Joshua Bennett
Dave Raymond's American History is a four-year video curriculum series that teaches American, World, and Ancient History to middle and high school students. The course is designed to be accessible and engaging, with daily video lectures, readings, projects, and weekly exams. Raymond, a father of six from rural Tennessee, has been teaching the humanities for 20 years and applies a Christian worldview to his lessons, emphasizing the importance of the nation's Christian foundation. The course covers a range of topics, from Meso-America to the Constitution and George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Type | Homeschool curriculum |
| Format | Video lectures, readings, projects, exams, portfolios |
| Target Audience | Middle and high school students |
| Instructor | Dave Raymond |
| Worldview | Christian |
| Curriculum Coverage | American, World, Ancient History |
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What You'll Learn
Christian foundation of the United States
Master storyteller and teacher Dave Raymond delivers a dynamic history of the United States in his popular four-year history series. Raymond applies a Christian worldview to the characters, events, theology, literature, art, and religious beliefs of the nation. He teaches from rural Middle Tennessee, where he has been instructing students in history, literature, composition, and Latin for the past 20 years.
Raymond's American History curriculum has already transformed thousands of middle school and high school students. The course provides students with a deep appreciation for the Christian foundation of the United States of America and a moral philosophy to help measure the events of history against a Biblical standard.
The United States was founded on Christian principles, and Christianity played a vital role in the everyday life and political direction of the colonies and the early United States. This influence can be seen in the laws that governed colonial and later American society, such as the Charter of Rhode Island in 1663, which emphasized the importance of religious liberty and true piety grounded upon gospel principles.
However, some argue that modern America has reinterpreted its Christian foundation and moved away from what the founders of the country intended. For example, the US government has been accused of forcing ministers to violate their Christian convictions by performing homosexual marriages and providing abortifacients to employees, which directly violates the First Amendment.
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Biblical standard for moral philosophy
Dave Raymond's American History is a curriculum with a Christian focus. Raymond teaches students to understand history through the dual lenses of dramatic story and godly wisdom, applying a Christian worldview to the characters, events, theology, literature, art, and religious beliefs throughout history.
The Biblical standard for moral philosophy is a complex and multifaceted topic. It is a religious philosophy that is implicit in its texts on the nature of reasoning in religious thought, the warranting of beliefs, and the justification of religious experience. Ethicist John Barton identifies three basic models that form the basis of all ethics in the Bible: obedience to God's will, natural law, and the imitation of God. The Bible provides patterns of moral reasoning that focus on conduct and character, often referred to as virtue ethics. This moral reasoning is part of a broad, normative covenantal tradition where duty and virtue are intertwined.
The Bible's morality is derived from its relationship with God. From a biblical perspective, morality and relationship with God are interconnected. God's moral proclamations are not arbitrary decrees but are based on His holiness, as stated in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy". The Bible's earliest texts reflect a Late Bronze Age civilization of the Ancient Near East, while its last text is usually thought to be the Book of Daniel, dating from the Hellenistic period in the second century BCE. This historical development must be considered when interpreting biblical ethics.
The Bible's moral philosophy is more complicated than it might appear, and it can be challenging to determine what is being commended and what is being deplored in its narratives. The Bible often juxtaposes contradictory ideas without explanation. Its pluralism can be addressed using a descriptive philosophical approach, which aims to clarify meaning. The Bible also provides a basis for morality by depicting the character of God, presenting an account of creation, and suggesting a metaphysics of divine providence and intervention.
Christian ethics, also known as moral theology, is a virtue ethic that focuses on building moral character. It emphasizes duty, morality, and devotion to God, as seen in the prophets of the Old Testament, where God rejects unrighteousness and injustice while commending those who live moral lives. Christian ethics also incorporates natural law ethics, which asserts that humans, created in the image of God, are inherently capable of morality, cooperation, and rationality, and do not require special revelation to understand sin.
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Meso-America and the Mayans
Dave Raymond's history curriculum applies a Christian worldview to the study of history, including American history. It is designed for middle and high school students and is intended to give students a deep appreciation for the Christian foundation of the United States.
Now, onto the topic of Mesoamerica and the Mayans. The Mayans were a civilization of Indigenous people in Central America, specifically in the Maya Region, which today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador. This area includes the entire Yucatán Peninsula, covering about a third of Mesoamerica. The Mayan Empire was centred in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, and it reached its peak of power and influence around the 6th century AD.
The Mayans were a dynamic and advanced civilization, excelling in agriculture, pottery, writing, calendars, and mathematics. They left behind impressive architecture and symbolic artwork, with many of their temples and palaces built in a stepped pyramid shape, adorned with intricate reliefs and inscriptions. Their artistic and architectural prowess earned them a reputation as the great artists of Mesoamerica.
The Mayans also made significant advancements in mathematics and astronomy, including the use of zero and the development of complex calendar systems. Their 365-day calendar, called the haab, was produced by a cycle of eighteen 20-day periods called winals, followed by a 5-day period called the wayeb, which was considered dangerous as it allowed malignant deities to interfere in human affairs. They also had a 260-day ritual calendar called the tzolkʼin, which is still in use today in some modern Maya communities.
The Mayan civilization had a profound influence on neighbouring cultures and was one of the most dominant Indigenous societies of Mesoamerica. Their legacy continues to inspire and shape modern architecture and scholarship, with ongoing explorations and decipherments of their hieroglyphic writings, art, and architecture.
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Theodore Roosevelt's theology
Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909, was raised in a Presbyterian family. His father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., was a devout Presbyterian who regularly led the family in prayers. Roosevelt emulated his father by teaching Sunday School for over three years at Christ Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while at Harvard University. However, Roosevelt declined to become an Episcopalian when the minister at Christ Church insisted on it as a condition for him to continue teaching, and instead began teaching a mission class in a poor section of Cambridge.
During his tenure as Governor of New York, Vice-President, and President, Roosevelt connected more consistently with his Dutch religious roots than his Presbyterian ones. While in New York, he attended the First Dutch Reformed Church of Albany. Even though there was no Dutch church near the White House, he regularly attended the Grace Reformed Church, where he sang hymns enthusiastically and spoke at the dedication of the new church building in 1903.
Roosevelt's religious beliefs influenced his political views and actions. He promoted a rational, planned, and efficient oversight of natural resources for current and future generations, aligning with the Reformed religious tradition's emphasis on stewardship, conservation, and social improvement. Roosevelt's belief in the "gospel of efficiency" guided his approach to governance and policy-making.
In his personal life, Roosevelt took joy in the outdoors and embraced a strenuous lifestyle to overcome his childhood health issues. He viewed physical bravery as the highest virtue, and his friend, historian Henry Adams, proclaimed that Roosevelt "was pure act," resembling "the singular primitive quality that belongs to ultimate matter—the quality that medieval theology assigned to God."
Overall, Theodore Roosevelt's theology was shaped by his Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed roots, influencing his political career and personal life. His religious beliefs guided his conservation efforts, governance, and worldview, leaving a lasting impact on American history.
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George Washington's character
Washington's character was tested during his presidency, particularly when it came to America's war debt. He believed that honouring the debt was a matter of character and helped persuade Congress to pass a revenue tariff to pay it off, establishing the nation's credit and integrity. Washington's strong character also helped Americans forgive him when he made errors in judgment, such as in the case of the Michigan Territory.
Washington's character was also shaped by his military career. He lacked the traditional qualities of a military hero, and while he demonstrated impatience during early campaigns, he learned to channel his passions through self-mastery. He aspired to embody the image of patriotic virtue portrayed in Joseph Addison's "The Tragedy of Cato".
Washington's character was praised by many of his contemporaries, including Thomas Jefferson, who argued that Washington's character prevented the American Revolution from subverting the liberty it sought to establish. Jefferson and others lauded Washington's wisdom, judgment, courage, and dignity. His character was also key to his election as the first chief executive, as Congress trusted his moral character.
In summary, George Washington's character was defined by his integrity, intelligence, self-mastery, and moral virtue. His character helped him navigate the challenges of his presidency and military career, earning him the respect and admiration of his contemporaries.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Dave Raymond's American History is a Christian curriculum. Raymond applies a Christian worldview to the characters, events, theology, literature, art, and religious beliefs throughout history.
Dave Raymond's American History is a four-year history series designed for students in middle and lower high school starting at around age 12. The course consists of daily video lectures, readings, projects, weekly exams, and a year-long portfolio.
Dave Raymond is a master storyteller who delivers a dynamic history of the United States. He teaches through the dual lenses of dramatic story and godly wisdom. He uses illustrations, photos, maps, and other visual aids in his lessons.
