Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Friday, May 2, 2014

Blood Moons Rising - A Tyndale Blog Review

Blood Moons Rising: Bible Prophecy, Israel, and the Four Blood Moons is a book written by Mark Hitchcock.

Mark Hitchcock has, like many other end-times writers lately, taken a stance on how he feels about the four blood moons looming.

Book Description
Has the final countdown to the end days begun? Are the heavens telling us we are nearing the end? Astronomers have noticed it is coming. Historians have noted its significance. In 2014 and 2015, there will be a phenomenon in the skies of four blood moons falling during Jewish feasts. This has only happened three times in recorded history: 1493-94, 1949-50 and 1967-68. Each time these dates have had extraordinary significance for the Israelites. From the discovery of the New World to the creation of modern-day Israel, these years of the four blood moons have truly been turning points in history. Bible prophecy describes the moon being darkened and turned to blood. What is the significance of these signs in the skies? What will the future bring? Prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock guides you through the relevant Bible passages so you can understand the times in which you live.

My Thoughts
I love a good look at prophecy, especially when it correlates with current events. I think most people are interested in the four blood moons that are taking place this year and next. This is the last blood moon tetrad that is to occur during this century. Hitchcock shares in his book how previous tetrads have occurred during Jewish feast days and how significant things happened to the Jewish state of Israel during those blood moon years.

Specifically of interest, Hitchcock lists ten signs that are the biblical framework that serve as true signs of the times.

Hitchcock devotes a lot of his book to talking about John Hagee's book Four Blood Moons. He believes, unlike Hagee, that the 2014-15 tetrad is not a sign of the Lord's soon return but instead, like previous tetrads, will earmark important events that will take place in Israel's history. Hitchcock defends his stance with scripture, showing how Hagee's theory holds no water and is sensationalist at best. It is obvious that Hitchcock has spent a lot of time doing his own research and comparing his findings to Hagee's theory. Hitchcock's findings are quite convincing, and his proof that Hagee and others like him have taken scripture out of context in order to support their theories on the blood moons.

Basically, to sum up, Hitchcock's book is revolved around explaining the blood moons, looking at the history of the previous tetrads, sharing scripture about the tetrads, and debunking sensationalist theories regarding the 2014-15 tetrad. It was a very fascinating read, and I appreciated the effort he put forth in explaining and his common sense approach to pointing folks to scripture instead of to theory!




About the Author
Attorney Mark Hitchcock thought his career was set after graduating from law school in 1984 and getting a job working with a judge at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. But after what Mark calls a "clear call to full-time ministry," he changed course and went to Dallas Theological Seminary, completing a master's degree in 1991 and a doctoral degree in 2006. Since 1991 Mark has served as senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has authored 15 books related to end-time Bible prophecy and was the contributing editor for the Internet-based Left Behind Prophecy Club for four years. Mark and his wife, Cheryl, live in Edmond with their two sons, Justin and Samuel.

I am a member of Tyndale Blog Network, a fabulous website that sends free books to read and keep if you write a review for your blog and for a major retailer (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Tyndale Blog Network is through Tyndale House Publishers.

Friday, June 7, 2013

American History - a Creation Conversations (NewLeaf Publisher) review

It isn't often that I come across an opportunity to review curriculum. At this time last year, I was given the chance to review a copy of the Kindle version of American History by Dr. James Stobaugh and the teacher's edition of the textbook.

Book Description
Respected Christian educator, Dr. James Stobaugh, offers an entire year of high school American history curriculum in an easy to teach and comprehensive volume. American History: Observations & Assessments from Early Settlement to Today employs clear objectives and challenging assignments for the tenth grade student. From before the birth of our republic to the principles of liberty, American history trends, philosophies, and events are thoroughly explored. The following components are covered for the student:

- Critical thinking
- Examinations of historical theories, terms, and concepts
- History makers who changed the course of America
- Overviews and insights into world views.

Students will complete this course knowing the Christian influences that created a beacon of hope and opportunity that still draws millions to the United States of America. This 384-page student resource should be used in conjunction with the American History: Observations & Assessments from Early Settlement to Today for the Teacher. British History and World History are included in this comprehensive high school history curriculum for 10th, 11th, and 12th grades offered by Dr. James Stobaugh and Master Books.


My thoughts
First, let me say that I love history. My husband and I both do, and I'm one who could watch the History channel all day long if I had the time. So I was anxious to get my hands on this curriculum. Though looking back now, I wish that I had this in a paper, tangible version. Using it on the Kindle (I have a plain Kindle and my son has a Kindle Fire) is not as useful as having a hands-on textbook. I find that I much prefer hands-on textbooks than e-versions. Electronic just doesn't stack up to the real thing.

This is an independent study textbook for tenth grade history. I like how the book covers the positive parts about our American history as well as the negative. This textbook would be a great idea for a homeschooling family and would be good for use in a private school setting as well. This is a history textbook with a Christian foundation.

The teacher's edition provides extra thoughts for the teacher and extra guidelines for instructing and/or helping the student. Each of the lessons have a suggested time of thirty minutes each and instruction time is approximately 34 weeks.

I highly recommend this text. It was thorough and enjoyable!

I received American History - student and teacher e-textbook as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from New Leaf Publishing Group. My opinions are my own.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Israel at War - a Tyndale review

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a history fan. I also have, in the last few years, developed an interest in world events centered around the Middle East and how it relates to Biblical history. So when I had the opportunity to read and review Joel C. Rosenberg's Israel at War: Inside the Nuclear Showdown with Iran, I snagged the opportunity. This book was a play-by-play account of what is now happening.

Benjamin Netanyahu the current Prime Minister of Israel as reported in Joel's book, has increasingly felt the burden to protect his people from threats from those who see Israel as a threat. Joel has had opportunity to work with and interview Netanyahu, and he reports the state of the issue with Israel and its future. Joel also reminds his readers of previous history and how that history affects the current day and the future.

I really enjoyed reading this account. I also appreciated Joel's reflection on a portion of the Netanyahu family that I did not know--the fact that they have personal Bible studies on the Sabbath.


About Joel

Joel C. Rosenberg is the New York Times best-selling author of six novels – The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, Dead Heat, The Twelfth Imam, The Tehran Initiative – and three non-fiction books, Epicenter ,Inside the Revolution, and Implosion with more than two million total copies in print. The Ezekiel Option was named by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association as the Gold Medallion winner of the "Best Novel of 2006." Joel is the producer of two documentary films based on his non-fiction books. He is also the founder of The Joshua Fund, a non-profit educational and charitable organization to mobilize Christians to "bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus" with food, clothing, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief.
I am a member of Tyndale Blog Network, a fabulous website that sends free books to read and keep if you write a review for your blog and for a major retailer (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Tyndale Blog Network is through Tyndale House Publishers.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Unveiling the Kings of Israel - a Creation Conversations Review

If you love the Bible or have a fascination with archaeological history, this is the book for you. Young or old, this book will be sure to please. Unveiling the Kings of Israel by David Down is a hardback book with 170 pages filled with colorful pictures and chock full of information. Published by Master Books, this book will give you a correct recorded history of Biblical records.

I was anxious to get this book because my husband and I are both fascinated by history and Biblical history. My children enjoy learning about the Bible, and what better way to teach history and Bible knowledge at the same time? This is an excellent resource for a homeschool, a Sunday school, a church library or simply to have at your home.

Unveiling the Kings of Israel proves that there is Biblical evidence to support the Holy scriptures. We have proof that the Exodus occurred, proof of Kings David and Solomon, and many other proofs are displayed in this book. Inside you will find a map of modern-day Israel; pictures of Biblical landmarks such as the River Jabbok where Jacob prayed, Petra ruins and tombs carved into the stone walls, and Mount Sinai, to name a few; a diagram of Solomon's Temple; and information from Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.

At this link, you'll find a preview of the book with index included.





I received Unveiling the Kings of Israel as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from New Leaf Publishing Group. My opinions are my own.