PrincipledMom™

I am taking this outline from a Biblical Principle Approach course my mother took in the mid-80's. I hope you find it helpful in creating your science lessons.

from David Holmes, Christian Heritage Academy

American Christian Course Development in the Natural Sciences
1. Develop an American Christian Philosophy
2. 4-R the course title
a. Define the vocabulary and properties which make up the basis for the subject
b. Research the vocabulary from scripture
c. Write a brief course description
3. Deduce the biblcal origin of the subject
4. deduce the biblical purpose of the subject
5. Begin to deduce the principles or rudiments of the subject
6. Uncover the American Christian History of the subject
a. Identify God's providence in the discovery and development of the subject
b. develop a timeline showing relationship between the subject, America, the Bible, Christianity and America's Gospel purpose
c. Research individuals who demonstrate God's providence in the American Christian history of the subject
7. Write American Christian course goals
8. Write a course overview with an approximate time schedule
9. Develop an introductory unit which will lay the foundation for the entire course
10. Develop each succeeding unit until the course is complete

When developing the units, look for the following types of information:
a. Does any of the information in this unit apply to the five statements of an American Philosophy of American Science (see next post)?
b. Are there biblical principles or concepts which need to be stressed?
c. Do any comparisons need to be made between the Christian and pagan (evolution) perspectives on this subject?
d. Does any part of this section fit into the Chain of Christianity moving westward? If so, how can it be stressed? Does it need to go on a timeline?
e. Are there any individuals who made significant contributions to this section? Do these individuals demonstrate American Christian character?
f. What vocabulary words need to be defined by the students for this section? Do these words need to be researched biblically?
g. What is the biblical purpose for this section and how can proper responsibility or stewardship be taught? What is the application of the subject?
h. What principles of the subject should be stressed in this section?
i. Are there other goals which should be met from a study of this section?
j. What facts are necessary for a basic understanding of the subject?
k. Develop questions which will cause the students to use the 4-R's.
l. Develop test questions which will test for learning levels above knowledge
11. Emphasis at the elementary level:
a. To capture the majesty and greatness of God's creation
b. To begin to develop an idea of how science fits on the Chain of Christianity
c. To see America's heritage of Christian Character through the men studied
d. To learn the basic principles which apply to that being studied
e. To understand how the body works to accomplish the specific function being studied
f. Learn how to be a wise steward of that specific function from both a medical and spiritual perspective

I hope you'll prayerfully consider creating your own science lessons. It is rewarding (like everything PA) and fascinating. There is no end to the wonderful things you will learn about God and the creation He placed here for us to explore and enjoy.

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Statement of an American Philosophy of Natural Science

1. God is the Creator who brought into existence all things from nothing. (Heb. 11:3; Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16-18; Neh9:6; Jn. 1:3)

2. All scientific laws and principles must be in submission to the Word of God, the source and origin of all truth. (Jn. 17:17; 1 Tim. 6:20-21; Job 12:7-10; Col. 1:17)

3. Man, created in God's image, is given the responsibility of subduing and having dominion over all the creation. (Gen. 1:28; Ps. 8:6; Heb. 2:8; Gen. 9:2)

4. God's providential hand can be seen in the preparation of the individuals to discover the scientific advancements needed for the movement of the Gospel westward. (Dan. 2:20-22; Amos 3:7; Deut. 29:29)

5. America is unique in the hostpry of science. Its form of government assured the individual the liberty to pursue and enjoy the benefits of his own productivity.

**Also see the post entitled American Christian Course Development in the Natural Sciences.

from David Holmes (Christian Heritage Academy) and Garnett Ingold (Arvada Christian School)

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These are helpful for planning your science lessons. The list is not exhaustive, but almost anything you will study can be found here. If you are new to the Principle Approach, reading through these can help give you an idea of a suject's principles and how they are found. As you can see, the seven Principles of America's Christian history aren't found here.

from David Holmes of Heritage Christian Academy

Principles of God's Biological Creation

1. God created the elements, each one a distinct individual, with specific arrangement and numbers of parts, so that they can work individually or in complex combinations to form all the material universe, especially to perform those functions necessary for life.
Gen. 1:1, Gen. 2:7

2. God's creation will show evidence of having a master designer, not the appearance of chance happeneings. This will be seen in the complexity of life and the fact that many systems will be similar throughout the creation.
Job 12:7-9, Rom. 1:20

3. Eveywhere God's creation will show the evidence of order, not chaos.
1 Cor. 14:40, Gen. 1:31

4. God's creation is complete and finished. Matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed. The world is designed so that only transformation, conservation and preservation are now taking place.
Gen. 2:1-3, Ex. 20:11, Neh. 9:6, Heb. 1:2-3, 2 Pet. 3:7

5. The creation is deteriorating because of the entrance of sin into the world. Processes in nature will always eventually go towards less order. Variations in God's original design, because of deterioration, will cause harmful effects.
Gen. 3:6, 14-19; Is. 51:6; Rom. 8:20-22; Heb. 1:10-11

6. Elements, molecules, and cells are capable of producing motion, resulting in locomotion of the whole organism or the internal motion of the parts of the organism.
Gen. 1:2

7. Living organisms consume nutrients, break down the nutrients, then build bonds between the elements and molecules to make the materials necessary for growth, repair, energy, and control. The waste products will be eliminated for conservation.
Gen. 1:29-30, Ps. 104:14, Matt. 6:11

8. Life activities depend upon a constant supply of energy, obtained from the breakdown of bonds in food molecules. In animals this is accomplished by adding oxygen to food (respiration). Gen. 1:29-30, Gen. 7:22, Acts 27:34

9. Life can only come from pre-existing life, which originated with the creative hand of God.
Gen. 2:7, Ps. 33:6-9, Acts 17:25-28, Heb. 11:3, Rev. 10:6

10. Life activities require complex sequences of chemical reactions which require a balance in the amounts and concentrations of the chemicals in the organism.

11. Chemicals are complexly organized into structures called cells which make up all living organisms, and carry on their functions, either individually or in larger systems.

12. The individual or diverse parts of an organism will work together with unity to make and benefit the whole.
1 Cor. 12: 12,18,24

13. The information needed for all life and all life activities must be passed from cell to cell and from generation to generation. Ecc. 3:20

14. God has created a system of control for life activities which invloves a complex series of interconnections between all parts of the living creation. The basis of this control is DNA, and its ability to make proteins. These controls operate at optimal efficiency despite changes in the internal and external environments.

16. Organisms are capable of growth, and do so by an increase in cell number, accomplished by cell division, or by an increase in cell size.
Gen. 2:9, Ecc. 11:5, Luke 12:27

17. Organisms are capable of reproduction. They can make other organisms like themselves (asexual) or similar to themselves (sexual). God has allowed for certain created kinds with diversity within the kinds.
Gen. 1:11-25, 8:17; Lev. 11:13-32; 1 Cor. 15:38-39

17. God has chosen to use men to uncover the truths about His creation, on a timetable according to His sovereign plans.
Dan. 2:22, Amos 3:7, Eph. 1:11

18. God created man in His own image, apart from all other creations, with a body, soul and a spirit. Man is now responsible to God in salvation, good works, subduing the environment, and being a wise steward of what God has given him.
Gen. 2:7; Rom. 10:9; Eph. 2:10; Gen. 1:28; Ps. 8:6-8; Ps. 24:1; Prov. 27:23,26-27; Rom. 14:12

19. All organisms have a life span and will eventually die.
Eccl. 12:7, Heb. 9:27, 1 Pet. 1:24

20. Compliance with biblical principles will always result in an improving of the biological situation, whether it concerns plants, animals, or man.
Ex. 15:26

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