College Bound Reading List
Think about it… a dictionary is a tool that shapes one’s reasoning and knowledge as new words are learned. The worldview of a dictionary’s authors are reflected in their definitions. Does your dictionary reinforce and verify Biblical truths, or does it introduce conflicting values?
Webster’s 1821 American Dictionary of the English Language contains the worldview and vocabulary of the founding generation. This generation practiced Biblical reasoning, and they prized Christian character and virtue above all else.
Noah Webster was a Christian whose Biblical knowledge and research is clearly seen in his definitions. He is quoted as saying “Education is useless without the Bible” and is considered to be the “Father of American Christian Education.”
Noah Webster laid the foundation for the American usage of English words. He established a system of rules to govern spelling, grammar, and reading. He researched every word in their original languages to provide the root meanings. This master linguist understood the power of words, their definitions, and the need for precise word usage.
Furthermore, Noah Webster defined each word according to its meanings and usage in the Bible. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary contains the greatest number of Biblical definitions given in any reference volume. When words are defined in light of how they are used in the Bible, the Biblical principles of the subject are emphasized. Thus, a Biblical foundation of logical thinking and just reasoning is established.
Modern dictionaries tend to reflect current cultural corruptions, political correctness, and erosion of vocabulary. Newer dictionaries are necessary, of course, for looking up definitions of things that were not around during Noah Webster’s time. But for such important words as education, marriage, sin, law, government, etc. turn to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary first.
Want to learn more about Noah Webster? See: http://www.famoushomeschoolers.net/bio_noah.html
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