Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Review: *Star Chronicles: A Bible-Based Study of the Stars* by Dawnita Fogleman


Among many exciting things that we are learning and finally gaining more understanding of in the Bible, are the stars which He has placed in the sky. Our deeper homeschool astronomy journey began at the end of last year when we learned about the wise men and what it is that they were watching for in the heavens. And it continues this year with Star Chronicles by authoress Dawnita Fogleman (disclaimer: I received a PDF version of Star Chronicles: A Bible-Based Study of the Stars in exchange for my honest review).

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:3-4 KJV. Doesn't this take your breath away? Even the Psalmist took time for a star study.

What is man, that our Elohim (God, in the Hebrew language) is mindful of him?


homeschool astronomy


The stars were created for more than their twinkling prettiness in a stark evening sky above our heads. He has purposed each one in its respective place and He has called them by name (Psalm 147:4). Aside from giving light, He has created them for signs: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" (Genesis 1:14).

It's pretty evident that stars are helpful for seasons and days and years as a means of keeping track of time as the constellations moved across the sky. But, prior to this past year, we had not realized that "seasons and days and years" also means things prophetically. Is this newer territory to you, too? If so, this homeschool Bible study may be just the thing for you.

Dawnita Fogleman


All that being said, you must understand what this book is not. It is NOT a book of zodiac, astrology, or horoscopes! You will find nothing of these kinds in this book. What we find is research based on the Bible to help us understand about the purposes of the constellations and to help us grow in the knowledge of the One True God of the Bible Whom we love, adore, revere and have a relationship with.


How We Used Star Chronicles in Our Family...

 

constellations



Dawnita offers notebook pages and coloring pages to copy from in the back of the book. We had a few weeks to review the book and also a busy schedule, so we opted to do a family project vs. individual notebook pages/scrapbooks. So, I read out loud to our children as they colored, we had some good discussion, and we created our board as we went along through our homeschool science study of the constellations.

Art supplies were set out and artistic vision expanded. I like the idea of having our board displayed to serve as a reminder of what the constellations mean.

 
constellations Bible study



We are nearing the Lord's Feast of Passover. An exciting thing we learned from Star Chronicles is that in Hebrew, Aries is "Teli" and it means "Lamb of the World". Yeshua is the Lamb of God/Yahweh. Yeshua is the Lamb that was slain. And, Prophetically and Providentially, He was slain at Passover. By God's/Yahweh's design, the constellation of Aries appears in the sky at the time of Passover!!



Constellation homeschool science


What believer hasn't marveled at His handiwork? But now, when we look up and enjoy the evening sky as a family (and individually) we will forever think about His Mighty Works with the stars! His plan is intricately woven in stories which the stars echo. Our hearts swell with more love and awe and reverence for Him than ever before!

Especially, we love getting to know the God we love and serve better! His creation declares His Glory! Everything is in place with Providentially! How magnificent He is!!

What Star Chronicles Covers:


  • Virgo {Coma, Centaurus, Bootes}
  • Libra {Crux, Lupus, Corona}
  • Scorpio {Serpens, Ophiuchus}
  • Sagittarius {Lyra, Ara, Draco}
  • Capricorn {Sagitta, Aquila, Delphinus}
  • Aquarius {Piscis Australis, Pegasus, Cygnus}
  • Pisces {The Band, Cepheus, Andromeda}
  • Aries {Cassiopeia, Cetus, Perseus}
  • Taurus {Orion, Eridanus, Auriga}
  • Gemini {Lupus, Canis Major, Canis Minor}
  • Cancer {Ursa Minor, Argo}
  • Leo {Regulus, Corvus, Crater, Hydra}
  
Brief mythology is explained from the perspective of the Greeks and Romans, however, Star Chronicles gives the Biblical accounts of the constellations which God/Yahweh has created and named. 
 

What We Like About Star Chronicles 


  • We appreciate all the research that Dawnita put into this. All of us have enjoyed this study (in particular our Astronomy loving son, Scientist).

  • Interesting facts and personal thoughts by Dawnita are weaved through the book for consideration.

  • I'm thankful for the list of extra resources! These are things we intend to explore at some point to further our studies.


  • I'm thankful for the introduction and I love that Dawnita shares her personal testimony!

  • My most favorite thing of all is how  Dawnita explains how Prophecies and the Lord's Feasts tie in, by God's/Yahweh's design, in the constellations! It.is.exciting! to learn these things!!

Somethings I'd Like to See...



  • We begin our study with Virgo and continue on through to Lio. While we piece together that these are in order on a timeline, I think a clear explanation in the beginning about why we study them in the order which they are presented would be helpful. It would aid us in navigating our studies better. Perhaps the months in which they may be seen would be a nice addition.
  • I'm still new to learning what is the Lord's and what has been added to. I recently learned that the Lord has established the beginning of the new year in Spring vs. the timing of the new year which the Jews observe. I'm now curious to see the order of constellations according to the new year established by God/Yahweh during the month of Abib/Nisan ("This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you." Exodus 12:2). I think this would be an interesting addition to the study.
  • I think that for myself and my older children, we would love some background/more supporting info. on how some of the conclusions with some of the constellation meanings came about. A few of these are not clear to us. There are a few that have names or words that can be looked up in Scripture, but it would be nice to see more evidence than just corresponding words. For instance, arrows can also have positive symbolism in Scripture (children are like arrows...). How is it concluded that the constellation of an arrow flying in the sky, Sagitta, compares to bitter words?


How Much Star Chronicles Costs...


Amazon ($25): amazon.com


I hope you embark on a Star Chronicles adventure! 




You can connect with Dawnita Fogleman on facebook
or keep up to date with her on her blog FoglemanForerunner.


  
Blessings!
 





2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your review Heather! Especial for the "Somethings I'd Like to See..."! One never knows how much to put in as to not overwhelm people with information. I struggled with all these points, but ended up only putting in what I felt the LORD wanted me to include. I do feel HIS leading for another. I'm excited to see there is already interest! Blessings!

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    1. Thank you for having me on your team, Dawnita; what a blessing it is. It's exciting that you are being called to write another and that there is so much interest! I'm thankful to have met you. Blessings!

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