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Apologia Qualms
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I have to agree with missingtheshire that if you want a college-prep text, and you also want scripture quoted for every page, every point, you are going to end up with an 800+ page book. I guess I just don’t see the necessity for tons of scripture quotations in a chapter on Bernoulli’s Law, or Boyle’s Law, or kinematics, or veolcity and momentum calculations. You could try to “force” some in, but why? What would it add? If your kids don’t already know that creation is amazing and God planned each little detail, then you missed something before. I guess here I want to use the CM idea of making one’s own connections. I don’t need to beat my teens over the head with Bible verses at this point. They KNOW those. I want them to learn the science. I expect them to think of interrelationships, things that show God’s attention to detail, on their own. I EXPECT them to be knocked on their seats with amazement with how everything works, and I don’t think I need to drum this into them on every page.
You know, if we TELL our kids, especially our teens, EVERYTHING and treat them like they can’t figure anything out at all on their own, then what will they be like when they go off on their own? Who will be “telling” them everything then? I once heard of a wise man talking to many young adults (college age) about spiritual topics. When a student asked where to find what he just said in the scriptures, do you know what this wise man said? “If I tell you, you’ll never remember. If you find it yourself, you will never forget.” I think of this often as I teach my teens.
Besides, what scriptures do you think need to be quoted to back up Bernoulli’s Law? Kinematics? Stoichiometry? You know, if you hunt you might be able to find one to tack on, but what will that add to what the student really needs at this point?
I’ve looked over the years at other things that have come out aimed at the homeschool market, as I think competition is good, but I’ve never yet seen anything as complete, college-prep, well-written and solid for the whole subject–concepts, equations, experiments–as Apologia. I’ve been sadly disappointed at some things I’ve seen touted as “college prep” at homeschool conventions.
What do you think below?
You asked so I’m going to give my honest answers for some of these points. Please know that even though some of my answers are critical, I’m only trying to bring out the truth and not trying to criticize anyone personally.
My biggest objection is that they state the secular view but do not make a strong defense for a Biblical or Creation view.
On the contrary, if you use these books and dig into their content you will see that they constantly make a case for a creation view. The science is always presented within a Christian worldview. When concepts have to be covered for thoroughness that are contrary to scripture they are thoroughly debunked.
And Apologia’s higher texts, it does not use Scripture giving God glory for His creation, design, & purposes.
The materials do actually occasionally point to the Bible when it’s appropriate for the material. It’s not often quoted chapter and verse, rather pointing to Biblical concepts such as the flood or Noah.
When the Bible does speak of scientific principals it does so accurately and with authority. However, the Bible is not a science textbook so it doesn’t cover all scientific topics. You would be hard pressed to find scripture to use in a science book to talk about things like the parts of a cell, chemical bonds, the configuration of levers and fulcrums, or acceleration.
Sure, the Bible does talk about the created order and how we see God’s glory in what was created, but you would be using the same handful of verses over and over throughout the book. To go much beyond that would only abuse God’s Word by taking verses out of context to force them into topics where they are not really related.
If you do a study on glory and giving God glory in the Bible you will find that a good portion of that is acknowledging God’s work and giving him credit. Pointing to God as the creator of all things, as these science books most certainly do, does give Him glory.
My guess is that for many reasons (more sales= more money, less offensive to all including Christian denominations, etc.), they played it SAFE and decided not to express their or any Biblical views (good or bad) on the subject. Instead, Apologia states various secular/Biblical conclusions or theories very briefly.
This kind of unfounded speculation can give someone an undeserved and false bad reputation. The truth is that Dr. Wile originally created these materials for a Christian homeschool group and further publishing came much later.
Yet at the same time, these criticisms come from someone who has competing products to sell. (I don’t know her full story so I’m only pointing out the incongruity and not assigning any motives.)
We have recommend these books because they are God honoring, solid science material that will prepare a student for college, including understanding and debunking evolutionary thinking they will encounter.
We have no ties to the author or publisher of these materials and receive no financial gain from recommending the materials. In fact, I personally have some disagreements with Dr. Wile’s theological thinking in some areas, but not in how he treats creation or approaches the sciences.
these science texts can easily be used in any school system or home and not be offensive.
That is simply not true. Even the name of the books containing the word “creation” is offensive to the world. These books point to God as creator, they come from the worldview of a literal reading of Genesis with creation taking place in six normal days. In our society where even casting the slightest doubt on evolution is rejected by secular institutions, these books would be complete anathema.
While I recommended the BJU and Rod and Staff textbooks in a post above, I just have to say that the Apologia science books fit into a Charlotte Mason education better, in my opinion, because it is authored by one person in a conversational tone. We prefer Apologia in our home because it reads like a living book, is Homeschool user friendly, and, as Doug pointed out, has a Christian worldview.
Janell
Thank you Doug for your reponse. I did not start this thread but have been following it because I feel as though I need to give Apologia’s upper level courses another look. I too have some disagreements with some of Dr. Wile’s theological thinking and I used that to decide I would not buy his books. However, some of the posts here have given me reason to check out these books more thoroughly. Thanks to all who have responded for that.
I would just like to say that we have used Apologia for the last couple years. We have done Zoology 1 (flying creaturs) and Astronomy. We loved them! My boys have retained so much of what they have learned. While we read it together, much discussion came regarding biblical truths, building on what was stated in the texts and world views. I am still amazed at how my boys give praise to God for how he created the birds (we now have bird feeders and bird books to identify all who visit), and the universe. I am thrilled with these texts. I can’t wait to do Botony and Anatomy. They sit on the shelf waiting to go.
I haven’t given highschool much thought but thank you for all the comments. I will be giving it a closer look when we get closer.
I find it slightly comical that anyone would make the claim that Apologia is not presented from a biblical, Christian worldview, is secular and doesn’t make a strong defense for creation or that anyone could use it and not be offended. I have been on forums where parents are decrying it because it’s TOO christian and biased FOR creation. They even accuse Wile of not using good science. So, obviously some are offended. And, I would hesitate to question whether or not something is Christian because of the amount of scripture in the text itself. It can be thoroughly Christian and still have very little scripture verses.
Please do not be offended by what I am about to say. It is something that God is slowly trying to teach me. I am so guilty of it many times. Many curricula and authors such as the one you referenced have excellent curriculum, but written and/or presented in such a way as to encourage or foster, albeit unintentionally, a self-righteous spirit. My spirit sensed a little of that in this “accusation” against apologia. And, whenever a brother or sister in Christ’s puts quotation marks around the word ‘christian’ when critiquing the work of a member of Christ’s body, it raises red flags for me. It basically states it is not christian. I realize the importance of testing another’s work and holding one another accountable to a high standard. But, to question is Christianity w/o having strong scriptural backup is wrong, imho.
TammiK
I agree with Bookworm and others that the elementary level books by Fulbright are CREATIONIST in view and scope. We have used and LOVED Zoology 1, 2 and 3. We are beginning Botany this year and I found a great deal on a used copy of Astronomy and we will use that one next year. We hope to cover the Anatomy book the following year.
My oldest son is using the General Science book this year. I have read only into the first chapter but have found nothing objectionable. I agree with Bookwork and others that I want my older child to BELIEVE for himself not b/c I or anyone else (in a text) tells him it is so. I too feel the foundation if laid much earlier than junior/senior high levels.
For those of us with children who aspire to go to college, we absolutely need to help them learn to test things on their own and hopefully their faith and belief in Scripture will lead them right back to our Creator and Father God. But truly, if they don’t believe it from their heart and with a depth that is supernatural … what is the point?
I am sort of saddened to read this type of post from someone who has admittedly never used (or I believe you said even read) any of the Apologia products?
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