Safely Home

by Tom Eldredge

A tragedy of the contemporary church is its ineffectiveness in passing on the Faith to the next generation. The children of believers too often abandon the faith of their fathers and blend into an increasingly godless society. This is happening despite a growing smorgasbord of children's programs and family ministries. Church shepherds realize that something is wrong, but are at a loss as to what to do about it. Will adding another program be the key that begins to turn things around? Tom Eldredge answers with an emphatic "no." He shows how the original conflict in the Garden between God's methods and those of the enemy were repeated in the clash of the Greek (humanist) and Hebrew (biblical) worldviews, and how we continue with the same struggle today. The choice has always knowledge or relationship, which is more important? Most families, churches, and schools today choose the Greek method of raising children, when only the Hebrew method, with its emphasis on relationships, will prove effective in preserving true biblical faith over time. Eldredge offers practical and biblical hope for those dads who are willing to redirect their priorities and go safely home.

Genres: Education, Family, Cultural, History, Christian

110 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the antithesis between the Greek and Hebrew worldviews (in particular their methodology concerning education), and how we continue with the same struggle today.

It's been my observation that it's incredibly important that Christian parents (and would be parents) understand this conflict. Many Christians reject the institution of government-run public schools, but even though they are homeschooling their own children, they still operate on a Greek methodology for education. This creates an inconsistent worldview where Christian children grow up with conflicting ideologies, rather than seeing every aspect of their life as a part of a total truth, God's truth; which is an accurate view of an all-encompassing and cohesive reality.

To understand the underlying ideologies behind these methods (that we often take at face value) is critical for the Christian parent seeking to make informed decisions about their children's education.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Made me think a little deeper about education and goals in life and what it said about relationships was good. Reminded me a little of Shepherding a Child's Heart there. Also, the history tied in was pretty interesting. The main thing I didn't really "agree" with were certain things the author perpetrated as ideals. Not even that he was wrong - just that not everyone can work at home. Not everyone can have their grandparents living with them. Not everyone can have a job and income where they're (fathers) able to teach the children as much as "ideal." Also, he really doesn't seem to like sports. Haha. I don't really either, but I'm not sure you can say they're humanistic (? he might not have in those words) and individualistic and pride filling. but I can see where they could be.

He was pretty balanced though, I didn't get the impression that he was being legalistic much, and he had quite a bit of scripture to base things on. :)

[Law · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suggest reading anything else.

[Chris J · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not that Safely Home is necessarily a bad book, but Eldredge too often comes off as dogmatic.

[Sara Burt · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I initially began reading this book I was excited and encouraged by the emphasis on multi-generational relationships and parental responsibility to educate and disciple their children. However, as I progressed through the book, I became aware of the authors all-or-nothing perspective concerning the education of children and the Greco-Roman model versus the traditional Hebrew model. For example, the author suggests on page 41 that education outside of family loses it's spiritual meaning. As a product of a non-home education model, I disagree based on experience. While I do not consider education outside of the home to be the ideal nor the standard of measurement, i am hesitant to declare exhaustive loss of spiritual meaning, thus seemingly limiting the abilities of God's influence in alternative educational models. I find there are biblical evidences and exhortations to concur with the author in the centrality of the family as it pertains to the success and/or decline to civilizations. In general, the foundational philosophies are solidly founded in Scripture, but the practical applications seem to exhaustively manifest to a fault.

[Rkeddins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging to the longtime home educator and convincing for those that are not. Eldredge explains the biblical reasons of home education and the historical perspective of statist schools. I didn't find the book easily/enjoyably read, but still well worth it in educational content.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the comparison of Greek and Hebrew education.

[Jennifer McMaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Especially enjoyed learning about the Hebrew versus Roman educational traditions. Good food for thought.

[Cindy James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on homeschooling and the history of education.