Christ-centered History
Long before having children, I have been a homeschool curriculum afficionado. I always wanted to find just the right materials for my little ones, well before my children were old enough to need them. I read A Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer, and I was instantly impressed, particularly by their view on teaching history. Susan and her mother state that history, as it is commonly taught today is very narcisstic. In most curriculums, children only learn about American history during the elementary school years. They make a case that history is best learned in a chronological manner, thus eliminating confusion on who lived when. Also, it is important to learn at an early age about other cultures and people, for life does not revolve around the American culture alone. Since reading their materials, I have been a big advocate of learning chronologically and keeping a timeline to record various events on it. This helps to clearly plot out in one's mind what event occurred when, and who lived where. Because of this fascinating book, and the recommendations of many homeschoolers, I was so happy when Susan started making a history series for younger children. I quickly purchased The Story of the World, eager to review history in a chronological style. I only had to open the first few pages to be thoroughly disappointed. The book begins with a narrative about primitive type people, the nomads. This simply is an erroneous view if you take the Bible literally. Adam and Eve were exceptionally bright, much smarter than fallen man has become. Rather than depicting the first people as primitive, they should have been shown as the amazingly brilliant creatures they were. You can see an excerpt at the above link. Also, as one continued through the book, it was apparent how much Biblical truth was left out, and when an episode from the Bible was there, it was gravely distorted and embellished. My husband was appalled by the additions made to the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. The Bible never states that he was a braggerd! My husband read the whole book and was simply appalled. It sickened me so, that I could only read a couple of chapters. We quickly sold it on E-bay.I knew right away that if there was a history book that was Christ-centered and chronological, then it would be a true treasure. I was blessed to find what I was seeking in The Mystery of History. One merely has to browse the table of contents to see how Christ-centered this book is! It begins at our true beginning of history, Creation. She does such a thorough job of weaving in so many critical historic events, Biblically. I love how you can teach all of your children history at one time with this curriculum. After you complete the first book during the first year, you continue through history by using her other books, which will follow history through modern times. In the classic education pattern, after you go all the way through history (studying over several years) you begin again at the beginning of history, studying systematically. Those who follow this history will certainly learn history, in a God-honoring manner. Christian Book Distributers no longer carries The Story of the World I, I believe, because of it's non-Christian view. We must be so careful to make our children's education Christ-centered in every manner. If something does not honor Him, why should we utilize it?