In June of 2008, I sold Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. to Davis Carman. Since then, I have become increasingly uncomfortable with the new direction Apologia is taking, as well as the vision of its new owner. As a result, I resigned from Apologia today.
I did not make this decision lightly. It involved many, many hours of prayer, deep discussions with Kathleen (my wife), lots of consultation with homeschooling leaders I respect and admire, and several discussions with my Christian role models. In the end, it truly boiled down to the fact that I cannot continue to work for a company that is opposed to many of the Christian values that I hold dear.
Please don’t take this as a blanket denunciation of Apologia. Obviously, I still like a lot of their products, including the books that I wrote (surprise, surprise). I just cannot support its new direction or the vision of its new owner.
Please note that while I am leaving Apologia for good, I am certainly not leaving the home education community. I will continue to speak at conferences and other homeschooling venues, and I will blog about homeschooling from time to time. I will also be working on a product line that will hopefully make the lives of homeschooling parents a bit easier. I hope to launch that product line in three years.
I know enough about the business world to know that, no matter the area, industry, product, etc.; Business is dirty. Yet it still baffles me that a man who claims to be a Christian can take a company, founded by a Christian man and woman, and turn it into something completely unrecognizable. It’s terribly upsetting.
However, I know that God will continue to use you and Kathleen to bless the lives of families all over the world, just as he has in the past. You will forever be the Rockstar of Homeschool Science…. now maybe you can be the Rockstar of Homeschool [insert new product line here] too.
Black Sheep, you are truly awesome.
“I cannot continue to work for a company that is opposed to many of the Christian values that I hold dear.”
That sounds kind of drastic! What do you mean? (Though I understand you probably don’t want to elaborate too much…)
I recall reading an article in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine about the family that owns Apologia now (isn’t it a homeschool family?), and have seen new advertisements for their products and online classes (did you ever teach any?). Other than that, I haven’t followed the company’s progress much.
But I never would have imagined that they would oppose Christian values.
It is difficult to elaborate. However, I can say that they ARE a homeschooling family. Also, the company’s new direction goes against MY Christian values. The new owner is following HIS Christian values, which are quite different from mine.
I only subbed for the internet classes. I did not teach any class full time.
So sorry to hear of that, Dr. Jay. I have so admired your work and have purchased almost every Apologia product through the years. My concern is that I have begun collecting the new What we Believe series based on it being in line with the beliefs that we have seen throughout the science books that you wrote. Can you tell me if these books reflect your beliefs?
Hi Sherry,
Thanks for your very kind words. That series DEFINITELY doesn’t reflect my views. In fact, it played a pivotal role in my departure.
You’ve done a lot for our family through Apologia, Dr. Wile. We await your next product line confident that it will be just as helpful.
Thanks, Kyle. I hope you are right!
Hi Dr. Jay
I am one of the students that is answering your Science Question Of The Week. I just want to know if you are still going to keep on doing the questions or not? I really enjoyed it a lot, thank you.
CJ, I won’t be doing the Science Question of the Week anymore. Apologia might continue it. If not, perhaps I can start something on this blog. I wouldn’t be able to afford a prize, but it could be fun. Let’s see what Apologia does.
Don’t worry, Dr. Wile, when we think of Apologia we HAVE to remember that you’ve done a TON of work on it and that it wouldn’t be where it is now without you. After all, haven’t you written most of the books? Can’t wait to hear about your new product line! 🙂
Lydia, I have authored or co-authored many of the books, but not most. Jeannie Fulbright did the elementary series, which has several books. There are also some trade books and other things that Apologia has published. Honestly, I would prefer not to be related to Apologia in anyone’s mind. Feel free to think of me when it comes my “Exploring Creation With” books, but not when it comes to Apologia as a whole.
For the record, I’ve FINALLY come to realize that you are correct in not taking the official position of your church as automatically decisive.
I’m very impressed that you won’t put your seal of approval on what you don’t believe, especially in a children’s schoolbook. I am sure that you’ve made the right decision, and hope that God will bless you in your new project.
Josiah, I didn’t engage you in the discussion to change your mind necessarily. I just wanted you to see my point of view. I am glad that the discussion has made you re-evaluate your position, however. Thanks for the kind words as well!
Dr. Wile,
I have the utmost respect for you & am sorry that you have been put in this position. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I look forward to seeing what your future holds. May God richly bless you and your new endeavors.
Amy Summers
Bloomington, IN – Homeschool Mom
Thanks so much, Amy!
This is the first I’ve heard of this, and it doesn’t sound fun. Business politics stink in general. Too bad Apologia isn’t yours anymore.
You said you’re going to be working on another product line that may be ready in three years though? I really liked the way you wrote the Exploring Creation With Chemistry course and the Advanced Physics In Creation course. I kinda hope someday that you may write some mathematics textbooks in the same style that you wrote your high school level science textbooks. But, may I ask what the product line you’re thinking of developing is?
Hi Ben,
Thanks so much for your kind words, as well as your excellent comments on this blog. While I would LOVE to tell you what I am planning on doing, right now is not the time. I want to seek the Lord on some details. Hopefully, I can say a lot more in about a year or so.
I really wish you would say what the real issue is. A lot of us “Christians” have different interpretations of the Bible. We have had a lot of problems with things like pre-destination versus free will, etc. I would love to know what in the “What We Believe” series goes against the Bible? The Bible is God’s word but it isn’t always black and white, two very determined scholars can come up with two very different interpretations of the same scripture, you see that everywhere.
Love your books by the way!
Sherry, Lacee, John, and Kim – thanks for your comments. First, you should not get the impression that the “What We Believe” series (which is certainly not what I believe) was the only reason for my leaving. There were many reasons, but that series played a pivotal role, not only because of the content. Rather than getting into the specifics of what I disagree with when it comes to the series, let me give you the two bigger problems I have with the series:
First, I don’t think that we teach students what to believe by telling them what to believe. Thus, I am uncomfortable with every “worldview curriculum” I have seen, including this one. We get students to believe things by getting them to think for themselves. I have never seen a worldview curriculum that does this, including the one published by Apologia.
Second, the really troubling aspect of the Apologia worldview curriculum is that based on what it says, the vast majority of evangelicals do not have a Biblical worldview. As I read the text, in order to have a Biblical worldview, you have to be a young-earth Calvinist. There is never any point at which the texts I have read (one that is already published and one in manuscript form) actually say that directly, but if you compile all the things the texts say about what a Christian is supposed to believe, that’s what I come up with.
More importantly, however, there is no discussion about the fact that there are many different kinds of Biblical worldviews among orthodox Christians. Thus, the book that is published and the manuscript of the second book give no indication that there is any other way for Christians believe regarding the issues discussed in the text. This is quite the opposite of what I strove for at Apologia. I believe that we developing thinking Christians who will hold onto their faith by allowing them to explore the faith, think about the various views within the faith, and come up with their own conclusions. That was the goal of my texts, and honestly, I think that’s why students like them so much. I actually give the students credit for being able to think for themselves and come to reasonable conclusions by themselves.
So even though I have specific disagreements regarding the content of the two books I have read, that doesn’t bother me as much as the fact that the books simply do not include any indication that there are other views in orthodox Christianity. Honestly, I think this presents a serious problem for students who begin interacting with other Christians who believe radically different things from what they were taught by their parents. I personally have seen the strife such interactions cause the Body of Christ and the individuals involved, simply because they have not been properly shown the wonderful diversity that exists within the church.
“That series DEFINITELY doesn’t reflect my views. In fact, it played a pivotal role in my departure.”
Is it possible for you to elaborate, as we had just purchase the first book in the new series, thinking it would be in-line with previous Apologia publications? I have skimmed the text, but can be pretty ignorant of any underlying themes, etc. I am not asking for any criticisms, just professional observations, that I might need to take note of. And, as many others have previously stated, THANK YOU for the many, many years of Christian science education you have, and will continue to instill in my children. Blessing!
Well…I am very new to Apologia. I will begin using your General Science book this year with my 7th grader and I have also heard John Stonestreet speak and endorse the new series starting with Who is God. I have looked through about 1/2 of that book and can’t say I’ve found anything objectionable. What could be so bad?
I’m truly sorry all this has happened but I must rebuke you brother. I’ve read through your post and the responses to it. WHAT you said, HOW you said it, and what you DIDN’T say was calculated to give a wrong impression of the Carman family and encourage people to conclude that they run a dirty business. As a man, you must take responsibility for leaving that impression. Our family has used your science texts for years and I’m deeply disappointed in you and ashamed for you for the way you’re approaching this.
Involved homeschool dad, thanks for the post. Also, thanks for being involved! You definitely misread the post, as my intent was certainly NOT to give the wrong impression of the Carman family or to get people to conclude that they run a dirty business. Let me state quite clearly that I do not want anyone to believe EITHER of those things. After all, even though I am not an employee of Apologia, my name (and part of my financial future) is tied to many of their books. It would be against my own self-interest to make people think that. Thus, it would not make sense for me to give that impression, and it certainly was NOT my intent.
What I wanted to accomplish with the post is to simply make it clear that Mr. Carman’s views now direct the company, not mine. Because I started the company and was its visible head for many years, people relate Apologia to me. If my views and Mr. Carman’s views were compatible, there would be no problem with that situation now that Apologia is his to run. Over time, he would become the visible head, and Apologia would be known as his endeavor. While this was happening, the company would continue to travel along the same path, so when people confused me with Apologia, there would be no real problem.
However, since his views and my views are quite different when it comes to Christian education and Christian issues, I was in the awkward position of supporting a company (and still being the head in many people’s minds) with views that are in serious disagreement with my own. This was bad for BOTH me and Mr. Carman. Mr. Carman should not be running a company that people think reflects my views. That creates a false impression of him. I should not be a visible part of a company that doesn’t reflect my views, because that creates a false impression of me. My leaving Apologia and my public statement regarding why I left was simply meant to make a clear demarcation – Apologia is a different company now, and you should not confuse it with me. Overall, this is beneficial to BOTH me and Mr. Carman.
Let me tentatively state that perhaps your interpretation of my post is the result of the fact that you don’t appreciate the wonderful diversity within the body of Christ. I do not insult Mr. Carman by stating his views are inconsistent with mine. I simply state that we are on the opposite sides of many viewpoints that are all contained within the Body of Christ.
I’m sorry things turned out in such a way for you. We absolutely love your science books – my daughter quotes from your books often at the dinner table, in evangelizing to friends, and in many other conversations. We will be looking forward to your new work!
Thank you so much, Rene. That means a lot!
“Also, the company’s new direction goes against MY Christian values. The new owner is following HIS Christian values, which are quite different from mine.”
Wouldn’t it make more sense to delete Christian from the sentences above? I’m assuming you both believe in the risen Christ, yes?
Eric, we both believe in the risen Christ, but many of the issues with which I disagree with Mr. Carman are inherently Christian issues. In other words, while we are both Christians, we have disagreements on issues that are inherently Christian. Thus, “Christian values” is the proper phrase to use.
Thanks so much for clarifying about the “What we Believe” series. There has been a discussion on Facebook asking this exact question. Folks are asking how you like or dislike these books.
Can’t wait to see what your new line is! God bless you, Dr. Jay!
I have used the Exploring creation books with my homeschoolers who are now highschool students. Thank you for helping my children to ENJOY science and for laying such a great foundation. While my homeschool days are almost over, I am still eager to see what your new program will be.
Andrea
Thanks so much, Andrea. Your encouragement means a lot!
Dr. Wile,
I would like to thank you for your service to the homeschool community thus far. I especially appreciate the efforts you’ve made with regard to science textbooks. I, like many homeschoolers, find what you’ve written to be the best science curriculum available. My children have grown in many ways since we began using your series and my husband and I especially love the way you help students learn to think for themselves. I understand and agree with comments you’ve made regarding the necessity to teach our children to weigh issues carefully for themselves. This approach yields a student who is able to stand firm in the faith. Because, I must say, that the Bible itself is indeed black and white. God says that He hates lukewarm and will spew it from His mouth, therefore it would be contradictory for the Bible to be full of “gray” area. The point is to teach our children to seek God’s truth and wisdom and to look to Him as their guide in that goal (of course we as parents have a responsibility along their journey, but merely telling them *what* to think instead of teaching them *how* to be critical “thinkers” is a mistake).
I would like to ask a question. You mentioned that the “What We Believe” series has a slant toward Calvanism. Are you able to elaborate? I certainly believe Apologia has a responsibility to share that information with its customers if that’s the case. I know many families who plan to purchase this curriculum for a co-op class. Several I know would be greatly disappointed to spend money only to discover that Calvanism was focused on in this series.
Blessings to you and your family. I know that God will unfold some wonderful things for you as you step out in faith and obedience to Him.
In Christ,
Kimberly
Thanks for your kind words, Kimberly. Calvinism is not focused on in the two books of the series that I have read. It’s not like the books go through and teach each of the TULIP points. It’s just that when I read the books, I see a very Calvinist view of God and our relationship to Him. For example, in the manuscript I read of Who Am I, which is the second book in the series, page 60 has the statement:
This is the lesson the authors draw from 1 Peter 2:9. However, that is a Calvinist view of the verse. Indeed, the very phrase “hand-picked by God” is common among Calvinists. Arminianists see 1 Peter 2:9 as saying what God has chosen believers TO DO, not that He has hand-picked the people who will become believers.
Now I have to admit that I am rather sensitive to these things. To most people, these kinds of implicit statements might not be a problem. To me, however, they are a major problem.
Please note that I am NOT telling you not to use Apologia’s worldview series. I would never use it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. What I am telling you is that the worldview given in those books is very specific, and there is no room for the idea that there are other Christians who have differing ideas but are still orthodox, serious Christians. This goes directly against what I tried to instill in my books.
If nothing else, I would suggest that the people teaching co-op classes read the book thoroughly before deciding to use it. That way, they will know if they are comfortable using it. Of course, I would recommend that of ANY book, especially the ones I wrote!
Dr Wile,
I now understand the shadow that passed over your face while I was speaking with you about having just purchased the first book in this series. Because it bears the Apologia name I trusted the contents. We will still use the book this fall, however I will now know to take off the “rose colored glasses” and be prepared to offer more to my boys than just what is in the book.
Thank you for your service and support not only to the homeschool community but for this fantastic blog. Reading it is going to be a weekly assignment for my 7th grader!
Thanks so much for your comment, Dawn. The “shadow that passed over” my face was a manifestation of the internal struggle I have been going through every day for a long time now. People associate Apologia with me, and I simply don’t want that anymore. It is not right anyway. Apologia is Mr. Carman’s company, and people should associate it with him, not me.
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for clarifying a bit. I agree that the book should be read before being taught to a co-op class, but as you said, any book should be thoroughly read prior to such classes. It’s not typical for our homeschool group to approach a class that way. However in this instance I believe some people encountered the issue you have addressed. Because they so closely associated Apologia with you, they felt comfortable deciding to use all materials from that company. They had assumed that the materials had your “stamp of approval” (if you will) and in their minds, that was enough of an endorsement for them. This is a good reminder that no matter the source, a close investigation should be done prior to teaching any curriculum to our young people. Our family did not plan on participating in the class, but because I care about the people involved, I thought I’d ask for further clarification. As a side note, I do understand what you are saying about being sensitive to such statements in the books. I realize some would disagree and I am by no means attempting to cause discord. I’m merely pointing out that there are many of us out there who feel similarly and appreciate more disclosure in such matters- especially when a curriculum touts the following on the Apologia website: “The ‘What We Believe’ Series is an outstanding way to teach your child the essential beliefs of the Christian faith…”. Many do not find the Calvinist beliefs to be essential to the faith.I’m sure that someone could still use this curriculum even if they disagreed with parts of it. I respect you for pointing out that you are by no means discouraging others from purchasing it but rather sharing that its direction goes against what you tried to instill in your books (and perhaps even in Apologia Ministries when it was under your control). It’s a word to the wise that the company should no longer be seen as yours and potential purchases should be evaluated as such (which, as you said, is only right for all parties concerned).
Thank you very much for responding. Again, may God richly bless you and your family as you enter a different season of your life.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Dr. Wile, I am so thankful for your science.
This past March, my daughter was struggling to understand the curricula we were using. I do not remember how I came across Apologia, but I read somewhere online that it was written for homeschoolers whose parents may not know a lot about science.
THAT was the sentence that caused me to give Apologia a second look.
I didn’t even *like* science very much! Well, when I DID get something, it was exciting. But mostly just too hard to understand.
All that has changed now.
I read the first Module of Physical Science online, and went to a bookstore where they let me read through 3 more Modules. I learned SO much.
I now have a new love for science!!!
And I love the way you present the questions. No fill-in-the-blanks! My daughter has learned much about how to present arguments for many misconceptions that are being pushed by the media and others. One cousin goes to public school, and they have had some lively (not angry) discussions.
My daughter and 2 of her homeschooled cousins do experiments at our house each week. After THREE DAYS of Physical Science my daughter said she “no longer dreads science” and one of her cousins said she understood things so much more.
We are getting ready to begin Biology, and I may have 2 more joining our “class.” I’ve been reading the book, and watching the clips on the Companion CD. I’m no longer afraid of Biology! It’s so cool! =)
I’ve recruited 4 other families to Apologia highschool science, and even have the administrator of a small beginning Christian school considering it, too!
I think after my kids graduate, I would love to teach science. =D
Thank you so much for writing these books.
Marty =)
Marty, thank you so much for your very kind words. They mean a great deal! Based on your enthusiasm, you could be an excellent science teacher. I hope you pursue that idea once your kids are done with homeschool!
I guess you should have done a little more homework before you sold the company.
I agree with Involved Homeschool Dad.
Your post is vague and makes it appear as though the new owners are unethical or have some kind of “fringe” views.
Laura, “Involved Homeschool Dad” is quite wrong. My post simply says the new owners have DIFFERENT views from mine. This made it VERY difficult for me, given that many people still associate me with the company.
You are correct in your first statement, however. I definitely should have done a lot more homework.
Dear Dr. Wile,
Having a master’s in Philosophy, I value teaching my kids to think for themselves and to reason through to their own conclusions. We are using your original middle school science texts and plan to purchase every text through the APs to use for home school curriculum as we get to them year by year. My teenager dragged his feet last year, so we didn’t quite finish the Physical Science book and are looking at buying the whole Biology get up in mid-fall. Can I still trust those high school texts?
I am especially grateful for the methodology you present in your science textbooks and would be at a loss to know what to substitute in their stead over the next several years as I plan on home schooling my 13, 11, and 9 year olds (the youngest of whom finally chose to leave public school not in small part in order to study the “Exploring Creation…” science series…..
Sincerely and Praying Fervently for Peace for All involved,
Penny
Penny, don’t force your son to finish the books on some arbitrary deadline. If he is intentionally dragging his feet because he doesn’t want to do the work, that needs to be addressed. However, if he is dragging his feet because he is truly challenged, let him work at his own pace. Thanks so much for sharing why your youngest left public school. That really made my day!
The science books reflect my views, as they are written by me. As long as they have my name on them, they are essentially the same as when I owned Apologia.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
I’m so sorry to read this 🙁 We have very much enjoyed your science texts and you will be greatly missed! Can you elaborate a little about the new product line you are working on?
Thank you,
Cheryl
I just saw your response to another poster and understand if you can’t say anything right now.
Thank you,
Cheryl
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for your wonderful gift to the homeschool community thus far, I hope your future plans go swiftly! I have been re-reading General Science with my soon-to-be-8th grader, and have been so impressed with the level of care you showed in Module 8 when explaining the 2 differing viewpoints on geological dating (I am not quite brave enough to tackle spelling those 2 without the text! LOL). My son and I had a great discussion on why it is so important to know what others think, and also to draw your own conclusions from the evidence provided. When you pointed out repeatedly what your bias was, and still mentioned the problems with the theory, we were both impressed with your honesty. As you stated, not every author (or most) lets you in on this.
I attended, and enjoyed, quite a few of your lectures at the Midwest Homeschool Convention two years ago (and had you sign the General Science book for my son). I hope you will still be at next year’s convention, the kids are coming with me and my son is looking forward to meeting you.
The beauty of homeschooling is that we can choose what is right for us and our children, and I hope others will extend the same courtesy to our favorite science author.
God Bless You!
Christina
Thank you so much, Christina. I truly appreciate you taking them time to tell me how the General Science course has affected you and your son! I also thank you so much for the thought you express at the end. I pray that it ends up being true!
Thanks for the reply. You’re busy with this one!
Are you saying you’re a better / right-believing / more sanctified Christian?
Eric, obviously I think my views are right or I wouldn’t hold to them. That doesn’t make me a “better” or “more sanctified” Christian. It just makes me different from those who believe otherwise.
We have just started to homeschool at the high school level(after a false start in 7th grade). We got ahold of exploring creation through general science for our 1/2 of 7th and my daughter loved it so much that when we decided to do all of High School, she only wanted your biology text. We received it and found our equipment needed a couple of weeks ago.She has started early because she wants to be a vet. and wants to do all of the high level science that you wrote. I don’t think that you wrote Marine Biology, but is it like your exploring creation ones? This is an area she is very interested in and wants to do this after chem. Thank You for your hard work, and I can’t wait to see what you put out next. I do have a younger one following who will probably be home schooled about when you put out your new line.
Thanks so much VHill. I love hearing accounts like that. I did not write Marine Biology, but the author who did is fantastic. She is also a marine biologist, so she knows her stuff!
Just curious if we should be concerned with future editions of Apologia if the new owners may change any of the content. Or should we stick with editions published while you were with Apologia?
What will the new ownership change about the material?
We appreciate you and your wife standing behind your values as a christian, we all must stand on what we believe or we all comprimise what we are.
God Bless you and your family.
The John Carroll Family
Hi Jan, I really don’t think the new owners would actually change the content of the books I have written. If they do, I will require them to remove my name from the books. Thus, as long as my name is on them, they will be essentially the same as they always were.
Thank you for your support. It was a very hard decision, and your kind words (along with the kind words of most of the commenters) have really helped!
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for sharing your decision and reasons for leaving Apologia. We have used your resources for a couple years now and owe that decision in large part to the fact that we had come to trust you and the materials your company publishes. It’s good to know that things are taking a different direction under the new ownership and I think you were right to make that announcement so that each of us can then use our own discretion in making purchases where we once had full trust simply from that which we associated with you 🙂
Blessings in your newest adventure!
Thank you so much for you many years of service. I also very much appreciate you letting us know that you are no longer of Apologia. This way we know to look at the books individually and assume they are endorsed by you!
God bless you in all your future endeavors. It is interesting that I feel your blessings from God have trickled down to us homeschoolers using your written curriculum!!
Afterthought…how will this affect other publications that have come under the Apologia label…specifically the Clarkson’s, whose books I absolutely love!!
Tina, thanks for your wonderful comments. Regarding your question, I would ask the individual authors. I know Sally very well, and I respect and admire both her and Clay greatly. I am sure they would be happy to answer your question.
As a homeschool mom who has just started using your books, due to great reviews and content — I too am commenting in order to support your decision!
We as Christians need to hold true the HIS TRUTHS and when we waver from those truths, we end up on a slippery slope!
I will be doing my best to purchase your books now, in case they are ever changed in the future. I still have High School to go with both my girls.
Thank you for standing by your convictions!!
Blessings to you and yours! I’ll be looking for your new product line!!
Noreen and Denise, thank you so much! Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me!
Jay Wile said, “This is the lesson the authors draw from 1 Peter 2:9. However, that is a Calvinist view of the verse. Indeed, the very phrase “hand-picked by God” is common among Calvinists. Arminianists see 1 Peter 2:9 as saying what God has chosen believers TO DO, not that He has hand-picked the people who will become believers.”
It seems like you’re saying that there are only Calvinists or Arminianists. While both systems are mutually exclusive, that does not mean that either one is true. Both are systems of men. If I have to put myself in a camp, I would call myself a “Biblicist” who realizes that to be one doesn’t mean I understand the Bible fully – only that it is my source of wisdom and study.
I do understand your desire to separate from a company so tied to your name yet having different core beliefs.
Michelle
Michelle, thanks for pointing that out. I don’t mean to imply there are only Calvinists and Arminianists. I just meant to show that there is a different view that is held by a large number of orthodox Christians. You are certainly right that it is possible neither view is correct.
Thanks as well for your understanding regarding my decision.
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for your clarifications regarding your departure. I used a number of your textbooks with my older boys, and plan to use them again when my youngest reaches that level.
What you have discussed about having the student think for himself is something I find key in your books. As a Catholic, we have a different view from yours. However, I never felt that I couldn’t use your material for that very reason – you want the student to think for themselves. That has to hold true with our beliefs as well. (In our case, we would not buy a worldview product, so we are unaware of – and unaffected by – the different Christian beliefs you mention.)
My husband and I have both enjoyed attending your sessions at the Midwest Homeschool Convention, and I hope that you will continue to speak. I commend you for making these changes during such a difficult economic time. We will still be homeschooling in three years, and will keep a lookout for your new product line. God bless.
Susan, thank you so much. I really appreciate you sharing the fact that you can use my books despite our theological differences! I strove for that goal, and it is good to know that I met it in at least some cases!
Can someone share a link about what the change is at Apologia? When did it take place? Thank you!
Betty, this is Apologia’s news site:
Apologia News
There are several links there that deal with the sale (which took place more than two years ago), the new owners, etc.
Like many others who have commented, our family and homeschool co-op have GREATLY benefited from your “Exploring Science” series. Because of that, we are using “Who Is God” in our Wordview class this fall. I am now concerned that you do not endorse this curriculum. While I love your work and the way in which you write your own textbooks, the same question continues to loom in my mind. In doing your Due Diligence to prepare for the sale of your company to the Carman family, why did you not, at that time, realize the great differences in your “Christian Values”? I would have hoped that your company would have been sold to another who was more like minded.
Teri, thanks for your comment. The only thing I can say is that a previous commenter (Laura) hit the nail on the head. I should have done a lot more homework, and I am very sorry that I did not.
Dr. Wile, I would just like to say I applaud you decision! I am sure it was a difficult one for you to make, but I think it was the right one.
The divisions within Evangelicalism caused by the mentality that there is only one right way to interpret scripture and those who do not agree are “lesser than” Christians, or not Christians at all, grieves the Father’s heart. Sadly, it is rampant in the homeschooling community.
I admire your choice to stand by your convictions. Well done!
Tanya, thank you so much. I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the divisions within the Body of Christ.
My kids have LOVED your books through astronomy, flying creatures, swimming creatures, physical science, biology. We have had so much fun DISCOVERING God’s handiwork together, largely with you as our guide. We love that we have great “ammo” for talking about how wonderful God’s design in creation is and how scientific facts point to the fact that it didn’t evolve over billions of years. In fact, my 9th grade daughter has been quite the creation evangelist, thanks to what we’ve learned with Apologia science. You have left the homeschooling community a wonderful legacy and now I’m delighted to find your personal website. Just wanted to say thank you for founding Apologia. We will always be Jay Wile fans. — And it’s fun knowing you came from Ball State, where I got my master’s in 1990 during our brief stint away from Texas. Yeah! (My husband was a pastor in New Castle.)Thanks for blogging out your thought processes & what God is doing in your life. You have touched more lives than you know. Praying God’s best for you.
Thanks so much, Kim. It means a great deal that your daughter is using the information in my books to such good effect! Thanks as well for your prayers!
Dr. Wile ~
Our family is only entering our second year of homeschooling and I must say that in general Apologia’s new take on things has been an absolute NO for our family but I have only looked at the whole package until today.
I have a young son who is very talented in science. It’s his absolute passion and I am thrilled to say that while I have been writing our own curriculum up until this point to keep him actively engaged, we are now planning on switching to the Exploring Creation series.
Often I struggle with many of the Christian-based curriculum out there because of the “ultimatum” mindset of the authors. “Believe it my way or you’re wrong” is a big part of why our son is no longer in the public school system. Debate has become a four-letter word.
I can’t thank you enough for standing up for what you believe in. There are incredibly few role models in this world demonstrating that character trait. Thank you for setting a good example for my son despite the extremely difficult personal struggle this must be. Thank you also for making it public and not disappearing into the night. It takes courage, strength, and a man of great character to handle this in the manner you have chosen.
Thank you.
Heather, I truly don’t know what to say. Your comment is so encouraging! I totally agree with your assessment of a lot of the Christian-based curriculum that is out there.
I just graduated my youngest, having used your science curriculum exclusivly from 6th grade on. Thank you for writing such Biblically correct, challenging, and homeschool momma friendly books.
We enjoyed meeting you and hearing you speak and sing at the convention in Indy several years ago.
I admire your decision and wish you the best in your next endeavors.
Missy, thank you so much, and CONGRATULATIONS on graduating your youngest!
Dr. Wile- I have used your curriculum for several years now, and my boys and I enjoy it very much. We also watched the video on ‘global warming’- it was great.
Having read many of the posts in response to your leaving, it is my impression that the issues are mainly related to worldview curriculum, etc, not so much the science- correct?
I had the opportunity to sit in on some sessions by the Carmen’s at our local home school convention last May and appreciated all that they had to say.
You mention at one point that you don’t agree with the worldview material out there- ok, I can get that, but when looking at statistics of professing Christians who cannot express and don’t even hold to a Biblical worldview, how would YOU go about teaching it? The book I have gives Bible verses as well as commentary on what that would look like in the real world. Is there a different way?
Thank you.
Dawn, thanks for your comment. The science certainly was not a reason for me leaving Apologia.
In answer to your question, I would not go about TEACHING a Biblical worldview. I certainly didn’t do it with my daughter, and she can fully articulate what she believes and why she believes it. What I stressed with her was that she needed to DEVELOP her worldview. If you TEACH a student a worldview, I don’t think there is any reason to believe the student will keep it. Indeed, many Christian parents TEACH their children what to believe, but that doesn’t keep them from leaving the faith or being unable to articulate a Biblical worldview clearly.
The way you develop a Biblical worldview in a child is to study the Bible rigorously (in the context of your particular “flavor” of Christianity), which means studying the Bible from both a spiritual perspective as well as an academic perspective. You also spend time discussing hte differences that exist among Christians when it comes to specific beliefs. Also, you study the academic subjects rigorously and relate them to spiritual matters when you can. This way, the student explores these issues on his or her own and DEVELOPS a worldview. The student is much more likely to understand and retain a worldview that he or she has developed than one that he or she is taught.
I just discovered this information early this morning. I wanted to share it with my husband this evening. I came back to look over more comments during my lunch break. I noticed all the comments from this morning are no longer available for review to see where questions were previously answered so we don’t duplicate questions. Are previous posts no longer available for review??
Susan, at the very end of the comments there is a link that says “older comments.” You can click on that to get to the earlier ones.
Dr.Wile,
I have been to two different conferences in Canada where you were speaking, and have been using your books for many years. I thoroughly enjoy your books and wisdom and will be anxiously awaiting your next project! I know that many other Canadian Homeschoolers will feel the same way.
Thank you so much, Michelle.
Dr Wile, What specifically should we be aware of as to the negative changes/direction that the curriculum might be taking? I think someone already asked this but I couldn’t find the answer 🙂
Thanks for your amazing dedication to incorporating the Christian viewpoint into science and sharing it with the homeschooling community… Your books have been great and we’ve enjoyed using them. God bless you wherever He decides to lead you next 🙂
Annie, the science curriculum that I wrote will not change. If it does, my name will be removed. I would just urge you to thoroughly review the new material coming out of Apologia. Of course, I would urge that for any curriculum you use.
I was privileged to get to hear you speak in Springfield, MO last April. We are beginning the Young Explorers Astronomy this fall and are very excited.
I was wondering if there is any place where I could get a better grasp of the issues of contention. Since my oldest is only 7, I am not familiar with the different values that are in conflict and caused you to leave Apologia.
I applaud your decision to follow the path you feel you must to honor God in your life and work. Any such decision is difficult and counter-cultural. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to helping provide resources for home school families.
Kristen, thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately, it is difficult to discuss the specifics. I would not want to discuss things without Mr. Carman’s presence, as it would not really be right to give you a one-sided view.
I just found the older comments and feel I understand a bit more of your decision. Thanks for letting us know a bit of the why behind your decision.
Wow. This is big news in the home-educating community! My children are young and so we are just beginning our formal study of science this year, but I know my core curriculum (My Father’s World) recommends the secondary Apologia science series and so I have already been planning in my head to use it when the time comes – because, obviously, Apologia has a stellar reputation among home educators. I guess I have two questions in regards to your decision, Dr. Wile: 1.) Will the books you wrote, which I imagine are still “Apologia books” even though you’ve left, be able to be changed to reflect the Carmens’ views instead of yours? Or will they stay as they are, with the Carmens deciding whether or not to continue offering them as their consciences lead? and 2.) I’m not so concerned about the Calvinist/Armenian dichotomy, but you mentioned Young Earth (obviously in contrast to Old Earth) believers. I really need to know in terms of what I choose to purchase in the future: into which camp are you (and, by extension, your texts, at least as they appear now)?
Tina, thanks for your questions. In answer to them:
1. If they do change the books I wrote, they will have to remove my name. Thus, if my name is on them, they have not been changed in any substantive way.
2. I am a young-earth creationist, but I do not consider old-earth creationists to be unBiblical. When I discuss the issue in my books, I try to give both sides as honestly as I can, but I stress to the student that I am biased towards a young earth.
Just wanted to say how much I liked the science curriculum growing up. I used it throughout elementary, middle, and high school. Loved the experiments especially!
Thank you so much, Tim.
Dr. Wile
I have received alternate tests from you for your Exploring Creation texts. Can I still get those from you?
Mrs. Thiessen
Nichole, I assume the helpline will continue to give out alternate tests. They are the property of Apologia, so I am not allowed to distribute them now that I am no longer an employee.
My son and I used “Exploring Creation with Biology” (Second Edition)in our home school. One night we had our Boy Scout troop meeting at my house. The public-schooled boys were saying their teacher was teaching them evolution, but they didn’t believe him. I turned to page 150 in your book and showed them the schematic representation of ribonuclease. I shared with them the statistical impossibility of each amino acid by random chance being in the particular order that they are. The boys were smiling and nodding their heads when I was done with my mini-lecture.
Thank you for the ammunition that I know helped counter one of the biggest lies public schools call truth, namely, evolution. Your work lives on, changing one life at a time.–Debbie
Thank you so much for telling me about that. I am an eagle scout, so I am doubly pleased!
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for following your convictions. We are a homeschooling family of nine and have been blessed by your books. Many times I have referenced your site with regards to many issues and I appreciate your candor.
May God bless you as you continue to follow His will.
Rachel
Thanks for your kind comment Rachel!
This comment is in regards to doing “Due Diligence” in researching business/ministry deals–
I believe Dr. Wile made the best decision, the most godly decision, he could with the information that he had when he sold the company. He probably researched, prayed, sought counsel. Sometimes there is something we see, in hindsight, that we could have done differently but that is easier to see after the fact. Things are not always as they appear and things change with time (unlike God, praise His name!).
We must trust God even when things turn out, or maybe especially when they turn out, differently than we thought. His ways are mysterious.
We, as Christian homeschoolers, must be diligent in prayer for Christian authors who write excellent curriculum that upholds His truth. I believe that Satan would want to undermine their efforts just as he delighted in removing the teaching of Scripture in public schools. Let us pray that God will strengthen and protect the authors.
Thank you, Dr. Wile, for standing for your biblical convictions. May you see God’s blessings as you honor Him and see what He does now.
Carolyn, thank you for your insightful words. I have spent a lot of time wondering if I could have done more to see this coming. I certainly THOUGHT I was following the Lord at the time I made the sale. Of course, now that all this has happened, I think there must have been something I missed. However, you are correct. His ways are mysterious, and we must simply trust Him.
After so many years!! My very first encounter with your curriculum was Chemistry. In a zip loc bag. THAT is how long I’ve used your curriculum. Though no longer homeschooling, I continued to use your curriculum, and appreciated your return phone calls when stumped on ‘easy’ Chemistry problems! I did not read all of the comments, yet, knowing that this was ‘your’ choice, along with your wife’s taken before the Lord – Praying the Lord bless your future works!
Thank you, Laura B!
The post above stated: “In the end, it truly boiled down to the fact that I cannot continue to work for a company that is opposed to many of the Christian values that I hold dear.”
At the first reading it did sound as though the company was now anti-Christian. I realize now that you’ve elaborated in the comments section your Christian values are simply different, but it definitely came across as a negative remark toward the company as it now stands. I was quite alarmed! I’m thankful that isn’t the case!
We used Apologia for our two oldest children (now graduates) and will be using for our younger children as well. We love the products!
We have dear friends who are Calvinists and dear friends who are not. I don’t claim to know all there is about the mind of God, and if He chose us, or we chose Him, we are IN Him and agree that salvation comes through Him alone. I feel like saying with Paul, “Is Christ divided?” I don’t believe the different views of election or free will need to be in conflict with one another. It seems when prideful arrogance on either side begins to forsake the weightier matter of love is when things fall apart and the body of Christ is divided.
It seems that the diversity in this one subject alone reminds us we are not God who has perfect understanding! In a way I’m very sad you are leaving the company. Having the diversity in even that one area could add such fullness to the curriculum itself.
I hope your future endeavors are a blessing to you and your family and that God continues to use your gift for His glory, and even though your business relationship has come to an end I hope you and Mr. Carman remain steadfast brothers in Christ.
LouAnne, I am glad that you now understand what I meant in the post.
Please be more specific. What is so wrong that he is doing? Are the books being corrupted? How? Why did you sell your company to this man? Did you check it out first and pray about selling it, if so how did you make such a mistake? Are the books teaching anti-biblical thoughts? Please give specifics! We have invested in a great deal of money with these science courses, so should we just dump them all?
Donna, it would not be fair for me to be more specific without Mr. Carman being a part of the discussion as well. His vision is just incompatible with mine. Thus, I had to leave. I have no idea how I made such a mistake. I truly thought the Lord was leading me to sell to him. Now I see it as the worst mistake I have ever made in my life. However, as Carolyn says, we must trust that He will work it all out in the end.
As long as my name remains on my science books, they have not been changed in any substantive way, so there is certainly no reason to dump them.
Dr. Wile, I’ve had the privilege of attending your seminars whenever you’ve spoken at the CHAP conventions in Pennsylvania, and I’ve always felt more informed as well as blessed by your teachings.
I’m sure it was no small decision to resign your position with Apologia, but if you are following the Lord’s leading on this, then you can be sure of having peace with it. I (and many, many others, I’m sure) respect you all the more for standing true to your beliefs.
I eagerly look forward to your next venture, and will pray that you and your wife experience all the wonderful blessings God has in your future! — Lynda
Lynda, thank you so much for your very kind words and especially for your prayers.
Mr Wile,
I am trying to understand what has happened. We have used your books from general science all the way to advanced bio and are now on our third child using Apologia.
Last year we did Chemistry through Apologia Academy with Mr. Hughes , and had no issues.
So is my understanding correct that the issue you have is that the new owner adheres to Calvinism and you yourself adhere to more Armenian beliefs? Also you mentioned that the new owners believe in a “young-earth” view. Do you not adhere to the young earth view?
I will be honest and tell you that I have no interest in the company’s bible, theology, or world view texts. We use the Bible, or curricula that is published by companies that we know share are doctrinal views. So is it safe to assume the science texts are still okay? Also since we actually hold to a more Calvinistic doctrinal stance anyway,and believe in a young earth and literal 7 day creation, is it safe to assume Apologia Academy is still safe for a family such as ours?
I am just trying to ascertain if the problems you have with the new owners are purely differing doctrinal views, or if you feel they are somehow more worldly? The former would not be a problem for us, the later most definitely would.
Cheryl, I am sorry that my reply to your comment did not show up. Let me retype it. I am an Arminianist, but it doesn’t bother me that the owners are Calvinists. What bothers me is the vision. Their vision for how to instill Biblical values in students is simply incompatible with mine. Also, I am a young-earther, but I don’t see that as a necessary interpretation of Genesis.
You certainly don’t have to worry about Apologia being too worldly under the new owners.
Dr. Wile, I noticed your comment about the Answers in Genesis link – you mention that their “theology leaves a lot to be desired.” What do you mean when you say this?
Respectfully,
Katherine Kubicek
Home Educator
Batesville, Indiana
Katherine, thanks for your comment. I have a problem with the idea that the only proper interpretation of Genesis is a young-earth interpretation. I am a young-earth creationist, but I don’t think it is necessary to read the Bible that way.
Dr. Wile, I just wanted to thank you for your excellent books. We started homeschooling two years ago when my daughter entered the 9th grade and I was immediately told by experienced homeschool moms, “For science, you want Apologia.” Period. End of discussion. They were absolutely right! Not only did my daughter learn from your Biology & Chemistry curriculum, but I fell in love with science for the first time in my life. I am so saddened about the unhappy turn of events for you. But we will be praying for you. I went through a very bitter time about ten years ago, being betrayed by friends and family – over money and other ridiculous motives – and it took me about a year to really forgive them. And I would never, ever volunteer for that, but I actually walked out of that experience closer to God than ever before. Before that happned, He was “Father”, after I went through that, He was “Daddy!” I will pray for you as I know others were praying for me. In Christ,Leslie
Leslie, thanks so much for your heartfelt comment. I do hope that everyone involved grows closer to the Lord as a result of this.
Dr. Wile,
This is the first I’ve heard of any of this. Before today, I didn’t know you had a blog! I just wanted to say that my husband uses your books to teach our high school daughter. Last year, they used Biology. This year, they are using Chemistry. It has been a huge blessing. So, THANK YOU!
Now, as to this “controversy,” I know how difficult it is to convey one’s heart without saying too much (even in person), so you’ll find no condemnation here. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
In Him,
Cara
Cara, thank you so much for your kind words and for your prayers!
I am very disheartened that almost every post has been in support of your “courageous decision,” and no one even knows the whole story. Your science curriculum is great and a great tool for homeschoolers. But in all these posts, how can everyone not even question that you did the right thing and Apologia did the wrong thing??
I know the Carmans, and some of the details behind this situation, and it is amazing people assume that the Carmans are acting “unChristian” or that Apologia is going AWAY from Christian values. Quite the contrary.
As far as worldview, it is possible to TEACH it while you live it out, model it, and discuss it. No, nothing scriptual should be a “subject” without it being part of life. But that doesn’t mean teaching or using a worldview curriculum is bad.
By the way you announced this and your ensuing comments, it could cause division amongst the homeschool community and possibly hurt the new Apologia ministry in the future. I say possibly, because I pray the truth will come out and the Lord will bless Apologia/the Carmans for following their Christian and Biblical convictions.
Where is the Carman’s position? Oh, yeah, they’re taking the high road. They are trying to act as Jesus acted when He was misunderstood and falsely accused. If everyone heard the facts of what led to this, they wouldn’t be so quick to support/applaud your “courageous” decision. There is definitely room for disagreement amongst Christians, but you aren’t acting very Christian by benefiting monetarily from selling your company and then thwarting their potential future.
Barb, I am sorry that you are disheartened by the comments here and are disappointed by the way I have announced my departure. I do not want to cause any division among homeschoolers, but the division was already occurring. I have spoken to homeschoolers who bought things from Apologia assuming I endorsed them, and I do not. This upset both them and me. Thus, leaving was the right thing to do, and announcing my departure was the right thing to do. Now people know that the Carmans are setting the vision for the company, not me. This is good for both me and the Carmans.
I am appalled by your claim that I benefited monetarily and am now trying to thwart the Caramans. In fact, as I have mentioned previously, my financial future is still linked to Apologia, even though I do not agree with its new direction. Thus, it would be stupid of me to try to thwart the Carmans. Indeed, I am doing quite the opposite. I am making it clear that what Apologia does from now on is completely the result of their vision. Thus, they will now receive full credit for anything Apologia does.
It is unfortunate that you read something into a statement and then falsely accused me. However, I forgive you.
Dear Dr. Wile,
You have blessed us in so many ways! My son is about 2/3 done with General Science, and really loves the curriculum. He especially appreciates that you expect him to think for himself, that you present both sides of issues, that you reveal your bias, and that you present the problems with your views as well as with the opposition’s–all within a very interesting curriculum!
You signed his book at the Northern Illinois Regional Science Fair, and that had a huge impact on him. He started applying himself more, said he was going to take more notes and write more in response to the questions, and he has!
I’ve heard you speak several times (at Apache, NIRSF, and our local group) and have been encouraged to keep going when we hit some rough patches and I wondered if I really had what it takes to homeschool the higher grades (and dare I say especially science, which has never been my strong suit?! I was an English major!). I can learn with my kids though. Thanks.
I’m sorry that this business deal didn’t turn out the way you wanted, and for the loss you are experiencing. What a difficult trial to go through. May the Lord hold you up.
I can’t wait to hear the unveiling of your new endeavor! In Christ, Merry
Merry, thank you so much for your kind comment. I am thrilled that I was able to play a tiny role in helping your son.
Dr. Wile: My, it seems your announcement has taken on a life of its own among the home school community. One of my friends on Facebook just posted it, and that’s how I came here. I’ll not be passing it on, however, because I feel that more public airing will damage Apologia’s new owners’ reputation while also making you appear vengeful and petty.
I can see both sides of this. If Barnabas and Paul had been bloggers, Acts 15:39’s “they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company” might have morphed into an entire book of the Bible due to the rehashing of wrongs committed. As it was, they both continued to witness for Christ and be effective in His kingdom. Paul even saw something Barnabas’ way later on.
I know you feel you made a huge mistake in selling, but it’s done. Let God work in this and you will learn much about Who is really in control. This same thing has happened to my husband and me and a music company we owned years ago! I pray this for you and for the new owners of Apologia, that you will, despite your very sharp disagreement within the Christian faith, keep your eyes on Him and not let the enemy get a toehold.
Thank you, brother, for all you have done to help us Christian homeschoolers teach science. May He continue to bless you!
Thank you so much, feistyjournalist. I appreciate you sharing from your own life to encourage me!
My 1st thought was that the evolutionists & atheists are gonna have a hayday with this; 2nd thought was why in the world would you trust your ‘brand’ name with ANYONE with such differing views; 3rd thought was why not seek counsel before making a public statement on precisely what to say, how to word every little detail. Christians in the public eye MUST take every possible step so that our ‘good would not be spoken evil of’. Now is time for damage control. There are those who would LOVE to take down ANY Christian company, especially those in the education field…and a SCIENCE TEXT? I can hear them now, “They can’t even agree amongst themselves on their so-called creation science.”
I would suggest that before this gets out of hand, if there is any possible way, for both new and former owner to make a public statement together taking Paul & Barnabas’ example of parting ways. I pray for the peace of all involved, the homeschooling movement to be granted favor by God and not be damaged, & for God to be glorified in this matter.
Thank you for your years of work and continued work. My children have used the Exporling Creation series and loved it. I pray others will continue to be blessed by it.
Thank you for your comment, laryssa5, but you are really jumping to conclusions. I seriously doubt that evolutionists will care about the business details of one homeschooling company. Even if they do, it simply illustrates that Christians make mistakes, like everyone else. I did a lot of investigation, prayer, and discussion with other Christians about the sale, and I thought it was a good thing. In addition, I did, indeed, have counsel regarding the public statement. Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you Dr. Wile! I could not have made it through teaching the sciences, especially high school years, without your books! I’m praying for God to give you clear vision and peace about your next steps.
Michelle, thank you so much for your kind words!
Dr. Wile,
May I still email you with chemistry questions? If yes, can you please send me an email address to use?
Adele, I will contact you privately.
It is wonderful seeing someone stand up for their beliefs. Good job! I am a Catholic homeschooler and like one of the previous posters, have appreciated your philosophy of students developing their own worldview. My question – I had just begun looking into the Red Wagon Tutorial by Steve Rosenoff. Do you still endorse these?
Thank you for your comment, Charlotte. I think Steve Rosenoff is one of the most talented teachers with whom I have ever worked., and I strongly endorse his company, Red Wagon Tutorials. He also left Apologia.
Hello Dr. Wile,
We are not at the age where either of our children are ready to use your Junior or Senior High School Sciences. However, I have been looking forward to it for quite some time now 🙂 Our children are only now 11yo and 9yo. Our daughter in particular LOVES science.
She will be ready for General Science in another year or so. Will those books remain as you have written them? I am assuming that since you wrote them that a new company owner cannot change the content of your books. Am I assuming correctly? Or should I be thinking about how to get ahold of your books now for use later.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for your comment, Annie. Your question is a popular one. The owners can change the content of my books, but they will have to remove my name if they do so. Thus, you can be confident that the books with my name on them reflect my vision and views.
God bless you! I know this has been a difficult time for you, but I also KNOW that GOD is bigger than ANY circumstance in our lives and He WILL bring about good through this. Can’t wait to see your new products! Thank you for what you have done, what you ARE doing and what you WILL DO!
Joyce, thanks so much for taking time to read and comment. Also, thank you so much for all that you have done for homeschoolers. You have been a blessing to me and many others!
Thank you so very much for responding to my question.
Like other posters, I too am very grateful for the work that you have done, for the time you have taken to respond and express your postion, and to read and respond to each comment left.
We too will lift you up in prayer. May God’s blessing and favour be with you and your family, and may He continue to bless the work that you do 🙂
Dear Dr. Wile,
Hello. We are using your General Science this year. Would you please clear up two questions. First, how old do you believe the Earth is? Second, do you believe the Earth (and living beings) were created in 6 literal days?
Thank you!
Many blessings,
~Lisa
Lisa, thanks for your comment. In answer to your questions, I think the earth is probably about 10,000 years old, and I do think that everything was made in six 24-hour days. However, I do not believe that is the only possible literal interpretation of Scripture.
This is the first I am hearing of this. Dr. Wile, would it be appropriate for you to just post your belief and yourvision or direction without mentioning what the companies new owner’s direction is. I will also ask this of them. That way you are getting out how you wrote the books and the beliefs you wrote on without saying anything about their visions.
By the way we have several of your science texts as well as the Fulbright books and my children have enjoyed them all.
Thank you for your years of service at Apologia!
Thanks for your comment, ginger. My main goal with Apologia was to promote Christian scholarship. The very nature of scholarship, however, is exploration. Thus, I tried not to tell students what to think. Instead, I tried to get them to explore issues and come to their own conclusions. With that in mind, I wrote the books so that students would learn many views on scientific issues and the facts that surround those views. I honestly think that one reason my courses are so popular among students is because of this approach.
I must take a moment to address some statements made by Barb. She said:
“By the way you announced this and your ensuing comments, it could cause division amongst the homeschool community and possibly hurt the new Apologia ministry in the future.”
Barb, isn’t it possible that the way you phrased your post could also cause division and harm any of Dr. Wile’s future endeavors? I’ve never been impressed when someone makes a comment that implies that they have some sort of secret or privileged knowledge about a situation. If that’s the case, then good for you. But since you do not plan to share those details with the public (I’m not saying you should), what is the point in mentioning it other than for purposes of division? Since you are not one of the parties directly involved with this (Wile or Carman), then it’s not your place to mention that you have any details at all. It’s a given that Dr. Wile has details as well as the Carman family. If either of them mentioned that fact, they would merely be stating the obvious. Yet for anyone else to drop a “if you only knew what I know” comment is inflammatory in the least.
I do not think the original statement that Dr. Wile made was inappropriate. He has not said one negative thing about the Carman family personally. All he has said is that their vision for the company is different than his. As for the Carmans taking the “high road”, do you not understand that Dr. Wile had to make a statement that he was leaving Apologia? As he pointed out, in many people’s minds, he is Apologia. It is for the benefit of himself as well as the Carman family that he made the announcement that he was leaving. Now customers can be armed with the information that the company no longer has the same vision and direction that it once had. That doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be a bad vision, but rather that it’s a different one. Since Dr. Wile is in the public eye and his name is attached to the curriculum he wrote, people expect him to provide the public with some sort of explanation and I think that’s all he’s trying to do.
By stating that the Carmans are taking the “high road” (even going so far as to compare what they’re experiencing with the persecution of Jesus himself), you are implying that Dr. Wile is taking the low road. What road does that mean you are taking? The Carman family aren’t the ones leaving the company so they are not looked to by consumers to explain their absence. Frankly, the post made to the news section on the Apologia website is rather brief. They made mention of the fact that they thanked God for the curriculum Dr. Wile wrote but they noticeably didn’t thank God for the man himself nor for his founding of the company they now own. They are currently benefiting from his years of hard work and success. I would think that might be a “high road”. They did not say that they wish him well- perhaps that might also be considered a “high road”.
Dr. Wile has stated that he does not discourage anyone from using Apologia and that includes the “What We Believe” series. In fact, before you made the statements to defend the fact that a worldview can be taught and modeled at the same time, you would have done well to have fully read his stand on the issue. All he said is that he personally prefers to teach the worldview through modeling it and teaching a young person how to critically think for himself or herself. He never said that it would be wrong to teach a worldview using a curriculum, he just said that he personally chooses a different approach.
Finally, I think that perhaps too much focus has been placed on the “What We Believe” series as well as on the Calvinism “debate”. Dr. Wile has stated that although the curriculum did play a part, it is not the only reason he is leaving. Dr. Wile was asked a direct question regarding whether he supported that curriculum and he answered honestly that he personally does not endorse it but he doesn’t discourage others from buying it. I think that demonstrates a lack of “low road” behavior. He has shared that he bathed this decision in prayer as well as sought godly counsel so I’m not sure why some are saying negative things toward him in that regard. I must also point out to Barb as well as those who are critical of the support given here to Dr. Wile the fact that this is Dr. Wile’s blog and most of us are merely wishing him well and voicing that we are praying for him and his family. We have not turned this into a forum for Carman bashing. People are not making posts stating that the Carmans are horrible people, in fact, I believe that many on here probably wish them well and do not desire to see their company fail. Since this is Dr. Wile’s blog, it stands to reason that the focus may be a bit slanted toward him.
Kim
Thank you for sharing this information with us. I often go to the apologia website, so I appreciate knowing that you are no longer taking an active role. We use only your books for high school science and will continue to do so. I will bookmark this site so I know where to keep updated. Thank you for all that you do. You will be in our prayers through this difficult time and as God reveals what amazing plans he has for your future. God Bless.
Debbie, thank you for your comment and your prayers.
I am just looking into homeschool science and am new to Aplogia, old or new series/editions. Would the writings/books of Dr. Hugh Ross be an opposing/different viewpoint than the texts available through Apologia? Thank you.
Polly, the works of Dr. Ross would be an opposing viewpoint compared to Apologia products, even my books. Honestly, however, books by C.S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, and Gleason Archer would be opposing viewpoints to the new material being produced by Apologia.
how do you feel about the apologetics class offered by apologia academy? we were thinking about enrolling our ninth grader. i am a bit concerned now. is it vision or theology that is so far off?
Wolbi5, thanks for your comment. I don’t really know anything about the apologetics course offered by Apologia Academy, so I am afraid I can’t help you much there. Please note that it is not just a theological issue between me and Apologia. It is really a question of vision. Their vision just isn’t compatible with mine.
I so appreciate your comment that the particular view of a young-earth is not the only possible literal interpretation of Scripture. There are very doctrinally sound believers who would differ.
Dr. Wile,
First I would like to thank you, despite some of the negative comments about the potential negative effects of this announcenment, there are positives. For one, I have been looking into purchasing this curriculum BECAUSE it is an Apologia curriculum. But I knew that you did not write it, also that you no longer ran the company, so I hesitated in order to investigate. I appreciate the information!
Any Christian should understand that there are many views and interpretations of the Bible, and ought to have enough sense to understand that you and the Carmens may not agree on everything. I myself am somewhat confused about what the many Bible interpretations alone; one person can read three different versions and get something different out of each. As if that’s not bad enough, three persons can read the same version and interpret it differently.
I am all for each person reading, praying, and meditating on God and learning for himself what God is saying. Not simply trusting and accepting what someone else “in authority” may say. I want the same for my children. I want them to think for themselves and I thank you for your science curriculum that teaches them how to learn! They are better people for it.
As far as your selling the company, I think it is a mistake for you to say it was a mistake. If you prayerfully considered it and felt the Lord leading you to sell it to the Carmens, then He knows the ultimate outcome and it is according to His will.
Because we are human and we have a limited life-span, you could not have remained as the head of the company forever. Because you have been able to see the direction the company has taken, and share your viewpoint, and in that allow us to make a more informed decision about what we expose our children to, you may have served a greater purpose than any of us will ever know.
Because you say you have made your decisions prayerfully and carefully, I believe you and thank you for that.
We will continue to use your science curriculums.
That being said, I have attended your “Teaching High School at Home” seminar(as well as others)and would like to know what you recommend for apologetics.
Thank you for your time and your legacy.
May God bless you (and your family) in this,
MJ
Misti, thanks for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate your comment that it is a mistake to call the sale a mistake. However, I will have to disagree with you. As I look back, I can see what were (from this perspective) very clear signs that God was probably using to tell me not to sell. Unfortunately, I did not recognize them for what they were.
In answer to your question, my favorite apologetics books are:
The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel
Why I Am a Christian: Leading Thinkers Explain Why They Believe by Norman L. Geisler
Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig
I also like
Reasonable Faith: The Scientific Case for Christianity by Jay Wile
but the author leaves a lot to be desired. 🙂
Dr. Wile, and other readers,
I want to comment that because I have known the Carmans and have worked with them in homeschool pursuits, I am certain that Davis and Rachael would put as their first priority honoring the Lord in their words and actions. This would include business relationships and new ventures. I pray that all involved in this apparent dispute would find the grace to be at peace with each other. May the resolution of this public discussion be one that honors the Lord through a maturity and humility.
Kate and Rev. Chris, thank you for your comments regarding the Carmans. While I cannot work for a company in which they set the vision, I have never doubted their desire to serve the Lord.
As a Christian community, are we really willing to commit so much time to “he said, she said”? Life is as a vapor and we live in a lost and dying world. There are people all around us who need to see the love of Christ. In the meantime, we sit and argue on the methodology of teaching and the points of Calvinism vs. Arminianism.
Frankly, ANY text we use to teach our daughter will be tested against scripture. Other than rallying the troops, it is difficult to see the positive in this post. Gossip is gossip whether it is veiled with innuendo or camouflaged with a “pray for them” tone…
Can’t really see where this blog post fits in to Matthew 18:15-17… ?
James, thank you for your comment. You do not know the details of the situation, so it is not surprising that you “Can’t really see where this blog post fits in to Matthew 18:15-17.” However, it most certainly does.
I’ve got to tell ya, Satan just laughs at how Christians draw lines and take side over non-essentials. Truly, Jesus was right about straining gnats and swallowing camels. From what I’m reading Jay is saying, “There is a camel problem at Apologia.” Their philosophy and approach has changed. Everyone else is pickin’ at gnats: issues.
Jay, I know it must have been hard. It must have been very close to a divorce in pain. You’re in my prayers.
Jim, thanks for your comment and your prayers. You are quite correct in your evaluation.
Thank you so much for you honesty in spelling out what some of the challenges were. It helps me understand what is going on.
I am very sorry that you are having to go through this.
We have LOVED your books, and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED hearing you speak about homeschooling high schoolers at the CHEC convention in Denver last year–you were challenging, encouraging, and insightful!
Thank you, for your dedicated work on behalf of homeschoolers!
Melinda, thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot!
Dr Wile, I will always be grateful for your willingness to discuss curriculum with me at a homeschool convention, and for taking the trouble to answer an email question that was totally unrelated to your books, but settled a worried mother’s heart.
It is difficult to start a company with a certain vision burning in your heart and then to hand the reins over to another, only to see the vision change. It happened to an organisation I was a part of years ago, and it was not an easy road to walk through. It is neither your fault, nor the Carman’s, that your visions are incompatible. These things happen, and I think you have handled it admirably.
I will pray for you, as you venture into your new project.
As one door closes, I pray that you will not be discouraged, or feel a sense of loss, but that you will embrace the new path that God is laying out before you. He is faithful to accomplish so much more than we can ask or think. 🙂
Sumi, thank you very much for your kind words and for your prayers. I definitely need the prayers!
I regret that you have left Apologia, Dr. Wile. Your creation science textbooks certainly set the standard for teaching science in the homeschool community. Your work will leave its mark on the next generation.
And it is the world this next generation inherits that makes it critical to understand not only the “whats” of science but the “whys” behind it. There is such an intense assault on the minds of the next generation that it requires us as believers to give an answer to the hope entrusted to us. Without the “whys” behind what we believe, there is no defense against the seduction of worldviews that will easily consume the budding faith of even those who seem strongest now. Without the intellectual latticework a proper, comprehensive, and robust Christian worldview to help our students navigate the intellectual waters that challenge our faith when life becomes difficult, all our groundwork that we’ve laid in the sciences will be for naught. Davis Carman’s vison for including a division on Bible, Worldviews, and Apologetics addresses this concern directly.
I have known Rachael and Davis Carman for four years and suffered with them in prayer and tears through difficult life circumstances. What I came to know about them was that they were a couple who humbled themselves before the Lord and the eyes of their watching children to accept whatever might come from His hand. I have seen them seek to praise and thank the Lord with their closest friends even when the storms of life raged down upon them. And, honestly, I have never known a family who shines with the light of the Lord as brightly as the Carman family does. Their character, which stems from their father’s yielded guidance, is beyond reproach and evident to all. Because I have served with him in the tough times, seen his character when tested, heard his heart, and labored with iim in prayer, I have no doubt that Davis is not only a capable leader but full of integrity. Because of this, I know that Apologia rests in very good hands.
I wish you all the best, Dr. Wile, and I hope that your coming products make at least as much of an impact in the homeschooling community as those you have developed so far. I understand you may have differences with Davis on the inclusion of a worldview division taking a classical approach to apologetics, and that’s fine. But I just wanted it said just how upright the present head of Apologia is and how much his vision is respected simply because it comes from him.
Thanks for your comment, Mike. I have never doubted the Carmans’ desire to serve the Lord. Their vision on how to do that with Apologia, however, is simply incompatible with mine.
Dr. Wile,
It is unfortunate that your resignation and blog have brought about confusion.
My hope is simply to provide (very briefly) some information about Davis and Rachael Carmen.
As their pastor, I am thankful for their public testimony and servant leadership in our church. They lead a successful Sunday morning Bible Study that has had a positive impact on our people.
As a homeschool parent, I am thankful for their leadership in our state (North Carolina) and their leadership in the co-op in our community. We have been fortunate to be a “test site” for the “Walk Through the Bible” curriculum and have been blessed to have Rachael teach the “What We Believe” series to our children.
As a friend, I am thankful for their encouragement and for the example of their family. The Christian values of the Carman family are Biblical values which have been taught and are easily seen in the lives of their children; Charles, Anderson, Savannah Anne, Molly, Elizabeth, Joseph and Benjamin.
I would recommend anyone with questions about the Carman family and the direction of Apologia to read:
http://apologia.spinweb.net/news.php?item=70.
Chris Justice
I (Steve) guess it is my turn to weigh in on this discussion. I have known Jay Wile for eight years as a boss, a mentor, and a friend. He has never lied to me or concealed anything. He has always been forthright in his dealings and often trusting to a fault. At times we have butted heads, but we always resolved the dispute as Christian brothers. He goes out of his way do live out a Christian witness, not just expound his personal theological beliefs. I would trust Jay Wile with my life, my family, and covet his council. He is a good and decent man.
I would also like to point out that Red Wagon Tutorials has a ministry separate from Apologia’s. Apologia Educational Ministries and RWT have a contractual business relationship only at this time. We (RWT) produce a series of products and, under the terms of the contract, Apologia promotes, markets, and sells our products. They are our publisher. RWT pays Apologia a royalty for the services it provides. We retain control of RWT’s message.
Regarding our leaving Apologia: My wife and I felt led into full time ministry pastoring RWT. As both Dr. Wile and Mr. Carman are aware, we had been planning to leave Apologia even before the sale of the company was final. We stayed to help birth Apologia Academy and to grow RWT into a stable ministry capable of supporting God’s purpose. Our leaving this last spring was ordained by God. We will be teaching Creation science through our live-feed, online recorded, and DVD programs to over 1000 students this next year. In addition to our for-profit educational services and products, we also are providing free DVD’s to missionaries in forty-four nations and free Apologia textbooks from our profits to those serving overseas as the Lord enables. We are fulfilling the ministry entrusted to us. God’s purpose in our leaving is evident.
Dr. Wile,
I join with many others in saying thank you for your vision in developing science curricula for the home school community.
Our family has used Apologia curricula since 1993 or 94. We are still using some of the editions that came in 3 ring binders. It’s amazing to see what has developed over the years and the ministry that Apologia has had for home school families across the nation. Now my grandchildren will be using your materials from our library.
Thanks much for following the Lord and setting an example of diligence to your calling.
The first time you spoke in the metro Detroit area, we had a small group of moms that were just starting into high school with our children. Those students went on to graduate from high school and college and are now homeschooling their children. You encouraged us and gave us direction and then, gave us the tools to pursue our goals.
Many blessings!
KH
K. Holcomb, I remember you well. In fact, I started by typing your full first name. Thanks for all the support you have given over the years!
Dr. Wile, I was distressed to hear of your leaving Apologia, but I understand. I have been concerned that the core vision had seemingly been abandoned. I have seen first hand, how “diversifying” can radically change an organization. Oftentimes, this is to it’s detriment. I pray that the Carman’s succeed in this, but am saddened to see the emphasis on the Science Curriculum being drastically diminished. I noted this when I received my first Apologia World newsletter. Dr. Wile, your “Exploring Creation” Science series is simply the best science curriculum on the market and we plan on using it throughout our children’s (and hopefully, grandchildren’s) homeschool careers! God bless you, Dr. Wile and thank you for developing such a wonderful series!
Don, thank you for your very kind words. They mean a lot. Thanks for your prayers for the Carmans as well.
Dear Dr. Wile, We have always made choices based on what our interpretation of the Bible is. As the Lord grows us each moment of the day our interpretation is continually subject to change. When we stay open in God’s word and spirit then we can be open to growth/change/transformation. I believe that both Wile and Carem have made great effort to be open to change. Through their reading of the word you can see the edification in their lives. It is expected that when there is any change of ownership in a company or corporation such as a buyout – a significant party/VIP leader/former owner and even founder will depart. It happens all of the time on the business side of our culture. Just read the Wall Street Journal. I am all 4 equipping our offspring to defend the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all 4 corners of the earth. We must develop them to have skill sets to embrace the wickedness around them without becoming wicked. You have to mix and mingle with folks out there who do not know Jesus in order to preach/teach or DEMONSTRATE his love and mercy for us. In fact, we are instructed to LOVE everyone.
Yes this is a huge trial that seems to last until eternity. A Christian’s trials define what true Joy should be. I am the last well trained apologist on earth but am a lover of Jesus and his humble life example. I copy scripture from the bible and take many notes but memorization has not been too easy for me. God works in many and various ways. Teaching about True Science also can be conveyed and interpreted in many ways. We must educate under the banner of truth no matter what or the wickedness of atheistic theory will begin to sprinkle itself into a truth system
then what’s next? In God’s Peace, Kimber D.
Kimber, thank you for your very thoughtful comment.
Dr. Wile,
I am very sorry to hear about this “seperation.” How hard it is to live in this fallen world! My sons and I have been blessed by your science curriculum and I will continue to buy it (3 more to go!) as long as it remains the high quality material that it has been so far.
What I really wanted to comment on was your regret in selling Apologia. I have learned in my 30 plus years of following Christ that there are no “if only’s” in God’s view. If there was sin, repent of it and move on. Nothing we do by mistake or bad choice can ever undo either God’s plan for this earth, or for us individually.
I have just gone through a bitter couple of years in mourning and questioning my choices. Those choices were not choices that were obvious sin, in fact they would likely be seen as very godly ones. But they have lead to much pain and suffering for myself, and what is even harder: for my children, causing me to question whether I heard God correctly when I made those decisions. Yet, as I have come through to the other side I have seen that God is bigger than my choices – good or bad- and my regrets, and I feel called to trust Him on an even deeper level – namely, that he can use my failings, all the things that in my eyes look like total losses and failure. He isn’t as concerned with the “sucess” of my plans and goals in this life – even those that are godly and striving for the best – as He is in shaping me for the life to come. I have always believed this with my head, but to believe it when in my eyes everything seems to be turning evil and hurting, that is a harder thing.
Plese be encouraged. God has done a mighty thing through this curriculum He has enabled you to write, and He has even greater things in store. Please be encouraged and don’t waste your time (as I did!) in regret. Trust God, He is willng and able to do far more than we think or imagine!
IbuCathy, thank you so much for your encouraging comment. I really don’t want to live in regret of the mistake I made. I just want to move on, confident that I can learn from this mistake and draw closer to Him.
Dr. Wile,
You provided great encouragement to me as a homeschool mom and I will always appreciate the time you spent with my son discussing science at the Modesto Valley Home Educators Conference a few years back. Honestly, I was saddened when I first learned that you had sold Apologia and was not thrilled with the direction it had decided to take. Though I don’t think it was the intent of the company to commercialize homeschooling, I just felt like they took the “home” out of schooling. I believe in your philosophy of co-learning with one’s children and I feel like there may have been a slight departure of that philosophy by the current owners of Apologia. As a homeschooler, I believe the sole responsibility is mine to educate my children and that Charter Schools and the like are poor imposters to home education and undermine a parent’s confidence and abilities to teach their children. I know that I may have bruised the feelings of some folks with my statement but I make no apologies for what I believe because I believe that the Socialization of our nation has been occurring silently for a century and education has been the catapult for that end (read The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto). At any rate, I digressed. Dr. Wile, while I wish and pray for Apologia ministries continued success without your presence there, I wish, pray for and look forward to your new endeavors. God Bless you and your family.
Dawn, thank you so much for your kind words. It really means a lot to know that I have encouraged you. Thank you as well for your prayers!
Oftentimes what seems like a conflict between two Christians is really just God expanding his kingdom. Paul and Barnabas had a conflict over the usefulness of Mark on a missionary journey and so they parted ways in seeming frustration. Yet God used the two teams to bring the gospel to more people than one team could reach. I pray that this parting of ways will have a similar effect.
Katrina, thank you for your insight. I join you in praying that this parting of ways will only expand God’s kingdom.
Dr Wile,
I’m writing from Aust as a hs mum who has used your science curriculum with my children and also sold it when we had a curriculum business here. I do not know anything about your business situation, but sincerely hope that the content and stance in your science books will not change. I want you to know that we are VERY grateful for your commitment and contribution you have made to the development of our children’s biblical worldview. My eldest son is a Science Faculty Deans Fellow at one of the best universities in Australia, and your faithful work has helped him achieve that. Our prayer is that he will be used of God in his chosen field. I am glad you are still planning to contribute to the hs community. And again, thank-you for the testimony you have made for the Lord in the world of science. May our God bless you in your future endeavours.
Mrs J Grubb, thanks so much for your kind comment. I am thrilled that your son has done so well! I might have played a tiny part in his success, but you and your husband are the MAIN reasons he has achieved so much. I loved my time in your wonderful country and hope to come back soon.
As long as my name is on the books, they will not have changed.
Dr. Jay Wile,
Thank you so much for writing such amazing science books. Our family has enjoyed them very much. Also, thank you for answering our science questions that we emailed to you. You answered in less than 24 hours and encouraged my son with his science!
May God Bless you in your new endeavors.
JH
JHayes, thanks so much for your kind comment. I am glad my work has helped you!
We are just starting with Apologia and RWT this fall and I’m very excited to be using both for Chemistry. I think RWT fills a great need so that parents can have some help with the upper-level classes if they need to.
Jay,I pray that you’ll have a refreshing new season of life and that God will continue to use you and bless you! Many new doors can open and I can’t wait to see what He will do!
Melanie, thank you for your comment and your prayers. Using RWT allows you to take advantage of the best teacher with whom I have ever worked. It will definitely be a blessing!
The Black Sheep says:
August 14, 2010 at 5:26 pm
“I know enough about the business world to know that, no matter the area, industry, product, etc.; Business is dirty. Yet it still baffles me that a man who claims to be a Christian can take a company, founded by a Christian man and woman, and turn it into something completely unrecognizable. It’s terribly upsetting.”
jlwile says:
August 14, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Black Sheep, you are truly awesome.”
The whole exchange between you and The Black Sheep makes everything else you said about NOT claiming that the new owner is somehow shifty seem unbelievable. The Black Sheep referred to Mr. Carmen as a “man who claims to be a Christian” turning the company into something unrecognizable and you told him (TBS) he was “truly awesome”.
I am very sad about this whole thing.
Jen, I am sorry you took the exchange between Black Sheep and I the wrong way. When I told Black Sheep “You are truly awesome,” I was referring to the last line: “You will forever be the Rockstar of Homeschool Science…. now maybe you can be the Rockstar of Homeschool [insert new product line here] too.”
I certainly can agree with you on your last statement. I am also very sad about the whole thing.
Dr. Wile,
We have been in contact via email previously over the years. My son was the crazy one who spent all night (literally) photographing the emergence of cicaida’s when the came out of their shell things.
Anyway, I do have a private question for you regarding our Biology options that is time sensitive. Would you be willing to email me. I just feel uncomfortable posting the question here.
Blessings
Sandra
Thank you for clarifying your remark to The Black Sheep. In that context, I understand your response totally.
We are “Young Earth Calvinists” so no worries……..
Debbie, even if I were a Calvinist, I would still not support a curriculum that indicated Calvinism was the only Biblical worldview.
Dr. Wile,
1st of all, I have always used Apologia Science curriculum. It has been a blessing for all of my children, from my oldest, down to my youngest, for years. I have sung your praises and have always had such great respect for you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the impact you’ve had in our home school for so many years! God has used you immensely.
2nd of all, the Carman’s are my dear friends. I have ministered with them for many years. I have watched God open doors and stood by their side and prayed for them during the purchase of your company. I know their hearts. I know their Christian values. I respect them deeply. They are God honoring people. They seek after His truth. They are Godly examples, perfect for what God is doing within Apologia.
Now, I have heard you state several times ‘why would I speak against the Carman’s or Apologia, when I benefit from the sales?’ It appears that there was a strong enough irritant within the way the changes have occurred, and the overall differences between you, that you could hardly keep from speaking out. Your statements came across very arrogant and calculated, whether the fact that you felt a need to speak out or not, your comments convey a ‘character assassination’, making all question ‘Christian Values’. I am not judging your heart, I am questioning your judgment. It is obvious that your name is bigger than the Carman’s overall, and could appear to do more damage to them. However, what excites me more than anything is, that God is God, and He is sovereign over all of this. Nothing that we do on this earth can trump Him. The words that you spoke did criticize them but, in spite of it all, God will use it for good.
I agree with ‘Involved Home School Dad’. I truly think you should be ashamed of yourself. Finding a way to state you are leaving the company the right way, seems to not have been given as much thought and prayer as needed. If the Carman’s are truly not as ‘dirty’ after all, surely there would have been a more God honoring way to do such a thing, to mention differences without attacking character. I feel you owe the Carman’s and the home school community an apology for how you decided to cut your losses and speak so strongly. I feel you weren’t being lead by His spirit, but rather by your own flesh.
In spite of it all, I again thank you for all that you have done throughout the years. May God bless you in your next venture! Cherylle
Cherylle, thank you for your comment. As I told “Involved Homeschool Dad,” you are certainly misinterpreting my post. Nowhere do I call the Carmans dirty. I definitely did not disparage them. I simply made the honest statement that their values are in conflict with mine. Indeed, I refrained from giving details specifically because I did not want to appear to attack them publicly. Nevertheless, I had to make it clear that I do not support much of what they are producing, because MANY homeschoolers have thought I do. I did it in the most respectful way possible while at the same time being honest. I am sorry you misinterpreted it.
Dr. Wile,
I enjoyed meeting and listening to you speak in 2006 at the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati. I was especially touched by your friendliness and warmth since we are Jewish homeschoolers:) My husband and I did exhaustive research to find the right science curriculum as he is a MD/PhD (neurophysiology) and I am a RN pursuing my master’s in science to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. We have high standards and high expectations and your science courses are simply the best! In fact, another Jewish homeschooling family told us about your work.
While we share different religious views from you that has never been a problem in using your material. Our entire family has grown as we have discussed areas of agreement and disagreement with your work. Stimulating independent critical thinking and a love for learning are two of the main reasons we chose to homeschool and your courses have been an important resource for our family!
We just graduated our oldest this summer and he is heading to OSU this fall. We will begin your advanced biology course with our daughter this fall and she is so excited to get started!
I just wanted to let you know what a blessing you have been to our family. Thank you for letting us know the direction you are now taking and we look forward to all good things for you and your family. You will be in our prayers.
Cassie
Cassie, thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to me to know that our differing theologies did not hinder my books being beneficial for you!
Dr. Wile,
I am so sorry to hear of your departure from Apologia. As you know, we are the Australian Distributor for Apologia, and it has been interesting watching the direction that Apologia seems to be taking.
All my teens are using your science texts; we have found nothing in the homeschool market that even comes close to the quality and content that is included with your products.
Please keep in touch; I am most excited to hear about the new product line you have ‘in the making’. We would be honoured to continue to stock anything you choose to publish.
God bless you.
Thanks for your very kind words, L Maher. I truly loved my time in your beautiful country. I hope to return there soon!
Dr. Wile, a friend forwarded me your blog just today so this is the first I’ve heard about the sale, etc. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all you’ve done over the years for home schooling and for science. It is because of you and hearing you speak at a conference years ago, that I had the courage to continue home schooling through high school. I now have a daughter who is in college and a high school senior. We’ve stayed in home schooling due in large part to you, your encouragement to families and your wonderful curriculum! Best wishes for the future!
Keely, I don’t know what to say. Your words are so encouraging! The fact that I was able to help you in some small way to provide your children with the ultimate educational experience means the world to me.
Dear Dr. Wile, I just want to say how proud our family is of you for standing up for what you believe in. You are a wonderful role model.
Thank you,
The Smith Family
Thank you for your kind words, Debra.
Dr. Wile, I am very sorry to hear you are leaving Apologia. Three out of my six children have used your text books. They have been a blessing and we will continue to use them. I have also heard you speak at the NCHE conference and we hold you in high esteem.
At the same time I have served on the NCHE board with Rachael and Davis for 5 years. They have always been a shining example of Christ in all they do and say. And I also hold them in high esteem. I do hope this separating of ways will further Christ’s kingdom. I will be praying for both of you. And I will always have the utmost respect for both you and the Carmen’s.
Wendi
Thanks for your kind words, Wendi. I join you in praying that this separation will only further Christ’s kingdom.
Dr. Wile,
Thank you so much for everything that you have given the homeschool community. This is our first year (5th grade) using your books and my son is so excited that we are doing astronomy and zoology 1 at the same time.
We are saddened to hear of your leaving Apologia but I am certain that the Lord has plans for you and this was a needed change. It is our hope that we will be able to continue using the wonderful curriculum you have designed throughout the remainder of our schooling years. Please keep us posted to developments of your new project. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Ann
Thanks for your comment, Ann. While I helped with the elementary series, the credit for those excellent books goes to Jeannie Fulbright. My books start in 7th grade with general science.
Dear Dr. Wile,
Our family, too, has been blessed beyond words by your wonderful, God-centered science books, as well as your teaching tapes. In fact, “The ABC’s of Homeschooling” was quite affirming to us in our beginning days. Thank you for having the courage to stand against a rather strong tide in the Christian home school community. We have dear, godly friends on both sides of the issue, and believe with you that the Carmans love the Lord and will seek to serve Him. We know it must grieve your heart, this necessity of a line in the sand, but worldviews are of great importance. May the Lord bless you and your wife during this time of trial, and may He bless the Carmans, also.
S.J.
Thank so you much, S.J.!
Dr.Jay, as we call you in our household of Home-schooling,
You are always welcome to come back to New Zealand and speak in our Home-schooling meetings again! My husband and I only met you once, but we both felt your commitment to helping parents to educate their children. Thank you for your words of encouragement and for your quick answers to our questions by e-mail.
We look forward to your next visit to New Zealand!
God Bless!
Christine
Ah Christine, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to come back to New Zealand. I have to say that I have yet to find a more beautiful part of this amazing world!
I was a true enthusiast of your science books when my children were in high school, and I can only imagine how helpful, practical, and do-able your new line of homeschool products will be!
I used to pray for you and Davis corporately. Now I’ll pray for your continued successes individually.
Many blessings,
Sharon
Thank you so much, Sharon!
We love your stuff an will follow what you will be doing closely! Some of my kids are grown and some still at home but all have used your science books from middle school on!! They all love science! Check out a math curriculum called, “The Life of Fred”, written very similar to how you wrote your science books. I just got them and I am hoping that all the kids will love math just like they all love science. I beleive it is all in HOW it is written!
May God Bless you greatly for stepping out and standing up! I will make this into a Bible lesson tomorrow morning or maybe this afternoon!
Vickie
Vickie, I was introduced to The Life of Fred series while I was in Alaska. It is definitely a unique way to teach math!
Hi Dr. Wile,
I recieved an email ,”Changes at Apologia” today and read about your resignation.
“Wile chose to resign from Apologia, specifically pointing out in his blog that: 1) his Christian values are different from my Christian values, 2) he did not want to be associated with my vision and the new direction I was taking the company, and 3) his objection to the What We Believe series, the new biblical worldview curriculum we began publishing in the fall of 2009.”
This part of the email made me curious of what your objections are. Having read your aticles and heard you in person I found you to be quite logical in your thought processes.
Also, what happened to all the other comments ?
Mary, you need to click on “Older Comments” at the bottom to continue to scroll through the comments. My basic objection to the “What We Believe” series is that the vast majority of Evangelicals do not believe everything that is in the book, but the book presents its ideas as the only ones Christians believe. According to the book, C.S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, and Gleason Archer don’t have Biblical worldviews. Of course, the book doesn’t say that, but if you list everything the book says is a necessary part of a Biblical worldview, those Christian Luminaries do not believe all of what is on the list.
Having known the Carman family for almost 10 years, I have NEVER known them to oppose Christian values. Their faith has never changed. They serve the God of the bible and go back to the Greek and Hebrew for clarity and accuracy. They have a passion for the Word of God and He has placed them in a position to teach what they live. So please understand my confusion why a Christian can vehemently oppose their “view”… Knowing that God uses discontent to redirect us toward His will, isn’t if fair to assume that the Carman’s prayers are answered as well? But what I can’t figure out is why you would leave that relationship implying that the Carman’s aren’t good, bible believing, Christ-loving children of God.
Sue, I am sorry you misunderstood my post. The Carmans are opposed to MY Christian values, which are obviously quite different from theirs. Nowhere did I even imply that they are not good, Bible-believing children of God. Since they are producing materials that oppose my Christian worldview and indicate that there is no other way for a Christian to believe, I had no choice but to publicly announce my resignation.
I understand that you made certain statements in this post because you do not want your name to be associated with “Apologia vision” anymore. However, I think if you had simply said, “I am leaving Apologia, I am now going to be doing something else,” people would have stopped associating you with Apologia in a short time. Then, if they had come across ideas (in Apologia material) that they might be opposed to, they would know this did not come from you. That would have avoided the hurt and confusion you have caused.
HSmom, thanks for your comment. I think the confusion has been caused by people reading things into my post, not by the post itself. I could not just say “I am leaving Apologia,” because I have talked to several homeschoolers who thought the new books being put out by Apologia were approved by me. Instead, some were published over my strong objections. That had to be made clear.
Dr. Wile,
Thank you for clarifying the reasons you resigned without going into unnecessary detail. You have helped me to understand that the issue has more to do with vision, methods of instilling biblical worldview, and a hesitancy to promote one overarching doctrine over another. I have no less respect for either you or the Carmens. I will be praying that God will continue to show both parties the best way to handle your differences, allowing you all to honor Him first and each other as an outflow. I hope that we, the Body of Christ, do all we can to believe the best of both parties. I am confident that both you and the Carmans share that desire. Shalom.
Thank you for your comment Barbara. I wish others would have the decency that you have.
Dr. Wile, my girls are too young right now to use your curriculum, but it’s on my list to use in coming years. Will your separation from Apologia impact the content of the curriculum? If so, I may just go ahead and buy it now and shelve it until I need it. 🙂
Can’t wait to see what your new product will be!
BK
Becky, I don’t anticipate them changing my books in any substantive way. After all, why tinker with what already words so well? However, you will know if they do, because they will have to take my name off the books. Thus, as long as the books have my name on them, they are essentially the same as when I left Apologia.
Dr. Wile,
I am a math and science teacher at a classical Christian school and we value your books. Your books are great supplementary and support for me. Yet, there are aspects within your books that I may not 100% agree with and am inclined to present both sides of the argument. I will be praying for you and your family. Division is never pleasant. It however, is hard to understand how your core doctrines are that radically opposed to that of Mr. Carmen. Was there no room for “agree to disagree”? Since in your post to Sue’s comment, it would appear, that you believe them to be Christian brothers. Perhaps I might be able to empathize a little as oftentimes, as a math/science teacher, I feel relegated to my little world of math/science and great worldview topics are best left to those with Seminary training. Yet, we as Christians all have in our own ways a distinct Christian worldview, which of course is constantly growing the more we learn of His majesty. I guess we who are very intimate with your books are feeling a little bit unsettled. I cannot imagine how you are feeling. Speaking for that community, I am sure we know this must’ve been a tough decision, and right now that pit in the stomach feeling must be painful. May the Lord bless your new adventures and may the Lord use this to further His glory.
Travis
Travis, thank you so much for your kind comment. You are right. This has been a painful time. I usually have no problem with agreeing to disagree, but in this case, people thought that I was supporting the things with which I strongly disagreed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t fair to me or to the people who were purchasing under that assumption. Thus, this was the best thing to do.
Dr. Jay, I’m thankful that I’ve read your post and the thread of comments. It seems abundantly clear to me that this is a necessary change, as painful as it is. I will continue to pray for your peace and blessing as you move through the next season of your ministry (your materials are a ministry to our family). We look forward to your science materials this year with our junior high student.
I will continue to follow along as you develop the new line of materials. I pray you’ll be blessed and fruitful in that process.
Thank you for clarifying the situation from your position. I respect that.
Jennifer, thank you so much. You are right. It is a necessary but painful change. Thanks for your prayers! The line in the header comes from the fact that I used to make that mistake when I spoke. I would say things like, “As a Christian scientist, I can…” My wife and daughter kept telling me that I am not a Christian scientist, but a scientist who is a Christian. I finally got it through my head, but it took a while!
Oh. I forgot to mention that I think I “get” the Christian Scientist comment up there in the header. I was one…once…a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. 😉 Relationship is far better.
😉 I get it.
Thanks for clarify the concerns you have about the new series. Our family has a personal history with the damage that can be wrought with the presentation of Calvinism as the “right way for true Christians to believe”. The same goes for any man-made understanding/interpretation of Scripture. I used your General Sci and Physical Sci texts with both of my older kids for middle school–they are now doing fine in ps science classes because of the solid science they learned.
Mary, thank you for your comment and your kind words about my general and physical science courses. You are absolutely right – a LOT of damage can be done when ANY man-made interpretation of Scripture is presented as the “right way for true Christians to believe.”
Dr. Wile,
I just wanted to thank you so very much for writing Christian-based curriculum. I have done most of your “Exploring Creation with..” series and have really enjoyed them. I never considered science to be one of my favorite subjects, but when I began using your books that all changed. The format of the books meets my learning needs and allows me to be a successful, independent student. Even when I am reading something difficult in one of your books, I am able to understand it because of the way you clearly explain things. Currently, I am going through “The Human Body: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”. Because I have grown to love science thanks to your books, I am seriously considering a career in a science related field. Thank you so much, you have definitely impacted my life and I wish you well in this next season of your life.
Emily, thank you so much for your kind comment. I am thrilled that you have grown to love science with the help of my books!
Dear Dr. Wile and Family,
I just read about your split from Apologia. While it saddens me that this had to happen amongst fellow Christians, I completely feel your angst in having to make this decision and certainly understand your judgment. Your bravery in making a decision based upon your highest truth and dedication to our Lord is to be commended, especially in a world that is so valued for being “politically correct.”
My children were schooled at home, and the oldest ones started using your science curriculum in middle school. We came to trust the curriculum for its truth in presentation of facts from a biblical perspective without any bias or slant toward one particular perspective or another. This forced my children, all 6 of them, to use their intellect and not let anyone decide for them what their “world view” would be. They decided based upon research, facts, and reasoning, as was directed by the Holy Scriptures themselves in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” To us and our family, this was a God send, literally. And I am sure that the new generation, when old enough, will also benefit from your decisions.
Be assured that whatever decisions our Lord has led you to act on, are always right. As I tell my children, if it is a difficult decision, odds are that the hardest choice is the right one. Satan and his minions have had much time to ensure that they tempt us with the easiest, safest, or what appears to be the most self-preserving alternatives. No matter what nay-sayers taunt you with, remember that Job’s “friends” did the same, when they should have said, “Hang in there, you made the right decision. Yes, it is gonna be hard. That is always a given. But the reward will be worth it when you look at the man in the mirror.”
Dr. Wile, I challenge you to stand strong in your convictions as it is ultimately the children who will pay the price if you don’t. I challenge your family to support you and to help surround you with true friends and seekers of the true knowledge of our Lord. I know that the decisions you made were based on your highest truth. Your explanation to your friends and patrons further shows your dedication to true knowledge of the Lord. Colossians 2:8 states, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” I believe you are taking God at His word. I challenge you to committing yourself to continue to help the thousands of children your curriculum affects. In a world that is so against the Christian education, your curriculum has become a standard for excellence.
Lord, please send a legion of your angels to protect Dr. Wile and his family. Surround them with your peace and love. I ask this in the name of Jesus precious blood,
Annette Door
Villa Ridge, MO
Mother of 6
Grandmother of 9 1/2
Annette, thank you so much for your kind, heartfelt, and encouraging comment. I am glad that my books helped your students think for themselves and develop their own worldview. That was certainly my goal. I appreciate your prayer so much!