How Should We Then Teach?

By Wayne S. Walker
In 1976 Christian philosopher Francis A. Schaeffer wrote a book titled How Should
We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. I highly
recommend it for any homeschool study of Western history and civilization,
especially in preparation for college. Based upon the ideas presented by Mr.
Schaeffer, this article is intended to provide suggestions to homeschooling families
in answering this question: How should we then teach?
By the word how, I do not mean method. There are numerous excellent and
effective forms of instruction and learning for homeschoolers; each family should
choose the methods that work best for them. Nor am I discussing curriculum. There
are also many different kinds of curricula to suit just about everyones needs.
What our children should learn has, for the most part, been determined by
custom, based on the needs of educated society. In this article, Ill discuss what is
generally considered the core of a good education. The question for those who
believe the Bible and appreciate the unique background of our culture is this: How
do we teach so that we can fulfill our purpose and glorify God?
Reading/Literature
Some children begin reading naturally, but to learn to read properly, most children
need a good phonics program (as opposed to the look/say or whole language
method). Several are available. We used Professor Phonics along with the Bob
Books, but there are others.
Why is learning to read important? First, it opens the door to every other subject
and gives children a tool with which they can then learn independently. But theres
a second, more important reason: How that by revelation he made known unto me
the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (Ephesians 3:34). The word
Scripture means that which is written. What is written is intended to be read. God
has revealed His will to mankind in written form and He wants us to read it. Phonics
opponents have criticized phonics proponents, saying that the only reason we want
children to learn phonics is so they can read the Bible. However, as Phyllis Schlafly
notes, if they learn to read the Bible, they can read anything else too, including
great works of literature!
Of course, many who havent had the privilege of learning to read have still heard
the Scriptures and become followers of Christ. Yet, what a blessing it is for our
children to learn to read so that they can read the Bible and then judge everything
else that they read by the standard of Gods Word. The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of knowledge . . . (Proverbs 1:7). Thats how we teach reading!
This brings up the related subject of what we teach our children to read, or the
matter of literature. I have no desire to tell others what they cant or shouldnt
read. However, I am appalled when I walk into a bookstore each fall and see the
displays for required reading in public schoolsmost of those books arent fit for
adults, let alone children. Thus, Christians should set guidelines. First and foremost,

do what is pleasing to the Lord and do not follow the world. Each family will have to
make its own decisions, but here are some suggestions.

For early readers, I recommend fun books such as Curious George,

Madeline, The Story of Babar, Thomas the Tank Engine, Winnie the Pooh,
and Beatrix Potters Tales.

For older readers, some good choices would be Laura Ingalls Wilders Little
House books, C. S. Lewiss Chronicles of Narnia, Seldens Chester Cricket
and Friends series, Lloyd Alexanders Prydain Chronicles, books by E. B.
White and Frances Hodgson Burnett, and L. M. Montgomerys Anne of Green
Gables series.

In high school, our family read good historical fiction, especially literature
published by Bethlehem Books, as well as older Newbery Medal winners
from different periods and places: C. S. Lewiss The Space Trilogy and The
Screwtape Letters, Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings, the Leatherstocking
Tales by Cooper, Sir Walter Scotts Ivanhoe, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles
Dickens, Eliots Silas Marner, and Orwells 1984. Not all of these are
necessarily Christian, but they all reflect a Biblical worldview.

Grammar and Other Language Arts

I have heard experts say that children need to study grammar only one year or
so in school, but I have heard many college professors affirm that students need to
study grammar, grammar, grammar, and more grammar. Why study grammar? In
Genesis 1:2627, we read that God created humans in His own image, which
includes the ability to communicate. Grammar and its related subjects of spelling,
writing, and speech are the tools with which we communicate. Therefore, whether
its telling someone about Jesus or talking/writing about any other worthwhile
subject, as beings made in Gods image, we want to communicate in the very best
way possible. Thats why its important to have knowledge of the language that we
speak, including grammar.
So how do we teach grammar and language arts? Not as disconnected facts to be
memorized and regurgitated on a test but as the means by which we communicate
with our fellow humans. In this way we can make sure that we let our speech
always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how to answer every
man (Colossians 4:6).
Mathematics
Why study math? Its easy to see why knowledge of arithmetic is important for
everyone and higher math is needed by engineers, but people often say, I took
algebra or geometry, and I never have used it. One important benefit of studying
math is that it teaches people how to think logically.
Theres another important reason to study math. Dr. Ruth Beechick wrote:
Christians sometimes ask, Does the study of arithmetic glorify God? The answer
is yes. While learning arithmetic, children develop their God-given, natural, Biblical
mode of thinking. Biblical thinking begins with the premises that God created
everything and that basic truths of the creation are self-evident to us . . . .

Stars keep time more perfectly than clocks can ever manage, crystals teach solid
geometry, musical tones vibrate in mathematical patterns that man discovers
rather than creates. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament
shows His handiwork. Yes, children can learn arithmetic to the glory of God.
How, then, should we teach math? Not just as a bunch of numerical facts to be
mastered in order to complete worksheets as quickly as possible. Since God created
the heavens and earth with mathematical precision, we should teach math as a tool
to help us discover the kinds of relationships that God has placed in this universe.
Science
Science is a subject where the rubber meets the road. Humanists in schools can
hijack any course, but they began with hijacking science and claiming it as their
own domain. I can just envision them bowing before the Humanist Manifesto
chanting their mantra: Evolution is science; creationism is religion.
However, the truth is that the vast majority of past scientific discoveries were made
by people who believed that God created the universe in an orderly fashion and set
out to identify scientific laws which provide that order. Every student needs to read
Men of ScienceMen of God by Henry M. Morris to learn that there is no
contradiction between being a good scientist and believing in God.
There is a difference between scientific facts and scientists theories. The truth is
that the creationist materials do a much better job of presenting evidence for both
evolution and creation than do the secular materials, because the latter present
only the evolutionary theory.
In 1 Timothy 6:2021 records these words by the apostle Paul: O Timothy, keep
that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and
oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred
concerning the faith. Modern translations of the Bible, such as the English
Standard Version, translate that last phrase in verse 20 as follows: what is falsely
called knowledge. Again, many educators replace true knowledge with human
theory. How, then, should we teach science? As the omnipotent God created it, not
as fallible man interprets it.
Social Studies
I dislike the term social studies, because it sounds too much like the words
socialization and socialism. BJU Press refers to this academic area as heritage
studies, a better choice of words in my opinion, but in our homeschool we simply
studied history and geography, usually together. We used mostly A Beka for history
and geography in the elementary grades but supplemented them with lots of
pictorial history timelines, map exercise workbooks, and good historical fiction. For
high school, we have used Bob Jones Universitys World Geography, Christian
Liberty Presss Streams of Civilization for world history, and several resources for
U.S. history, including Peter Marshalls books and A Patriots History of the United
States by Larry Schweikart.
Why did we select the resources that we did? They helped us see the influence of
God in the events that have happened on earth. I recognize the benefit of teaching

history as Gods story, His story, and identifying Gods hand throughout the
events in history.
Conclusion
Every subject teaches something about the nature and character of God. Lay a
strong foundation with proper Biblical presuppositions to enable your students to
make sense of the world around them. For more information about these concepts,
I strongly recommend Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview by Israel Wayne
and Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn. May the Lord give you
grace and wisdom to teach His story, His way, for His glory.
Wayne S. Walker, a native of Highland County, Ohio, is married to Karen. Their two
sons have always been homeschooled. Mark has graduated from homeschool, and
Jeremy is still in high school. Wayne is a minister, and the Walkers currently live in
Salem, Illinois, but for over five years Wayne served as volunteer Missouri
coordinator for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally
appeared in the October 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, the family
education magazine. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it
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