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Four Centuries of American Education
For four centuries, religion, morality, and knowledge formed the core elements of American education, but in recent decades, a secularized approach to education has gained prominence. This title discusses the effects of both religious and secular philosophies and presents stories of early American heroes in the field of education.
51 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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About the author
David Barton
293 books266 followersDavid Barton is the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.
WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led a grassroots movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. In the same way, WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots today to become involved in strengthening their communities, states, and nation.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of the History/Social Studies standards for states such as Texas and California, and has helped produce history textbooks now used in schools across the nation.
WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led a grassroots movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. In the same way, WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots today to become involved in strengthening their communities, states, and nation.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of the History/Social Studies standards for states such as Texas and California, and has helped produce history textbooks now used in schools across the nation.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 5, 2014
This is a brief 50-page book with an overview of America's educational history, in particular its Christian educational history. Most Americans today would be surprised to what extent Christian teachings were once an integral part of American education, and for four centuries no less! In 1647 America's first public education law was called The Old Deluder Satan Act, "it being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former time...", proclaiming that God would remain in the classroom. This was later followed by American's first federal education law in 1789, whereby "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Again, religion had a stronghold in the classroom. The Founders knew that if the people were strong morally and spiritually, they would naturally weed out leaders bent towards tyranny. An educated citizenry was yet another natural check and balance.
Many would be surprised to learn that Harvard and Yale were originally institutions to train ministers in the gospel. Compare Harvard's original student directive to their fruits today: "Let every student be plainly instructed and... consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus, which is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning." Or Yale's original student directive: "Above all, have an eye to the great end of all your studies, which is to obtain the clearest conceptions of Divine things and to lead you to a saving knowledge of God in his Son Jesus Christ." My, how times have changed!
There are a lot of great quotes in this little book, many from the Founders. Dr. Benjamin Rush said, "There is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity... [and] those... parents or school-masters who neglect the religious instruction of their children and pupils, reject and neglect the most effectual means of promoting knowledge in our country." Barton points out that ever since the court case in 1962 that kicked God out of the classrooms, it was the beginning of our national decline in education, and the result of that has been lowered test scores compared with the rest of the world. The evidence is pretty clear that without God, we won't succeed as a nation. We have weakened as a world power in many respects. (By the way, as always, Barton has a ton of references in this book.)
Many would be surprised to learn that Harvard and Yale were originally institutions to train ministers in the gospel. Compare Harvard's original student directive to their fruits today: "Let every student be plainly instructed and... consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus, which is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning." Or Yale's original student directive: "Above all, have an eye to the great end of all your studies, which is to obtain the clearest conceptions of Divine things and to lead you to a saving knowledge of God in his Son Jesus Christ." My, how times have changed!
There are a lot of great quotes in this little book, many from the Founders. Dr. Benjamin Rush said, "There is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity... [and] those... parents or school-masters who neglect the religious instruction of their children and pupils, reject and neglect the most effectual means of promoting knowledge in our country." Barton points out that ever since the court case in 1962 that kicked God out of the classrooms, it was the beginning of our national decline in education, and the result of that has been lowered test scores compared with the rest of the world. The evidence is pretty clear that without God, we won't succeed as a nation. We have weakened as a world power in many respects. (By the way, as always, Barton has a ton of references in this book.)
June 20, 2024
Read this book as research for a project and presentation I will be giving a few weeks.
As always David Barton did an amazing job! It was nice to be able to take notes and not have to be writing at 100 mph to keep up with him speaking. But incredibly informative. I will be quoting this book a few times in my presentation.
David Barton writes much like he speaks. (Just you can read it at your own pace)
I HIGHLY recommend this to everyone, whether you’re a homeschooler, parent, teacher, student, business owner, farmer, nurse, doctor, or lawyer. If you’re an American citizen or planning on becoming one READ THIS BOOK! Everyone should read this book!
I also challenge anyone who does to attempt the one of the mental math problems in the first 1-3 pages of the book and comment below how that went!
As always David Barton did an amazing job! It was nice to be able to take notes and not have to be writing at 100 mph to keep up with him speaking. But incredibly informative. I will be quoting this book a few times in my presentation.
David Barton writes much like he speaks. (Just you can read it at your own pace)
I HIGHLY recommend this to everyone, whether you’re a homeschooler, parent, teacher, student, business owner, farmer, nurse, doctor, or lawyer. If you’re an American citizen or planning on becoming one READ THIS BOOK! Everyone should read this book!
I also challenge anyone who does to attempt the one of the mental math problems in the first 1-3 pages of the book and comment below how that went!
December 27, 2023
David Barton addresses some startling facts concerning the education of American children today as compared to the 1800’s. In the process, the author presents a brief history of several of the leading educators of America throughout the years. While the topic is serious, Barton livens it up with a teaser test to see if we are as smart as 4th graders were in 1842. Barton also includes some Bible test questions asked to high school students for class credit as late as 1974.
July 19, 2020
The details of how and why our democracy started our educational system. I was amazed at how it has changed, why it changed and why it has deteriorated as much as it has. This is a book I would highly recommend to all educators and parents, so that we can work together to better our system for our children!
August 6, 2025
A short, easy read. To see how American education began and how it has devolved when Christianity and morality have been taken out of education and no longer through the means that education is conducted.
February 26, 2020
A important read for Moms, Homeschoolers, and Public Educators.
January 3, 2022
Good info about the original intent of public education
December 17, 2023
WOOOOOOOOOOW
January 18, 2024
Lots of great facts about the history of education in the US. Super quick read - its a very short book packed with lots of information.
January 21, 2025
Well written and mind blowing. Highly recommend for any educator, parent and lover of history.
October 29, 2025
Very informative! Will be copying a lot of these old quotes in my journals.
August 13, 2012
This book gives historical perspective to our education system. Much of the information contained within was available at selected university libraries when I was attending college, but since that time books have been removed from collections and the omission of historical information is astounding. Get a copy and hear what you have been missing!
April 26, 2013
Excellent, informative and entertaining. With the Bible in our teachings from America's inception because it teaches Religion, Morals, and Knowledge, America was #1 in the world in academics. Without the Bible, America is last in the world in academics. Understand why by reading this book or viewing the DVD. You won't regret it.
July 29, 2016
Being a teacher, I greatly appreciated this presentation on the educational system. The dvd was professionally done and very informative. The viewpoint is moral/religious and constitutional in nature.
July 21, 2016
A superlative pamphlet style ( = equivalent to the length of many e-book downloads ) publication!!!
Super well researched : 9, count them again, nine (!) pages of end notes !
Undoubtedly recommend investing in this book.
Super well researched : 9, count them again, nine (!) pages of end notes !
Undoubtedly recommend investing in this book.
wishlist
September 1, 2011I would like this in the Kindle Edition when it becomes available.
March 1, 2015
Great little book that gives a quick and basic overview of the Christian education in the public school at the start of the country.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews