Book Review: Comparative Religions: Practical Apologetics for the Real World

 

This is a teacher's guide to use alongside World Religions and Cults (a 3 volume series) for grades 11-12. While the books themselves are an eye-opening, insightful, and heart-opening series to reach those who need to hear the Gospel message, one can also use this convenient teacher's guide to organize and follow through the series; a resource to add value to learning. If followed as structured, this is a one year course, offering 1 full high school credit. Assignments are laid out as a 5-day/week schedule (which is flexible based on teacher and student). It's also broken down by quarter and semester. Although the book is called a teacher guide, by 11/12th grade, students are typically self-guided. The book itself is a complete set of worksheets (based on student's reading), quizzes and tests. If purchased as a complete set through www.masterbooks.com, there is a timeline chart that is included that give a visual representation to the origins of various religions. I haven't seen it in person, but it's on my wishlist; appears to be another insightful resource.

Book Review: World Religions and Cults, Vol. 3 ~ Bodie Hodge & Roger Patterson

As previously reviewed, World Religions and Cults is a 3 volume set. Volume 3 focuses on Atheistic and Humanistic Religions. Atheism, Agnosticism, Secular Humanism, Nazism, Scientology (Thetanism/Church of Scientology/Hubbardism), Communism, Postmodernism, Epicureanism and Evolutionary Religions, Dualism, Christian Syncretism with Evolution and other belief systems (compromise), Religion of Naturalism, Materialism, and Empiricisim each have their own chapters.

Several appendices at the end of Volume 3 offer invaluable additional information. Learn about the Bible versus other religious books, what a martyr is, if morality is possible for a Secularist, what the intelligent design movement is, how evolutionary humanism destroys, how to respond to Atheist propaganda and skeptics, and what Evolution (with a capital E) means. Most importantly, for those who need this question answered, "What must I do to be saved?" has its own chapter. What it all comes down to is knowing the Truth because your life (literally) depends on it.

Book Review: World Religions and Cults, Vol. 2 ~ Bodie Hodge & Roger Patterson

World Religions and Cults, Volume 2, is focused on Moralistic, Mythical and Mysticism Religions. It's a continuation of Volume 1, which you can read about here. The religions, philosophies and cults discussed in this book are as follows: The New Age Movement (Pantheism, Monism), Taoism, Hinduism (Hare Krishna), Jainism, Sikhism, Paganism, Voodooism, Wicca & Witchcraft, Druidism, Animism (Spiritism), Egypt's Ancient Religion, Norse & Germanic Mythology, Syncretism in Latin American Religions, Greek Mythology, Stoicism (Epicureanism), Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Unitarian.

Understanding the origin of countless world religions is key to understanding the meaning behind their teachings, beliefs and practices. Origins are discussed, including the origin of Christianity. Chapter 22 is dedicated to helping Christians share the Gospel message with the understanding of where origins and teachings differ. Appendices at the end are a tremendous resource. Appendix 1 offers insight into reaching out to various religions with the Gospel message. Appendix 2 is a logical expose on the irrationality of Atheism, polytheism, Deism, and Unitarianism.

Book Review: World Religions and Cults, Vol. 1 ~ Bodie Hodge & Roger Patterson

World Religions and Cults is a 3-volume series of books, each divided into a subcategory. Volume 1 is a 425 page book that deals with counterfeits of Christianity. The religions discussed within its covers are: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Judaism, Mormonism, The Baha'i Faith, Deism, Satanism, Freemasonry, Zoroastrianism, Worldwide Church of the Creator (The Creativity Movement), and Moonies/The Unification Church.

This is more than a book series that discusses the differences between religions and the whys behind varying practices. Its basis is from a presuppositional apologetics stance; God's Word is the absolute authority. Hodge and Patterson detail the origins of religions and take on secular religions (in another volume). In the most basic of terms, World Religions and Cults is separating God's Word and Man's Word. The reader will discover what defines various world religions, lesser-known religions, cults, and philosophical systems. Understanding worldviews and the fact that everyone holds presuppositions is key to seeing viewpoints of others and testing everything based on God's Word.

Book Review: Hope of Nations ~ John S. Dickerson

The premise is exactly as written on the cover: Standing strong in a post-truth post-Christian world.

Dickerson's book takes readers through current events and how ideologies are at war for control over peoples' minds and hearts. To help explain what is currently happening in our society and the world at large, there is a focus on five forces that are working to shape the world; each expanded upon within its own chapter.

Eye-opening, this book is intended to bring awareness, understanding, and be used as a preparedness tool. You will finish this book feeling more aware of the reasons surrounding current events, and encouraged to see that God is still in control. Events will continue to spiral more out of the realm of light into darkness. Yet, God's Word will always remain unchanged and His truth remains forever.

Dickerson reminds us that we need to remain (or become) rooted in God's Word, train our children in truth, reach out to others (even when it becomes more difficult) in Jesus' name, love and pray for our persecutors, and live fearlessly for our Lord. 

Book Review: The Memorization Study Bible ~ Thomas Meyer

Professor Thomas Meyer (AKA The Bible Man) has memorized multiple scripture passages and 20 complete books of the Bible; a feat made even more incredible when one realizes he does not have a photographic memory. 

The Memorization Bible is the KJV of the New Testament. Mr. Meyer has organized verses to begin, where possible, with conjunctions or prepositions. There are brief, yet concise, directions explaining how to best memorize for long term memory storage. Emphasis is also placed on writing out the verses as suggested with up to 8 words per line and incorporating both oral and written recitation. Devoting time and energy to this process is a given, but what a gift!

As I age, I feel less capable of memorizing anything significant, yet, this method gives me hope. As both a homeschool parent and Sunday school teacher, I want to memorize God’s Word alongside our children. I tape weekly verses on the window to review while washing dishes, cut strips of verses to use as bookmarks,...whatever will remind me. I look forward to trying this scientific method of memorization with myself, family, and Sunday School class. The best part is, it's another way to immerse oneself in God's Word and hide it in your heart.

Book Review: My Story and the World Around Me 1

My Story and the World Around Me 1 is a large text/workbook/teacher’s guide all-in-one single year course geared towards grades 1-2. Take your child through social studies, starting with his/her family and expand through community, city, and country into other countries/continents around the globe. I appreciate that Mr. Froman and Mr. Froman have incorporated language (Spanish & French words), interactive dialogue/questions, vocabulary, and the element of an adventurous quest into 36 weeks of geography and history lessons. It’s a difficult task to design a meaningful course that can seamlessly switch between current events/geography and Biblically accurate historical events that help children understand why history has a direct impact on today’s world. Where did everyone come from? Why are there different languages around the world?

Designed to be a half hour lesson daily, there is flexibility to work within a routine that best works for your schedule. For us, I’d likely combine 2 lessons to work through three days per school week. My Story and the World Around Me 1 includes eye catching photography, puzzles, copywork, maps, journal questions, reviews, quizzes, and hands on activities. Clicking on the link above will direct you to the Master Books website where you can download a preview of My Story and the World Around Me. I look forward to using this book with future years with our youngest.

Book Review: Language Lessons for a Living Education 2

Language Lessons for a Living Education 2, written by Kristen Pratt, is an all inclusive (includes a recommended list of reading books) 2nd grade language arts course. Phonics, sentence formation, reading comprehension, spelling, types of words (antonyms, synonyms, etc.), worksheets, quizzes, and dictionary-building are a sampling of the course work. Students will be practicing independent reading of age/ability-appropriate books which the parent keeps track of on a chart. Over the school year, scripture memorization, writing, oral narration, review, and vocabulary are practiced/retained.

I love that the “Tell Your Story” sections include illustration boxes for your student to add illustrations to his/her writing. The choice of font used throughout the book draws your child’s attention to the work or question at hand. Overall, it’s an aesthetically appealing book and continues to build on learned concepts.

We’ve used a variety of language arts curricula over the years with our children and there are aspects of each that I would love to see pulled together into one book. While this book is intended to stand alone, I’m going to use it (Language Lessons for a Living Education 3) as a supplement to our current language arts course and see how things progress side by side. I can see my son enjoying the format.

Master Books publishes fantastic homeschool books, such as this, that include various facets of daily subjects under the umbrella of a single topic. I love that so many sides of language learning are included in a single lesson/unit. One book=multi-practice of skills. Clicking on any of the links above will direct you to their website where you can download a preview of Language Lessons, the table of contents, as well as the list of suggested reading books.

Book Review: Faithful Finance ~ Emily Stroud

Faithful Finance is full of sound advice, written by a financial advisor, businesswoman, entrepreneur and full time mom. Sounds like a full plate, doesn't it? Thankfully, she has taken the time to write this book in both a conversational and to-the-point way. Emily lays out steps to help families be more empowered to tackle their current and future financial situations.

I appreciate that her topics are straight forward and applicable in many ways. Here are a few of the topics that I find most important: Create a budget and build up an emergency fund; Be a giver--generously and faithfully; Invest in retirement; Saving for college; Pay yourself first--start a savings plan. There are other topics as well--10 in all.

In this day and age of many feeling the need to have the newest iPhone, take on the highest mortgage a bank offers, etc., it is of utmost importance to take a step back and realize there needs to be a sound financial plan. Emily gives individuals and families a great starting point to get on track.

Book Review: The Transformational Adventure Study Guide

The Transformational Adventure Study Guide is intended to be used within a small group setting. As this is simply a book review for the study guide, it will be focused on how the book is laid out.

There are seven lessons in The Transformational Adventure, each beginning with a video lesson and presumably discussion within your small group. The study guide is an amendment to the program; intended that the participant will use the study guide between video lessons.

Each chapter includes an area to take notes during the video, a selection of Scripture, an area to respond to questions based on the video, and a section to self-study God's word as you search deeper within His word and your soul to understand better what God intends for you. Overall, it appears well laid out and has me interested in looking into the videos themselves.

The authors, Alan and Inda Williams "had it all" and then cancer struck. The complete program takes participants through their story and welcomes you to respond to God's invitation to live your life with meaning and purpose.