Christian Book Notes

IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity.  Edited by Charles Laverdiere.  Green Forest: Master Books, 2012.  384 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

This book is a companion to the DVD by the same name.  You can purchase the DVD here.  Colin Gunn, Co-Director of the video, states, “In presenting this book as an accompaniment to our film, one of our objectives is to equip the homeschooling public with the ammunition necessary to effectively defend our educational choices….using these resources to graciously challenge our brothers and sisters who are still deceived by the public school system.”

Ultimately, the contributors, directors and editors are seeking to sound an alarm and wake the rest of the world up to what is happening in out public school system.

Summary

Consisting of 23 chapters and 5 appendices over 384 pages, the reader is treated to a fairly in depth study of what is taking place in the public school system.  There is practically no stone left unturned and they certainly hit the ground in a dead sprint.  By the second chapter, the reader is already confronted with the reality of why kids are being drugged (see ADD & ADHD) and how they are being dumbed down (ch. 3).  The rest of the book looks at the various and many ways in which the government is now running the public schools and turning our children into mindless young men and women who are told what to think and become incapable of thinking for themselves all the while proclaiming their independence and ability to think and make decisions for themselves!

Review

Initially, this resource seems to be as though preaching to the choir.  If you are homeschooling, it is more than likely because you are frustrated with the public school system for various reasons – many of which are detailed in IndoctriNation.  Nonetheless, there are so many reasons to not send your child through the public school system that even the most knowledgeable of homeschooling parents may not be aware.  this resource will offer sound reasoning for each “issue” that the parent (and child) will be better equipped to deal with the consistent and continual attacks on the homeschoolers.

While this book (and DVD) does serve as a rally cry and a call to arms as we engage in what amounts to a war for our children and nation, it does not do so disparagingly.  The key word in the above quote by Colin Gunn is “graciously.”  They are able to accomplish this much better than I anticipated.

Recommendation

For those considering homeschooling, I highly recommend this resource.  For those who are homeschooling, I highly recommend owning a couple copies of this resource as you are sure to give away a few copies!  The truth is, we are engaged in a war of worldview and with the massive amounts of resources by the worldly, we must be shrewd and wise in our dealings.  IndoctriNation offers a quality resource that equips the parent, child, and Christian to defend not only their personal decisions, but also to defend the faith given to us once for all.  It starts in the home.  May we be cognizant of this fact.

Dr. Ashton, John F.  Evolution Impossible: 12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth.  Green Forest: Master Books, 2012.  208 pp.  $13.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

Dr. John Ashton has been a science teacher and researcher for over forty years.  He currently serves as an adjunct professor of biomedical sciences and applied sciences in Melbourne, Australia. You can connect with Dr. Ashton at Facebook and Twitter.

Summary

The book is packed full of information over fourteen chapters and 200 pages.  Each chapter is fairly straight forward and offers a more logical understanding of the evidences we have before us concerning the theory of evolution.  Chapter one deals with just that…evolution is a theory not a fact.  Chapter two offers a synopsis of Darwin’s theory which is the launching point for the twelve reasons why evolution cannot explain life’s origins.

With topics ranging from living cells not being able to arise by chance to what the fossil records really show (hint: it’s extinction not evolution) to evidences both geologically and historically for a global flood all the way to evidences for the existence of an intervening God (not a deistic god), there is enough information here to keep the reader equipped for some time.

Review

I appreciated Dr. Ashton’s straight-forward, common sense approach to the information presented.  While he is obviously biased against evolution, he does not allow that bias to taint the objective facts that are presented.  Furthermore, he does not skew the facts so that his case is made more “effective.”  Rather, he allows the evidence to speak for itself.

For example, his chapter on current erosion rates is well researched and attested and therefore shows logically how millions of years are not possible.  Quite frankly, he simply offers a different framework from which to view the evidence.  Often times, this is all it takes.  If one must jump through hoops to force a square peg through a round peg hole, then one ought to take a look from a different angle at the evidences being studied.  In other words, allowing for ALL possible explanations goes a long way in finding a solution.

Recommendation

I recommend this resource to all who are interested in the discussion on evolution and creation.  There is a lot of information presented in this book making it an extremely useful book for various classwork and apologetic discussions.  If you are in high school or college, this resource will be of great use as you will certainly be asked to defend your views of creationism (that is, if you hold to that view).

Master Books®, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, will award one $3000 scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic school year.  The 2012 Master Books® Scholarship Essay Contest is open to any high school junior or senior or the equivalent thereof from any public, private, or homeschool venue. For additional terms and conditions click here.

The Essay:

Students planning to apply for this scholarship can download a FREE chapter of the book, Meet the Skeptic: A Field Guide to Faith Conversations by Bill Foster here. After reading this chapter, students are invited to write a 500-1500 word essay with the following focus: Compare and contrast the four kinds of skepticism, and discuss how an understanding of “root ideas” can help a Christian focus on the core issues of a debate rather than being caught up by the countless objections of skeptics.

The essay will be judged on creativity, clarity of thought, accuracy, research, grammar, and spelling.

Also, click here to download and complete the scholarship application.

Tim Dudley, the president of New Leaf Publishing Group, initiated the annual Master Books® scholarship program in 2008. This investment is evidence of the company’s focus on teaching and defending the authority of the Bible and developing a Christian worldview within this generation.

Master Books® is the world’s largest publisher of creation based material for all ages; including apologetics, homeschool resources, reference titles, and quality children’s literature.

Ham, Ken and Mally.  Illustrated by Jeff Albrecht.  A is for Adam: The Gospel from Genesis.  Green Forest: Master Books, 2011.  77 pp.  $16.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $11.42.

Introduction

At this point, Master Books and New Leaf Publishing no longer needs to be introduced.  Ken Ham is in the same boat.  Ken is the founder of Answers In Genesis–a ministry dedicated to reclaiming the authority of Scripture especially the foundation of the Bible in Genesis 1.  You can read other reviews I have written of Ken’s books here.

Summary

A is for Adam is a spiral bound tent-book designed for homeschooling families and/or the classroom.  On one side of the book (the side facing the child) there is a vibrant colorful picture with a few lines for the child to see.  On the back page (the side facing the parent or teacher) is a lesson plan.  There is a “let’s read” highlighted in yellow that allows the parent to read what is before the child.  The next point is “The Starting Point.”  This gets the lesson rolling.

“Bible Bits” offers some bullet points to offer discussion topics for the instructor.  ”Let’s Talk” further enforces the lesson plan and is set up such that the child has to respond which is great for discussion and knowing if the child is understanding what is being taught.  ”Always Remember” drives home the important lesson for that particular letter and is a key component to the gospel message being shared with the child.

“Visual Vocabulary” offers some interaction with the picture itself while the “Stuff to Do” section gives more critical thinking and interaction.  The “Quick Review” helps to ensure the child has comprehended the lesson for the particular letter.

At the back of the book are further notes for each letter.  These are best read before the lesson and will help to give the teacher the overview of the discussion and the lesson.

The final element of this resource that is extremely helpful are the free coloring pages one can download.  These can be used as take home pages or to keep small hands busy.

Review

This tool is one of the best put together resources for homeschooling, Sunday School, and even the standard classroom I have come across in some time.  In essence, you have a 26-lesson book completely prepared for your use.  You do not necessarily need to prepare longer than it takes to read the notes in the back of the book before each lesson.  Everything is spelled out on the instructor’s side of the resource.

The vividly colored drawings by Jeff Albrecht are top notch and will keep the child’s interest long enough to be able to get the lesson in without much concern of losing them.  What is best, and is to be expected with Ken Ham (thankfully!), is that the child (and possibly the parent) are being introduced to a biblical theology with the gospel being found (and rooted) in Genesis.

My wife literally started using this resource right out of the package with our 3 and 2 year old during their “letter time” during the school day.  That is how easy it is to use.

Recommendation

Yes, I have recommended everything from New Leaf Publishing very highly.  This resource is no different except that if you are teaching the alphabet to your children or you have smaller children still completely learning their ABC’s, you will find this tool to be invaluable.  Trust me.  I recommend this resource to all parents with small children, homeschooling or not.  Also, to all children’s ministers, you will want to make this resource available to your teachers in your department.

Parragon.  The World of Science: Fascinating Facts about the World of Science.  Green Forest, Master Books, 2011.  256 pp.  $24.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

This is the second book in what I am calling the “World of” series from New Leaf Press.  The other book is entitled The World of Animals and was reviewed here.  From the back of the book:

World of Science explores Gods creation all around us, from the furthest star in the Universe to the smallest atom under our feet. Through six accessible sections, children will gain an understanding of the importance of science in our ever-changing world. This book brings a fresh and engaging approach to all aspects of the subject, while a final section of practical activities and experiments makes the application of science fun and enjoyable.

Summary

As with The World of Animals, this book needs to be viewed to understand the quality and detail found on each page.  You can see a sampling of pages here.  This resource is divided into seven sections beginning with matter and chemicals.  Section two looks at energy, motion and machines and then proceeds through the rest of the non-life science disciplines.  The final section offers many (and I mean, many) experiments that will help your child see science in action.

Review

Again, there are a ton of pictures (over 800 I believe) over the course of 250 pages.  There is more information on one page of this resource than what is on many pages of a public school science book.  Personally, the section offering the experiments make this resource worth whatever the cover price.  Each experiment gives the reference to the page number and scientific subject that it covers.  As a parent who is involved in homeschooling, this section is gold.  My wife, who is more of a life scientist (she was a genetic engineer who worked on the Human Genome Project), will benefit the most from this section as she has found herself at a loss for fun and easy science experiments in these particular scientific disciplines.

Recommendation

Wow!  I highly recommend this resource to any family who has an inquisitive child who wants to know how things work and why.  If you are a home schooling parent, you will immediately fall in love with this resource.  This will be a resource that is used over and over again in your home as your child(ren) grow.

Walters, Martin and Jinny Johnson.  The World of Animals: Fascinating Facts about the World of Animals.  Green Forest, Master Books, 2011.  256 pp.  $24.99.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

The website sums up this resource well:

The World of Animals investigates and describes the anatomy, behavior, and habitats of over 1,000 animals. From microscopic worms and insects to reptiles, birds, and mammals, this book will provide children with an insight into the incredible range of life in God’s wonderful world. This comprehensive but easy-to-use book boasts a wide range of features to help bring its readers face-to-face with the science and beauty of the living world.

Summary

The best way to summarize this resource is to allow you to see it for yourself.  You can see a selection of fifteen pages here.  Trust me, the colorful pages will speak for themselves.  As for a summary, you have seven basic sections throughout the book beginning with simple animals and moving to fish, amphibians, birds and finally mammals.

Each basic section has a plethora of different animals therein.  For example, the “simple animals” include sponges, jellyfish, sea anemones (think Finding Nemo) and Corals.  Fish include gars, herrings, salmon, catfish, tuna, and marlins.  Throughout the pages, you will find “world watch” boxes that offer information about a particular animal around the world.  Also, there are what I call “did you know” boxes that give tidbit trivia type information.

Review

This book is as interesting as it is colorful.  While I know it is supposed to be for students, I could not help but flip through it over and over again.  There is so much information on each page that this will be one of those resources that you will learn something new every time you open it.

The organization of the book is well done.  All one needs to do is look at the contents page (two facing pages) to see quickly what is in the book and where it is located.  Once you turn to that page you are greeted with more information than you think does exist about the animal.

Recommendation

I know there is at least a second book in this “World of” series, World of Science.  One can only hope that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  If your children enjoy biology or books on animals at all, then The World of Animals is a must own.  If you are a homeschooling parent, you will want to get a copy of this for your reference as well as for your children.  It is, after all, co-published by My Father’s World.