The Ecology Book Description:
Study the relationship between living organisms and our place in God’s wondrous creation!
Learn important words and concepts from different habitats around the world to mutual symbiosis as a product of the relational character of God. Designed with a multi-age level format especially for homeschool educational programs. Examine influential Scientists and their work, more fully understand practical aspects of stewardship, and investigate ecological connections in creation!
About the Authors
Tom Hennigan was educated in the public school system and was inundated with the evolutionary belief that we could explain all life without God. Through high school and into his early years of college he was satisfied that he understood the “scientific” view of life’s origins and that God need not be included in the equation. However, after a pair of of fellow students shared the case for a Creator with him, followed by a series of amazing circumstances that included sleepless nights, answered prayer, miraculous intervention, and deep soul searching, Tom gave his life to Jesus Christ. Tom is an Associate Professor of Organismal Biology at Truett-McConnell College and has an A.A.S. from the New York State Forest Ranger School, a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Alaska, an M.S. in Education from Syracuse University, and an M.P.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He has taught environmental science and ecology for 18 years and teaches ecological concepts and field methods in herpetology, mammalogy, and forest ecology and has studied in the Galápagos. He has written for the Creation Research Society Quarterly, Answers Research Journal, Creation, Creation Illustrated and Answers Magazines. As a product of creation evangelism, his passions include helping people to see the glory of Christ in Creation and encouraging the Body of Christ toward Biblical Stewardship and Discipleship. Tom and Jennifer have four grown children and live in Cleveland, Georgia.
Dr. Jean Lightner is an adjunct professor with Liberty University Online. She has a B.S. in Agriculture (Animal Science major), a D.V.M., and a M.S. in veterinary preventive medicine. After working just over three years as a veterinary medical officer for the US Department of Agriculture, she resigned to stay at home and teach her four children. Now that her children are grown, she is deeply involved in creation research. She has contributed numerous articles to creation journals, magazines, and websites and serves as a board member for the Creation Research Society. She is also a member of the Creation Biology Society, Christian Veterinary Mission and the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps.
Book Details:
- Hardcover: 96 pages
- Publisher: Master Books (April 30, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0890517010
- ISBN-13: 978-0890517017
My Thoughts:
My first thought when I glanced through the book is the images are bright and beautiful; they immediately caught my eye and my attention. The chosen color scheme of green, blue, and off-white ties into the ecology theme wonderfully. I like how the book is broken down into various age groups for each “chapter”:
- Level One: 5th to 6th grade (although it could easily be used for younger kids)
- Level Two: 7th to 8th grade
- Level Three: 9th to 11th grade
The reader would start by reading the basic information for level one and continue reading based upon their age group or desired level on interest in the topic. The different levels of information are color coded for easier use: off-white, green, and blue. Additional information contained within the pages are history lessons about ecologists and suggestions on making a difference at home and in the community.
Each chapter has “The Big Five” questions which talks about the who, what, where, when, and why of the information being presented as well as vocabulary words. The topics covered in the chapters are:
- Harmony in Creation
- Ecology: The Study of “Our House”
- The Dominion Mandate
- What’s on the Menu Today?
- Taking a Liking to Lichens
- A Fungus Among Us
- The Plant – Bacteria Connection
- Of Bacteria, Cattle, and Men
- To the Root of the Matter
- Doing Ecology in God’s Creation
The Appendixes include Tips for Doing Good Science Experiments and Simplified Ecological Sampling Methods. The book concludes with a glossary with incorporated index.
All of the information is presented in a way that is consistent with the Biblical account of creation and in a way that highlights the Creator’s hand in His creation.
