Customer Reviews

Elements of Faith: Vol 1: Hydrogen to Tin

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I'm not a homeschooler, but our daughter and her husband are. Daily they take on the heroic challenge of teaching the 3 Rs, plus social adaptation, to our 3 grandchildren. There are tons of excellent resources for homeschooling parents - websites of all sorts, homeschool consultants, support groups for homeschoolers, co-ops and conferences.

One of the most fascinating books I've have discovered for homeschoolers is the new Elements of Faith, Volume 1 by Richard D. Duncan. Not being a brilliant student myself and struggling forever with the Periodic Table of the Elements, I find this workbook both engaging and easy to use. From H to Sn (that's hydrogen to tin for the non-chemists of us - the first 50 elements), Duncan presents intriguing facts about each element, a discussion of the element's importance in the history of science and in everyday life, a life lesson based on the unique qualities of each element, a short quiz, and an inspirational application putting spiritual insights into practice.

In the back of the book there's a glossary for parents struggling with terminology, plus the essential answers to quizzes. Elements of Faith, Volume 1 is recommended for sixth to eighth grades, but interesting enough that I might just put it beside my recliner for occasional reading.

I'm even looking forward to Volume 2.

Shortly after Elements of Faith arrived at our house, it disappeared. In some households, that's cause for alarm. In this household it means the book is a "hit". Numerous times I found my 12 year old, 9 year old and even my hubby smuggling this book off my shelf. When I finally got my turn to read it, I could see why. It's THAT good!


Cracking the book open, I was amazed to find a science devotional. I've never seen anything like it!!

Elements of Faith - Volume I covers the first 50 elements of the periodic table. Richard Duncan does a great job blending the sections together over each two-page spread covering name, symbol, atomic number and weight with a corresponding scripture verse.

Breaking down the pages even further:

The Data section - which includes facts about the element and its' discoverer.

The Analysis section - which includes where the element is naturally occurring and unique qualities of this element.

The Reaction section - which gives a biblical application. For example: Hydrogen = Living Water.

In addition is a Quick Quiz and finally a Response section where a real application is given and a prayer to pray.

Also included are 10 experiments that cover Hydrogen & Oxygen, Carbon & Helium, Boron, Fluorine & Calcium, Sodium & Chlorine, Calcium, Iron, Nickel, Copper, Zirconium.

This book is informative, educational and very well written. It could easily be used as a devotional on its' own OR alongside an upper-elementary/Middle school chemistry study. Scripture is used throughout to help the reader understand how the bible supports science.

I barely remember learning the periodic table - and not because I'm that old. It just didn't interest me. But Richard D. Duncan's Elements of Faith Vol 1: Faith Facts and Learning, Lessons from the Periodic Table is an intriguing book, terrific both for jr. high and high school aged homeschoolers and parents who want to "add on" to what their kids are learning in school.

The first section of the book (which covers hydrogen to tin) devotes two pages to each element. In various boxes on the page, we learn basic data about the element, are given an analysis of the it, some review questions, and a Christian devotional section. Believe it or not, the author does a nice job integrating biblical stories and quotes. For example, in the section on water, he first quotes Genesis 1:2 ("And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.") Later, he speaks on living water and discusses several biblical passages related to that theme. There is even a prayer at the bottom of the page that reads in part: "Heavenly Father, thank You....for the enjoyment we can receive from even the simplest of Your gifts, water itself. Give me the gift of living water, so that my soul will be satified..." And thus, the first section of the book combines both the science you'd find in a secular textbook and a biblical message.

The second part of the book offers 10 experiments related to the elements, the answers to the review questions, a glossary and index, and a periodic table.

What I Like: This book is unique and quite well done. The science is solid, and the addition of biblical wisdom adds a fun and useful element not found elsewhere. I also appreciate the inclusion of experiments (as well as the safety cautions included with them).

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Kristina Seleshanko
Managing Editor
Christian Children's Book Review

Rick Duncan has done the Church a great service by contributing a fun book for teaching the periodic table and important important passages from Scripture as well. Highly recommended.

The book Elements of Faith is a cross between Science book and Devotional book. Since we don't have many elementary Science texts in our house, I thought this might be a simple way to put a little Science into our day.

Each double-page spread of the book covers one element, with five sections. The first section is a little bit of Data on the element, around five sentences. The next section is called Analysis, and and contains some general information about the element and perhaps other similar elements, sometimes information about how the element interacts with other elements, sometimes historical information, and sometimes information on how the element is seen in the Bible. The third section, called Reaction, is a devotional section drawing some connection between the element and a Bible story. A fourth section is labeled Quiz, and contains five questions about the element. Finally, the Response section is a prayer with perhaps some further application in some instances.

This book would be really easy for a reading student to complete on their own in 15-30 minutes per day depending on how fast they read, or you could divide the sections up between five days each week, and that would take about five minutes per day. You could use this book as a jumping off point for further study for the older student, and several experiments are included in the back. I see the book being useful as a basic exposure to the elements for the elementary student, so they have at least heard of each element before they study them further in chemistry class. I was a little put off by the devotional section at first, since my children already do 30 minutes of Bible study each day, and 30 minutes of Scripture memorization each day so I am not really looking for more Bible material. However, after reading through these I can see the benefit of drawing connections between Science and the Bible. After all, I expect our History text to draw connections between history and the Bible, and with Science it is just as important to start and end with a biblical foundation.

My bottom line? I am planning to use this as a basic Science introduction to the elements for my elementary aged reading students. I will not be reading this material out loud to the younger children, since I just don't have time to add more read alouds to my day. I'm not sure I will buy the second volume, but I will decide that once I've used this with my children for a semester.

The study of the periodic table of elements can often be tedious task for students. Symbols, letters, numbers - they all blur into each other and leave the student wanting to just walk away from chemistry all together. Many students want to know how the study of the periodic table is relevant to their lives. Many chemistry classes leave them without practical application, so they walk away thinking that the periodic table is irrelevant to their every day lives.

The fact of the matter is that chemistry is something that we deal with on a day to day basis. Baking and cooking is about chemical reactions. If given the chance, we can see the Creator in the various elements.

Elements of Faith approaches the periodic table from that type of viewpoint. Each lesson contains a study of 1 element from the periodic table and starts off with a scripture passage. The data chart gives the important information at a glance. The analysis digs a little deeper into the element itself. The reaction gives a practical application within a Biblical context. The quick quiz makes sure students are understanding the concepts covered in the lesson. The lesson wraps up with a short verse and prayer. Experiments at the end of the book allow students to learn through hands-on activities. A brief glossary covers key terms in the text.

Students will not only walk away with a better understanding of the elements and periodic table, but also a more thorough knowledge of their Creator and His creation.

I was very impressed with this book. My daughter is enjoying the lessons and learning more about each of the elements than she has learned in her normal Chemistry book. I appreciate how each of the elements is presented in the light of our Creator. This is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the elements in an easy to understand format, presented through God-colored glasses.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from MasterBooks/New Leaf Publishing to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Elements of Faith (Vol. 1) by Richard Duncan, is a unique presentation on the first 50 elements of the Periodic Table. This book covers the elements from Hydrogen to Tin, and doesn't just explain the history and discovery of the elements. It goes deeper, and shows how each element gives glory to God, and points to a Creator. There are 2 pages for each element, and include a Bible verse, data, analysis, reaction, quick quiz, and response for each one.
The verse connects with the element under study, and the data shares basic information about it (discovery, where it can be found, etc.). The analysis tells an interesting fact about the element. For example, the Fluorine analysis details a few of the inventions made possible by fluorine-nuclear energy, freon, teflon, etc. I found the Neon analysis very interesting as well, as it discusses how the first neon sign was made in 1923! The reaction is the part that connects the scientific part with the Bible. Obviously the Sodium reaction talks about Christians being the Salt of the earth; each element is connected with a Biblical truth in this section, though.
At the end of the book there are experiments, such as "Using Borax to Make Slime" and "Using Electroplating to Coat a Quarter With A Thin Layer of Copper". The kids will definitely enjoy these!
I love the layout of the book, and I have really enjoyed reading it. Elements of Faith makes chemistry fun and interesting, and we will be incorporating this into the children's schooling.
The thing I appreciate most about this book is how it connects science with faith. So many people think you have to believe in either science or God-not both. Obviously, we know that is not true; but I found it refreshing to read a chemistry book that points to God as Creator, and shows how the Bible and science work together

My 11 year old son LOVED this book as part of his science curriculum last year, and is now convinced he wants to go to college to study chemistry. He is hoping book two comes out soon.

Elements of Faith Vol. 1 discusses the first 50 elements of the periodic table. For each element the author has included the following sections: Data, Analysis, Reaction, Quick Quiz, and Response. The Data section contains several facts about the elements. Analysis typically contains a bit of the history of the discovery or uses of the element. It often relates the element to the Bible in some way. The Reaction section always includes scripture and is related back to the Analysis section. This is followed by a multiple choice Quick Quiz which covers mainly facts about the element. The final section is a Response to the Reaction section and includes a prayer. Also included in the book are several experiments, a glossary, the answers to the Quick Quizzes and a Periodic Table.

But what do the elements have to do with Biblical topics? That is what makes this book unique. The author has done a spectacular job of weaving these topics together. For example, Bromine is the "smelly" gas. The Analysis discusses the sense of smell and the sense of taste and their respective roles in chemical identification. The Reaction section is about the raising of Lazarus. This is related because Martha warned Jesus that "by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days" (John 11:39). The Quick Quiz includes questions on the origin of the word bromine, where bromine is found, what type of element it is, and who is the brother of Mary and Martha. Finally, the Response takes the Reaction section further and brings out that it was at dinner after the raising of Lazarus that Mary annointed Jesus' feet and the perfume she used also had a smell - but this time a pleasant one.

I requested this book to review from New Leaf Publishing Group. I was interested in the book partly because of the educational background of the author. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and spent most of his career working in water treatment and environmental engineering. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and my husband has worked in the environmental field with a specialty in water supply. He currently teaches chemistry. Chemistry is definitely a topic of interest to us!

Although this not a complete science course, I think it would make an excellent supplement for chemistry. It also would be suitable as Bible supplement for a science-minded student or could even be used in family devotions. (Especially in a chemistry loving family like ours!)

Disclosure: I received this book to review as a member of the Book Reviewers for New Leaf Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

Big Guy's science this semester contains an entire unit on the period table so when this book became available for review I was thrilled.

Each element is covered with two pages. The first thing you will find at the top of the page is a Bible verse related to the element.

For example for the element copper is the verse, "I gave to the priests two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold. And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the Lord; the vessels are holy also." Ezra 8:27-28.

Then it lists data for the element. These are important facts that you would typically find in your science book.

Next is the analysis section where it shows the uses of the element in history... all of history including Biblical history. A quick quiz was included to see how well the student comprehended what they just read and then there is a response section which summarizes the pages.

In the back of the book were experiments. They were a little simple for my Big Guy, but he enjoyed doing them to show his younger brother. It further helped to reinforce what he was learning and helped introduce his little brother as well.

I am so happy to have this book not just for Big Guy, but for future reference for Little Guy as well!

Disclaimer: As part of Creative Conversations, I did receive this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. The fact that I received complimentary products does not guarantee a favorable review. It does guarantee a review. A fair review. But I am not going to praise something unless I think it deserves the praise. If I don't like it, you'll hear that. And hopefully with enough detail as to why so you can decide for yourself if what I hate about it makes it perfect for your family.