Description

It’s often difficult to integrate biblical and world history. Dates are confusing, events are hard to link, and the biblical narrative in some ways seems separate from broader events. Ruth Beechick’s World History Made Simple helps resolve some of these difficulties, and points readers beyond what we already know of history to the glory of Christ’s kingdom.

The first two chapters deal mostly with the history narrative found in the Old Testament, while chapter three covers gentile kingdoms and includes fewer biblical references. The fourth chapter is only two pages long and discusses the kingdom of Christ (from a mildly premillennial perspective), while the final chapter tackles the notably difficult topic of historical dating; Beechick’s aim is to disprove current secular methods (carbon-14, etc.) while showing how the biblical and secular narratives can actually be resolved in terms of chronology.

Adults and students alike are encouraged to read this slim volume for a perspective on ancient history. Adults can simply read the text, while for students there are discussion questions and notebook assignments which involve writing information in the book in their own words. Bible passages are quoted extensively (always in the King James Version) and reconciled with whatever was happening in the ancient world at large.

This isn’t a long book and it won’t really serve as a world history text. It can make an excellent supplement, especially for upper-elementary and middle school students, though older students unfamiliar with the material will also find it useful. There also isn’t a lot of general ancient history, and at times one is left wondering why students aren’t just given Bible reading assignments instead. But there is enough integration to make this a useful tool, perhaps as a fill-in for winter term—World History Made Simple would be sufficient for history and language arts instruction for a month or two.