Anyone used BJU Bible?

[Donna T.]

We had just about decided to order BJU Bible for our fourth grader for next year. It seems to have everything we are looking for. We are currently using the Bible Handbook and teaching the catechism from that and are in complete agreement with all of the doctrine there. But, while reading reviews on another board, someone said that BJU begins to teach Calvinism in the middle school years.

 

Can anyone tell me if that is true?

 

Not looking to debate about Calvinism. We just need to know if BJU does, in fact, teach that in their Bible curriculum. And, if so, do you know of any other KJV, fundamental Bible curriculum that wouldn't go there?

 

Thanks for any info.

[mom31257]

We started if for my dd this year and we left if mid-year and just did bible devotionals and books for kids (Secrets of the Vine for Kids, etc.). I thought it would be straight bible, but they were always adding in stories (made up and real). That seemed to make it not flow well to me. It was a little tedious in nature for my dd. I can't say that I saw a lot of Calvinism (we had 6th because it was supposed to be a study of redemption which appealed to me), but we didn't finish it.

 

We had done Positive Action for Christ before and I am going back to it this year for both my dc. I feel like it is a basic Christian doctrine. Their website is http://www.positiveaction.org and they should have sample pages. They give you 3,4, and 5 day lesson plans, scriptures to memorize each week, songs, character trait activities, and workbook pages.

 

Amy of GA

Darin's wife for 17 years

11yo dd

5yo ds

[HollyDay]

okay I'll take a leap here. I did BJU bible for 2 years - 3rd and 4th. I bought 5th but did not use it much past the first 1/4. I did not notice any overt Calvinism. But, if I remember correctly, BJU doctrine is more toward the calvinistic/predestination side than the free will/free choice side.

 

2 things led me away from BJU.

 

I did not want Bible to become "just another subject". You know, the "do the workpages, memorize for the test, test of Friday" type thing. I wanted bible study to be something we did daily because we needed and wanted to study the scriptures. I wanted something more along the mentoring/disciple side of town.

 

BJU just seemed joyless to me. The missionary stories emphasized the seriousness and strictness of the lives of the missionaries. Certainly many missionaries have suffered terribly - martyred for their faith. But, the overall tone was just not joyful. I cant really put my finger on it any better than that.

 

Sorry if that didnt help -

[Hillary in KS]

We have used BJU Bible from grades K-6th. I really like their Bible program, and we'll continue to use it for our younger children through 6th grade.

 

I can't say I ever saw an "emphasis" on Calvanism in the younger grades, but nothing seemed to contradict it, either. (Does that make sense?)

 

I realize that you were asking about the jr. high ages, and I'm sorry I can't address that. But I did want to let you know that we really liked this curriculum for the elementary grades.

 

HTH a bit,

Hillary

[Donna T.]

Thanks to each of you for taking the time to address my question. I appreciate your time.

 

I think I'll keep looking a bit.

 

Blessings!

[Donna T.]

BJU just seemed joyless to me. The missionary stories emphasized the seriousness and strictness of the lives of the missionaries. Certainly many missionaries have suffered terribly - martyred for their faith. But, the overall tone was just not joyful. I cant really put my finger on it any better than that.

 

Sorry if that didnt help -

 

Holly, actually, this is very helpful.

 

Did you find something more joyful? I don't want Bible to be just another subject either. We read from a Bible Story Book every day and we read straight out of our Bible every day. We sing hymns, pray and talk about the Lord all the time. We are in a church that teaches sound doctrine.

 

Maybe we are fine enough as it is, but I consider the teaching of the Bible to be the most important thing that we do and I'd like to be a bit more systematic about it.

 

I think I'll continue looking.

 

Thanks again.