FREE Apologetics and Worldview Training for Kids!

Published September 6, 2013 by Cheri Fields

(The instructions to sign up are under the extra big words)

I’ve been looking forward to posting this for quite a while now.

As soon as I’d polished my book manuscript enough to send out a submission, I needed something to keep me busy so I wouldn’t worry. Learning to get the word out to as many people as possible was the next obvious thing to do.

Right away I learned the most valuable thing an author can collect is the emails and/or snail mail addresses of interested people. Much as I like facebook and Twitter, apparently they are too fickle to be trusted. Plus, if you’re offline even one day, you miss a lot. Emails wait for you.

OK, how to get more than a few email followers when social media is so much easier? Giveaways.

I like giveaways. They are fun to get and even more fun to give out. What’s great about setting up a “give me your email and I’ll give you this freebie” is everyone wins. 🙂

But, what to give away? It took ages for me to realize (partly thanks to the great lady at Future Flying Saucers) we parents/youth workers need way more info to help teach our kids worldview and prepare them for apologetics. I was shocked at how little was available online. There are reams of info for adults, but much of it is harder to understand than a scientific journal!

Slogging through the adult stuff helped me realize some of the basic info they covered I’d already written up. It was just hanging around in my book manuscript waiting to get published. What could be better? I’d already done most of the work and could give you a book excerpt (another common freebie idea), too.

Now, how to automate my blog to make things easy for everybody? At first it looked like moving my whole blog was the only solution. That was, until a couple days later Jacob Howard of Already Answered contacted me. He just wanted to know how the baby and I were doing and could he help with anything online?

Thank you, God!

He loved the idea of a sign-up giveaway and within a couple days had set up his own (be sure to check it out) and offered to help me with mine. All I had to do was make time to prepare a PDF, collecting what resources I could find to give you the highest quality product possible.

Today it’s finally ready to check out and I pray God would use it to arm many families with the realities we face behind the world’s slick marketing.

If you already follow my blog directly, send me an email asking for a copy of the PDF and I’ll send it to you next time I check in.

Directions to sign up:

If you’re new, just click the “Follow this Blog by Email” button. You’ll get an email with the link to my Apologetics/Worldview 101 PDF in your inbox automatically. Except…

For WordPress users:

Click the “Follow this Blog by Email” button. Then, fill out the below form:

Once I receive confirmation of you following CS4K and see you have submitted your email, I’ll send you the PDF link.

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. Proverbs 5:1,2

Thank you!

What Would Neutral Science Ed Look Like?

Published August 22, 2013November 6, 2015 by Cheri Fields

Flickr: Mom & Kids at an Educational Event

photo credit: ARM Climate Research Facility

The American education system claims to teach as fact only things which aren’t part of any religion. But they refuse to admit Evolution is a form of religion without a central “god” but with all the other parts any religion has. Every area of evolution is based on reasoned guesses and belief about things no one observed or experimented on as it happened.

Creationism has more observational science on its side (chickens have chicks, beans grow beans, rapid deposits of sediment can be observed in real time, etc.), but is still rooted in faith.

In this case, what would science class look like if the teaching was truly neutral?

Astronomy would discuss what we see and detect with our telescopes. No mention would be made of how anything got there or of “star formation” since no human being has ever seen these things happen.
Biology would discuss systems, cellular processes, and interactions without guessing how any organism came to be the way it is.
Animal and plant studies would sort things by form, function, and location, never stating that one type developed into another beyond what can be observed (like breeding, interbreeding and rapid adaptation).
Geology would look at rocks and layers based on depth, layering, and composition without guessing how they formed or how old they could be.
Anthropology would begin with the first artifacts without assuming the makers of those objects lacked intelligence and would acknowledge the sudden jump from survival-living to high civilization.

In other words, you can’t touch on any origins without touching on faith in something.

Does this seem like an impossible dream? Well, it probably is for governmental schools. But, it is a present reality in homeschooling circles. Many curriculums have decided it would turn too many people away to go beyond observable facts to worldview based conclusions.

Now, many of these curriculums are authored and published by Christians (I would list them by name, but want one of them to publish my book). You don’t have to look too far to find books happy to say “God did it”. But it is far more rare to find ones willing to say, “and this is how God told us He did it” with the natural conclusions that must follow (there are plenty of differing theories in Creationism. You could mention all of them, or just leave the details vague).

So, what’s a parent or caring adult to do? Just recognizing this reality is a good step. My parents were and are firm young earth creationists but didn’t realize the low level of instruction we were being given by our homeschooling curriculae. Turns out, my brother fell for Evolution the first time he read a cool, popular level magazine article for himself. There are no guarantees as parents, but preparing our kids gives them a fighting chance.

If you’re homeschooling, take the extra time to search around my site, creation.com, answersingenesis.org, and Dr. Wile’s blog for direct responses to common Evolutionary claims. The facts ARE on the Creator’s side, but the media surely aren’t.

For public school kids, the same holds true. They will also benefit from training in how to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves in their classrooms. Creation Ministries International has a good article on what this would look like.

Basically, no caring, God-fearing adult can afford to let their kids just slide through life. Not that this has been ever true, but we now know how serious the consequences are for the upcoming generation!

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. Psalm 78:3,4

Book Review: Understanding Science While Believing the Bible

Published February 19, 2013 by Cheri Fields

Right after realizing I needed a book to hand out to my church kids, I asked around on Creation Conversations (if you want to be “in the know” about the creation community, sign up!) for recommendations. Dr. Carolyn Reeves contacted me right away and insisted on sending me two copies of her book Understanding Science While Believing the Bible.

It was quickly obvious Dr. Reeves book and mine won’t be in competition (a big relief for me), Her book is more focused on parents helping their kids. In fact, her book is so clear and compact I plan to use it with my kids when they get to about 10 or 11.

Here are some of the areas she covers:

What is science? The answers are sure to expand your brain without blowing a fuse
A brief, drawing-filled introduction to the branches of the “science family”
How Evolutionary thinking is majorly different from the other sciences, including…
All the guesswork required to put together any Evolutionary picture.
Several sections for teens and adults to think through on what should be taught in our schools and the reasons why some topics are or aren’t allowed
Why believing in a Creator matters
What to say and how to treat your teacher when Evolution is an issue

That’s a lot of information to stuff into 80 large-print pages, but Dr. Reeves does it beautifully.

Her main focus is on the big picture of scientific thinking. It’s common to find texts focusing on a particular area of science, going into detail about how things work and what you are learning about. On many topics, a creationist teacher is going to cover practically the same information as an Evolutionary one. This book adds an overview, helping young people plug each area into a logical framework.

Which reminds me, the other day I was listening to a scientist sharing about his workplace. He is a strong believer in Christ Jesus, but noticed how many of his coworkers never think about these things. It is easy for anybody to become focused on just the here and now and scientists are constantly working with physical, testable things. After all, if you can’t use an instrument to study it, it’s not regular science. So, having a reminder of the higher thoughts behind our thinking is a healthy thing!

The only section I wish she had expanded was the science family; after briefly introducing each character, you don’t read about them again. As is, it makes a good way for parents to check comprehension and be sure they know the different areas under the name of “science.” Plus, knowing the right titles will make it easy to find out more about each branch.

Also, as a writer, I’m convinced there’s a better way to introduce her big analogy of reassembling a genealogy from crumbled fragments. But, her point is clear: no one can truthfully say they scientifically know how living things got the way they are. We all must use faith in something not scientifically provable.

This book makes an excellent supplement to a general science education. Especially if your kids are in public schools, reading this together will arm your kids with the big picture they need to process information accurately. It’s a small price to pay for wisdom!

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

Dr. Carolyn Reeves spent 30 years as a public school teacher and holds a Ed.D. degree from the University of Mississippi. She’s also co-written the Investigate the Possibilities science books with Tom DeRosa.

Tighten Your Belts, Parents! Hard Work Ahead

Published January 3, 2013 by Cheri Fields

There’s a idea for a general Christian parenting article that’s been banging around in my head since September. Today, I want to share one of the more important (and uncomfortable) concepts with you.

My first plan for the article included getting quotes from several “experts” in the creation science field. Among other questions I asked was, “how much money do we have to spend getting creation resources for our kids? are they only going to get socks and science DVDs for their birthdays?”

The two responses I got (before realizing God was sending me in a new direction) were both kind of evasive. Which wasn’t fun to hear even as a science-loving mom. I like searching out the perfect gift to make my kids’ faces light up with glee. Somehow, I don’t think educational DVDs are going to have that effect!

Here are a couple of thoughts I’ve had:

I really think finding a way for families to pool their resources and have a sort of Creation Science Club to trade resources is a great idea. If you’re a home schooler in contact with other families, this would be pretty simple. If you’re part of a church with 3 or more families interested in arming yourselves with the truth, you could do this. If you’re a loner on purpose, maybe it’s time to do something about that state. If you have no choice, I get it, but it’s going to be harder (as you well know).
Today I was listening to a program talking about how we as Jesus’ followers need to exercise our minds. One of the first things they asked is, how much of your free time is being consumed by mindless entertainment? Ouch! OK, I’ve been aware of this black hole for years and letting God train me to redeem the time He’s given me, but I know how painful this can be at first.

One of the things any parent will have noticed is that parenthood is designed to strip us of our selfish nature. At first we have no choice, but eventually, the needs of our children are no longer ear-splittingly urgent! As the munchkins get bigger it’s easy to slip back into old habits of treating our lives as our own. We can always teach them what they need for life tomorrow. But, tomorrow keeps fading until it’s too late UNLESS…

Once or twice I’ve caught a bit of a Christian radio show (never did catch the name) that focused on the need to live intentionally. This isn’t a word we use often in everyday speech, but it perfectly describes our calling as God’s people. Our children are not our own to do with as we please; we don’t even belong to ourselves. A steward won’t get away with saying, “I’ll get around to it someday” for very long, neither will we. So,

Maybe, as it turned out for me this year, one of the best solutions is to get the educational stuff for yourself. I know how tantalizing the newest techno tool/toy or gorgeous feminine trifle can be to our hearts, but what better way to show our kids that God’s truth really matters to Daddy and Mommy?

Hey, at least I waited to post this ’til after Christmas!

It isn’t just about our money, either. It’s about our focus. As you can see by checking my Links tab, there’s oodles of info available for free online. It just costs your time and attention.

And [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

Timothy, you are a son to me. Be strong in the grace that we have because we belong to Christ Jesus.

What you have heard me teach publicly you should teach to others. Share these teachings with people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach others these same things.

As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, accept your share of the troubles we have. A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.

Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win.

The farmer who works hard deserves the first part of the harvest.

Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand it all. II Timothy 2:1-7 Easy-to-read Version

Are Your Kids Ready for Science Class This Year?

Published August 2, 2012 by Cheri Fields

Bake a Cake for Darwin 2012 (Photo credit: Beaty Biodiversity Museum)

In this post I’m going to talk straight to all of us parents out there, although you kids are welcome to listen in.

Yesterday, I ran into a page that didn’t surprise me but rather made me sad and excited at the same time. It so clearly shows what is going on in a typical science classroom that I thought I would take today’s post to forewarn and forearm all you parents who will be sending their kids out the door to school in a month or so.Today’s text to check out is on Miss Barbara’s Montessori teacher guide to “The Time Line of Life.”

It’s a long page, but just reading the opening paragraphs on Setup and Presentation will give you a feel for what your child is going to be exposed to. I found the product page for the timeline she uses, but it didn’t have a good picture of the details they cover. I did find that this same teacher is very pleased with the webpage from Berkeley, so if you want to see what she’s showing her kids you can follow the link there.

Geological time spiral

The first thing that caught my eye on Miss Barbara’s page was her complete comfort with presenting a lesson that she is well aware is full of errors. It doesn’t seem to bother her conscience at all that she is leading the children to wonder and be amazed at something that she knows isn’t true.

Personally, I never present an idea to children as fact if I have any doubts about it. My kids know the story of St. Nicolas and watch Christmas specials with flying reindeer, but they’ve never believed that you could go visit them if you travelled far enough north. Interestingly, this is the same tack that many people in Montessori also take on Santa Claus. Yet, they have no problem presenting the Evolutionary story of spontaneous generation as truth.

I’m not going to go through her whole long page, but it doesn’t take long to get the idea of what she is expecting the children to believe:

Animals knew what they needed to develop and had the ability to change themselves to meet that need
Extinct animals show how needs change and leave some behind
Living things spontaneously become larger and more complicated given enough time
Animals buried at different levels in the fossil record must have lived at very different times

The first point is the most mind-blowing for me. I noticed the same thing happening with the story of plant development last week. Living things knew what they needed and how to meet that need and changed themselves to accomplish their pre-planned goal. That is one tall tale! See if it works for your little Superhero wannabe. You just will yourself to develop some new desirable ability and presto you can do it. NOT!

Points one and two cannot both be true. If some animals can will themselves to change, why can’t the rest (considering they believe all animals have a single ancestor)? As we look around the world we can easily discover which of these two ideas matches the reality we see. This morning on facebook I shared a picture that said, “beware the half truth, you may have gotten hold of the wrong half.” It is rare for any falsehood to be presented in a completely invented framework, it would be too obvious.

Number three is also quickly falsifiable. I’ve discussed this briefly in posts on all kinds of animals and in more detail about human beings. There is an organization called Greater Ancestors who’s whole focus is on this subject. They’ve collected enough fossils, photos and stories just on this topic to be planning to open a museum shortly. People and animals can be shown over and over again to be Devolving into smaller, less capable forms.

As for point number 4, you can have a look at what’s really going on by beginning with my post on the Geologic Column and checking out the links to even more evidence.

One last area stood out to me from Miss Barbara’s page: the power of really cool animals to capture our imaginations. Remember God’s technique for reminding Job of His power and authority? The Creator pointed to natural processes and lots of animals. I remember reading Job’s response for the first time as an adult and being stunned at his complete humility and acceptance of God’s Lordship from this line of reasoning alone. Now I understand better the potency acknowledging the Creator has.

We can just as easily, and with more authority, show how all the amazing creatures of the past and present show the mind and majesty of God to our children. Let us not be fearful or naive, but wise and proactive as God-fearing parents of tomorrow’s Christian leaders!

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke 21:15

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. I Corinthians 14:20

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. II Corinthians 11:3

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Philippians 2:15

For more ways to help your kids check out the resources being offered by Creation Today