This past weekend, our family watched Gettysburg. It’s a 4 hour movie about the battle of Gettysburg, which celebrated its’ 150th anniversary last week. What really got me thinking is how ardently both side believed they were right. And as I look back as an adult, I’m not completely sure there was a right side, like in most wars.
{This post contains time sensitive links for July 2013}
That got me to thinking, how do I defend what I believe? I do it every day here on my blog, I explain why I think the Bible is truth, that history really does matter, that we need to study science and experiment, and that we are called to make a difference.
{this is sponsored content in conjunction with Great Homeschool Conventions}
As a teen, I loved to read apologetics books. I read through Evidence That Demands A Verdict {affiliate link}, and enjoyed it. I am trying at age appropriate levels to teach my kids to defend their faith. But, all of my favorite resources are geared for high school or adults. I’ve just found a new apologetics resource for that age range and want to share it with you while it’s free:
This week, July 8-16, you can get these resources free from Creation Ministries and Great Homeschool Conventions. I’m most looking forward to reading “The Greatest Hoax on Earth?” because I don’t see the logic in evolution everyone claims is there, so I look forward to seeing a scientific response to Richard Dawkins. My kids will probably enjoy looking through the Creation magazine on my Nook.
To get these products for FREE, click on the picture and register your email address and name.
I’d also highly recommend poking around the Great Homeschool Conventions site in general. We’re going to the South Carolina convention, and I had a lot of fun looking through the speakers list. I recognized quite a few names on it, and may or may not have squealing when I saw them. I’m waiting to look at the vendors because I know I’ll spend way too much time there, and I’m getting ready for a trip with my Mom, so I don’t HAVE the time right now.
For those of you who have younger kids, do you have an apologetics book you like for your kids?
And for my readers who are not Christians, I’d LOVE to hear your response to “The Greatest Hoax on Earth?,” I know I’m predisposed to believe the arguments because I already agree, but those of you who don’t agree, what do you think?
Just read C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” for the first time – and LOVED it. I hope to pass it on to the kids when they are in their late teens. Also – we watched a “debate” between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzSz8ED0bQE) that was a lot of fun.
You know, I can’t remember if I’ve read Mere Christianity. I know I’ve read some of his other books, I should check into that.
We tried the Drive Thru History, a year or so ago, and the kids weren’t ready for it then.
Oh, and Dave Stotts’ Drive Thru History – Holy Land DVD series. It might be a touch too old for your kids, but he’s silly enough they might still like it. He uses history and archaeological proof for the Bible.
As you can imagine, I am an evolutionist and agree with you on 2 out of 3 of your beliefs for the blog and for life 🙂 I do enjoy reading your posts on the Bible, because I believe that you use Bible stories to teach important moral lessons, and I use these stories the same way as well. I have to see if they have The Greatest Hoax in our library to at least browse through.
I like to weigh the arguments and go with my gut. The Bible is full of prophets who make mistakes, so religion (on earth, at least) is fallible – and so is science. I also don’t personally feel that evolution and Christianity, for example, are mutually exclusive.
I don’t think they are neccessarily either, I’ve heard some good arguments for Theistic evolution, I just don’t personally believe it. It’s what my church calls an “open hand issue,” we are free to disagree about how achieved Creation, I believe it’s a literal 7 days creation, while one of the leaders at my church from way back when I was a kid believe in a version of theistic evolution (and gave a credible argument for it, that was an interesting comparison).
My oldest (7) son’s favorite museum has a whole section on evolution. I noticed how hard it was for me to explain to him what some people believe and what we believe. Partially because I don’t have a firm opinion on this topic. I believe God created the world and I leave the exact how open for discussion. That works as long as evolution isn’t the breaking point for someone with regards to believing in God or not.
Your post set me thinking that I need to educate myself more thoroughly on this subject so that when this topic comes up again I will have better answers.
With regards to teaching stuff I can’t find resources for: my method is to understand a topic well myself, then explain it to them in simpel terms. And to repeat that often asking lots of questions as we talk to gauge their understanding.
My theory is, I want to have a reason for why I believe, because when my kids ask those tough questions I want to have an answer. I agree having a firm “God created it, and we won’t discuss how” opinion can be detrimental to talking with others, so I firmly believe in 7 days of creation, but I also LOVE to discuss with people their beliefs and why. I just get frustrated when someone firmly says “I believe this, and all other views are wrong,” but they don’t have a reason why they believe it. That to me is dangerous.
I was realizing the other day, one of my big teaching methods is the Socratic method, asking lots of questions to gauge understanding. So, I’m right there with you on teaching methods.
My Rooster was in the movie “Gettysburg”. He loved it and we watch it every year. My daughter watches intently to find Daddy. He is very visible it several scenes.
Thank you for the link for this giveaway. I am a newly Born Again Christian and I think these will help me show my daughter the way.
God Bless and have a wonderful day.
Oh wow! That is pretty cool to be in Gettysburg.