As we continue our investigation of homeschooling and homeschooling companies, this week the focus will be on Bob Jones University Press. In the early 1970s it became apparent that if there were to be academically solid, biblically sound science textbooks, Christian teachers of science would have to write them. George Mulfinger and Emmett Williams agreed and were commissioned to write a high school physical science textbook.
At nearly the same time, God impressed on Dr. Bob Jones III that Christian schools needed Christian textbooks if they were to maintain their vision. By the time Mulfinger and Williams had completed the manuscript for Physical Science for Christian Schools, Bob Jones University was preparing to embark on textbook publication.
At that time the University Press had been publishing a few books and booklets by such writers as Ian Paisley, the doctors Jones, and Charles Woodbridge. It also produced a periodical, the brainchild of Dr. Jones Jr., Faith for the Family. The machinery—human and otherwise—producing books, booklets, and the periodical, was called upon to help prepare the science text manuscript for printing.
The printing staff was small—and busy; so to expedite getting camera-ready pages to the outside book manufacturer on time, dozens of volunteers from the faculty and staff worked in the evenings to proofread and make corrections. After a heroic team effort the Physical Science textbook was published in 1974—the first child in what would become a large family of materials for Christian educators. Even before that book was in print, authors had begun work on elementary Bible and science textbooks.
Over the next decade, more materials appeared, such as the Bible series for the elementary grades, Bible Action Truths, the reading and handwriting series, and philosophy pamphlets on Christian education as well as the first media attempt, a filmstrip series on science.
From 1981 through the mid-nineties, the complete product line made its debut: all K4-grade12 materials for Christian schools were now available. And so was much more. New Beginnings, the program BJU Press offers to teachers and administrators each summer, began in 1985. That same year BJU Press also began offering a testing service (now called BJU Press Testing & Evaluation) to small Christian schools and homeschoolers. In 1986 Book for Young Readers (now called JourneyForth Books) released its first novel. Publication of commentaries and Christian living titles continued (as it had from the beginning) under the imprint Bob Jones University Press. SoundForth Music was organized in 1990, as was HELP Conference. The Academy of Home Education was approved by Dr. Bob III and introduced at the HELP conference in 1992.
In early 1995, BJ LINC began broadcasting its live interactive classes, using BJU Press secondary materials, to Christian schools. Later that fall, some homeschools leased tapes of the BJ LINC broadcasts. In 1997, BJ HomeSat began creating programs, using BJU Press elementary materials, in order to meet the demand from homeschooling families for quality teaching support specifically for them; the first broadcast went out in the fall of 1998.
At one time, BJU Press had one textbook for sale, operated largely with volunteers, and was housed in a 6’ by 10’ room. Today, producing and promoting BJU Press textbooks, distance learning classes, and myriad other offerings involves nearly 450 employees—with many talents and skills—in several buildings and even from remote locations. All of these individuals, however, are united behind the same vision that motivated the two science professors who first set out to provide Christian students with a truly Christian perspective in their studies.
At nearly the same time, God impressed on Dr. Bob Jones III that Christian schools needed Christian textbooks if they were to maintain their vision. By the time Mulfinger and Williams had completed the manuscript for Physical Science for Christian Schools, Bob Jones University was preparing to embark on textbook publication.
At that time the University Press had been publishing a few books and booklets by such writers as Ian Paisley, the doctors Jones, and Charles Woodbridge. It also produced a periodical, the brainchild of Dr. Jones Jr., Faith for the Family. The machinery—human and otherwise—producing books, booklets, and the periodical, was called upon to help prepare the science text manuscript for printing.
The printing staff was small—and busy; so to expedite getting camera-ready pages to the outside book manufacturer on time, dozens of volunteers from the faculty and staff worked in the evenings to proofread and make corrections. After a heroic team effort the Physical Science textbook was published in 1974—the first child in what would become a large family of materials for Christian educators. Even before that book was in print, authors had begun work on elementary Bible and science textbooks.
Over the next decade, more materials appeared, such as the Bible series for the elementary grades, Bible Action Truths, the reading and handwriting series, and philosophy pamphlets on Christian education as well as the first media attempt, a filmstrip series on science.
From 1981 through the mid-nineties, the complete product line made its debut: all K4-grade12 materials for Christian schools were now available. And so was much more. New Beginnings, the program BJU Press offers to teachers and administrators each summer, began in 1985. That same year BJU Press also began offering a testing service (now called BJU Press Testing & Evaluation) to small Christian schools and homeschoolers. In 1986 Book for Young Readers (now called JourneyForth Books) released its first novel. Publication of commentaries and Christian living titles continued (as it had from the beginning) under the imprint Bob Jones University Press. SoundForth Music was organized in 1990, as was HELP Conference. The Academy of Home Education was approved by Dr. Bob III and introduced at the HELP conference in 1992.
In early 1995, BJ LINC began broadcasting its live interactive classes, using BJU Press secondary materials, to Christian schools. Later that fall, some homeschools leased tapes of the BJ LINC broadcasts. In 1997, BJ HomeSat began creating programs, using BJU Press elementary materials, in order to meet the demand from homeschooling families for quality teaching support specifically for them; the first broadcast went out in the fall of 1998.
At one time, BJU Press had one textbook for sale, operated largely with volunteers, and was housed in a 6’ by 10’ room. Today, producing and promoting BJU Press textbooks, distance learning classes, and myriad other offerings involves nearly 450 employees—with many talents and skills—in several buildings and even from remote locations. All of these individuals, however, are united behind the same vision that motivated the two science professors who first set out to provide Christian students with a truly Christian perspective in their studies.
BJU Press Vision Statement
The vision of BJU Press is to be the leading provider of Christ-centered resources for education, edification, and evangelism.
BJU Press Mission Statement
BJU Press is committed to providing excellent products and services that meet the needs of customers, support and extend the ministry of Bob Jones University, and promote the cause of Christ.
BJU Press Philosophy Statement
BJU Press exists to provide educational, evangelistic, and edifying materials worldwide. The materials have always had these two non-negotiable aims:
To encourage users to become more Christ-like in their thinking and grow in service to God
To help users represent Christ well before the world
There you have it. BJU Press may very well be the homeschooling company you would like to associate with.
To view a complete line of Bob Jones University Press homeschool materials, click here!
To view homeschool materials in general, click here!
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May God Richly Bless Your Life!
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