christian Character included an understanding of the Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government.  However, to fully understand this concept is a study unto itself.  Just begin to get a grasp on what it is and later more understanding will follow. 

Chain of Christianity Moves Westward—The Role of Geography—pgs. 3-9

The concepts described here, I am still in the process of internalizing.  But just food for thought...think of the character of the continents as they've ended up post-flood...providential?

• Asia: Continent of Origins
• Europe:  Continent of Development
• America:  Continent of Fulfillment
• Australia: Continent of Nature {Antiquity}
• Africa: Continent of Nature {Animal Life}
• South America: Continent of Nature {Vegetation}
• Anarctica: Continent of Nature {Hidden Resources}

Karen 

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Welcom to the Christian Principle of Self-Government {Principle 2}... 

Week 9—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • Christian Principle of Self-Government—2nd Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 69-72; 118-121—Outlining Christian Principle of Self-Government
  • T&L pgs. 184-209—Key to Expanding the Principles
  • CHOC, I, pgs. Ia-xiv—
• Assignments:  None 

This week we are discussing the 2nd principle—Christian Principle of Self-Government.  You may want to review this principle in Week 4 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—Christian Principle of Self-Government

v   “He knows not how to rule a Kingdom, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man govern well a Family that knows not how to govern himself; neither can any govern himself unless his reason be Lord, will and appetite her vassals: nor can reason rule unless herself be ruled by God, and (wholly) be obedient to Him.”

Hugo Gratius (1654) 

            How is the Biblical principle of self-government defined in Scripture?

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”  Proverbs 16:32 

            For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”  1 Timothy 3:5

            We can see that learning to govern oneself through the leading of the Holy Spirit is paramount to us and our children being able to adequately run any aspect of our lives.    I love Hugo Gratius’ recognition that we cannot govern anything, including ourselves, without being wholly obedient to the Lord.  Isn’t it true that He is the one that provides “reason” to our “reasoning”?  What are we without Christ providing us with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding?

“All societies of men must be governed in some way or other.  The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self-government.  The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint.  Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled,  either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet.”[1]

            The principle of self-government is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

Christian Principle of Self-Government 

Grade Level	Layer	Red Books
Primary	Learning Christian Self-Government in the Classroom	T&L pgs. 186-189
Elementary	Christian Self-Government in Virginia and Plymouth	T&L pgs. 189-194 CHOC, I pgs. 150A-175 (Jamestown) CHOC, I pgs. 176-240 (Plymouth)
Junior High	Government of the Parent Colonies Township and County Systems, Pennsylvania	T&L Pgs.   198-203 CHOC, I pgs. 16-19; 270A-282
Senior High	Locke—“Of the Beginning of Political Societies” Government by Consent Majority Rule	T&L Pgs.   204-209 CHOC, I pgs. 83-91 CHOC, I pgs. 149-150

 Note:  These are suggestions only and not necessarily the way you need to approach this and not necessarily the way I have approached these areas of learning.  We have freedom in education!

            Of course, to learn self-government we must start with ourselves as our children must start with themselves.  So the first layer of this principle is devoted to learning personal and classroom self-government as referenced above in the chart (see T&L and CHOC, I pages referenced).

            The next aspect of learning this principle will come when studying Jamestown & the Pilgrims.  The scope here is to identify the differences in self-government between Jamestown and Plymouth.  Some say that Jamestown was founded on desire for gold.  Others identify that Jamestown deserves more credit than that.  As described by Vision Forum—Jamestown was a land of Christians “firsts”.

Ø      First use of Christian common law

Ø      First republican government

Ø      First Christian church

Ø      First Christian conversion and baptisms

Ø      First “inter-racial” marriage [John Rolfe & Pochahontus]

Ø      First acts of lawful interposition against tyranny 

While Jamestown may be a land of Christian “firsts”, it was Plymouth that was founded on the desire for freedom of religion.  Jamestown was based on common law, as opposed to Plymouth’s colony being planted with the seed of Christian liberty and Christian self-government.  The problems were the same but the solutions were different.  Although Plymouth eventually became part of Massachusetts, the seed of Christian self-government was planted on which the foundations of our freedom were based.

            The third layer—The Local Self-Governments in the Colonies: Township & County”—further defines in great detail the differences between the growing governments of Jamestown, Virginia (County—see CHOC, I, pg. 270E) and Plymouth/New England (Township—see CHOC, I, pg. 270C).  The Pilgrims extended the congregational form of government recognizing that the sovereign power vested in the individual requires that the individual accept the internal government of God through Christ.  However, Jamestown was still attempting to function under common law and conformity with compulsory church. 

            The fourth and last layer of the Christian Principle of Self-Government relates to the writings of John Locke, a Christian Philosopher of the American Revolution.  He challenged the “supremacy of ‘the divine right of kings’ to rule over men” (T&L pgs. 204-205).  The ideas he set forth are that man is naturally free and government must be by consent of the people.  The Mayflower Compact is recognized as the first document of American Self-Government based on “express consent”. (T&L, pg. 206)  Of course, power in the hands of the people requires that the majority of the individuals can govern themselves.  As already set forth in the third layer, such sovereign power in the individual requires that the individual accepts internal government.  Since we can only find this in Christ, faith is essential in a republic.

Review of CHOC, I pgs. Ia-XIV— 

Preface to The American Revolution Bicentennial Edition—pgs. Ia-Id

            Why teach the Christian history of America? 

Preface—pgs. II-VI

            This Preface provides the reasons for the publication of CHOC, I (Christian History of the Constitution, Vol. I) and CHOC, II (Christian History of the Constitution, Vol. II)

CHOC, I, covers “the development of Self-Government from its beginnings in the primitive Christian churches through the American Revolution.” 

CHOC, II covers the “source of the idea of Union and its development in America from 1643 through the Articles of Confederation as well as contrasts the American and French Revolutions.”

            Introduction—pgs. VII-X

            The value in knowing the ideas basic to American Government and from where they originated as established in CHOC, I

The Christian Idea of Man and Government—pgs. XIII-XIV 

            “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  2 Corinthians 3:17

            An introduction to the concept of the “Christian Idea of Man and Government” and an introduction to Samuel Adams—The Father of the Revolution 

I believe reading these pages of CHOC, I, will give a good overview of what the Red Books provide.   In the Introduction be sure to read Felix Morley’s recommendation on how to read and study CHOC, I on pg. X, paragraphs 2 and 3.

Overall, I now understand so much more why a republic requires internal self-government.  This is the principle that has had the greatest impact on the training of my children.  My children as well as I must be controlled by the Word of God within us or by the strong arm of man.

 Karen

Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Welcome to God's Principle of Individuality {Principle 1}... 

Week 8—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • God’s Principle of Individuality—1^st Principle Section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 63-68; 111-117—Outlining God’s Principle of Individuality
  • T&L pgs. 141-183—Key to Expanding the Principles
  • C&P pgs. 46-54—The Hand of God in American History
• Assignments:  None

Lesson 6 has been broken down into 8 weeks; one week discussing Gaining a Providential View of History and 7 weeks discussing the seven principles individually.  This week we are discussing the first principle—God’s Principle of Individuality.  You may want to review this principle in Week 4 of our “PA Summary”.

Lesson 6—God’s Principle of Individuality

v     Everything in God’s universe is revelational of God’s infinity, God’s diversity, God’s individuality.  God creates distinct individualities.  God maintains the identity and individuality of everything He created.

            Why is God’s Principle of Individuality so important?  Well, sometimes in figuring out why something is so important, it may be easier to see when it is taken away.  The opposite of individuality is collectivism. 

            Individuality is defined as having a “separate or distinct existence; a state of oneness.”  While collective is defined as being “formed by gathering; gathered into a mass, sum, or body; congregated, or aggregated.”  Countries devoid of individuality are the socialist or communist countries.  Collectivism is a political philosophy which teaches that to achieve one world we must eliminate differences of individuality. 

            The examples that God gave us of his design of individuality are multiplied over and over again in His Creation.   Every snowflake is different, every thumb print, etc.  Each of our personalities, likes, and dislikes are different.  He never intended for us to be the same.  The examples are unending.

            In addition to God’s Creation described in Genesis 1 and John 1:3; in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, we see God’s Principle of Individuality.

     Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.   And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.   There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.   For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.    But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

            Now this Biblical principle, like all Biblical principles, is taught as they become a part of us.  When you start seeing God’s Principle of Individuality as you view all things, it will come forth in your teaching as do multiple Biblical principles and we can, with God’s guidance, fulfill Deuteronomy 6:6-7, so that “…these words…shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

Also, as I stated earlier, examples of how the principles can be taught academically are set forth in the Guides.  As referred to in Week 4 of the “PA Summary”, the principles are broken down into layers to present to our students.  The most helpful chart in setting this out is in T&L, page 112.

God’s Principle of Individuality

Grade Level	Layer	T&L
Primary	Christian Individuality	Pgs. 155-156
Elementary	Geographic Individuality	Pgs. 142-154; 156-157
Junior High	Individual Links on Christianity’s Chain	Pgs. 158-178
Senior High	America Declares Herself an Individual Nation	Pgs. 179-183

 Note:  These are suggestions only and not necessarily the way you need to approach this and not necessarily the way I have approached these areas of learning.  We have freedom in education!

            Now if your kids are older, it is still best to go through all the layers as foundational.  However, because they’re older, they will understand the concepts much quicker.  The Guides are very effective in showing how each layer of the Principles can be taught across the curriculum.  However, how you want to teach the principles is up to you.  The goal here is to teach the principle exploring it Biblically and hopefully through history, science, language, mathematics, etc.

 C&P pgs. 46-54—The Hand of God in American History 

            Although I have broken up Lesson 6’s assignments into 8 weeks, this section on The Hand of God in American History, more properly would be grouped with Week 7—Lesson 6—Gaining a Providential Hand in History.

            Although it requires a patient read, it sets out many facts in our history that relates how God’s hand providentially moved throughout our history.  A must read!!

Karen