ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
May 17, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

It works for me

God took six days to create, then He rested a day. God is still making choices. He is alive.

I believe the Holy Bible is inerrant. The translations are not, but the message gets through anyway! God’s goal – “Teach us how to love Him and how to love one another.” All of us are in His classroom.

I have always been bothered by the translator’s understanding of God’s omniscience. We agree, “God knows everything.” I believe God knows everything knowable. Choices I have yet to create are not currently knowable as facts. I know my kids well enough to be pretty sure how they will act in a given situation, but that is not an absolute. If God says something is going to happen next Tuesday, He is quite able to bring it about next Tuesday – but – it isn’t a fact until He ratifies it with a choice on Tuesday.

If God knows my every choice before I am conceived – or before creating the world – then He can never make new decisions – or change His mind, as He does numerous times in Scripture.

Rather – I believe He is sitting on the edge of His throne watching over me and saying, “Come on Ben, I’m rooting for you. Get it right this time.”

When one believes the future is absolute before it is created, one has to make up rationalizations about time. “God exists independent of time.” “The past, present and future are all the same to God.” Imagine witnessing to a jungle native with, “You should love and trust a God who knew you before your parents were born and knows everything you are going to do before you even think about it.”

Contrast that with, “There is an active God of creation that wants the very best for you. He is also a just and forgiving God who knows about the times you have violated your conscience. You need to make things right with Him.”

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
May 17, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

It works for me

God took six days to create, then He rested a day. God is still making choices. He is alive.

I believe the Holy Bible is inerrant. The translations are not, but the message gets through anyway! God’s goal – “Teach us how to love Him and how to love one another.” All of us are in His classroom.

I have always been bothered by the translator’s understanding of God’s omniscience. We agree, “God knows everything.” I believe God knows everything knowable. Choices I have yet to create are not currently knowable as facts. I know my kids well enough to be pretty sure how they will act in a given situation, but that is not an absolute. If God says something is going to happen next Tuesday, He is quite able to bring it about next Tuesday – but – it isn’t a fact until He ratifies it with a choice on Tuesday.

If God knows my every choice before I am conceived – or before creating the world – then He can never make new decisions – or change His mind, as He does numerous times in Scripture.

Rather – I believe He is sitting on the edge of His throne watching over me and saying, “Come on Ben, I’m rooting for you. Get it right this time.”

When one believes the future is absolute before it is created, one has to make up rationalizations about time. “God exists independent of time.” “The past, present and future are all the same to God.” Imagine witnessing to a jungle native with, “You should love and trust a God who knew you before your parents were born and knows everything you are going to do before you even think about it.”

Contrast that with, “There is an active God of creation that wants the very best for you. He is also a just and forgiving God who knows about the times you have violated your conscience. You need to make things right with Him.”

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
May 14, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

A word to the church

Please watch this short message.

https://vimeo.com/415293028

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
April 9, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Property

“Property … The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying and disposing of a thing; ownership. In the beginning of the world, the Creator gave to man dominion over the earth, over the fish of the sea and the fowls of the air, and over every living thing. This is the foundation of man’s property in the earth and in all its productions. Prior occupancy of land and of wild animal gives to the possessor the property of them. The labor of inventing, making or producing any thing constitutes one of the highest and most indefeasible titles to property. Property is also acquired by inheritance, by gift or by purchase. Property is sometimes held in common, yet each man’s right to his share in common land or stock is exclusively his own. One man may have the property of the soil, and another the right of use, by prescription or by purchase.” Noah Webster 1828]

In the beginning God gave life to men. Because they had life, they must be free to move around and gather the things needed to sustain life. But – –

Since all those things were held in common, it would see that I must get universal permission before I can nourish my body with so much as an apple. Not possible! So when does the apple become exclusively my property?

The labor of my hands is exclusively my property. When I pick the apple (i.e. remove it from the state nature left it in common) I have mixed my property with the apple. I am free to eat it. But – –

If I do not make use of the apple and it rots in my possession, I have cheated someone else of that apple. What shall I do?

I will take the apple while it is fresh and exchange it in the market for walnuts with a longer shelf life. But – 0

The walnuts will dry up and I will have still cheated commons. I will exchange the walnuts, while they are good, for yellow nuggets of gold with an indefinite shelf life!

Thank you John Locke. It males sense to me.
These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
April 7, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Liberty

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” [2nd Corinthians 3:17] “To understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.” [John Locke 1632 – 1704]
“Natural liberty, consists in the power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature. It is a state of exemption from the control of others, and from positive laws and the institutions of social life. This liberty is abridged by the establishment of government.” [Webster 1828]
Locke’s straight forward philosophy is woven deep into our American governmental form and our culture. The first time I read that paragraph it fueled a whole day’s meditation! May I share my thoughts.
“To understand political power right” – Political power refers to person to person relationships. “Horizontal” as opposed to “vertical” relationship with God.
“And derive it from its original” — Like peeling an onion back to the seed. – Digging back to the very beginning.
We get so involved in day to day activities that we tend to lose contact with the fundamentals. Locke reminds us of the natural state of man, state of perfect freedom.
Then he defines that state for us, “… to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, … without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.”
Noah Webster’s American dictionary became the standard of excellence in the English-speaking world. The similarity in texts illustrates Locke’s influence in American colonial life.

Some people think, “I am free to do anything I wish until I reach a boundary. The ‘Golden Rule’ is a boundary.”

Others think, “I must get permission before I take any action.” They have lost track of their liberty.

To derive liberty from its source, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Without the presence of that Spirit there is bondage to sin, that is, “rebellion”.

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 27, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Get ready to love teaching

The Foundation for American Christian Education

Teacher Summer Training July 12-17, 202

The Foundations for Authentic Christian Teaching and Learning Certification Course is the entry-level, five-day course in the Principle Approach philosophy, methodology and curriculum towards becoming a credentialed master Principle Approach teacher. The joy of forming like-minded study partnerships with Principle Approach teachers and fellow-students focuses upon authentic learning and the honing of the Biblical worldview and Christian scholarship.

The Course relies on: Biblical reasoning; the practice of the methods that form Christian character; mastery of the Biblical classical approach that measurably forms the Biblical worldview for all of life; preparation to be a living textbook to your students; use of Christian scholarship to cultivate effective communication skills; the emergence of the teaching gift that elevates the individual, imparts vision for the Kingdom, and rebuilds the culture for Christ.

Outcomes of the Foundations Course include:

* A love of teaching that begets the love of learning
* A genuine Biblical worldview in every subject
* Mastery of methods that form Christian character and conviction * A providential view of history and life
* The ability to impart life-long learning skills
* Effective use of logic and reasoning
* Effective communication skills
* Strategies for enabling every learner
* Certification advancement

Teaching/Mentoring Method: Direct instruction with participation by discussion and presentation; building the Foundations record for all future teaching; application of teaching to individual circumstances (levels, settings, subjects, families, etc.); development of plans for implementation in local teaching setting.
Who should attend: Although many will want to take the summer training in order to become a certified master teacher, this may not be your desire. As always, you are welcome to take the summer training sessions without the pursuit of master teacher status.

* Novice teachers in school or home
* Experienced teachers seeking more
* Administrators who supervise instruction
* Pastors seeking education solutions
* Patriots concerned to rebuild the culture
* Teachers and parents may also take the summer training as a refresher or to continue to stay current on Principle Approach philosophy, curriculum and methods.

Our Mission: To impart the foundational philosophy, methods, and curriculum of Biblical classical Principle Approach teaching and learning for rebuilding the culture multi-generationally for Christ His-Story.

Online or on campus July 12-17, 2020

Learn More and to Register

The Foundations Course has been what I have been seeking for years. Thank you for the support in the process. It has been life changing. I am grateful for the knowledge and wisdom you have shared with us.
Thank the Lord that He sent me here. It is going to change my teaching career and the lives of my students.
All instructors spoke from their hearts and personal experiences and study. It was very motivating and inspiring. I see the need for Christian education using the Principle Approach even more clearly after this course. From our 2019 Foundations Course Attendees

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These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 20, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Authority & Self-Government

There is a subtle undercurrent that I fear is “stimulating” a dangerous attitude in both citizen and “official”. Let us not forget that in issuing “orders” – the “servant” (official) is the one issuing orders to the master (citizen). Many “officials” will “get off” on the authority and many citizens will bow like sheep. To work properly it is a delicate balance.

Quality self-government is a cooperative effort. Christ can not do it alone – and neither can you! Americans can draw a similar balance dealing with OUR civil-government.

We are obliged to obey those we (by election) (& GOD) have placed over us. They have the authority we (& God) have given them – BUT – no more authority than that. Free men retain the rest.

Example – God gave David a King’s authority. When David propositioned Bathsheba he had stepped outside the authority God had given him and Bathsheba was free to decline.

Be careful with the phrase – “… for the greater good.”

Ben

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 15, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

National Day of Prayer

https://www.frc.org/pray

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 13, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Morning Coffee

For several years now, Fran and I begin our day with a cup of coffee and the Bible. We use one of the “Through the Bible in a year” editions. It is divided into 365 daily readings.

This morning we are in Deuteronomy 6. Some sections seem especially timely.

” Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And you shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shalt teach them diligently unto your children, and shalt talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. … And you shalt write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.” [Deuteronomy 6:4-10]

Think about a little Jewish kid growing up in those days. He comes home from school and sees, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” written on the gate, the door posts and (I suspect) at eye level on the drapes! He sits down for dinner and, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” dominates the table talk. After dinner his dad takes him for a walk. Guess what they talk about! They get back and dad takes a nap. Yep! Same thing.

I think a little more of that would be good for our society today.

The Ten Commandments are written on the walls in several places of the Supreme Court. We used to memorize them. The first four are “vertical”, about how to love God: No god before God; No graven images; Do not take the Lord’s name in vain; Keep the sabbath holy.

The last six are about how to love others: Honor mom and dad that your days may be long; Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not bear false witness; Thou shalt not covet.

The finger of God engraved them on stone tablets. They seem like common sense to me. Let’s start putting them on more walls again.

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 11, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Politics & Religion

Many of us grew up being told to avoid speaking about politics and religion. Why is that? I believe it is because it leads to discord. Why does it lead to discord? We can talk about the weather, our job, our kids and our hobbies without much problem. Politics and religion are deeply personal. If you and I are not on the same page, human nature kicks in and we want to defend our particular belief. I call it, “My dad can whip your dad” syndrome.

Here is the problem. Politics and religion are the two most important subjects in the world! How is that so? Because Jesus Christ said so! “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, … ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.'” [Matthew 22:35-40]

Some readers may not yet accept Christ’s authority. Put another way – The Creator God, described in the Bible, exists. “Intelligent design” settles that issue. Since we (you and I) are created by Him and dependent upon Him for our next breath, we are obliged to look to Him in all we do!

OK then, – If we are to love God and love others, what are the rules? To “love” is to unselfishly want the very best for the loved one. [John 3:16] Common sense says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” But common sense is based upon human observation and human reason. Both human observation and human reason are imperfect. [Common sense once thought the world was flat.]

The loving creator, God, gave us the Bible. It is inspired (i.e. “dictated”) by God to the writers. Thus it has far more authority than common sense (“natural law”). In the Bible can be found the rules for loving God “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The same is true for finding rules for loving others.

We call the rules for loving others, “civil law” (“politics”)! Every time you look at a cross, you see a vertical line (“love God”) and a horizontal line (“love others”). Nobody can “want the very best for someone” in your behalf. We must each learn how to do that individually.

Teachers, parents, cultural traditions, etc. may be an influence (good or bad), but the ultimate relationship between you and the creator God is in your hands alone!

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6]

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”