Noah Webster affected the course of education in early America more than any other person. He wrote a series of textbooks including a speller, grammar, reader, and U.S. history. His famous “Blue-Back Speller” sold over 100 million copies from 1783 through the 1800s, and was designed to allow individuals to be self-taught. Webster wrote the first exhaustive English dictionary, translated his own version of the Bible, helped to found a college, started the first magazine in America, and formed a newspaper. He was one of the first persons to publicly promote a constitutional convention in the 1780s. He secured copyright legislation on the state and national levels, and he served in civil government in many capacities.
Webster spent his entire adult life working to reform America and to provide a foundation of liberty, happiness, and prosperity for all citizens. He understood that ideas have consequences, that the battle for the future of our country would be waged in the market place of ideas, and that those adhering to Godly truth must enter into the battle in every conceivable sphere. Webster’s life gives us a great example of how to bring reform to America, or any nation, today. A look at his life and accomplishments reveal what we need to do, where we need to be involved, strategies for bringing reform, proper motives and reasons for action, and the fruit we can expect from planting Godly seeds.
Author: Stephen McDowell
Paperback
Pages: 31
In December, 1688, William Penn was thrown in jail for expressing his religious views. While imprisoned for over eight months he wrote the book, “No Cross, No Crown” in which he states that “Christ’s Cross is Christ’s way to Christ’s Crown.” Penn’s life is a great example of one who bore the cross and, therefore, did bear the crown. He brought the crown to millions more as well.
Christ, through His death and resurrection, has brought great blessings upon His people and upon the nations throughout history that have honored him. Jesus bore the cross that we might bear the crown! However, what was true for Him is true for us. Jesus taught that we are to take up our crosses and follow Him. If we do, we will find great life and help bring it to many others. This book presents what it means to take up your cross, and tells the story of how God used William Penn to bring great blessings to America – blessings which still affect the world today.
20 pages, paperpack
PP18
Author: Stephen McDowell
NOTE* Study Guide/BOOK ONLY
America has undergone a radical shift in recent times, from an exceptional nation the most free, prosperous, and virtuous in history to a nation in decline.
There are numerous signs of decay in the American culture: the breakdown of the family; the abandonment of sexual morals; the decline of education; the rampant killing of unborn children; the rise of big government; and the growing hostility to Christianity in schools, colleges, the military, business, and government.
The good news is that we can do something to solve these problems and restore America. We can follow the blueprint that the Founders of the nation gave us to build a free nation.
Order this book if you are in need of more Study Guides for a small group, bible study, etc.
Paperback
Pages: 250
Author: Stephen McDowell
Inspired in his life work by Scripture, sustained by industry derived from his Christian faith, and enlightened as a seer in new fields of science from his Biblical worldview, Matthew Fontaine Maury played a significant role in advancing civilization and was one of the greatest men America has ever produced.
Maury’s accomplishments include: 1)Father of Oceanography, 2) Charted the ocean and wind currents, 3) Mapped out and proposed sea routes, including laying down lanes for steamers in the North Atlantic, 4) Developed the National Observatory, 5) Instrumental in founding of U.S. Naval Academy, 6) Proposed idea for U.S. Meteorological Society or National Weather Bureau, 7) Was the brains for the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable, 8) Invented the first floating mines and the first electric torpedoes, 9) Wrote many influential science books. Matthew Maury literally fulfilled the ancient mandate of God to take dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).
Author: Stephen McDowell
Providential Perspective Series – 7
30 pages, paperback, PP07
Books and Films to Encourage, Inspire, and Equip in a Biblical Worldview
Christ gave us a commission to disciple the nations. To accomplish this we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. To live as God desires we must have a passionate heart and soul for Him, willing to do anything He asks and to follow Him anywhere. But we must also love God with all our mind and strength. We must exert energy to develop a Biblical Worldview.
To disciple nations, we must understand what the Bible teaches regarding personal growth and discipleship, and we must introduce the lost to these things. In addition, we must grow in a Biblical worldview, especially in the knowledge of how the nations can align themselves with the precepts of Godly government.
This booklet contains lists of books that will help you develop a Biblical worldview. Book lists are given for all ages including: picture books for the youngest children, literature, history, and biographies for students; resource books for adults or older children on many aspects of Biblical worldview and providential history.
A list of movies is also presented, many with Biblical themes and principles, with most simply good, wholesome movies enjoyed by young and old.
These resources will implant Godly principles and character, teach good and great ideas, and inspire the student of any age to a life of learning and excellence.
Author: Stephen McDowell
Providential Perspective Series 8 – PP8
Marcus Whitman, a medical missionary and Christian patriot, was the man who saved the Oregon Territory and assured it would be a part of the United States. Called to the Northwest by a desire to see the Indians taught the liberating principles of the Bible, the daring action of this “man of destiny” paved the way for the establishment of the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
The tragic and sad end of the story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman reminds us that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Their story clearly reveals the providence of God in the march of history-that nations do not, in the words of historian George Bancroft, “float darkling down the stream of the ages without hope or consolation, swaying with every wind and ignorant whither they are drifting” but that “there is a superior intelligence and love, which is moved by justice and shapes their courses.” The Whitman’s story will also inspire us to practice “heroic, patriotic, and Christian virtues.”
Author: Stephen McDowell
Providential Perspective Series 6 – PP6
George Washington is one of the most significant men in all of history. As far as the advancement of liberty goes, he may well be THE most significant. After providing the leadership necessary to hold the troops together during the Revolutionary War, he rebuffed an attempt to make him king of the United States, thereby preventing a monarchy or military rule. Apostle of Liberty is biography of this great man, but also a look into his unique personal qualities as an outstanding leader. George Washington firmly believed that God in His providence had chosen him to lead the new nation that was founded on liberty – civil, religious, and economic. 256 pages, paperback, B20
Author: Stephen McDowell
This book of historical writings expands ideas introduced in America’s Providential History. Reading primary source materials is the best way to learn of the faith and worldview of America’s founders. These writings show how the Founders had a Christian philosophy of government, they understood the divine purpose of civil government, and they knew that government begins internally in the heart of man with the ability to govern his own life. Over 25 selections including: Columbus’ Christian Character and Divine Mission; The Siege of Leyden, Holland (1574) by John Motley; The Fast and Thanksgiving Days of New England; Christianity the Key to the Character and Career of Washington; Election Day in Early America; Letter To A Young Gentleman Commencing His Education by Noah Webster; Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son on the Bible and Its Teachings.
125 pages, paperback, B16
Editor: Stephen McDowell
Many people think democracy is necessary to correct the problems in their nations but don’t really know what democracy is or what makes it work. This booklet examines seven fundamental principles that are necessary to support a democracy, the power and form of a biblical government, and the historical development of biblical government and law.
36 pages, paperback B07
Authors: Stephen McDowell & Mark Beliles
America’s historic sites reveal our Christian foundations! This unique book will guide you through many famous historical sites, recounting important providential events, and tell the Christian history of the people who founded this nation and who are honored with monuments, memorials, and statues. Includes: Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Mt. Vernon, Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Monticello, and more. Presents biographical sketches of many Founders, highlighting their personal faith: Washington, Jefferson, William Penn, Madison, Patrick Henry, and more. From the paintings in the Capitol to the story of the Liberty Bell, learn how our national buildings, monuments, and heroes declare that America was a nation birthed with a firm reliance on Almighty God.
Scores of picture. 251 pages, paperback, B03
Authors: Stephen McDowell & Mark Beliles
