"Israel,
we want to get to know you a little bit, read into the mind and motives
of the author of this important book, Homeschooling From A Biblical
Worldview...
1.) Your book,
Homeschooling
from a Biblical Worldview, covers good ground on a very supreme
subject often overlooked in today's culture of Me, My, I, Mine. Does
a book like that just ‘appear’ in your head one day? How did
this book come to be? What was some of the inspiration and
motivation behind it all?
Israel:
A major motivation in writing Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview
was watching homeschooled students who were graduating with honors
and then leaving the faith. What does it profit a man (or woman) if
his son has a Master’s degree at age 14, but doesn't have a
Biblical worldview or Christian character that flows out of an
intimate relationship with God? (Matt. 16:26) Home education, in my
view, is a great means, but it makes a lousy end. Discipleship is
the end goal, not academic success. The accolades homeschoolers
receive should simply be added unto us as we seek first His Kingdom
and His Righteousness. (Matt. 6:33)
3.) You once stated that the making of this
book took over 3 years! Why did it take you so long to write?
Israel:
Uhh...writer’s block? Seriously, any book of substance takes time.
During the time that I was writing I met my wife and went through a betrothal which eventually led to our being married. I also wanted to take time to send manuscripts to people I respect
who have given their lives to worldview education and the
homeschooling movement. I wanted to make sure the book was on
target. That doesn’t mean there are no mistakes or errors in my
own worldview! But we wanted to take the time to make sure the heart
of the book was truly Biblical.
3.) When you were building and creating
Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview, did it shape your own life?
Israel:
I think any time you
write a book it helps to systematize your beliefs. You learn best by
teaching others. This book is written from my perspective as a
homeschooled student, and yet there are many concepts covered in the
book that will be exciting to explore as a homeschooling parent as
well. For example, I share a lot from my experience as a student and
things I have learned from watching other homeschooling families,
but it will be interesting to view these same subjects and ideas
from the other side of the table so to speak.
4.)
Israel, I have read alot of your regular columns in
Home School Digest,
several articles that have appeared in different publications, and your book
Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview, and I can’t
help but wonder this: You are a semi young man, late twenties, and many
guys your age are still out there living irresponsibly for their own
pleasure. And yet, here you are: married, mature, you’ve got a job
at a national Christian ministry, you’re writing books on the
importance of keeping God’s perspective of our world and His
desires for it ever in view -- how is all that and why are you so
comfortable with it?
Israel:
The Scripture says, "To whom much is given, much will be required."
(Luke 12:48) As a homeschooled graduate, I have been given much. I have a sense
of responsibility to give back somewhat to a movement that has benefited my
life. Homeschooling has worked for me and I have a desire to encourage those who
are still in the process of disciplining their children at home.
5.)
Israel, the ministry of Wisdom’s Gate is a very demanding one. You
travel quite a bit, speaking at homeschool conventions and
participating in the Homeschooling
for Eternity
seminars with Skeet Savage. Then you have the never ending deadlines
to face on the home front, and all the added pressure that come with
a ministry such as Wisdom’s Gate, plus a growing family. The
demands are so great. How do you stay focused on your Goal?
Israel:
That is a good question.
I hope I am growing in grace. I have a lot to learn. I try to study
people who have been used by God and I attempt to apply principles
that have kept them afloat. My family helps to keep my feet on the
ground. There is nothing like family to bring you back to reality if
you get too high-minded. There is also no one like family to turn to
when you hit walls of exhaustion or disillusion. They know you well
and understand what you are going through. It can be hard to grow up
a "role model" for others. As someone who has been
homeschooled, people tend to lift me or other graduates up as
examples for younger students to imitate. While it has its
drawbacks, it is also a blessing because it gives you an awareness
that you are responsible to God for your actions and are accountable
to others for how you represent the Name of Christ.
6.)
What do you think when you see God moving through you, Skeet Savage, and the others at Wisdom’s
Gate, when you see the way He has so greatly used that ministry?
Israel:
It humbles me and it
makes me grateful. I realize that I (and anyone involved in
ministry) can be replaced. God will have His servants and
messengers. He is always working and He invites us to join Him in
His work. We are here not because of ability, but rather because of
availability and God's sovereign grace. If we forget that everything
we do is about Him and His glory, He can easily find someone else to
do this job.
7.)
What is the number one thing you hope to accomplish with this book,
Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview?
Obviously it’s going to be both an inspiration and a challenge,
both a gentle guide and an unwavering position, but what is it’s
main impact going to be upon the hearts of it’s readers?
Israel:
I hope this book unlocks
new doors of thought in the minds of many parents. I believe that
this book will help parents think differently about how they educate
their children. I have tried to give a good apologetic for
homeschooling and to establish a truly Christian philosophy for
education. What would education look like if we weren't seeing it
through the grid of our secular worldview handed down from
generations of government schooling? I have never spent a day of my
life in the secular, atheistic classrooms of our nation's government
schools. I'm saying we need to think outside the box, and this book
will either radically challenge the way you think about education or
it will be one of the most encouraging and supportive books you have
ever read. It depends on your worldview.
8.)
You are a homeschool graduate. As a man who has ‘been there’,
what encouragement and advice would you give to someone considering
homeschooling? Would you yourself do it again?
Israel:
My wife and I are both
homeschooled graduates and we are absolutely committed to teaching
our own children at home. The most important thing for someone who
is planning to homeschool is to have a clear Biblical philosophy of
education and to know what their end goals are. Then they need the
tools to help them get to their final destination. That is why our
ministry is here.
9.)
Israel, it is exciting to see all that God has done in you and
through you and the ministry at Wisdom’s Gate - what do believe
God has in store for you in the near future?
Israel:
We hope that the
Lord will allow us to serve homeschoolers for many years to come. It
is a great honor and privilege to serve God's people. We have many
ideas for new resources that will help families in all areas of
family discipleship. Please pray for us as we endeavor to be
faithful to that which we have been called. (Eph. 4:1)
