Products / Services
CIVICS (2-semesters)
Prepares your student for responsible citizenship with a discussion of the principles and mechanics of a constitutional republic. Material discussed includes the Constitution, in-depth insights into the three branches of government, political parties, elections, foreign policy, and more, all from a biblical perspective. How it was designed to work vs. how it’s working (or not working) today. I always incorporate current events and breaking news…and there is plenty of that, as you know!
U.S. HISTORY (2-semesters)
Takes your student on a journey beginning in the 1400’s that leads to European contact with Native Americans and ends with the 2024 inauguration of Donald Trump. Along the journey, the course highlights major historical events that have shaped American history, and why they matter in our current cultural context. I begin the class with this truth: There is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9). America’s history is complicated and requires critical thinking to be able to discern the good, the bad, and the ugly.
WORLD HISTORY (2-semesters)
This class guides students through the story of history, starting with creation and continuing to the present. Students will analyze five key themes throughout history from a biblical perspective: justice, power, citizenship, environment, and world religions. They will also do specific studies on Africa, the East, Asia, pre-colonization Americas, Europe, and empires in Africa, India, and Asia. As they trace the major patterns in world history, they will see how those themes point increasingly to the triumph of the Kingdom of God. Additionally, I make sure we identify the “building blocks” that led to the American Experiment so my students can understand the uniqueness of our nation with respect to world history. This class will always incorporate the news of the day to show real-world application of the course material.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS (Fall semester only)
Leads your student on a deep dive into theology, Christian worldview, and Christian ethical thinking. Once that foundation is built, we jump into the hot-button moral issues of the day: Abortion, Human Sexuality & Gender, Euthanasia, Environmentalism, Work and Vocation, Poverty, Human Cloning, Artificial Insemination and Designer Babies. This class is the deep end of the pool and for mature students who are ready to swim in it (most of my Ethics students are Juniors and Seniors, unless your younger student is an “old soul”).
WORLD RELIGIONS & APOLOGETICS (Spring semester only)
Most of the people on Earth are not Christians…but most of them do belong to another religion, including “irreligion.” How much do you know about Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Eastern Religions, and the New Age Movement? What about major Christian denominations (Protestant/Catholic/Orthodox) and Christian adjacent groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists? The first 7-weeks of this course will focus on establishing a general understanding of the world’s biggest religions…and how biblical Christians can effectively reach out to them.
The remaining 9-weeks will focus on Apologetics at the Cross. We will look at the major traditional components of apologetics in terms of defending the faith, but we also need consider the unique times that we find ourselves in, because some of the most common approaches are losing effectiveness in an increasingly post-Christian America where feelings can be more important than facts. Humans are not just thinkers…we are also feelers. Augustine knew that and practiced it in his own apologetic life…and we need to do the same.
