Why Study Geography?
The day is full of books already: history, literature, science…not to mention grammar, arithmetic, and language. Why study geography?
The very essence of geography provides the values, knowledge, concepts, and skills to better understand ourselves, our relationship to the earth, and our interdependence with the family of humanity with whom we share the world, the home God made for us all. If we choose not to study geography, our young people are unprepared for an increasingly global future. Without geography, we are raising young people to be ego-centric, thinking that they alone exist in the world, in a world that they share with no one, sole sailors in an empty pond, where their waves effect no one, and no one else’s waves effect them.
"Geography's important," says Microsoft's chief geographer, Tom Edwards. "And in a globalised world, it's very important. For us, it's part of building trust."
Why in the world is geography an important element of education? To build trust with our global neighbors.
Last year, then American Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “To solve most of the major problems facing our county today – from wiping out terrorism, to minimizing global environmental problems, to eliminating the scourge of AIDS –will require every young person to learn more about other regions, cultures, and
languages.”
Why in the world is geography critical to a successful education? Because geographical understanding is a key factor in the problems our children will face tomorrow.
Dr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld, author of eight books on education, including: "Homeschooling: A Parents Guide to Teaching Children" writes :
“Until the schools get back to studying geography as a subject worthy of serious attention, we shall continue to be a culturally backward country, self-blinded by the politically correct agenda of our progressive educators.”
Why in the world is geography fundamental to an education? So we may raise up an aware generation of compassionate citizens in a culturally knowledgeable, cognizant country.
If we have acknowledged that the study of geography is indeed key to an education, why is geography central, critical, to a Christian education?
- Because the Earth is the product of His very first act of creation
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1) And that is exactly what geography is: the study of earth, the study of that which He created in the very opening line of the story of truth. In light of the fact that we desire to worship our Creator God, how can we miss the study of geography, how can we miss out on studying that which He created first?! To study geography, is to study His very first act of creation.
- Because the Earth is our window into the glory and knowledge of God
“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)
In the heart of every Christian homeschooling parent is the cry: “Let my child see and know the one True God!” Geography answers that heart cry.
Study God’s earth, study the skies, study all that is around us, and our children will clearly see GOD! Make the study of geography a priority, the study of all that God has made in our world, and our children will clearly see His invisible qualities, God’s eternal power, and divine nature. If one yearns for children to sincerely know God, the study of geography is a clear, time-tested, Biblical means to experience His power, to know our God personally! “Stop and consider God’s wonders.” (Job 37:14) It is time to stop, pick up a good book about Him and His earth, to take up geography …and consider His wonders. Marvel at who our Creator God truly is. To study geography, is to look at all that God has made and clearly see Him.
Yi-Fu Tuan, one of the world's greatest geographers, wrote, “Geography is the study of earth as the home of people.” And our God is passionate about people. How can we be passionate about people if we don’t know where other peoples live or how they live or how they interact with their environment or, as we are all made in His image, how we all are very inter-connected and similar—yet very different? To study geography, is not only to fall in love with the Maker of our home of Earth, but to become passionate about the family of people with whom we share Earth...and for whom He died.
- Because the Earth is about His other cherished creation: people
- Because the Earth’s people needs a geographically-aware, culturally- sensitive generation to rise up and impart His love
“In [the 1988 National Geographic-Gallup] study, Americans came in last [in geographical literacy] compared with their counterparts in eight other countries. Fourteen years later, things have not substantially improved. This is a cultural crisis, and it will take all our efforts to reverse the alarming trend of geographic apathy.” ~ John Fahey, president of the National Geographic Society
The people of this Earth need someone to care…and He has called us to be His hands and heart to a hurting world. Is the Lord leading you to fan into flame a passion in your children for geography—the study of His Earth and all the people who inhabit the home He has created for us? So that this generation of children may not only have knowledge about the world around them, but that they may go out into all the world, ambassadors for Him.
History is the study of His hand in the past, science is the study of His hand in branches of knowledge…but geography is the study of His hand now: in places now, and in people now.
Make Christ's Commission to go into all the world your homeschooling mission.
Study Geography: We'll be lost without it.
A Child’s Geography is a ministry of which all author royalties support World Vision, an internationally recognized Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.