Understanding the Times (2nd Edition) Textbook

Ideas have consequences! For more than fifty years young Christians have been trained by Dr. David Noebel and Summit Ministries to understand the times; to recognize both the ideas that permeate our world cultures and their consequences as well as the appropriate biblical response. What started as week-long intensive summer seminars grew into a year-long high school course. Revised in 2016 and now co-authored by Dr. Jeff Myers, the core message of this material remains the same but now reflects the most up-to-date arguments. Although technically a 2nd edition, the Textbook with its 2016 copyright corresponds to the 2020 Teacher Manual and Student Manual; both technically 5th editions. The discussion-based, sequential curriculum now has digital options. Instead of accompanying DVDs as in the past, the Teacher Manual provides a code which allows the teacher to access online videos that complement the lessons.

Six worldviews are presented (expanded from the four worldviews outlined in the previous version of the Textbook): Christianity, Islam, secularism, Marxist, new spirituality, and postmodernism. Each of these worldviews has a distinctive impact on theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history. An examination of each worldview, first by itself and then within each subject area, comprises the 16-unit study sandwiched between an introduction (Battle of Ideas) and conclusion. Course components include a Teacher Manual w/ weblink to online videos, a Student Textbook, and a Student Manual.

Six worldviews are presented: Christianity, Islam, secularism, Marxist, new spirituality, and post-modernism. Each worldview has a distinctive impact on theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history. An examination of each worldview first by itself and then within each subject.

Large spiral bound, hard-cover Teacher Guide provides an overview, standard syllabus and schedule (5 days per week for 36 weeks). The unit lessons include learning objectives, schedule of textbook readings, discussion questions, readings (primary source materials), reading discussion questions, quizzes, activities, video presentations, video discussion questions, quizzes, writing assignments, and tests. Talking points for the discussion questions and filled-in versions of the video outlines are also included. Teacher Guide comes with an weblink and password (found on the back cover) with access to video streams and printable student resources including video and reading quizzes, and chapter tests. You will also find alternative schedules online for 36 and 18 week class times with meeting options from 1 day to 5 days for each. Ample white space is found in the Teacher Guide for creating notes and/or additional teacher notes or responses. A comprehensive guide that provides everything you need to lead an effective and life changing world view course.

The Textbook, subtitled A Survey of Competing Worldviews, is the cornerstone of the academic content of the course. Extensive endnotes followeach chapter, and both a Glossary and Index areprovided.

The Student Manual provides reading, video, and essay discussion questions alongwith the space needed for notes/essay answers. Primary Source readings as well as a fill-in-the blank outline for each video presentation are likewise provided. Letters from "Doug," a college freshman friend, form the basis for an ongoingwriting assignment. All Scripture references are ESV. Textbook: 510 pgs, hc. Student Manual: 365 pgs, pb. Teacher Manual: 491 pgs, hc spiral-bound. ~ Janice