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CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

I. (1.1) GETTING STARTED A. History is the written record of humanity. It is the

true story of what mankind has done with the time God

has given him and how God has sovereignly intervened

with (involved himself with) and guided it.

B. Geography is the study of the earth’s surface,

including continents, oceans, rivers, mountains, islands,

and other features of the earth.

C. In this class we will be

learning about Old World

or Eastern Hemisphere history. Old World refers to the part of the world where

history began and where history has lasted for the oldest and longest time. The

Eastern Hemisphere is the half of the world where most of the Old World continents

are. This includes the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.

D. The New World or Western Hemisphere, which includes North and South

America was settled much later by the first Native Americans and by colonists from

the Old World. That is why it is called “New”.

E. Since Asia is where history begins, we will start by studying that continent.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What is the difference between history and geography? Why is it important to study both?

Figure 1: The Eastern Hemisphere, or Eastern half of the world, where most of the "Old World" resides. (Add Copyright)

MAPPING ACTIVITY: Look at your Old World/New World map in your notebook. Find the 5 continents in the Old World section? Do you notice anything about them?

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Continents & Oceans Map Mnemonics:

Directions: Practice reading and saying these mnemonics, a device to help you remember something, while looking at our chapter map and touching the places we are talking

about. Eventually try to say and remember the mnemonics while only looking at the map without looking at the words.

CONTINENTS: 1. “Never Stop Eating Apples, Apples, Apples, Apples!” Never – North America,

Stop – South America, Eating – Europe, Apples – Africa, Apples – Asia, Apples – Australia, Apples – Antarctica.

OCEANS: 2. “I Ate Some Apple Pie!” I – Indian Ocean, Ate – Atlantic Ocean, Some –

Southern Ocean, Apple – Arctic Ocean, Pie – Pacific Ocean

CARDINAL DIRECTIONS: 3. “Never Eat Slimy Worms!” Never – North, Eat – East, Slimy – South, Worms

– West

(Other Variations: Naughty Elephants Spray Water, Never Eat Shredded

OWH C1 P4 Wheat, Never Eat Soggy Waffles, Never Ever Smoke Weed)

OWH C1 P5 II. (1.2) IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING GEOGRAPHY

A. Understanding Geography is important because even though we often don’t

realize it, the surface of the earth has a huge impact on history both in the past and

the present. Generally, where something happened in history is just as important

as when it happened and who was involved.

III. (1.3a) THE BEGINNINGS OF HUMAN HISTORY

A. THE CREATION OF MAN - Even though History can be complicated, confusing,

and uncertain, the Bible outlines the most important events in history for us, past,

present and future. A great and simple Christian outline of history can be made

using the ideas of 1. Creation, 2. Fall, 3. Redemption, and 4. Restoration.

COMPREHENSION CHECK 1A: DIRECTIONS: Use your notes (and textbook if needed) to answer the following questions.

1. What is the definition of history? The written record of humanity

2. What is the definition of geography? The study of the earth’s surface

3. Which continents make up the Old World? Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica

4. Which continents make up the New World? North America, South America

5. What are the five oceans? Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean

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B. CREATION - History begins with God’s creation of the world. Almost all scientists

agree today that the universe had a beginning and that everything that there is came

into being from nothing. As Christians we believe that there is

a good explanation for this, God made it all.

C. Genesis tells us the story of Adam and Eve who were some

of the first people on earth. God gave human beings special

abilities that no other creatures on earth have. We call this the “Image of God”.

D. The image of God may include abilities like…

1. Speaking and Thinking

2. Knowing Right and Wrong

3. Having a relationship with God

BIBLE CONNECTION: Look up and read Genesis 1:27. Discuss the following questions.

1. What do you think the image of God is? 2. Who are the only beings created in the image of God? 3. What about humans is special or different from other creations?

CHRISTIAN OUTLINE OF HISTORY: As we go through the following sections, fill in this outline of history. When you are finis hed, put a “?” where you think we are living on this outline.

1. CREATION

2. FALL 3. REDEMPTION 4. RESTORATION

God made all things out of

nothing.

Humans bring sin into

the world.

Jesus comes, lives, and dies

to save us.

Jesus returns to make all things new.

B.C. / B.C.E. A.D. / C.E. ?

OWH C1 P7 E. FALL - Genesis also describes the fall of man. Because of human’s choice to sin we

became separated from God and the curse of sin became a

regular part of our human lives and the world. Sin

prevents us from having a relationship with God and fills

ourselves and our world with evils. Because of the fall

history is filled with stories of War, Sickness, Poverty,

Crime, and Death.

F. In spite of our sin, because of the image of God in humans and God’s gracious

blessings, history is also filled with stories of good things such as the Making of

great nations, great learning and discoveries in wisdom and science, great works of

art, and great human achievements.

G. REDEMPTION – God did not leave humans to suffer forever for

their sins. God promised a Savior. The coming of Jesus Christ is

the most important event in history. Jesus was the hope that

people waited for in the past and he is the reason we can live with

hope in the present and future.

1. NOTE ON DATES – Old historians recognized the importance of

Jesus to world history and our dating system is even built around

him! The terms B.C. and A.D. or B.C.E. and C.E. are often used

when referring to dates in history.

2. B.C. – Means “Before Christ” and refers to events that

happened before the birth of Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What are some of the bad things in our world that are the result of sin?

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What are some are the good things you see in history that show God’s image?

OWH C1 P8 3. A.D. – Means “Anno Domini” which is latin for “in the year of our Lord”

meaning events that happened after Jesus came.

4. Since historians now work with others from around the world and from many

different religions, many now use the letters B.C.E. which means “Before the

Common Era” and C.E. which means “Common Era”. These terms

are used out of respect for nonchristian historians and cultures,

but they really mean the same thing as B.C. and A.D.

H. RESTORATION – The Bible tells us that history has a purpose. God

is building his church and one day Jesus Christ will return to rescue his people from

all sin and evil, rule everything as the perfect king, and remake all into a beautiful

and perfect new creation. As Christians we are blessed to have an idea of the future!

CLASS ACTIVITY: 1. Make sure your outline is filled in with the four parts of history. 2. Write down the brief summary of each part. 3. Put a “?” where we think we are currently living on the timeline. 4. Add B.C., A.D., B.C.E. and C.E. to your Christian outline of history.

CLASS DISCUSSION: Discuss and write down any thoughts you have.

1. What do we mean when we say “evolution”?

2. Can a Christian believe that humans and animals evolved from other animals? What does the Bible say?

3. Do you think the earth/universe is only a couple thousand years old or millions and billions of years old?

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IV. (1.3b) THE AGE OF THE EARTH AND EVOLUTION

A. There is a big debate in Christianity about the age of the earth and evolution.

Most scientists and non-christians believe that the earth is very old (millions of

years old), that the universe is very old (billions of years old), and that humans as

well as all other plants and animals evolved, or gradually changed over long periods

to time from simple things to more complex. This is the idea of evolution.

B. Many Christians don’t believe in evolution and think that

according to the Bible and science, the earth is

relatively young (about 6,000-10,000 years old)

and that it was created during seven 24

hour days, just like it talks about in the Bible

in Genesis chapter 1.

C. Other Christians don’t have a

problem with the earth being very old

and think that God just created it that

way. Some of these Christians also feel that the idea of evolution is not against the

teachings of the Bible. God could have just “created” many things using the process

of evolution.

D. Some non-christians who believe in evolution think that you don’t need to believe

in a God if evolution is true since everything just happens “naturally”. However, even believing in evolution does not change the need for a creator who would make

everything from nothing and order the natural process of evolution. Also it does not

change the amazing design of nature and its systems which points to there being a

designer.

PICTURE ANALYSIS: This picture is a common one shown when talking about the idea of evolution. How does it show this idea?

DISCUSSION QUESTION: Which of these views do you think you agree with? What about your church?

OWH C1 P10 E. This is an issue which Christians disagree about but can be very passionate about.

Since all Christians agree God is the creator and most agree that it is not a core

Christian belief, most would agree that we can respect Christians of different views

even if we disagree with them.

CHRISTIANS DISAGREE YOUNG EARTH CREATION /

CREATIONISM OLD EARTH CREATION / THEISTIC

EVOLUTION

Christianity: Both groups have committed Christians. The Bible: Both believe the Bible is the true word of God. Creation: Both believe God alone is the creator who made everything. What They Believe: God created the world about 6,000-10,000 years ago during seven 24 hour days.

What They Believe: God created the universe millions to billions of years ago.

Genesis: The creation story in Genesis 1-2 is true and a scientific description of creation.

Genesis: The story of creation in Genesis is true, but not scientific. It is probably a poem.

Evolution: Most disagree with evolution. Evolution: Many agree with evolution. Noah’s Flood: The flood was global and covered the entire earth. The flood caused many changes to the earth.

Noah’s Flood: The flood was local, meaning it covered all the “land” that Noah could see but not the whole planet.

Science: Many Christian scientists often called creation scientists believe this view.

Science: Many Christian scientists and most NonChristian scientists, believe this view.

Adam and Eve: Adam and Eve were the first people to be specially created. All people come from them.

Adam and Eve: God may have used evolution to create Adam and Eve and other people.

Concerns About Other View: Evolutionists don’t take the Bible seriously and misunderstand science.

Concerns About Other View: Creation scientists don’t take science seriously and make the Bible say things that it really does not say.

WANT MORE?: Answersingenesis.org WANT MORE?: Biologos.org

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V. (1.3c) The Beginning of Human Government

A. Government is a very important part

of history. The word government

means the setting up of authorities

to rule a city, state, or nation. God

instructed men to set up governments

to promote good and punish evil. There have been many different kinds of

government throughout history. Here are some important ones.

1. Tribe – A group of people banded together, often led by a chief.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What do you think of the different views? Which makes more sense to you? Do you think Christians need to agree on this or is it possible to disagree respectfully?

EXTENSION: Create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two views on evolution.

BIBLE CONNECTION: Look up and read Romans 13:1-7. Answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think we have government? Why is it important? Answers will vary.

2. Who does this passage say gave government it’s authority? God gave government its authority. He instituted it.

3. What is government supposed to do to those who do good and bad? It is supposed to protect and reward the good and punish the bad

4. What does it say we pay to government so they can do their job? Taxes, Respect, Honor

OWH C1 P12 2. Absolute Monarchy – This government often has a king! A person is

born into power and rules until their death. Absolute means they have

absolute power to rule, or do what they want. Monarchs are often known

by other names such as kings, sultans, czars, emperors, and shahs. Many

kings of the past and bible were absolute monarchs.

3. Constitutional Monarchy – This is a government

where a person is born into power, but their power is

limited. Unlike an absolute monarch, the cannot do

whatever they want. They usually share power with

other leaders. Most kings and queens today are

constitutional monarchs.

4. Dictatorship – A dictator is

similar to an absolute monarch

in that it is rule by one person

who has a lot of power, but it is

usually rule by force. Dictators are often military leaders

who use the power of the army or police to control their

countries.

5. Republic – This is a government that is run by

representatives of the people who are usually elected

when the people vote for them. They also usually don’t

serve for life but only for a few years. Most free

countries in world today, like the

United States, are republics. No one person or group has

all the power but it is shared. The ruler of a republic is

often called a president. This is a newer form of

government that is very popular today.

Figure 2: Queen Elizabeth, the current queen of England, is a constitutional monarch. She has some power but she shares power with other parts of the government. (Add Copyright)

Figure 3: Kim Jong Un, the dictator and leader of North Korea. (Add Copyright)

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VI. (1.3d) The Beginning of Nations

A. As humans began spreading around the

world they began to organize themselves and

form nations.

B. Nations are a large body of people who

think of themselves as one and are united

under one ruler and subject to the same general laws.

C. The land in which a nation dwells is called a country.

D. When people come together as nations it can produce good results and evil

results. In the story of the Tower of Babel, a group of people stay together and build

a tower so that they can keep themselves safe, bring glory to themselves, and bring

themselves to God by their own works. God instead confused the languages of the

people at Babel and scattered them.

E. The story of Babel is an example of Humanism – when man makes himself what

is most important rather than God.

F. While we don’t know exactly where the tower of Babel was, the land of Shinar

(Sumer) is in modern day Iraq and the tower of Babel was probably a ziggurat,

which was a popular stepped

temple structure in those

days.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: 1. The United states is a Republic.

How do our leaders come to power? Who shares power in the government?

2. How are some of the other types of government different from what we have in the United States?

1.

Figure 4: The Ruins of the Ziggurat at Ur. The tower of Babel was probably a ziggurat.

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COMPREHENSION CHECK 1C: DIRECTIONS: Use your notes (and textbook if needed) to answer the following questions.

1. What are the names of the two different Christian views on the age of the earth and evolution? Briefly summarize each view in your own words. Young Earth Creationist – Believes that the earth is about 6,000-10,000 years old. They do not believe in evolution but instead believe that God directly created everything. They also don’t believe in a universe that is millions or billions of years old. They say their view is the biblical view. Old Earth Creationists or Theistic Evolutionists – Believe the earth is millions of years old and the universe is billions of years old. They often believe in evolution and don’t have a problem with it and think it does not contradict the teachings of the Bible.

2. Which view of the age of the earth and evolution do you believe? Why? Answers will vary.

3. What is government? The setting up of authorities to rule a city, state, or nation

4. Why did God establish government or what is its purpose? The protect and reward good and punish evil

5. What kinds of rulers have absolute authority over his subjects? Absolute Monarchs, Dictators

6. A king can be a ruler of what kinds of governments?

Absolute Monarchy, Constitutional Monarchy

7. What is a nation? What is a country? A nation is a large body of people who think of themselves as one and are united under one ruler and subject to the same general laws. A country is the land in which a nation dwells.