11.4.14

Star Chronicles: A Bible-Based Study of the Stars

The following is a review completed as a Launch Team member for the new curriculum 
Star Chronicles by Dawnita Fogleman.   
As much as this is a study of stars and constellations, it is equally a Bible study. Truths that Dawnita teaches are paired with corresponding Scripture verses. One such example is when she shares that Aquila means flying eagle. The author references Psalm 91: 4-6 and shares that the eagle is protecting God's people from the arrow of the enemy.

I've read of stars in the Bible including the star of Bethlehem, but I've never before read a book that so clearly gave Scripture examples for every constellation. I was fascinated by this study. Ladies interested in a not so typical type of Bible study and homeschool families with children of all ages will find this useful and enlightening. The author also called it a Homeschool Unit Study of Constellations and Gospel Prophecy.

Official Book Description from the author:
"This is a unit study on the constellations and Bible prophecy.  When I did this study with my own children it was out of a desire to get to the bottom of the Stars. No, that doesn't sound right . . .  I wanted to get to the truth.  I started with Dr. E.W. Bullinger's book “The Witness of the Stars.”  To tell you the truth, while the book fascinated me, I thought a lot of it seemed a bit far-fetched.  So, the study began and in order to excuse the time spent, I involved the children and counted it as school! We literally scrap-booked our way through the stars. If you have read Bullinger's book, you may find little here that truly coincides.  I used his basic format for the partners he places with each main constellation in his book.  I list only the stars I found confirmation for in wikipedia.  Sometimes I did have to dig through some mythologies and zodiac rubbish in order to get the information that seemed relevant for the purpose of this book.  Some Bible references are merely what the star names or star-picture reminded me of. I've tried to make this engaging and fun, rather than overly scientific or theological."

What this book is NOT:  It is NOT a book of zodiac, astrology, or horoscopes.  You will find NOTHING of the kind in these pages.  There are references to myths and legends and they are clearly stated as such for historical purposes only.

The book is about 56 pages, not including notebooking and coloring pages.
Dawnita shared how her own children created a scrapbook when they studied these lessons together and gave examples we could follow to do the same. My kids have been enjoying art lately, so we decided to draw some of the constellations using her color code system, too. They also choose Leo the Lion to draw, and you can see those pictures shared in our Virtual Refrigerator post earlier this month.They enjoyed hearing the lessons which I read aloud as they drew.


The Leo constellation and one daughter's artistic interpretation:


Names of each star were shared in each constellation and surrounding stars. Meanings were also discussed in detail. The relationship of the constellations to specific events or people in the Bible was specified. 

My daughter made a sticker art replica of the Gemini constellation.

This was the actual book illustration for Gemini:
Notice the color coded stars. Coloring sheets can be printed for children to complete as you read the lessons aloud to them.

This book opens up with Psalm 8 then continues to have KJV Bible verses shared liberally throughout the pages. A field guide to the stars is listed as an optional resource, a Bible is mandatory though most references are shared in full in the text. Color pictures illustrate the lessons. 

Covered in the study:

  • The Beginning and The End
  • Virgin and Bride
  • Justice and Balance
  • Sting of Death
  • Archer
  • Goat
  • Water Bearer
  • Fish
  • The Lamb
  • A Bull
  • Twins
  • Resurrection
  • Lion
This study fascinated me. I had never before heard of the names for the constellations in a Biblical context, only as zodiac signs. I loved seeing how the heavens so clearly do declare the glory of God in more clear ways than I realized before. I am thankful for the research that Dawnita put into this study. As she shares about Virgo the bride, she reminds us that Jesus repeatedly referred to himself as the bridegroom. Smaller constellations and galaxies around the main ones are also discussed. Crux, for example, by Libra, is the cross, and Lupus beside it is an animal that has been slain. We learned that though Cancer is usually considered to be a crab, it is actually a dung beetle. Apparently the Egyptians thought their metamorphosis was magical. Additional references are shared for continued study. 

AUTHOR BIO:

Dawnita Fogleman is a fifth generation Oklahoma Panhandle Pioneer. She and her husband, Paul, have six amazing children. They have homeschooled from the start and now have two graduated and starting their own businesses. With the family business and their little farm every day is a surprise. Dawnita blogs about life on the “funny farm” at FoglemanForerunner.com.



The author answered a few questions about writing this book, two are shared here:

What is your goal with writing?
Simple; to Glorify God.

Where did you find the information linking the Sphyinx to Prophecy and Astronomy? 
Great Question! A few places actually. I have "put together" information from several sources I list in the back of the book.  Many people might consider this speculation; part of the reason that introduction is so short.  It's an interesting study.  Internet searches can lead to a miriad of rabbit trails.  The lining up of the Sphinx at Gaza with the pyramids has lead many to believe it was an astrological setting.  The fact that the Virgin is at the begining and Leo the lion is at the end (litterally on the Sphinx) also point in this direction. We know the Virgin and the Lion are prime points of Biblical Prophecy.  Rather than believing the "aliens" did it, I choose to imagine the Great Flood generations had a real purpose.  :-)

Star Chronicles is available as an e-book directly from Dawnita Fogleman or as a physical book from Amazon. (affiliate links) The e-book is $12 but through April 20th you can get 25% off the e-book with the code STARMOMS The paperback version is currently on sale for $22.12. There is  also a free sample chapter through the e-book link

Jennifer



Giveaway!
I've been authorized to giveaway one PDF copy of Dawnita Fogleman's book Star Chronicles: A Bible-Based Study of the Stars. Enter through this   Rafflecopter giveaway  link. This giveawat is not limited by your location. This giveaway ends April 18th. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or another winner will be chosen. 



6 comments:

  1. We would love to win this resource! I've never done a study of the constellations--especially not from a biblical viewpoint. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks great! We've been talking about doing Astronomy for science next year, the timing is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4/11/2014

    Thank you for this in-depth review! I am amazed at how differently each family has connected with this study. I'm glad it is meeting a need and spurring more interest in God's Creation. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dawnita, for this review opportunity. You have blessed me again.

      Delete
  4. What an awesome book/review! I would love this resource! Is this giveaway open to Canadians too?

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad you asked. I'll go back and specify in the post. YES! This is a PDF download so open to everyone.

    ReplyDelete

comments from friends: