The New Answers book 4 Book Review (New Leaf Publishing)

I read The New Answers Book 4: over 30 questions on creation and evolution and the bible, in exchange for honest review by New Leaf Publishing. I was provided a pdf file of the book. The book was written by Ken Ham

The book starts out discussing Atheism. Ham discussed how Christians are adopting Atheism traditions in the home. Some traditions can include re-writing the scriptures; compromising on the biblical foundations of Genesis; and disbelief on some topics in the bible, such as Hell and the Resurrection.

The book is broken down into 33 questions. Each question deals with a different aspect of creation or evolution. Some of the topics include:

1. Dragons
2. Was Charles Darwin a Christian?
3. Could Noah's ark be made of wood?
4. Climate Change
5. Living Fossils
6. Did Noah need oxygen tanks on the ark?
7. Origin of the Solar System and Planets

I loved the last chapter on Atheism because my uncle is an Atheist. Even though he grew up in the church, he still doesn't believe in God. There may be hope though. The other day, I caught him listening to "Take me to the King" by Tamela Mann.

I also loved the chapter on cave men; science vs. religion; plants, and dragons. The dragon chapter was the most interesting. The bible mentions dragons, but over the years, dragons have gained mythical qualities.

Anyway, the book was a good read.

@2013 Stacie D. Wyatt

Tower of Babel

I read the Tower of Babel, in exchange for review from New Leaf Publishing group. I received the Kindle edition of the book. The book was written by Bodie Hodge and published by Master Books.

About the book: Copied from NLPG

The Tower of Babel: The Cultural History of Our Ancestors reveals our shared ancestry as never before! Many are familiar with the Biblical account of Babel, but after the dispersal, there was a void beyond Biblical history until empires like Rome and Greece arose. Now, discover the truth of these people groups and their civilizations that spread across the earth and trace their roots back to Babel as well as to the sons and grandsons of Noah.
Many of today’s scholars write off what occurred at the Tower of Babel as mythology and deny that it was a historical event. Beginning with the Biblical accounts, author Bodie Hodge researched ancient texts, critical clues, and rare historic records to help solve the mystery of what became of the failed builders of Babel. For the purpose of defending the Bible, Hodge presents these and other vital historical facts surrounding this much-debated event. Teens and older can use this layman’s reference for Biblical classes, ancient history, apologetics training, and to realize their own cultural connection to the Bible.
A speaker and researcher for Answers in Genesis, Bodie Hodge is known for his contribution to and authoring of other Christian apologetics titles including:
Begin
Fall of Satan
Answers Books Series
How Do We Know the Bible is True Vol 1 & 2
Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Series

My Review:

The book starts out with a discussion on how some people don't believe in the bible. Some people doubt the bible. Some people think the stories are made up (Noah's Ark and the Tower of Babel for example). The bible is under attack. The book is also easy-to-read, which is good  for any theology book. The chapters are short as well.  Next, the first chapter discusses how to pronounce Babel. Chapter two discusses attacks against Babel's existence (racism, mythology, and re-interpretation). I love how the book provides biblical proof for every attack. Then, the book goes into the biblical account of Babel. Before, the whole world had one language. Everyone could communicate with each other. Of course, someone (or a group of people) got an idea to bake some bricks. Another someone (or group of people) wanted to build a city, high as the sky. They wanted to be renown, but this displeased the Lord. The Lord decided to confuse this wonderful group by giving them multiple languages. No one understood the other and Babel was not completed. The people was also scattered across the Earth. Babel helped divide families and divide lands (Genesis 11: 1-9).

Chapter 6 focuses on why people was disobedient to God. Why did God confuse their language and scatter people across the heart? The book talked about how God is a fair Judge and does not punish without due cause. We also are sinners, falling short of the glory of God. The descendants of Noah, at that time, wanted to defy God, by scattering across the earth, on their own. The people also wanted to be renown and make a name for themselves, versus God. Chapter 7 focuses on when the scattering occurred. The book discusses how the scattering may have occurred 106 years after the Flood. The scattering may also have caused the world to break apart into multiple regions (sort of like Pangaea. One continent at first, but broke apart into multiple regions and continents). There already had been continental movements during the Flood (Mount Arafat, for example was formed during the flood) but more may have occurred after Babel. There is a chart, in Chapter 7,  which lists estimated biblical dates, determined by Archbishop James Ussher. Chapter 8 focuses on where the scattering occurred. Babel occurred between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Garden of Eden was also located near there.  YET, The Tigris and Euphrates may not be the same Tigris and Euphrates from the Garden of Eden. Sometimes people name places after other people, places, and things (Martin Luther King, Thames River (3 locations), Versailles. Names can transfer from one thing to another thing. The book also discusses Babylon.



Other topics in the book include:

1. Chapter 9: Was the tower built or not? (The tower was built, but  the city was not completed, according to one source. Another source says the tower was built, but not finished). 
2. Chapter 10: The purpose of Babel (To prevent another flood; idolatry; fame; astronomy; sacrifice; burial
3. Chapter 11: What did the tower look like? (rounded, pyramid, ziggurat, etc) 
4. Chapter 12: Did the languages of today all come from Babel?
5. Chapter 13: Nations and genealogies, which go back to Noah
6. Chapter 14: Nimrod
7. Chapter 15: Continental splitting
8. Chapter 16: How did the people travel while scattering
9. Chapter 17: Where did the people go initially
10. Chapter 18: Asia, Americas, and Austrailia
11. Chapter 19: Noah's sons
12. Chapter 20: Did the people listed in the account at Babel have other children?
13. Chapter 21: did people really live a long time, in biblical ages?
14. Chapter 22: decrease in ages
15. Chapter 23: ancestor worship
16. Chapter 24: are there any extra-biblical accounts of the split
17. Chapter 25: The origin of writing
18. Chapter 26: Original languages
19. Chapter 27: The pentecost and Babel
20. Chapter 28: Why is biblical authority relevant concerning Babel
21. Chapter 29: Seeing Christ at Babel

I was definitely impressed with this book. I normally do not read theology because some of it is difficult to understand. I prefer the practical knowledge. How can I apply this theory to my life?  This book was easy to read and easy to follow. The chapters are short. Each section also has footnotes and references for additional study. Definitely am thinking of getting a print edition.  I chose this book because I have heard of Babel in the bible, but did not know much of anything else about it.  The book also had easy to read charts and photographs.

Advice for Seekers

I read Advice for Seekers, in exchange for review from New Leaf Publishing Group. The book was written by Charles H. Spurgeon. The book was also published by Attic Books, A division of New Leaf Publishing Group. I received a paperback of the book. Currently, the paperback is available on Amazon for $4.00 and the kindle version is $1.75. The print version is 11.69 (on sale), but 14.99 regular price.

About the author: (Copied from NLPG)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 to 1892) remains a respected and influential source of inspiration and study. His classic collections of devotions for morning and evening remain a beloved treasure of wisdom and teaching for Christians.

About the book: 

First, the book is a reproduction of the 1890's classic work.
The book focused on "removing the barriers we too often place between our faith and God's love" (Copied from the back of the book).

I chose the book because I wanted to read more Christian-based books, especially practical knowledge and theology. I tried to get into the book, but it is a lot of language, I did not understand. For example, "There is no attribute  of God, which self-righteousness does not impugn" (p. 2). Luckily, my mother reads a lot of theology and helped on some of the passages. I definitely recommend pulling up a dictionary as you read the book.  You will see such words as comest, contemned, thee, doth, seeketh, and tis. Some passages are just hard to read. I am still reading and re-reading the book for understanding.

Impugn: (Copied from dictionary.reference.com)

m·pugn

  [im-pyoon]  Show IPA

verb (used with object)

1.

to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.

2.

Archaic. to assail (a person) by words or arguments; vilify.

3.

Obsolete . to attack (a person) physically.

Ecology Book Review

I read The Ecology Book, in exchange for review from New Leaf Publishing Group. The book was written by Tom Hennigan and Jennifer Lightner. The book was published by Master Books.

I liked how the book is divided into levels, based by grade and reading level.  Each level is denoted by a different, colored background. Level 1 is on a white background. Level 2 is on a green background. Level three is on a blue background. Level one grade level is 5th to 6th. Level two's grade level is 7th and 8th. Level three's grade level is 9th to 11th.

The book is also Christian-based.

Why I chose the book:

I chose the book because I am homeschooling my son. I can incorporate the book into his science curriculum. I also like how the book is Christian-based. I have reviewed another curriculum book from New Leaf and was pleased with the results. The book was simple to read and easy to use. I also liked how the book started off with discussing the trinity of God. It is a good thing to start off with God in anything we do. The book also has Christian-based quotes and bible verses throughout the book. Each section starts off with 5 questions: Who, What, Where, Why, and  How. Each section also has words to know--a few vocabulary words for the students to learn more about. I also then followed the Level 1 sections to learn and teach from. My son is special needs. I did read the other levels because I am on a higher reading level. I loved the book .  I also loved the graphics in the book. The graphics was bright and colorful. The pictures showed different plants and animals in various environments. 

Second, I liked how the book discussed ecology and the environment. From animal families to ecologists to keeping the planet clean. The book also discussed the relationships between predator and prey. Other topics included ecosystems, energy, the food chain, lichens, fungus, water conservation, bacteria, and microbes. 

Next, I loved the building memories section in Chapter 2. The section discussed hearing the darkness. I (and the kids) should listen for animals in the dark. Darkness does not mean death. You have owls, hooting; bats, flying, and other nocturnal animals, living, breathing, being connected to us. The animals have relationships. They eat, drink, sleep, and so do humans. 

Each section was short and to the point. The words were simple to comprehend. Each section also ties to God and his wonderful creations. 

The book is available for pre-order on Amazon for 16.99