Does Apologia teach a young earth perspective?

[rwalizer]

I am just wondering how the age of the universe is handled. How do they teach the history of the universe? Even those of us who believe in creation have different beliefs about this subject. Thanks for any help.

[hsmamainva]

They teach a literal 7-day creation period, so a young - earth philosophy.

[sailmom]

Yes. They teach a young earth, as well as a literal 7 day creation period.

I tried using their General Science this year, even though I hold a different view, but found their beliefs infuse the whole course. If you agree with their viewpoint, this is a great feature, but if you don't, it makes the book quite cumbersome to use, in my opinion.

[Chris in VA]

The Biology book isn't so infused--if you skip the chapter on evolution, it's pretty useable if you don't do young earth.

[Christine]

The elementary books (Jeannie Fulbright) are most definately young earth. I even seem to recall one passage that made some remark along the lines of "Can you believe some people think the earth is millions of years old?" (Which, as an "old earther" myself, I "read" as "Can you believe how stupid some people are?")

The highschool level books (Dr. Wile) are also young earth; HOWEVER, (and it is a big one, and thus deserves to be capitalized) he does a fair job of giving pros and cons for each (young and old) point of views. (Hmmm, just reading Sharon's comments. . .my Gen. Sci. book is loaned out so I can't verify that, but I do know that on my schedule I have like 3 areas listed that say something to the effect of, "if you don't share this belief (and we don't), then this would either be a good area to skip or use it as a discussion of beliefs." (Which we did.) I do not have that statement in my other schedules. . .)

My eldest son really appreciates the fact that Dr. Wile is fairly even handed with his handling of it, and [son] enjoys seeing both sides.

In the elementary books, I just skip those bits of her religious ideas. In the upper levels, the kids read it all, and I figure it's good for them to have an "understanding" of the two sides.

[Grace is Sufficient]

I think Christine is correct here; although the Wile texts have a young earth perspective, an 'old-earth creationist' will probably not find it overly emphasized. We've had no problems with it.

[Pamela H in Texas]

We did Biology and believe in an old earth creation (meaning some parts may still be different than others). Anyway, I didn't find it difficult at all and I taught it with a group of teenagers all with varying background beliefs. We skipped the module discussing it, btw. I told the kids to discuss it with their parents over winter break.

[sailmom]

The elementary books (Jeannie Fulbright) are most definately young earth. I even seem to recall one passage that made some remark along the lines of "Can you believe some people think the earth is millions of years old?" (Which, as an "old earther" myself, I "read" as "Can you believe how stupid some people are?")

This was our impression of much of the first five modules (at least) of General Science. We just felt there was an awful lot of anti-evolution axe-grinding, and it irritated my daughter enough that she specifically requested we not use Apologia for physical science in the fall.

Of the elementary level books, I've used Zoology 1 and Astronomy with success. When things came up we didn't agree with, I found it easy enough to either edit out or to talk about. But the general science... ouch.

I'm really glad to hear that people find the biology book to be more usable. I'll have to take a look at it! :)

[CleoQc]

Oh boy. General Science is on our list for next year... I knew it was Young Earth Creationist, but my son dealt with Zoology 1 without a problem this year.
I guess one could say we are old earth creationists (we do believe God is responsible for all that's around us) but we do believe in a total separation of science and religion. Science should be the same to everyone on this planet. If you look at facts and interpret them to the best of your knowledge, you should do so regardless of your religious background.
So it bothers me that Apologia mixes them up. We're using some French material alongside, and the French are so completely secular they won't even acknowledge the young earth position!
With books on each extreme, we should have interesting discussions!

[salinda]

Are there any books that could be used with General Science to balance out the young-earth point of view? Perhaps something with an old earth theory and also a good explanation of evolution theory.
I'd like my dd to be exposed to differences of thought in science.

[NJKelli]

The Zoology 3 book teaches that dinosaurs and people inhabited the earth at the same time. It goes as far as to tell the student to go out and teach that to others.

[Andrea in Dutchess]

The Zoology 3 book teaches that dinosaurs and people inhabited the earth at the same time. It goes as far as to tell the student to go out and teach that to others.

I believe there has been evidence found that shows both dinosaurs and human footprints together, what other conclusion can you draw from that other than they lived at the same time, I know that goes against what we have be led to believe but I think the evidence is what we should believe not theories

[Christine]

I believe there has been evidence found that shows both dinosaurs and human footprints together, what other conclusion can you draw from that other than they lived at the same time, I know that goes against what we have be led to believe but I think the evidence is what we should believe not theories

I just did a quickie search on this, as I've never heard tell of this before.

The first 3-4 sites that popped up were all "creationist" (7 literal day) sites, but after those there's a caboodle of sites that discount the claims.

(My eldest just popped down and asked what I was doing. . .His thought is, even if there were human and dinosaur footprints together, how does that prove the young earth theory? Wouldn't it just create doubt as to whether or not humans and dinosaurs coexisted or not? See, I'm telling ya, it makes for good discussions!)

I think it boils down to "belief", and honestly, I'm perfectly fine accepting that others have different beliefs than I. I've also come to realize that beliefs are a major proponent behind what is accepted as "evidence" and what's thought of as "theory".

It's one reasons I actually appreciate the Apologia series; because it presents different beliefs from my own, and my children and I truly enjoy discussing the topic when it arises.

[A.J. at J.A.]

Are there any books that could be used with General Science to balance out the young-earth point of view? Perhaps something with an old earth theory and also a good explanation of evolution theory.
I'd like my dd to be exposed to differences of thought in science.

Bumping this up again because we are considering using the Apologia series for my upcoming 7th grader even though we are old earth creationists, but would like input on Salinda's question above to see if anyone had some suggestions.

Blessings,
Angela

[Hyzenthlay in Pa.]

Look on Facebook for "Theology Mom" or google "Reasons to Believe". they have old earth creation materials, classes etc. She also posts about(facebook) & blogs , homeschool materials/ vendors that offer different opinions.
Becky

ps Wanted to add , they have a book on all the different views .

[cbollin]

oops.


editing out my answer on this resurrected thread....

[Brenda in MA]

Bumping this up again because we are considering using the Apologia series for my upcoming 7th grader even though we are old earth creationists, but would like input on Salinda's question above to see if anyone had some suggestions.

Blessings,
Angela

Angela,

IMHO, it's hard to ignore the young-earth creation infused into the Apologia's books. Consider Rainbow Science by Beginnings Publishing, a 2-year course for 7th/8th grades. The author is Christian, and he definitely believes in creation but doesn't push one extreme or the other.

JM2Cents,
Brenda