Meredith Ludwig Curtis
  • Home
  • Jesus
    • Bible Studies >
      • God's Girls Friends to the End Bible Study
      • God's Girls Beauty Secrets
      • God's Girls Talk about Guys, Virtue, & Marriage Bible Study
      • The Making of Real Men
      • Real Men Talk about Freedom, GIrls, & Marriage
    • Worship
    • Testimony >
      • Family
      • Church Family
  • Books
    • Maggie King Mysteries
    • How -To-Homeschool
    • Teach History the Fun Way >
      • Ancient History Cookbook
      • Ancient History Timeline
      • HIS Story of the 20th Century
      • Let's Have Our Own Ancient Greek Olympic Games
      • Let's Have Our Own Archaeological Dig
      • Let's Have Our Own Medieval Banquet
    • Celebrate
  • Courses/ Units
    • Unit Studies
    • High School Courses >
      • Who Dun It
      • American Literature & Research Course by Meredith Curtis
      • Economics, Finances, & Business Course
      • Economics, Finances, & Business Answer Key by Meredith Curtis
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Schedule
    • Family & Ministry Workshops
    • Homeschool Workshops
    • Homeschool High School Workshops
    • Meredith's Financial Workshops
    • Worship Workshops
    • Pastor Mike"s Workshops
    • Family & Friend's Workshops
  • Blog

Review of Understanding the Times & Thinking Like a Christian

6/23/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
To read Understanding the Times is to take on a mammoth project. The book is over 500 pages long and not light reading. 
 
This book is "must read before you graduate" book and here's why: I want my children to understanding where each of their professors are coming from when they go to college. 
 
The worldview on the typical American college campus (even many Christian campuses) is far different from what the Word of God teaches. 
 
I want my children to be prepared to not only recognize different worldviews, but to defend their faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible. 
 
Here's where Understanding the Times comes in. 

Picture
The title is a great one—it captures the role of the book in your child's life. It will help your teenager understand the times in which we live. 
 
Golly, is the world a different place than the one I lived in as a little girl in the sixties. In spite of hippies and rock-n-roll, people stayed married and divorce was frowned upon, integrity, while not always practiced, was respected, and hard work was still valued. Since the time of FDR, the United States government has taken upon itself the role of provider for the people, marching unashamedly toward socialism. Evolution is taught as a fact in public schools, television, movies, and museums. The Bible is mocked as outdated and accused of being just a storybook. The Christian worldview does not dominate our culture anymore. 
 
What worldviews are behind the books we read, the movies we watch, and the politicians in Washington? 

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is true. We accept the authority of Scripture over all areas of life. But what does the Bible say about politics, economics, law, psychology, and philosophy? You can either do an intensive Bible study yourself, or you can read this book!

"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intents o the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account"  (Hebrew 4:12-13 NIV ©1979).

Understanding the Times explains what a worldview is and discusses the six major worldviews: Marxist-Leninist, Secular Humanist, Cosmic Humanist, Post-Modernistic, Islamic, and Christian. Though some of these worldviews overlap at various points, each stands apart from the others with its own philosophy and set of goals. Understanding the Times looks at Economics, Biology, Ethics, Philosophy, Theology, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Politics, and History from each perspective. 

"...in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes"  (II Corinthians 2:11 NIV ©1979).

As Christians, we know that behind false worldviews, satan is there, trying to undermine the faith of the believers.  His scheme is to exalt anything OTHER than GOD! We must wage war against his lies in the hearts and minds of our children. We want them to believe the truth and not the devil's lies. 

Picture
"The weapons we fight with are not weapons of this world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (II Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV ©1979) 

After reading this book, a person will never be the same. The next time a book or textbook is picked up and read, the worldview of its author will jump out!  When a lecture is listened to, the worldview of the speaker will immediately become evident. Movie watching will not be passive anymore; the worldview of the makers of the movie will be understood clearly.  This book will open your eyes forever! 

If you are unable to wade through over 500 pages, there is an alternative by the same author, Worldviews in Focus:  Thinking Like a Christian, a worldview curriculum. The kit comes with a student journal, textbook, and DVD.  The student journal has Bible passages to look up and ponder over.  The textbook addresses apologetics and critical thinking, covering all the topics in Understanding the Times in a simple, engaging way. Leading worldview thinkers teach and share on the DVD. There are twelve weeks or lessons (including an introduction and final challenge) covering theology, philosophy, biology, psychology, ethics, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history. Each week the student reads the text, works in the student journal, and watches the lesson on the DVD. This does not cover the Islamic or Post-Modernist worldview, but does a great job on the others!

I taught a homeschool coop class with this material to a group of twenty teenagers.  It was an enjoyable class to teach and the kids learned a lot about worldviews.  The material was easy for some, but manageable for all.  It was eye-opening to see how secular worldviews permeate our culture.  The book only talks about worldviews, but once you understand worldviews, you recognize them everywhere!  We would talk about movies, books, and newspapers articles. It was so simple to discover the world views of the authors or producers.  

I told the mother of one of my students that everyone should read Understanding the Times before they go to college and she took me seriously.  She made her graduating senior read the book before he went away to the Naval Academy. He was not thrilled about having to read it! When he came home from Christmas break, he told his mom that two things enabled him to stand up for his faith in the classroom:  all the Scriptures he had faithfully memorized and reading Understanding the Times! She made her younger son read the book too!

"I am so glad I read Understanding the Times! When I'm in the classroom, I recognize immediately where the professor is coming from and why his worldview differs from the Bible.  I would have been so confused in my classes without having read this book. I would have known that something was wrong, but not understood why. I highly recommend this book."     --Sarah, 25, college student.

"Understanding the Times really put forth a lot of information on the prevailing religious beliefs of today. It made me think, it sparked my curiosity, but most importantly, it equipped me to stand against the lies that these religions represent."    ---Zack Nolette, 18, college student.

I heartily recommend reading the book Understanding the Times.  If it is just too hard, then buy Thinking Like a Christian and go through the material together.  Parents, I recommend you read Understanding the Times too.  And then pass it to Dad!

Let's Understand the Times!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
 
 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Meredith Curtis, homeschooling mom & worship leader, is married to her college sweetheart. She is blessed with 5 amazing children, 3 adorable grandchildren, and an awesome church family!
    ​

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abiding
    Baking
    Beauty
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Birthdays
    Book Reviews
    Books
    Business
    Celebrate
    Charity
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Christmas Craft
    Christmas Homeschooling
    Church History
    College Prep
    Cooking
    Crafts
    Curriculum Reviews
    Devotions
    Doctrine
    Easter
    Economics
    Exercise
    Family
    Father's Day
    Field Trips
    Finances
    Finish Well
    Food
    Friendship
    Geography
    Gift Ideas
    Government
    Great Commission
    Health
    Heroes
    History
    Holiday Craft
    Holidays
    Home
    Homemaking
    Homeschool Conference
    Homeschooling
    Homeschooling Book Reviews
    Homeschooling Conference
    Homeschooling Curriculum
    Homeschooling Curriculum Reviews
    Homeschooling High School
    Homeschooling High School Reviews
    Homeschooling Reviews
    Hospitality
    Humor
    Lapbooks
    Learning
    Literature
    Living Books
    Logic
    Marriage
    Math
    Mentoring
    Ministry
    Money
    Motherhood
    Mothering
    Mothers Day
    Music
    New Years
    Nutrition
    Parenting
    Politics
    Prayer
    Reading
    Recipes
    Reformation Day
    Relationships
    Reviews
    Sales
    Science
    Sound Doctrine
    Spiritual Warfare
    Teaching
    Teens
    Testimony
    Thanksgiving
    Theology
    Time Management
    Traditions
    Traditions Devotions
    Travel
    Trials
    Unit Studies
    Wedding
    Worldviews
    Worship
    Worship Leading
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Anders Ruff Custom Designs, Sugar Daze, scrink, trekkyandy, H.C. Williams, whitneyinchicago, Elin B, Dottie Mae, Tony A., t i b i, the.laus, the.Firebottle, SebastianDooris, robinsan, wwarby, jimmiehomeschoolmom, Dougtone, williamcho, Randy OHC, littlemoresunshine, Alex E. Proimos, matsuyuki, ChR!s H@rR!0t, AMagill, Teddy Delivery, abcdz2000, UF Digital Collections, ElvertBarnes, auntjojo, BdwayDiva1, swanksalot, missycaulk, Lance Shields, Walter Saporiti, ComputerHotline, Sam Howzit, LeonArts.at, garlandcannon, midiman, kmezon, mickbarry, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, DC Central Kitchen, stu_spivack, aussiegall, saebaryo, Fairy Heart ♥, Damian Cugley, Vince Alongi, Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, momentcaptured1, epSos.de, davedehetre, 96dpi, geraldbrazell, bterrycompton, Lauren Manning, THE Holy Hand Grenade!, eser.karadag, archer10 (Dennis), Catholic Westminster, SmithGreg, flypig, jelene, rust.bucket, Robert Scoble, Sterling College, SharonaGott, timparkinson, Fire At Will [Photography], KitAy, mareeshastar, Dougtone, Ed Yourdon, California Cthulhu (Will Hart), John-Morgan, Monica's Dad, ktylerconk, doegox, Khairil Zhafri, floodllama, mattjlc, bunnicula, smithfischer, Ahmed Rabea, The Consumerist, blmurch, Sh4rp_i, dwstucke, dtcchc, arjin j, damian m, Panegyrics of Granovetter, ewan traveler, young shanahan, Rennett Stowe, singingwitness, ronnie44052, Tim Green aka atoach, russell pix, missbrendatoyou, Ambernectar 13, LancerE, riptheskull, rs-foto, Max Braun, Yoshimai, dbgg1979, TheSeafarer, Old Sarge, Ewan-M, rictulio, Gwydion M. Williams, quinn.anya, abbybatchelder, katmeresin, Mr. T in DC, tuchodi, SLV's, mealmakeovermoms, Hollingsworth, hoyasmeg, Monica's Dad, Shane's Stuff, frotzed2, Matthew Juzenas, bunkejer4, weeklydig, St.John'sFlowerGuild, InAweofGod'sCreation, Doc Wert, Nomadic Lass, Samdogs, Rojer, MASB Desenvolvimento Imobiliário, Calsidyrose, wallygrom, Tiberiu Ana, ZeroOne, Randy OHC, Betsssssy, georgiapeachez, Lars Plougmann, dtcchc, antwerpenR, Wiros, myfuture.com, ewan traveler, cliff1066™, Peggy2012CREATIVELENZ, 401K 2012, mikemol, Aranami, Randy OHC, Joan Lesan, jm3, Stifts- och landsbiblioteket i Skara, Lunatic Asylum Photostudio, Michael 1952, Zyllan, Images_of_Money, striatic, riptheskull, sanchom, Nick Harris1, S. Reachers, Matt McGee, fdecomite, Wesley Fryer, yenna, Daniel Dale, michael_swan, Rodrigo_Soldon, Barefoot In Florida, Bright Meadow, turtlemom4bacon, Svadilfari, Rennett Stowe, juliejordanscott, Emilio del Prado, Marysol*, avlxyz, Näystin, Belzie, cliff1066™, EraPhernalia Vintage . . . (playin' hook-y ;o), Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Etereal9, loco's photos, BigSéance, bigal_60714