Kerry Beck’s Blog

We are bombarded from all sides of a technical society, that
history is no longer important. As long as we can solve the
technological problems of today, we will be all right. I firmly
disagree with this worldview since the lessons of history hugely
impact the way we live today and in the future.

In studying ancient history, you may wonder why study history
if we do not know exact dates. Records are so sketchy it is difficult to firmly state when events took place. For instance, five historians are presented with a time period to investigate. All are striving for accuracy in their investigation. In the end, they will still disagree on five details about their investigation.

Does this mean we should abandon our study of history? No!

It’s not just about dates & dead people. We need to take a broad sweep of any time period and learn the lessons of the past. Identify specific stories with a moral and philosophical impact to begin your investigation. A detective game can be played and this is what makes history so fun! Begin by hunting clues from these stories. Those clues may lead to a dead, cold trail or a hopping, hot path. Snoop around the documents. to the legends and myths. Sort out what you find.

History is not about dates and dead people, but about the good
providence of God. As you work through your investigation, you will begin to see how God worked through that time period. He is using people throughout history for His own good and for His own glory.

Look to see how the pieces fit together and you will discover God’s workings.

God teaches us from the past, giving us the context to see the future and the understanding for the present.

(Above taken from George Grant’s talk - Gileskirk tape on Antiquities)

Sounds great! BUT I DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THIS! This is hard work and many homeschool parents do not have the time to investigate history that thoroughly. Fortunately, there are several tools that have done much of the legwork for you.

George Grant’s Gileskirk Humanities
Audio or Video lectures from a distinctively Christian worldview.
Includes CD-rom with all lessons, tests, projects, reading assignments, recitiations, etc. To read a short review of this program, click here Receive DISCOUNTED SHIPPING on this product by using the code BECK at this link.
http://www.curriculumconnection.net/gileskirkreview.htm

Blessings,
Kerry

(c)Kerry Beck, 2007

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Kerry Beck, who wrote Raising Leaders, Not Followers, divides her time between wife, mom, teacher and business woman. You can pick up her free report, “How to Get It All Done” at Organizing for Home School.