The American Way of Life by Katherine Dang of Pleasanton, California
Biography of Katherine Dang included ~ Literal Text Excerpts ~ The Philomath Foundation.com
Part 1: of a 28-part series
This phrase, “the American way of life,” has never been defined to my satisfaction. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about. I hear about it all the time. It has become a matter, or a phrase, that arouses disdain more than anything else.
I don’t know how you have determined this phrase, or how it’s used in our current history, but I want to propose to you that there is something called an “American way of life” that pertains to every one of us in this room, because it has to do with our nation. It has to do with the life of our nation. Every nation has a personality. Every nation has its own life and its own way of living. So, it behooves us as Americans to get a grip, to get a handle, on some aspect that pertains to us and us alone.
So I want to propose to you three ideas that might define us, or should I say, define the American way of life. I come at this as a historian, or as a teacher of history, a leader of history. I want to propose to you some ideas for you to consider. It’s not in any way a matter of absolute, of fixed law, but you consider these things and see whether if these things are so - in your experience, in your knowledge, and in your studies.
I want to deal with the American way of life. Of course, today many are concerned about our way of life, about whether or not it will be changed. Simply, what is it they are concerned about?
Part 2: of a 28-part series
I want to begin with some presuppositions here. These are the three ideas that I’m building on:
1) I want to propose to you that a way of life is a way of living. I believe that some of you are living in such a way that fits all three categories, but we’re not aware of it. I’m telling you how you’re living, and you’re not even aware of it. This is a broad view of us as a nation. I’m suggesting to you that the American way of life is individual lives progressing from what I call self-evident truth. “Progressing” means we’re not there yet. None of us have arrived. “Progress” means there’s something that’s unfolding.
What is that self-evident truth that pertains to America especially? This is all from the Declaration of Independence, and this again is the original idea that gave birth to this nation, so you can’t run away from it; you can’t deny it.
Our birth certificate says that our life, this nation’s life, began, and is built upon, this idea that all men ("all" being without exception, and to the exclusion of no man, just in case you don’t know what “all” means. “Men” is a generic term for mankind, meaning females too, and children – not your pets, okay?) are created (now this is troublesome – we’re “progressing” – created equal), and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And so not all of us are progressing at the same rate in this idea, and that is again at the core of this cornerstone of our existence.
Part 5: of a 28-part series
This is what distinguishes the American from all other countries – historically and traditionally. It’s how we live. It’s what we do, and what we’re striving to accomplish. We’re maturing as a people, as imperfect as we are, acknowledging that we need to progress. We are in fact a demonstration of a historic phenomenon - an anomaly actually. We’re putting a dependence not on others, but on ourselves as individuals.
If the American way of life is allegedly offensive to her enemies, I come to this conclusion: presumably, then, what are they offended by? What is it that causes such pain and injury to those that have a problem or have a conflict with the way we live?
To destroy America, if America is to be undone, then it is also to deny that idea of self-evident truth, that all men are created equal. That has to be trashed. We have to deny every opposition to despotic government, because that’s what we represent. We oppose despotic government first, do we not, in the Declaration? We also deny the people the ability to govern themselves. We absolutely deny. “Deny” means to reject the thought, to reject it absolutely.
Part 6: of a 28-part series
So the first idea, we are progressing. I have to progress. I am working to believe the self-evident truth that all men are equal. I [need to be able to] look at someone who is exactly opposing me in every form, shape, and idea, and still say he is my equal – not saying “I have this, and you don’t have this”, and so forth, but really believing that that individual is my equal under the same Creator. This is easy to say, but not to do. I mean, how deep is my belief in that concept?
And by the way, not everybody believed it in 1776. In fact, most of the world does not, and did not even then. First of all, from the Old World, America came from somewhere. We came from the Old World. That would be Asia, Europe, and Africa. From the Old World came to America an entrenched idea, and it’s deeply entrenched. Thousands of years entrenched. [The idea is] that there’s a natural inequality among men. It’s absolutely so. I mean, let’s get it down. Social order rests upon the assumed natural inequality of men, according to historians.
Now, you don’t have to go too far beyond our borders to see that that’s so. We know that. Females know that. Children know that. A man’s worth is established by some social order, and a ranking based upon birth, wealth, power, property, education – and I’m putting in there for this season, party. [There’s] an order of men, comparing themselves with other men. That’s what we do all the time. We’re always examining each other by each other. We’re comparing ourselves with other men, and we already have our ranking system in our head.
Of least worth in this social order are the weak ones, whether they’re weak in finances, power, force, etc. Basically, women, children, and the poor are more worthless in this social order. And some aren’t worth living, having life of their own.
Now, we know that’s true. We don’t have to go far in our neighborhood to find out that not everybody believes every life has importance, has intrinsic worth, has usefulness. Some academia is going to tell you whether you’re useful or not to live, whether you’re fit to live or not!
Part 7: of a 28-part series
The fundamental principle of the American way of life is belief, and the people are working on it. We’ve been struggling with this idea. How deep does this belief go in the individual and in the nation, in the independent worth of the individual? Real progress has to do with this idea. First of all, it’s based on mankind’s common humanity -- in his life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We have this in common, regardless of what grade of life, what history of life we have...
Part 8: of a 28-part series
And so, [as we’re] advancing and promoting natural equality, again we have to deal with our own unbelief or belief. We have the opportunity in this country to grow in such an idea, to be presented with this proposition that all men are created equal, and then to struggle in it with ourselves. It has results, according to our individual progress. And it cannot be imposed. No belief is imposed.
But this idea has a chance, has an opportunity to flourish, because there are beneficial results to everybody, if this idea could somehow grow. It could not grow in Asia, or Europe, or Africa as much as it is here, because this is the foundation of our thinking, about our way of thinking. It’s a phenomenal thing, that men come to this at different stages - and they’re not marching at the same beat - but they come to these ideas on their own.
The way we live as individuals is to, I call it, “diffuse” – to spread the idea of the natural equality and individual worth of men and nations – to diffuse or spread this idea into a world living with a very low view of the individual. We are here to advance an idea in a world that does not predominantly believe that all men have worth – a world that has a low worth of the individual.
Part 9: of a 28-part series
Now, in 1776 the world was more imperfect than it is today. Do you understand? This idea has diffused to 350 million in this country. There were only 3 million then. We have grown in this idea for 200 years. It’s a new idea to earth, and it’s being spread across the oceans and seas, little by little. It is truth, and it’s going to grow very gradually. It can’t be done by force. But it’s leaking, it’s going out, and it’s embracing more and more of the earth than it did in 1776. Only 1/3 of those people truly held to separation and independence. One million only, out of 3 million. And yet it was sufficient to affect a nation such as ours.
They knew that they would not see in their lifetime the perfection of this idea. They looked to the next generation, that it might begin with them and progress forward, with all the struggles that it would entail, with all the hiccups, the bumps, the squeaks, that it takes to advance such an idea when it’s not believed...
Part 15: of a 28-part series
The next idea (is that) we are demonstrating to the world the positive alternative to despotism. In history, you could divide all government into two kinds: either despotic government, or self-government. There’s only two.
At the formation of our government, said Jefferson: “Many have formed their political opinions on European writings and practices. As much as we respect the place Europe played in history, we are not another Europe -- believing the experiences in the old countries, and especially in England (as abusive as it was), to be a safer guide than mere theory. The doctrines of Europe were that men in numerous associations cannot be restrained with the limits of order and justice, but by forces physical and moral wielded over them by authorities, independent of their will.”
In other words, you must be under the will of a superior. You of your own accord cannot do, cannot know. Well, when you live in a society of peasants, probably not. A society of surfs? No, not ready. Or slaves? Not ready. Hence, their organization of kings, hereditary nobles, and priests. That’s their organization.
But that’s not America’s organization. We are different because our government and way of life are not based on the divine right of kings, which means one man is above the law. [Nor are they based on] the hereditary privileges of the elite or the deference to dictators. They are based on pieces of paper. Really, our nation hangs on two pieces of paper: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States (and [some would add] the Bill of Rights) that established our liberties. That’s all that regulate our lives – these documents.
Part 16: of a 28-part series
Now, this way of living is American, and it’s new to history. It’s a people living in self-government, managing their own lives, thinking for themselves – what a phenomenon! People are actually making decisions for themselves, not needing a father,..
Part 18: of a 28-part series
Free government is founded in jealousy, not competence. We have to be jealous of our liberty. We have to be jealous of our own lives, our own property, our own businesses. “Jealous” means zealous. It doesn’t mean anything negative. It’s a good idea. You need to be zealous about your own being, your own worth, your own opinions, your own property, your own will. Keep it. No one wants it. You keep it, safe and secure. It is jealousy and a competence which prescribes limited constitutions to bind those who are obliged to trust. If we trust them, we have to bind them.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of competence. Bind them down from mischief, by the chains of the Constitution,” James Madison said. “An elected despotism is not the government we fought for.”
We have a hundred kings over us. (No names mentioned. Just a hundred of them.) And the thing is, they have crossed the lines. They have not stayed within the bounds of the Constitution. And we have not held them accountable for it. We’re to blame for the condition of our nation -- we the people. It’s not trickle-down blame. It starts right where we are. It really is. It’s painful to look at.
Can we defy the law of gravity, and not crash and burn? We think we can until..
Part 21: of a 28-part series
Now this up and down thing…I read the quote by Reagan. I’d like to illustrate what we’re looking at here. Remember, we are demonstrating the positive alternative to despotism, to slavery. Slavery is the lowest human existence. It could be in your home, but still the lowest existence. Why is it so low? Because you are serving the will of the governor against your will, when you have no will of your own.
Part 22: of a 28-part series
The last idea, the last thing we are doing, is how we live. We are resting on our own ability, our own political acuteness, our own political ability. We’re not born with this ability, by the way. We’re born with a disability, with no ability for self-government. That doesn’t come with drinking the right kind of water, either. It's the result of habit and long training.
It is remarkable to see – 200 years before the Declaration of Independence – that this was a habit of theirs. Because England was so remote ("3000 miles of water remote"), they had to fall back on themselves for their own care. Amazing – fall back on yourself for your own care. That’s a hard thing to do when there’s nothing around to use.
All had, for many generations, been more or less accustomed to self-government, and to public meetings for discussing local affairs. It’s a beginning of what they used to do a lot of. This used to happen and occur constantly, in their towns and in their society, to have gatherings of such, to discuss the current policies that they were under, or that was being produced. And we’ve lost that custom.
art 23: of a 28-part series
Within its proper sphere, government by town meeting is the form of government most effectively under our control. You can see [more clearly] locally. And it is more transparent to observe a key oversight of the local rulers. That’s where we need to begin. That’s where they did begin. When they could watch and observe what happened locally among themselves, from those of themselves, then they could reason into the next sphere, into the larger spheres.
And that’s the idea. Anyone who disapproves of any of these objects, or the way in which it is proposed to be obtained, has an opportunity to declare his opinions. We don’t even know how to articulate an opinion. We don’t even have an opinion to articulate.
Part 24: of a 28-part series
We just want to follow the money – our money. It’s kept pretty close to the fact where local affairs are concerned. And in this there’s a political trade of no small government. We’re not politically trained. We used to be politically trained. We need to be. We need to reason politically, or (as I call it) reason governmentally. This is basic to all, whether we are on the left or right. There are principles of good policy.
We want to remind ourselves that bad people can make good policy, and good people can make bad policy. In the kind of discussion which it provokes, [there’s] the necessity of facing argument with argument, and keeping one’s temper under control. That’s wonderful training, isn’t it? Now that’s real political training. The town meeting is the best political training school in existence.
[There was] a period of earnest and sometimes stormy discussion that ushered in the Revolutionary War. Our Revolutionary War did not come as an explosion. It came after over 10 years of debate among 13 separate colonies, until they could not come to any other conclusion than that independence was their only hope from slavery, from tyranny.
In those days great principles of government were discussed. We need to discuss those principles of government again. “We base all our experience on the capacity of mankind for self-government” (James Madison). And so, we gave the power we delegate to representatives. They are specific. They have a specific job description. And we divide it so we can keep the state separate from the nation. There’s what the nation does, which is very general and minimal, and we keep the rest for ourselves. We keep our internal business to ourselves. We mind our own business. And we don’t let anyone else mind our own business. It’s none of their business, that’s why. It’s not their business.
Part 25: of a 28-part series
“Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of self. Can he then be trusted with the government of others, or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.” (That’s a wonderful Thomas Jefferson quote.)
“In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. From time to time, we’ve been tempted to believe that society can become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?” (That’s another twist on Thomas Jefferson’s quote, by Ronald Reagan.)
I want to make a point with this quote. The order and transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.
Why is the Presidency not as significant as it is in other nations? Because we care for the government closest to home. We have a structure that is a cushion against tyranny. We’re confident. We are secure in the way that we’ve been set up, so that no President can come in and become a king or a dictator without breaking down the structure.
Part 26: of a 28-part series
This is my next point. We have a protection - and what is it? The power’s in Congress, not in the Presidency. Remember that. In America, we are identified more by our political sphere of influence than by our social rank. More by our town, city, county, and state affiliation than by our station in society determined by birth, wealth, or education.
Within each political sphere, there will be found the rich, the middle income, and poor. These are relative in each locality, are they not? But there’s also mobility within those categories. You can have a million dollars one day, and tomorrow it’s gone. We saw that, right? Two trillion dollars, right? Gone. The market goes up and down. And there’s a great deal of mobility, because we are not set in any particular income class.
Some people don’t like America because of our excesses, but what have we learned about our excesses? The excesses of affluence (inordinate consumption, political corruption, gluttony, greed, etc.) – they judge and destroy themselves. We don’t have to worry about them.
You try to live a lifestyle of inordinate consumption and political corruption. People go to court all the time for political corruption, don’t they? Gluttony…greed…and you know what? What are we witnessing in this country? They judge themselves. It’s self-destroying. Don’t worry for things that are self-destructive. You don’t have to bark at it. You don’t have to shout at it. You don’t even have to shoot it. It will self-destruct. Let it self-destruct. The good will continue.
America is structured to solve our problems. We are not identified by our party affiliation, by our family affiliation, but by our locality, where we reside actually – our sphere of political influence. America is structured to solve her problems how? Beginning at the local level. So if this President doesn’t work, we can change it at the local level. We are, I believe, insulated by our local spheres. We have the power of electing our rulers in Congress.
Part 27: of a 28-part series
This is the challenge – are you willing to spend time studying issues? You all have your ballots, right? It’s a lot of legalese, isn’t it? Make yourself aware. One way of doing that is, begin earlier than the night before. Before November 3rd. Do your homework. I started as early as they started – two years ago. This is about your country. You need to follow it. When they start is when you start.
You’re not going to catch it all. It takes time for you to think about these things. You’re not going to be thinking very well November 3 about how you’re going to vote November 4. You haven’t resolved anything. You’re going to “eeny meeney miney mo” it. And so we get our leaders by “eeny meeney miney mo”. “Oh, I like his name. It sounds good. I can’t read all this. It doesn’t matter.”
So, are you willing to spend time studying the policies, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? It’s very important. That’s our insulation. It’s when we say, “No thank you, we’ll build it ourselves. We’ll take care of our own corn. We’ll get together and we’ll do it. We may be called a national disaster area, but we’re not going to take your funds.”
Realize that the doctors’ fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can’t socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you’re afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even the government, recognize that you’re just feeding the crocodile, hoping he’ll eat you last.
I like this one – I can understand this one: “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” It’s about thinking, resolving, and determination.
Part 28: of a 28-part series
How is the American way of life destroyed? You must deny your own individual, independent worth. If they can, through education, get you to deny that you’re important, that you’re nothing and nobody, that you’re not worth much, you can’t do much – they’ve won almost half the battle right there. It’s appropriate that you have independent worth in your own property of first, your conscience, your intellect, your will, your talent, your opinions – no matter what gender, no matter what handicaps, no matter what history you may have.
[Many] Americans deny their responsibility for the quality of civil government in which they live. We have neglected that. This can be restored. It’s like the stock market. We have our ups and downs. But it’s forward-pressing. America’s way of life is fueled by individual liberty, not oil. It’s not the oil that we are addicted to – it’s liberty. We can’t live without it. We must have our liberty.
Remember how this country was started. America, today the envy of the world, began with individuals who had nothing more than their liberty. And that’s true for some of us who are first-generation-born Americans - parents who came with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Amazing stories.
It’s so immediate to me. I don’t know how immediate it may be in your family. Nothing but freedom. For my mother, it was freedom from her mother-in-law. That’s all that mattered. And it changed my life. Do you see? We just need a little bit, and it just goes a long way for everyone.
They were deposited on their wilderness with nothing – living in a seemingly God-forsaken wilderness. And look at America today, because they came looking for liberty, and made sure others had it too. They didn’t impose their church doctrines on anyone. That’s not Christianity. Liberty is our breath of life.
Courtesy of philomathfoundation.com
Philomath Foundation was founded by Miss Katherine Dang of Pleasanton, California. It is a non-profit, religious foundation established to propagate the ideas of Providential history, self-government, and Christian education through the dissemination of teaching and study materials, American Christian Education seminars, history and government study groups, youth and adult classes, and the encouragement of all in the understanding of the God of Providential history and creation.
About the Founder & President:
"Katherine Dang’s extraordinary contribution to this millennium is to restore the Providential Interpretation of History and to encourage the contemporary Christian to judge of and deal with the affairs of the modern world… As a Chinese American Christian, Miss Dang has become one of the most erudite thinkers and expositors of Christ, His Story, in this age. How gracious God is to raise up a woman whose ancient heritage is China, ‘A complete and unmixed despotism’, and to prepare her to become the foremost American Christian historian since Miss Verna Hall to document and elucidate the Perfect Law of Liberty in the subject of Universal History."
After receiving an undergraduate degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1970, with her faith in Jesus Christ and the Word of God intact, Miss Dang was subsequently introduced to the Biblical principles and reasoning that distinguish America’s Christian history, government and education by Verna Hall and Rosalie Slater of the Foundation for American Christian Education. Subsequently, she began teaching at the pilot school in Hayward, CA under the direction of James Rose. Within the next 25 years, Miss Dang became a Master Teacher of teachers as these principles and ideas were taught, illustrated, and demonstrated in the classroom and later to the 50-member faculty of her own church-school of nearly 800 K-12 grade students. Retiring from the Christian day-school ministry in 1995, she dedicated herself to writing and compiling a four-volume work on Universal History from Creation to the present – the first two volumes of which were published in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Currently, Miss Dang is President of the non-profit religious and educational Philomath Foundation, Founder of Philomath Publications, home school consultant, conference speaker, and author.
Miss Dang teaches groups of home school parents and youth in 14 California cities. When she consults with individual families, parents acknowledge her unique ability to encourage, embolden, and give hope of success because she knows how to cancel the fear of achieving commonly accepted but unreasonable and unbiblical expectations for children. Gifted with the capacity to evaluate a student’s attitudes, disposition, and qualities of thought; equipped with practical curriculum ideas, outlines and resources of her own making; and tested by over 35 years of classroom/counseling experience, Miss Dang simplifies both the Biblical path and the goals for self-education and self-government. She occasionally accepts invitations to teach the philosophy, curriculum and methods of American Christian Education to assemblies throughout the country.
Dialogue
Miss Dang,
“I wanted to ask you a quick question and if you are able to find some time to answer, I would really be thankful... In Ruth Smith's history book for children, she states that liberty is the freedom to do what is right. I would like to know how you define liberty (because I hear you use it frequently). John Locke says that there is a difference between liberty and freedom, but I could not understand his reasoning, other than one may be internal and the other external. If you could help me understand this, it would surely help me. Thank you.”
Joshua Vaughn
Tyler, TX
Dear Joshua,
“Liberty is freedom from sin's control. Romans 8:2, 'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.' Liberty is inward freedom; freedom drawn from Christ's power indwelling. In Romans 7, Paul confesses that which he would do, he does not; that which he would not do, he does; and that which he hates, he does. This, he says, is sin working and ruling in him. He thanks God that the power of Christ in him has set him free, has made him free to do what he would do and not do what he hates to do. Does the above clarify liberty for you?”
Katherine Dang
Miss Dang,
“Yes, that helps...now with my daughter, when she is confronted with a choice, to do "right or wrong", does she have the liberty or the freedom to do the right or wrong. If she does wrong, then she is in bondage to sin (inward), but she has the freedom to do wrong. Is that correct?”
Joshua Vaughn
Tyler, TX
Joshua,
“She has her natural liberty not to be imposed upon, but if sin works in her to go against her own good, parents intervene, instruct, guide, and govern. Train up a child in the way he should go. You are governors until Christ be born and formed in them.”
Katherine Dang
Ms Dang,
“I met you a few years ago when you spoke at Christian Heritage School in Tyler, TX. I've been home educating my children for 19 years and now live in [undisclosed country hostile to Christianity] with my husband and youngest two children. Our family works with [~], the same organization Jim K. works with.
The reason I'm writing you is that I have met several Westerners who are asking me if I can help nationals with home education. At first I was quite perplexed that home education is even possible, but the reality is that there are parents who are not putting their children in the state school and are either starting C schools or are actually home educating them. In both cases, they are primarily using American curriculum, primarily ACE. As I've been pondering this, I feel I am being led to try to do a sort of conference in the fall. A couple of days ago while praying and asking what and how to do a conference, I thought of you.
I wonder if you would pray about being a part of the conference-type thing I feel I'm supposed to be a part of putting together. It breaks my heart that the families are using American curriculum to begin with. On top of that, I know that the believers here need to begin writing curriculum in their heart language with [local] Christian history as the focus.
As you can see, I am in the earliest stages of thinking this through, but as I pray with my Western friends who are homeschooling here, they all tell me to let them know because they know [nationals] who are wanting to home educate their children, and my friends think they would come from [far distances] to attend. It is my impression now that the need is much greater than I could have possibly imagined. I keep thinking about the home schooling pioneers 30 years ago in America who paid the price so that I can easily home school my children. I really respect and honor the families here that are willing to pay a much higher price. Hopefully, we can help them do it.
If you want to talk to Jim K., he knows me and will vouch for me that I'm really who I say I am.
Thanks for considering this. I have a few other people in country that I think I'm supposed to contact to help make this happen. Please pray with me that I will have wisdom, the people who are supposed to be a part of this would hear, that God would protect the families who are home educating, and [that] we would be sensitive to the security of our brothers and sisters.
My email is secure, but it is really important that if you share with others, that you are careful not to share details. Please don't use my name, organization, or the city we live in anywhere, especially on the internet.”
Blessings to you,
T.S.
Dear T.S.,
“[In response to your previous email]:
>>they are primarily using American curriculum, primarily ACE. As I've been pondering this, I feel I am being led to try to do a sort of conference in the fall.
[K.D.] - I advocate that nationals learn the language of liberty, which is American English, the ideas found in Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, which defines the Biblical uses of words, because there was in the early generations of America a people who used the Biblical words in their speech and in their writings. If we are to appreciate, value, the capacity of the individual to reason, he must use the language which is best suited for reasoning.
ACE curriculum has not been helpful in developing independent reasoners.”
"[T.S.] - There is a HUGE push [here] to learn English, and the preference is American English. So I do believe that God is providentially moving the nation toward American English. The families I am talking about are educated, upper middle class believers, and they are extremely motivated that their children learn English.
I am well aware of the weaknesses in ACE, and was a bit discouraged that what was being exported from America was a curriculum that will not help the parents develop independent reasoners. After my initial disappointment, I decided that ACE was better than the children going to [state] school every day. It is my desire to present a better option to the parents. They are willing to pay a high cost to educate their children in the ways of the Lord, so I have to believe that they want input as to how to best do that."
">>On top of that, I know that the believers here need to begin writing curriculum in their heart language, with [local] Christian history as the focus.
[K.D.] - Each nation needs to understand its place in Universal History; every nation has a Providential history."
"[T.S.] - I have been slowly studying the Christian history of [this country in which we’re now living]. (It's taking a long time because of my other responsibilities and language learning.) With my studies and a curriculum, I've found I will be able to teach my 12-year-old some of the Providential history of [this nation] next year. It's fascinating! I think that at the end of next year, I will be able to mentor nationals as they are studying and teaching their children. I am not, however, qualified to teach the Principle Approach to people."
">>I wonder if you would pray about being a part of the conference-type thing I feel I'm supposed to be a part of putting together.
[K.D.] - You may have a clearer understanding of my position on home education by perusing my web site at philomathfoundation.com. There are several audio downloads which may be useful to you. If, after viewing the site, you are still interested in my participation, I am open to being of assistance to you in whatever capacity that is possible."
"[T.S.] - Because I am in [this country], it is much safer if I don't visit your website. They are watching me on the internet. If you have time to explain your position on home education, that would be much better for me. I will be going to [a nearby country] in May. IF I have an internet connection, and IF I have time there, it will be safe to download the files while I'm there. The other option is that you email the files to me, because my email is encrypted and has been totally safe.
Thank you for responding to me. Please remember this in prayer. I feel a bit like David with his five little stones. I am aware that I cannot step into the ring with the spiritual giants of education [here] without being covered in prayer. The enemy will take notice, and I can put a lot of people in danger."
Katherine,
"I was wondering if you could clarify what you meant about not teaching a "Biblical Worldview." You had mentioned this in the Universal History CDs you'd shared and then I heard you make reference to it again in one of the CHEF CDs. I think it is a loaded term that is tossed around a lot today so maybe it is a semantical misunderstanding on my part. Or maybe I'm not seeing something clearly. Would you be willing to elaborate on that specific point?"
Thanks,
Kim Bailey
Alpharetta, GA
Dear Kim,
"I think you are accurate in your judgment of Biblical worldview. When we teach providential history, the rudiments of the world, all shades and various expressions of them, are naturally resisted whenever one encounters them. Our difficulty is our inability to articulate a clear positive alternative or the rudiments of Christ and his doctrines. We know what is wrong, but we do not know how to express what is right.
You are correct to refer to Shaeffer as the modern father of "Biblical worldview" ideas. He was addressing the degeneracy of the world, without reference to the regenerative work of Christ; he includes America as another extension of Europe, which governmentally, it is not. He discounts Divine Providence in the Christian Era. He expatriated from America back to Europe, living in safe seclusion.
Christianity works by displacing, and destroys no sooner than it can substitute with something superior. The Principles of Universal History, I believe, are a positive alternative to western civilization, world history, classical education and biblical worldview approaches to men and nations. For God has established absolute principles regarding the government of men and nations, the Law of Nature and the Law of Nations, which The Gospel has restored to mankind."
Katherine
Katherine,
"Could you help me to understand the nuances of those approaches listed in your last paragraph? I think I understand the worldview approach, but not sure of the others. Wikipedia lumps world and universal history together. I'm not sure how classical education approaches history. I understand the medieval trivium and quadrivium, and then the modern interpretation based on Sayers' essay, but I see this as more of an overall educational approach and I'm not sure how it specifically applies to history. What is the western civilization approach? All about America instead of a broader scope?"
Thanks,
Kim
Kim,
"Universal History: One God working, ruling and overruling, in all of the affairs of men and nations throughout the history of the world to bring liberty to the individual. Here, we are applying eternal, absolute principles to all men and nations. The nation is a divine institution, Gen. 10:32, and the third sphere of government after the home and the church. Universal history is guided by Revelation and a just view of God: Creator, The Most High and Divine Providence. Individual liberty and self government are the effects of Christ and Christianity.
World History: Secular history or worldly history; the world without God. The emphasis is upon man's social, economic, and his political institutions. This history is a study of imperial governments and their progress in the world. This easily leads into a reaction in multi-cultural studies, moral relativism and the practice of political correctness and how to unify mankind into cooperation. Centralization is offered as essentially the only practical form of government.
Western Civilization: The emphasis is upon European history; a bias toward nations of the Western Hemisphere; elitist in effect. Greece and Rome are accredited with the intellectual, political and economic progress of mankind. Democracy, civil rights, and the rule of law. World socialism is a natural reaction to the social and economic injustices within societies built upon class and caste.
Classical education upholds Greece and Rome as the fountain of learning and philosophy. This is essentially humanism. Christian humanism is the practical effect.
Biblical worldview: an exposition and exposé of what errors and deviations from truth men and nations may own. It hardly offers the alternative in providential history and individual self government. The approach to society is essentially worldly (legal and political), although the ideas are moral. There is absent a Christian philosophy of history and government.
I hope I have been of further help."
Katherine
Katherine,
"This was infinitely helpful! Thank you. I was also reading about world and western civilization in your Volume 1 which gave me more insights.
May I share our dialog with others?
I see a trend within Principle Approach circles to equate or at least lump in Biblical Worldview philosophy. Our dialog was helpful in clarifying my own thinking, and I think it may help others as well.
I was really convicted by how prideful I had become. You are right that the point of our education is to be able to articulate the hope that lies within us to others, not point out all the wrong."
Blessings,
Kim
Testimonials
Ms. Dang,
"Tom really enjoyed your presentation last night and the depth of your knowledge, conviction and Biblical reasoning. God had placed in our hearts before we had begun our family a conviction that it was our responsibility to raise them. With some planning, I ended my insurance career when Marissa was born. These convictions transferred into their education. Obediently, we followed, not understanding why, and going against the pressure to conform to society. God has blessed us, as we truly enjoy the time we are spending with them. With your guidance, we are understanding how they are a part of God’s greater plan. Truly, you have enlightened us with God’s hope for our family and others. We look forward to your monthly talks at our home in the coming year."
E. Beale
Foster City, CA
Ms. Dang,
“I want to tell you how much I have appreciated being a student in your class. I appreciate the ministry you have, and your obedience to Christ. It is inspiring to see what God can accomplish in a yielded life. Your Biblical reasoning has had a great impact on us, and one that will last and be carried out in our children and others as the Lord flourishes the seeds you have planted and the resources you have directed us to. So often in my homeschooling, I come across something like this and think that I wish I could go back and start over with this equipping, but that is not possible. So by God's grace, I hope to go forward and make good and proper use of what you've begun in my life. Thank you very much. I hope we will be lifelong friends, and I hope to be your student again.”
Kathy Young
Walnut Creek, CA
Ms. Dang,
”I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog, but often forget to check it for new
content. Is there any way you can add a feed to that section of your
website, or an option for an email notification?
Thank you for considering it.
This article might be of interest to you, also: http://lifenurturingeducation.com/2008/02/18/biblical-education-is-easy/
I wrote it in response to one of your blogs.
Thank you for your ministry of wisdom and encouragement.”
Peace to you,
Renae Deckard
Tyler, Texas
Ms. Dang,
"Another homeschooler alerted me to you new website. I am so excited to be able to read your biblical wisdom in such an easy format. Your words are encouraging and assist me in renewing my mind.
I usually go to your conference in Tyler, TX, but we were sick this year. I really missed attending. However, I plan to see you next year."
Peace to you,
Renae Deckard
Tyler, Texas
"Thank you for taking the time to spend with our family, and to encourage and exhort us in our homeschooling. We are thankful for your insights and instruction. We all enjoyed having you spend the day with us. We would like to ask and plan for another time in the near future, late January or early February, to have you work with our family again."
Kris Van Lieu
Clayton, CA
"It was so nice to hear back from you. Thank you for the information on where to find the resources I asked about in my last email. I printed off the order form. I will send it to you with payment to purchase a copy of A Guide to American Christian Education.
I will be in touch. It is so exciting to look ahead to school this year as I begin to focus on American Christian Education. God blessed me so much when He placed you in my path. Thank you for spending so much time ministering to so many parents who are in search of giving their children the best education within God's perfect plan."
Blessings,
R. Savel
Charlotte, N. C.
"Your visit with us this week has been delightful. I say this because God brings so much for us when He sends you here. I am writing this as you sit in the living room, a part of my family, watching the silly show 'Get Smart', but that's one of the reasons we love you so very much. You are a 'trooper'.
The classes were so refreshing and renewing. Although we have read some from the CHOC book, on Bradford's Plimoth Plantation, I felt like it was now a personal book to me. It's my history, my children's history, and the greatest legacy the Pilgrims could have left us. I will read more with joy and thanksgiving for the Principles they lived by, and the examples of God's love manifest in His Divine Protection for them. What a gift. Thank you for taking the care and preparation to lead the youth and us adults through this study. Your efforts are appreciated.
Our adult classes are a real treat. The subjects inform and give me reason for hope for the future of my nation and all nations."
Thank you again,
K. Welling
California City, CA
"Just in the last month, I've had two friends from church ask me about [P.A.*]. I met with one friend yesterday, and by God's grace, He helped me to articulate things simply for her. [Now] she is asking more questions with interest. I think a lot of why I was able to articulate things (which is often a challenge for me) is because I have been listening to your CD's.... God is bringing more understanding again. Thank you for your faithfulness to continue to teach God's truths and His ways."
L. Potratz
Kansas City, Kansas
*P.A. stands for Principle Approach
