History

History CurriculumHistory Resources

As with most things, C.S. Lewis had a unique view of history. For him, the really important bits were the stories—he makes a distinction between actual historical realities and the idealized versions of them handed down which make heroes and villains of mere men and women. It's not that the stories are completely false, but their value is for character-building, not as factual data.

The tales of George Washington's bravery in battle, coolness under pressure, rigorous truthfulness, and unflagging piety may accurately preserve the essence of his temperament and nobility, but not all of them are strictly historical. The point of these stories isn't to impart facts, however, it's to offer an example of goodness for the rest of us to emulate.

Getting the facts right is still important, though. As Christians, we can't afford to have a false understanding of "the old days." Mankind is fallen, and the story of his sojourn on Earth is filled with war, suffering, disease, unfaithfulness, pride and envy; a study of history that omits those elements is both false and useless. False, because it is incomplete, and useless, because it tells us nothing of the human condition or our current situation.

It's a bit of a mystery to us why non-Christians are motivated to study the past. For believers, the end goal isn't just acquisition of facts about events and cultures, it's the instillation of a thoroughly Christian worldview, an understanding of the course of the human endeavour as decreed and guided by God Himself.

The story of Jesus Christ is central. It is the only history story that fulfills the character-building element Lewis looked for, while remaining absolutely true in every detail. Man is fallen and he does struggle against God, but through Christ there is hope of redemption, a chance to connect heaven and earth through the Atonement. Christ is the ultimate example of God's providence.

In the Reformed tradition, God's sovereignty is a very big deal. According to the doctrine of divine decree, God has ordered all things that were, are and will come to be for His own good pleasure and glory. His hand is thus present everywhere, in the privatest private life and the most public and widespread crisis. God is in control, providentially guiding nations, men, and the entire cosmos.

This very doctrine is perhaps what best explains the humanist's interest in history (whether he be atheist, agnostic, pagan). Man's natural bent is to make himself the hero of the story, to show how people can sway the trajectory of all things. God's version is quite different, and the two are naturally in conflict. Resolution may only be found in Christ.

For, while God decrees and guides all things, He has also (paradoxically) decreed man's free will and personal responsibility. Men do change the course of kingdoms, but it is only through God's agency. A proper Christian study of history takes both truths into account, and tells the stories of good guys and bad guys through the light of everything God's Word says about human nature and divine control.

We encourage you to take great comfort and joy in your study of history. Read books, watch movies (carefully noting that a lot of the story is likely to be inaccurate in detail), go on fieldtrips to forts and battlefields and birthplaces. Most of all, talk about these things. The end goal, after all, isn't to know a bunch of trivia, but to understand what God has done and continues to do.

No one knows for sure what the end of history will look like, except that every knee in heaven and on earth will bow to the returned glorious Christ, who comes to judge the living and the dead. What we believe about Him will determine whether that culmination will be filled with joy or loathing (everyone will be terrified). He is the author of history, and its centerpiece; honor Him in your study of it.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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100 Most Important Events in Church History (Magazine)
by Christian History Magazine
from Christian History Magazine
for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Abraham Lincoln & His Family - Paper Dolls
by Tom Tierney
from Dover Publications
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Dover Paper Dolls (Location: COL-DOLL)
$9.99
Abuela
by Arthur Dorros
from Puffin Books
for Preschool-1st grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Adventures with the Santa Fe Trail
by Dave Webb, illustrated by Phillip R. Buntin
Revised from Kansas Heritage Center
for 3rd-6th grade
in Western Expansion (1800-1898) (Location: HISA-19WES)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
America: Our Great Country Visuals - Homeschool Edition
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in A Beka History (Location: HISCUR-ABK)
$10.00 (2 in stock)
AppleSeeds: Amazon Adventures
from Cobblestone Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Latin America (Location: HISMC-LAT)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Atarax the Wolf Tells: Greek Myths
by Adam De Gree
from Classical Historian
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$7.50
Atlas of American History
from Rand McNally
for 4th-9th grade
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Atlas of American History (old)
by Rand McNally
from Rand McNally
World History Reference/Atlas for 5th-8th grade
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Bach Book
by Victoria Tierney & Crystal Landucci
from Oregon Coast Music Association
for 2nd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Bible That Wouldn't Burn
by Louise Ulmer
from Concordia Publishing House
for 3rd-6th grade
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Bodleian Library, Oxford
by Susan Clarke
from Jarrold Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$1.00 (1 in stock)
Book of the Ancient Romans - Student Guide
by Dorothy Mills
from Memoria Press
for 5th-8th grade
in Memoria Press Classical Studies (Location: HISCUR-MP)
$19.90
California Gold Rush
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in California (Location: HISA-19CGR)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Children of the World Visuals
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten Age 5
in A Beka History (Location: HISCUR-ABK)
$10.00 (4 in stock)
Christopher Columbus
by Piero Ventura
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for 2nd-4th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
Christopher Columbus
by Piero Ventura
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for 2nd-4th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
Civil War
by John & Patty Carratello
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 6th-8th grade
in American Civil War Era (1850-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Classical Education in History
by John De Gree
from Classical Historian
for Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Cobblestone Magazine: Thomas Jefferson
from Cobblestone Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV)
$1.25 (1 in stock)
Cowboys - Coloring Book
from Bellerophon Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Cowboys & Cattlemen (Location: HISA-19CO)
$4.95
Cut and Assemble a Crusader Castle in Full Color
by A. G. Smith
from Dover Publications
History Reference/Art Project for 7th-Adult
in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Daniel Boone
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Desert Storm
Eye on History
by Walter A. Hazen
from Instructional Fair
for 6th-10th grade
in 20th Century America (Location: HISA-20)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
DK Ultimate Sticker Book of Castle & Knight
from DK Children
for 1st-6th grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Exploring Government - Student Review Pack
by Ray Notgrass
4th edition from Notgrass Company
for 9th-12th grade
in Notgrass Exploring Government (Location: GOV-CURNG)
$15.00
Exploring Government - Student Review Pack (old)
by Ray Notgrass
3rd edition from Notgrass Company
for 9th-12th grade
in Notgrass Old Editions (Location: OHIS-NG)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Flag for Our Country
by Eve Spencer
from Steck-Vaughn Company
Non-Fiction for 1st-3rd grade
in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV)
$6.00
Flatboats on the Ohio
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Western Expansion (1800-1898) (Location: HISA-19WES)
From Adam to Us - Answer Key
from Notgrass Company
for 4th-8th grade
in Notgrass From Adam to Us (Location: HISCUR-NG)
$6.00 $4.20 (1 in stock)
From Adam to Us - Map Book
by Nate McCurdy, Bethany Poore
from Notgrass Company
for 4th-8th grade
in Notgrass From Adam to Us (Location: HISCUR-NG)
$10.00
Frontier Dream
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Associates
for 4th-6th grade
in Pioneer & Frontier Life (Location: HISA-19PIO)
George Washington Carver - Unit Study Curriculum Guide
Heroes of History
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from Emerald Books
Biography for 4th-6th grade
in Heroes of History (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Gift of the Sacred Dog
by Paul Goble
from Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
for Preschool-1st grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
God Speaks Numanggang
by David Hazell
2021 Printing from My Father's World
for 2nd-4th grade
in My Father's World (Location: CUR-MFW)
$6.00 (3 in stock)
Growing Up in Ancient Greece
by Chris Chelepi
from Troll Publishing
for 1st-3rd grade
in Ancient Greece (Location: HISW-ANGR)
Hammond Atlas of United States History
from Hammond World Atlas Corporation
for 6th-12th grade
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Henry's Freedom Box
by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
from Scholastic Press
for Nursery-1st grade
2008 Caldecott Honor Book
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
History News in Space
by Michael Johnstone
from Scholastic Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Homemade Uniforms
by Daniel Forster
for 6th-10th grade
in American Civil War Era (1850-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
$5.00
Horatius at the Bridge
by Thomas Babbington Macaulay
2nd edition from Memoria Press
for 6th-8th grade
in Memoria Press Classical Studies (Location: HISCUR-MP)
$8.95
Indian Portraits of the Pacific Northwest
by George M. Cochran
3rd edition from Binford & Mort Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Native Americans (Location: HISA-19NAT)
Johnny Appleseed
by Eva Moore
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Knights and Castles: Things to Make and Do
Usborne Activities
by Leonie Pratt
from Usborne
for 2nd-6th grade
in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything
by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Robert Byrd
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
Light and the Glory - Study Guide
Light & the Glory
by Peter Marshall, David Manuel
from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Living in Castle Times
by Robyn Gee
from Usborne
for 1st-4th grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Log-Cabin Home
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Pioneer & Frontier Life (Location: HISA-19PIO)
Martin Luther King Day
by Linda Lowery
from Scholastic Inc.
Biography for 1st-2nd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Mummies & Pyramids
by Sam Taplin
from Scholastic Reference
for 3rd-6th grade
in Ancient Egypt (Location: HISW-ANEG)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
New Americans
The American Story Series
by Betsy & Giulio Maestro
from Scholastic Inc.
for 3rd-7th grade
in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
North American Indians
by Marie & Douglas Gorsline
from Random House
for 2nd-4th grade
in Native Americans (Location: HISA-19NAT)
$3.99 $2.00 (4 in stock)
Old World History & Geography - Map A Book
from A Beka Books
for 5th grade
in A Beka History (Location: HISCUR-ABK)
$9.00 (4 in stock)
Old World History & Geography - Map A Book (old)
from A Beka Books
for 5th grade
in A Beka History (Old Versions only) (Location: OABK-HIS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Oregon & Applegate Trail Diary of Welborn Beeson in 1853
by Bert Webber
for 4th-8th grade
in Oregon Trail (Location: HISA-19OR)
Oregon Trail Diary of James Atkin, Jr. in 1852
by James Akin
for 9th-Adult
in Oregon Trail (Location: HISA-19OR)
Oregon Trail Diary of Rev. Edward Evans Parrish in 1844
by Rev. Edward Evans Parrish
for 8th-Adult
in Oregon Trail (Location: HISA-19OR)
Peter the Great
by Diane Stanley
from InquisiCorp Corporation
Biography for Preschool-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln
by David A. Adler
from Holiday House
Picture Book Biography for Preschool-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln
Picture Book Biography
by David A. Adler
from Trumpet Club
Picture Book Biography for Preschool-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Picture Book of John F. Kennedy
by David A. Adler
from Trumpet Club
Picture Book Biography for 1st-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Picture Book of Rosa Parks
by David A. Adler
1st edition from Scholastic Inc.
Picture Book Biography for Preschool-3rd grade
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
Reading, Writing and Riding Along the Oregon-California Trails
by William E. Hill
Regular Print/Single Titl from Oregon California Trails
for 4th-6th grade
in Oregon Trail (Location: HISA-19OR)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Rule of St. Benedict in English
by St. Benedict & Timothy Fry, editor
from Liturgical Press
Devotional Material for 9th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
Save Our History: National World War II Memorial - Teacher's Manual
from History Channel
for 4th-12th grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
by Jonathan Edwards
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18)
$3.99
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
by Jonathan Edwards
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18)
$3.99 $2.00 (2 in stock)
Soldiers of the American Revolution
by James L. Collins, Jr.
from Center of Military History
for 5th-10th grade
in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER)
$6.50 (1 in stock)
Stephen Foster - Study Guide
by Judy Wilcox
from Zeezok Publishing
for 1st-6th grade
in Opal Wheeler Great Musicians Series (Location: BIO-OPAL)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Stonehenge and Neighbouring Monuments
by R.J.C. Atkinson
2nd edition from English Heritage
for 4th-8th grade
in International Landmarks & Symbols (Location: HISV-LANINT)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Story of the Liberty Bell
Cornerstones of Freedom
by Natalie Miller, illustrated by Betsy Warren
from Children's Press
for 4th-6th Grade
in Cornerstones of Freedom (Location: VIN-CORN)
Story of the Panama Canal
by R. Conrad Stein
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
Historical Fiction for 3rd-6th grade
in Gilded Age & Progressive Era (1877-1918) (Location: HISA-19GI)
Story of the U.S.A. Book 1 - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by Franklin Escher, Jr.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-8th grade
in Story of the U.S.A. (Location: HISCUR-US)
$10.89
Story of the U.S.A. Book 2 - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by Franklin Escher, Jr.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-8th grade
in Story of the U.S.A. (Location: HISCUR-US)
Story of the U.S.A. Book 3 - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by Franklin Escher, Jr.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-8th grade
in Story of the U.S.A. (Location: HISCUR-US)
$10.89
Story of the U.S.A. Book 4 - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by Franklin Escher, Jr.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-8th grade
in Story of the U.S.A. (Location: HISCUR-US)
Student Bible Atlas
by Tim Dowley
from Augsburg Fortress
Atlas/Biblical Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Bible Geography and Surveys (Location: XBI-GEO)
$7.50 (3 in stock)
Student Bible Atlas
by Tim Dowley
from Augsburg Fortress
Atlas/Biblical Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Bible Geography and Surveys (Location: XBI-GEO)
$12.99
Sun Princess and Her Deliverer
by Irina Zheleznova (translator), illustrated by A. Makunaite
from Progress Publishers
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
Teaching Ancient History with Games
by John De Gree
from Classical Historian
for Preschool-6th grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$7.50
Teaching Medieval History with Games
by John De Gree
from Classical Historian
for Preschool-6th grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$7.50
Teaching the Constitution with Games
by John De Gree
from Classical Historian
for Preschool-6th grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$7.50
Texas Roundup
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Cowboys & Cattlemen (Location: HISA-19CO)
Trees to Know in Oregon
by Charles R. Ross, illustrated by Hugh Hayes
Revised from Oregon State University Press
for 6th-Adult
in Field Guides & Nature Handbooks (Location: NAT-FIELD)
Uncommon Soldier of the Revolution
from Eastern Acorn Press
for 9th-Adult
in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
United States Capitol
from Unknown Publisher
for 5th-8th grade
in Landmarks & Symbols of the United States (Location: HISV-LANUS)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
United States History - Answer Key
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 11th grade
in A Beka History (Location: HISCUR-ABK)
Village
Adventures in Colonial America
by James E. Knight
from Troll Publishing
Non-fiction for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Wagons West
Adventures in Frontier America
by Catherine E. Chambers
from Troll Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Oregon Trail (Location: HISA-19OR)
What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin?
by Jean Fritz
from Scholastic Inc.
for 4th-6th grade
in New Nation (1783-1801) (Location: HISA-18NN)
$2.00 (3 in stock)
Winter at Valley Forge
by James E. Knight
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Women's Suffrage
Eye on History
by Walter Hazen
from Instructional Fair
for 6th-10th grade
in 20th Century America (Location: HISA-20)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Woodrow, the White House Mouse
by Peter W. Barnes & Cheryl Shaw Barnes
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Landmarks & Symbols of the United States (Location: HISV-LANUS)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
World Geography - Answer Key
from A Beka Books
for 9th grade
in A Beka History (Location: HISCUR-ABK)
World of Art
by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini
from My Father's World
for 2nd-5th grade
in My Father's World (Location: CUR-MFW)