One of the main ideas promoted by Gregg Harris is the principle of delight-directed study. This is the basis of Harris's homeschool, child training, and church reform activities. Harris bases this principle on Psalm 111:2, "Great are the works of the LORD, they are pondered by all who delight in them." He reasons that because God is good, everything that is necessary for human life is also a source of pleasure. It is when the pleasures of God are separated from the purposes of God for those pleasures that an activity becomes sinful, "God dishonoring", and self-destructive. Harris interprets this principle to state that boredom is the absence of learning and loneliness the absence of social connectedness. Therefore, education and study, for good or ill, is nurtured best through what he calls the "power of companionship" among "fellow enthusiasts". All of these ideas are laid out in his various seminars and workshops as described on the blog of Noble Institute. According to his principle, many social ills are actually the negative consequences of delight-directed study among foolish, often age-segregated people,, while many of the greatest human accomplishments are the consequence of delight-directed study among wise, age-integrated fellow enthusiasts. Harris argues that this is why academic and hobby clubs are often more effective than classes offered on the same subjects. The social forces in a classroom are often at odds with its very purpose, whereas the social forces in a well-run club are more supportive of excellence in the topic of interest to the club.
Harris family
Some of Gregg Harris's seven children have gained recognition. His oldest son Joshua Harris is a former pastor and author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye. His twin sons, Alex and Brett Harris, are founders of The Rebelution, a Christian teen website and authors of the book Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. In addition to his seven children, Gregg Harris has fifteen grandchildren.
Controversy
In 1995 Harris was one of several named in an anti-trust suit by Cheryl Lindsey Seelhoff. Seelhoff's business, which promoted home education and traditional family life, had suffered when her involvement with a man other than her husband became known. After her remarriage, she brought suit against a number of homeschooling leaders for various causes of action including defamation, slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional interference with commerce, and violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Seelhoff mentioned Harris in her original complaint. Harris' insurance company settled out of court before legal proceedings began.
