What are the differences between Module 520 and "Understanding the Times"? (from author - Robert Velarde)

  • 1. 520 includes a lot more content (six books that provide perspective from many authors). Specifically, 520 includes about 1800 pages of book content (not counting the IG which is close to 300 pages for the Parent Guide), while Understanding the Times is about 500 pages of content).
  • 2. There is a lot more emphasis on ancient and medieval philosophy in 520 (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas). This is mainly in Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans.
  • 3. More philosophy proper is covered in 520. By that I mean a lot more depth on areas such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and logic. Understanding the Times covers philosophy and ethics, but not in as much detail as 520. One of the books in 520 provides a solid foundation to the nuts and bolts of philosophy (Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult), which are relevant when it comes to evaluating worldviews.
  • 4. 520 has more emphasis on the fine arts, as well as the relationship between Christianity and culture (especially in Total Truth).
  • 5. Some worldviews addressed in 520 are covered in more depth than in Understanding the Times (nihilism and existentialism, for instance, are covered in The Universe Next Door).
  • 6. The worldview/Bible books in 520 are not specifically designed as textbooks, but Understanding the Times is a textbook.
  • 7. The history portion of 520 is scheduled in tandem with the worldview/Bible books resulting in a better understanding of the historical and culture milieu in which worldviews arose and developed.
  • 8. 520 tackles in depth questions about private faith versus public/cultural interaction (sometimes called the “two story” separation). This has to do with the false view that religion is private/subjective/feeling based only, while other realms, such as science, are in the area of reason and facts. The result is that religion is minimized or denigrated. Pearcey tackles this in Total Truth.
  • 9. There are more than 30 supplemental articles in 520 that address controversial topics by presenting multiple perspectives.