Book Review: Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws by Carl Shafer

This review covers Excellence in Teaching with the Seven Laws by Carl Shafer. In this book, Shafer offers a contemporary adaptation of John Milton Gregory's original seven laws of teaching. First published in 1985 by Baker Book House, this updated edition was released in 2015 by Wipf & Stock Publishers. Notably, this edition includes a preface by Philip E. Runkel, the current Superintendent of Public Instruction, who occupies the position once held by Gregory, the originator of these foundational teaching principles. I will note that this reprint features an unremarkable generic cover and a fairly large font size. 

Carl Shafer was known as an author, life coach, mentor, and teacher.[1] Holding a doctoral degree in education degree from Western Michigan University, Shafer had a passion for teaching and had taught at numerous universities.[2] In addition to his academic contributions, he served as the Human Resource/Public Relations Manager at The Dow Chemical Company for 34 years.[3] Shafer had also been actively involved in teaching roles within various churches. His extensive experience in both educational, church, and corporate settings gives him a profound insight into John Milton Gregory's seven laws of teaching, which he adeptly adapts and summarizes in Excellence in Teaching with the Seven Laws for modern practicality. The original seven laws of Dr. John Milton Gregory, which this book re-illuminates, have been reprinted over twenty times. Gregory was not only a servant of the church, serving as a Baptist minister, but also distinguished himself in various educational positions, including as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan and President of Kalamazoo College and the University of Illinois.

As the editor of this reprint, Carl shares at the start of the book that his first introduction to the seven laws came through the encouragement of Pastor Charles R. Swindoll, who mentioned that John Milton Gregory’s teaching greatly benefited him.[4] By the time he released this book, the laws had become harder to find, yet their influence remained evident. Carl Shafer notes, “Even though these laws have been available for a hundred years, each new wave of teachers, trainers, and parents must discover and learn anew for themselves the art of education.”[5] The enduring relevance of these laws lies in their ability to help teachers make complex concepts simple and reproducible in the lives of learners.

The driving force behind both Carl Shafer in editing the seven laws and creating this resource was to remind those with teaching responsibilities of the timeless truths that lead to effective teaching and learning. Each section features a short reflection on each of the seven laws, along with rules for teachers to uphold these principles. It also highlights the many dangers and violations an instructor may unknowingly commit, which can undermine or hinder effective teaching. This resource is designed to be practical and straightforward, integrating practical psychological and educational principles. Shafer expounds on each of the seven laws, expounding on John Milton Gregory's insights and wisdom, while also adding his own experiences and habits. Overall this is a fairly short and easy read, just under 100 pages.

Carl introduces the seven laws of teaching by stating that they "are not difficult to understand."[6] He describes them as "so simple and natural that they almost suggest themselves."[7] However, I will note that the simplest things often contain the deepest truths, and we can sometimes overlook their depth by browsing past them too quickly. Finding richness in the work of Gregory, Shafer hopes to encourage “even greater use of Dr. Gregory’s ideas” and to create “masterful teachers,” by making his language more readable, but “without losing his wisdom.”[8]

The seven laws from Gregory are:

• The teacher must know the lesson, truth, or art to be taught.
• The learner must show interest in the lesson.
• The language used as a medium between teacher and learner must be common to both.
• The lesson to be mastered must be given in terms of truth already known by the learner - the unknown must be explained by means of the known.
• Teaching must arouse the pupils to learn things for themselves.
• Learning is thinking into one’s own understanding a new idea or truth, or working into habit a new art or skill.
• Teaching must be completed, confirmed, and tested by review, rethinking, and application.”[9]

However, Carl Shafer turns them into rules for teaching:

• Know thoroughly and be very familiar with the lesson you wish to teach – teach from a full mind and clear understanding.
• Gain and keep the attention and interest of your pupils. Do not try to teach without their attention.
• Use words which you and your pupils will understand in the same way. Use clear and vivid language.
• Begin with what is already well known to the pupil or has been experienced – and proceed to the new material by single, easy, and natural steps – letting the known explain the unknown.
• Stimulate the pupils' minds to action. Encourage the pupils to think of themselves as discoverers.
• Require your pupils to reproduce the lesson in thought and action, to work it out in its various phases and applications until it is expressed in the pupils' own language and action.
• Review, review, review, reproducing the old, introducing new thoughts to deepen the impression it has made, adding fresh meaning, finding new applications, correcting any false ideas and completing the true.”[10]

Again, each chapter breaks down one of the seven laws at a time, and gives a short reflection on each of the seven laws, along with rules for teachers to uphold these principles. It also highlights the many dangers and violations an instructor may unknowingly commit, which can undermine or hinder effective teaching. 

The first time I read this book was in 2014 for some undergraduate work in pastoral ministry at a local university. There was much I took from it then, but I find myself re-energized by it now as a pastor (River Corner Church), teacher, and Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission. It had been on my mind to re-read this book for some time, and I finally got around to it, realizing that it needed to continue shaping my approach to teaching. Additionally, as I continue my doctoral studies at Kairos University, part of my dissertation and doctoral project involves teaching the concepts of the Lord’s Prayer. I wanted to analyze Jesus’ approach to teaching in light of these seven laws to ensure that learners fully grasp what I am exploring in my doctoral work.

Carl Shafer succeeds admirably in his purpose of re-illuminating John Milton Gregory's seven laws of teaching for a contemporary audience. Shafer's strengths are shown in his ability to blend Gregory’s original wisdom with his own extensive experience in both educational and corporate settings; and keeping it up-to-date for our current global contexts. The book's clear structure, practical advice, and emphasis on the enduring relevance of these teaching principles are commendable. I find that this book remains highly relevant for modern educators, trainers, and parents - and should have a chance to shift and shape our learning contexts and approach to teaching. It serves as a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their teaching effectiveness through timeless principles. I recommend this book as an essential guide for anyone involved in education, whether in academic, corporate, or faith-based settings.

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Notes & Highlights 

[1] “Obituary Carl Ivan Shafer,” https://www.wswfh.com/obituaries/Carl-Ivan-Shafer?obId=2935830.

[2] “Obituary Carl Ivan Shafer,” https://www.wswfh.com/obituaries/Carl-Ivan-Shafer?obId=2935830.

[3] “Obituary Carl Ivan Shafer,” https://www.wswfh.com/obituaries/Carl-Ivan-Shafer?obId=2935830.

[4] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 13.

[5] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 15.

[6] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 15.

[7] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 15.

[8] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 16.

[9] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 17-18.

[10] Carl Shafer, Excellence in Teaching With the Seven Laws: A Contemporary Abridgement of Gregory’s Seven Laws of Teaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 18-19.