Religion & Philosophy

“Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Colossians 2:8 NET

“I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.”

Colossians 2:2-5, CSB

In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

I Peter 3:15

In some Christian circles “religion” can be almost a dirty word, connoting something empty or legalistic. But we use it simply to mean “beliefs and practices.” It is about getting to know God through His Word and our response to Him: faith and faithfulness, theology and worship. As a field of discovery it means learning what’s in the Bible, how to study the Bible, and how to think biblically about ourselves and the world around us. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” so philosophy, the love of wisdom, naturally follows. It entails learning to use logic and reason to pursue truth and explore important metaphysical, moral, and epistemological questions.

Theology Choices

  • K/2nd – 4th/6th: The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New by Marty Machowski. This is a systematic theology for kids presented in small sections written in storybook style with illustrations. Scripture references are interspersed throughout the book providing a way to go deeper in discussion on any given topic. (For six-year-olds to preteen)
  • 5th/7th – 6th/8th: The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids by Rick Warren. We have the kids read an entry each weekday as part of their morning routine.
  • 6th/8th: Wise Up from Positive Action for Christ was our first foray into this excellent Bible curriculum publisher. The 35 lessons include a teacher-led session, a student self-study, review, and a quiz, all which can be accomplished within a week. (For grades 6-8)
  • 7th: Route 66 from Positive Action for Christ takes students through a survey of all 66 books of the Bible introducing them to the major facts and themes from each book. (For grades 6-9)
  • 8th: Dynamic Christian Living from Positive Action for Christ is a great book for new and young Christians alike covering the essential doctrines and disciplines that serve as a foundation for the Christian life. The teacher’s lessons are more in depth and give parents a rich basis from which to have spiritual and theological conversations about important basic Christian beliefs. (For grades 7-9)

Philosophy, Logic & Worldview Choices

  • 4th/6th – 6th/8th: Beginning Reasoning and Reading (for 3rd/4th), Reasoning and Reading Level 1 (for 5th/6th), Reasoning and Reading Level 2 (for 7th/8th) by Joanne Carlisle. This series of books is good training for reading comprehension and analysis, foundational skills especially needed in Bible study, logic, and literature. We also got the answer keys so the kids can check their own work.
  • 4th – 6th: Case Makers Academy with Detective J. Warner Wallace. There are three books, Cold Case Christianity for Kids, God’s Crime Scene for Kids, and Forensic Faith for Kids by J. Warner and Susie Wallace, with free online videos and worksheets to round out the reading and make it fun. A group of preteens gets schooled by a seasoned detective in cases that parallel the case for Christ, the case for a creator, and the case for faith. We used one book per school year, along with the Reasoning and Reading books, but they are short enough to do all three in one year. (For ages 6 to 12)
  • 7th/8th: Introductory Logic: The Fundamentals of Thinking Well from Logos Press. DVDs are available but you can find streaming video with either a subscription to CanonPlus or Compass Classroom, where you can also buy lifetime access. Tried to start this in 7th grade but it was too much and too challenging for our oldest considering the simultaneously increasing demand from other core subjects; our youngest was eager to do it in 7th grade. (For 7th grade and up)