Resources
About Modern Humanism
Compiled by
Robert L. Waggoner
While I do not endorse everything in all these materials, I find them extremely informative about modern humanism and how it operates in our society. These resources are very valuable for assisting theists in understanding the times in which we live. I certainly recommend and appreciate the general thrusts of each. Books are generally listed in alphabetical order by author’s last names. A general listing is given first about books and journals. This is followed by resources about humanism in public schools, and higher education. Information about home schooling is then given. These materials do not include all materials available. Many other good books are available on this subject, and others are constantly being added to the printed materials available.
Barton, David. The Myth of Separation, (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 1989) 319p. Indexed.
Chambers, Claire, The SIECUS CIRCLE: A Humanist Revolution, (Belmont, MASS: Western Islands. 1977), 506p. Indexed.
Colson, Charles. Kingdoms in Conflict. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Co. 1987) 309p. Indexed.
DeMar, Gary. Ruler of the Nations: Biblical Principles for Government, (Ft. Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1987), 256p. Indexed.
Geisler, Norman L. Is Man The Measure? An Evaluation of Contemporary Humanism, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1983), 201p.
Hightower, Terry M., Embattled Christianity: A Call To Alarm The Church To Humanism, The Third Annual Shenandoah Lectures, (Shenandoah Church of Christ, 11026 Wurzbach Rd., Austin, TX 78230). 1989, 394p. This out-of-print book been reprinted (with some additional material) by the Church of Christ in Conyers, Georgia. Order from them. Their address is 1410 Flat Shoals Rd SE, Conyers, GA 30013.
Hitchcock, James, What Is Secular Humanism? Why Humanism Became Secular and How It is Changing Our World, (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books, 1982), 158p. Indexed.
Jordan, James B., Judges: God’s War Against Humanism, (Tyler, TX: Geneva Ministries, 1985), 333p.
Noebel, David A., Understanding The Times: The Story of The Biblical Christian, Marxist/Leninist and Secular Humanist Worldviews, (Manitou Springs, CO: Summit Press, 1991), 891p. Indexed.
North, Gary, Political Polytheism: The Myth of Pluralism, (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1989), 771p. Indexed.
Roche, George, A World Without Heroes: The Modern Tragedy, (Hillsdale, MI: Hillsdale College Press, 1987), 368p. Indexed.
Rushdoony, Rousas John, Christianity And The State, (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1986). 192p. Indexed.
Rushdoony, Rousas John, The Institutes of Biblical Law, (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1973), 890p. Indexed.
Rushdoony, Rousas John, Law and Society, Vol. II of The Institutes of Biblical Law, (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1982), 752p. Indexed.
Schaeffer, Francis A., How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1976), 288p. Indexed.
Schlossberg, Herbert, Idols For Destruction: Christian Faith and Its Confrontation With American Society, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983), 844p. Indexed.
Sutton, Ray, Who Owns The Family: God or the State? (Ft. Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1986), 180p. Indexed.
Vitz, Paul. Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1977) 149p. Indexed.
Whitehead, John W., The Second American Revolution, (Elgin, IL: David C. Cook Publishing Co., 1982), 253p. Indexed.
Whitehead, John W., The Stealing of America, (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1983), 158p. Indexed.
Listed alphabetically below are four journals regarding practical, political, moral, social, and educational issues confronting Christians because of humanistic influences. These journals differ in, purpose, emphasis, and costs. Some relate to philosophy, however, most are practical. Most require subscriptions or donations, but will send sample copies to you if you’ll send small donations to cover expenses. As you read, you’ll discover additional materials, but these will give you a good start.
· AFA Journal, a 24 page monthly (except for November/December) published by the American Family Association, P. O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803, Donald E. Wildmon, executive director. Promotes the Biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on television and other media. Excellent up to date information on trends and issues.
·
Citizen, a 16
page monthly, published by Focus on the Family, P. O. Box 35500, Colorado
Springs, CO 80935-3550. Always has timely articles related to national,
political, moral and family issues. Includes inserts of state supplements, and
instructions about what Christians can do.
· The Phyllis Schlafly Report, published monthly by the Eagle Trust Fund, Box 618, Alton, IL 62002. Often in two sections of four pages (8 1/2 X 11) each. Authored by Phyllis Schlafly, timely articles are always well presented on national moral, political, and educational issues. Phyllis Schlafly has been in front leading the pro-family movement for more than two decades.
· Washington Watch, an excellent monthly eight-page alert to what’s happening on capitol hill in Washington, D.C., published by Family Research Council, 700 13th St., N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Christian parents who fail to realize the anti-Christian values that their children are now being taught in America’s public schools may find themselves wondering why their children do not become strong and faithful Christians! Our public schools are no longer extensions of the home, nor do they teach Christian values. They are agencies of the state, and they are dominated with secular values of the religion of humanism. The Bible does not authorize civil governments to educate children. Education of children is the responsibility of their families (See Genesis 18:18-20; Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:6-7, 20-25; 11:19; 32:46; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15).
While there are many humanistic books about public education from educators, there are also a host of excellent anti-humanistic books about modern public schools operating under the influences of humanism. Christian parents should read these anti-humanistic books! These books were written by very sane and rational people after having carefully investigated the facts. When Christians have read these anti-humanistic books, most will probably not be satisfied for their children to be educated as they now are in our public schools.
Adams, Blair & Joel Stein. Who Owns The Children: Compulsory Education and The Dilemma of Ultimate Authority, (Austin: Truth Forum, 1983), 364p. An in-depth study of religious, historical, and legal questions related to education of children.
Barton, David. America: To Pray or Not To Pray, (Aledo, TX: Wallbuilder Press, 1988), 195p.
Blumenfeld, Samuel L. Is Public Education Necessary? (Boise, ID: The Paradigm Co. 1985), 263p. Gives a good history of the beginnings of American public education.
Blumenfeld, Samuel L. N. E. A.: Trojan Horse In American Education. (Boise, ID: The Paradigm Co. 1984), 284p. Shows how an educational Mafia has led to disaster in American education.
Eakman, E. K., Educating for the New World Order, Portland, OR: Halcyon House, 1991, 278p. The most in-depth review of the plan of educrats and bureaucrats to take complete control of our children.
Gabler, Mel & Norma, What Are They Teaching Our Children? (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 192p. What you can do about humanism and textbooks in today’s public schools.
Gow, Kathleen M. Yes Virginia, There Is Right And Wrong. (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1985), 255p. An excellent analysis of values education.
Klicka, Christopher J. The Right Choice: The Incredible Failure of Public Education and the Rising Hope of Home Schooling, (Gresham, OR: Noble Publishing Associates, 1992), 410p.
Lionni, Paolo, The Leipzig Connection: The Systematic Destruction of American Education, (Sheridan, OR: Delphian Press) 1988, 103p. Details the origins of psychological philosophy and methodology in modern humanistic education that led to transformation of our national character.
Morgan, Kerry L. Real Choice – Real Freedom In American Education: The Legal and Constitutional Case For Parents Rights and Against Governmental Control of American Education, New York: University Press of America, Inc. 1997. Written by a lawyer.
Noebel, David A., J. F. Baldwin & Kevin Bywater, Clergy In The Classroom: The Religion of Secular Humanism, Manitou Springs, CO: Summit Press, 1995, 136p. Except for introduction and conclusion, the book consists of 45 exhibits from humanist writings that secular humanism is a religion, and that it is established in all government schools.
Nash, Ronald H. The Closing of the American Heart: What's Really Wrong With America's Schools. (Word Publishing, 1990), 235p. Explores the network of convictions that link education with politics, economics, science, philosophy and religion and demonstrates that there is no neutral educational philosophy.
Patrick, James R., Compiler & Editor, America 2000/Goals 2000 - Moving the Nation Educationally to a “New World Order” - Research Manual. (Citizens for Academic Excellence, P. O. Box 1164, Moline, IL 61265) 1994, 818p. A massive resource book.
Rushdoony, Rousas J. The Messianic Character of American Education: Studies in the History and Philosophy of Education. (Phillipsburg, N. J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co. 1963), 410p. A historical and an analytical study of various philosophies of public education in American history and culture.
Schlafly, Phyllis, ed. Child Abuse In The Classroom. (Alton, IL: Pere Marquette Press. 1984), 446p.
Sowell, Thomas, Inside American Education: The Decline, The Deception, The Dogmas, (New York: The Free Press, 1993), 368p. - Demonstrates the bankruptcy of American public education.
Thoburn, Robert L. The Children Trap, (Ft. Worth: Dominion Press, 1986), 187p.
Vitz, Paul C. Censorship: Evidence of Bias In Our Children's Textbooks. (Ann Arbor: Servant Books, 1986), 142p. Shocking revelations about the elimination of moral and religious ideas from the nation’s textbooks.
Bloom, Allan, The Closing of the American Mind, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987. - Demonstrates how higher education has failed democracy and impoverished the souls of today’s students.
Damerell, Reginald G. Education's Smoking Gun: How Teachers Colleges Have Destroyed Education In America. (New York: Freundlich Books, n.d.), 313p. Shows the emptiness of educational curriculum, where techniques of learning displace actual subject matter of true education.
DeMar, Gary, Surviving College Successfully: A Complete Manual for the Rigors of Academic Combat, Brentwood: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc. 1989, 282p. Designed for those with Christian ideals, this book prepares college bound students for the spiritual rigors they’ll face on campus.
D’Souza, Dinesh, Illiberal Education: The Politics of Race and Sex on Campus, Free Press. 1991.
Hart, Benjamin, Poisoned Ivy, New York: Stein and Day, 1987. 254p. - A portrayal of differences between liberal principles and practices in an American university setting.
Roche, George, The Fall of the Ivory Tower, Regnery, 1994.
Sykes, Charles, ProfScam: Professors and the Demise of Higher Education, St. Martin’s Press, 1989.
Since public schools have been the primary means for teaching humanism in America, many Christian parents are greatly concerned about philosophical values taught in public schools. Many are therefore looking for educational alternatives for their children. Private Christian schools are logical alternatives, but many Christian parents think they cannot afford the expense of a Christian school. Moreover, a Christian school is not always available. Therefore, the best educational alternative for many Christian parents is to home school their own children.
Many Christian parents turn to home schooling for other reasons also. Sometimes, it is because Christian parents want a superior education for their children. Sometimes, it is for special physical, mental, or emotional needs for their children that their local public school may not be able to provide. For whatever reasons, home schooling has become the fastest growing educational movement in America.
Parents who home school their own children are generally very fine parents and citizens. Most possess very high Christian values. And they want their children to possess a strong Christian faith. Educational materials produced for home schools are therefore generally in favor of Christianity and against the philosophy of humanism.
When parents begin seeking alternatives to public education, their primary need is for information. They need to know what they can do, and how they should do it. They want to know who they can consult for advice, counsel, and guidance. There are many excellent resources available. These include magazines, books, home school organizations in nearly every large metropolitan area or state, publishers of home school curricula, legal counselors for home schoolers, workshops and conventions, etc. Here are some recommended materials.
An 8 audio cassette tape workshop
by Gregg Harris is available from Christian Life Workshops, Inc., P. O. Box
2250, Gresham, OR 97220-0219. This is a basic workshop geared toward the family
that is new to homeschooling, with special emphasis toward elementary age
children.
NATIONALLY CHALLENGED
HOMESCHOOLERS (NATTHAN). This is a special support group for parents
with educationally challenged children and those with special needs. They may
be contacted at 5383 Alpine Rd., S. E., Olalla, WA 98359 or phone/fax (206)
857-4257.
Probably the very best is a 52 page bi-monthly journal called The Teaching Home: A Christian Magazine for Home Educators. P. O. Box 20219, Portland, OR 97220-0219. Also good is Homeschooling Today: Practical Help for Christian Families, a bi-monthly that can be obtained by writing to P. O. Box 1425, Melrose, FL 32666. Other recommended periodicals are Practical Homeschooling, a quarterly obtainable from Home Life, P. O. Box 1250, Fenton, MO 63026-1850, and Home School Researcher, edited by Brian Ray, available from Western Baptist College, 5000 Deer Park Dr., S. E., Salem, OR 97301-9392.
FOR FAMILIES IN CHURCHES OF CHRIST: A bi-monthly publication, The Home Train, is published by Mark and Teah McWhorter, 420 Chula Vista Mtn. Rd., Pell City, AL 35125. Also, a family encampment for home schooling families, called The Round House, is conducted annually (near Birmingham, AL) in early October. If you are considering home schooling or are home schooling, and want general information about any thing to do with home schooling, you may contact Mark or Teah by mail at the address above or by e-mail at MTM528@aol.com. (They have six children and have been homeschooling since 1981.) Many books and other materials for and related to homeschooling are available from Chula Vista Books, operated by Mark & Teah McWhorter.
Ballmann, Ray E. The How and Why of Home Schooling, pb. 157p. A well-documented analysis of the biblical and empirical reasons for home schooling. Provides practical guidelines for beginning a home school.
Beechick, Ruth, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully: Grades 4-8, pb., 388p. Considered a classic among homeschoolers in the approach used for homeschooling this age group.
Blumenfeld, Samuel L. How To Tutor, The Paradigm Co., P. O. Box 45161, Boise, ID 83711. A practical and basic how-to book on the three R’s; phonetic reading, arithmetic and cursive writing for one-to-one teaching.
Dorian, Terry & Tyler, Zan Peters, Anyone Can Homeschool: How To Find What Works For You, pb. 221p. A concise and comprehensive examination of the philosophical choices and practical challenges involved in home-education.
Duffy, Cathy, Christian Home Educator’s Curriculum Manual, (available in Elementary Grades or Junior/Senior High), pb., 320p. Excellent books with how-to’s and large resource sections.
Grahm, Gayle, How To Home School: A Practical Approach, pb. 180p. Very practical and motherly in her approach to putting it all together.
Harris, Gregg, The Christian Home School, pb. 205p. One of the best books on homeschooling from a man’s point of view. Mr. Harris centers his beliefs in scripture.
Klicka, Christopher J. The Right Choice: The Incredible Failure of Public Education and the Rising Hope of Home Schooling, Gresham, OR: Noble Publishing Associates, 1992, 410p.
Lopez, Diane, Teaching Children: A Curriculum Guide To What Children Need To Know At Each Level Through Sixth Grade, pb. 299p. The title explains this book.
Moore, Raymond and Dorothy have written a number of excellent books on home schooling. These include Home Grown Kids, Home Spun Schools, Better Late Than Early, Homebuilt Discipline, Home School Burnout, Minding Your Own Business, Homemade Health, School Can Wait, Homestyle Teaching, and The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook, all are available from The Moore Foundation, Box 1, Camas, WA 98607.
Shackelford, Luanne and Susan White, A Survivor’s Guide To Home Schooling, pb. 177p. This book answers some of the questions that all mothers ask at one time or another when considering homeschooling. How can I prevent burnout? How can my husband help? What if my child isn’t “getting it”?
Tobias, Cynthia, The Way They Learn: How To Discover and Teach To Your Child’s Strengths, pb. 168p. A helpful guide for the mother that needs more confidence. The book deals with learning styles.
Toto, Julia, How To Homeschool (Yes, You!), pb. 71p. A very concise, easy to read little book to give to someone considering home education.
Wade, Theodore E. and others, The Home School Manual: Plans, Pointers, Reasons, and Resources, pb. 526p. This is a wonderful resource book. Not only does he give reasons and methods, but there is a large section in the back of the book on resources. (Also available in electronic form.)
Wise, Jessie and Susan Bauer, The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 1999. 764p. Indexed. Written by home-schoolers (a mother and her daughter) this is an ideal book for beginners in home-schooling. It not only tells you everything you need to know to get started, but also gives guidance throughout the educational process.
Biblically, civil governments have absolutely no authority regarding how parents should educate their own children. “It is significant that there is no reference in the Scriptures to the school as a separate institution established by God. In spite of the great importance of the teaching ministry, God has not seen fit to ordain schools as such. Even the implications of the cultural mandate (Genesis 1:26-28) and the Noahic covenant (Genesis 9:1-7) with the establishment of the institution of human government, do not suggest the parallel establishment of schools as instruments of such human governments. As far as the Bible is concerned, the function of transmitting truth and educating the young belongs to the home and church” (Henry M. Morris, Education for the Real World, San Diego: Creation-Life Publishers, pp. 36-37).
However, inasmuch as our state governments have usurped to themselves the right to regulate education of children, parents who choose to educate their own children would do well to learn what those regulations are. If your state home school support group is unable to furnish information regarding your state’s regulations about home schooling, you may contact Home School Legal Defense Association, P. O. Box 159, Paeonian Springs, VA 22129, Phone: (703) 338-5600; and/or The Rutherford Institute, P. O. Box 510, Manasses, VA 22110, Phone: (703) 369-0100.