Genesis Finding Our Roots

by Ruth Beechick

This book provides a unique look at Genesis 1-11, integrating history with art, literature and other disciplines. It is intended for family study, teenagers' independent study, or Sunday School use and could be used as a text for homeschoolers.

Genres: History, Christian, Nonfiction, School, Education, Geography, Religion

168 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 1998

About the author

Dr. Ruth Beechick spent a lifetime teaching and studying how people learn. She taught in Washington state, Alaska, Arizona and in several colleges and seminaries in other states. She also spent thirteen years at a publishing company writing curriculum for churches. In "retirement" she wrote for the homeschool movement. Her degrees are A.B. from Seattle Pacific University, M.A.Ed. and Ed.D. from Arizona State University.

Reviews

[Gina Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of interesting information and conjecture in this book. There were also some things that bothered me (even as a Bible believing, creationist, Christian. Gasp! Lol) A lot of the information that IS conjecture or opinion is presented as fact. As in, this IS exactly what happened/why this is. In all honesty she doesn’t do this all the time, she does show some things and say, “look at this compared to the Bible, doesn’t it make more sense this way?” Despite the three stars, I recommend it...which disclaimers. Lol

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first got this book, I thought it might be too strange. Little did I know it helped fill in the gaps of questions I have had since I was a kid, that most of the time when I asked them, I was met with, "why do those things matter?"

I did not know the book of Genesis was several books put together into one. I also think this book has a similar way of looking at the Bible that Orthodox Christians have, as I have been learning more about them. It seems strange to the Protestant Evangelical side of me but the more Medieval (or maybe Orthodox) side of me loved it. It makes you question a lot of things that you have just accepted as fact because we are Western Modernists. I still don't know if I believe or yet understand everything, but it tied a lot of things together for me in a way that made me appreciate the work of God more and for that I loved it. It also ties in the more supernatural parts of Christianity that seems a little scary to some, but I loved the wonder. I also loved the conversations I had with the boys when we read this. This was again was another book that I started only reading with our oldest and by the time we finished the book, all of them were listening.

Unit V- The Book of Shem about migration of humanity and the original language was a "zingy" chapter and a lot of connections were firing in my brain, to the point it was hard to articulate them at first. I love this kind of book that really challenges you to rethink things, have an open mind, urges you to pray about them and then thank God for how tightly woven all time and space is. And that it all matters to Him.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of Ambleside’s Year 6. A few random thoughts about it:
- It should be read with a grain of salt. Some conspiracy seemed to be present.
- It produces much discussion.
- She makes great connections throughout the Bible, provides a good biblical theology.
- There is a lot of interesting information in this book.
- She did a great job linking creation and the earliest Genesis history to myths, folk tales, art, pagan religion, history, medicine, etc.

I have mixed thoughts about this book. I definitely didn’t agree with some of it, but I see the value in putting a book like this into the hands of maturing young people. It is good training ground for thinking through what they believe while simultaneously working through statements that don’t quite hit the mark.

[Jessica Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended as part of our Religion Spine for homeschool. Even as a life-long Christ follower, some of her conjecture was preposterous, but sparked good conversation with my student. I don’t like the “because the Bible tells me so” excuse, when there’s a plethora of historical, scientific and other knowledge to better define some of the topics. However, some of the information within the pages was really good and informative. We especially enjoyed tracing back heritage to Noah’s Sons and learning more about the Sumerians. I have six more years before I will revisit this choice for curriculum, and I may shelf this for good.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for a motivated student, the book challenges the reader not only to look at the familiar text of Genesis with new eyes, but to take pen to paper and make note of information recorded there. She points out divisions and styles of narration, includes maps and pictures from around the world, and references ancient myths and legends to help the reader know what information was given to us to help us trace our origins with certainty. The book includes an index, bibliography, glossary, and many ideas for projects and additional study.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through this quickly to plan how to use it in our homeschool curriculum. It leads a discussion through the first 11 chapters of Genesis, bringing other ancient writings/stories alongside (tablets from the Sumerians, The Epic of Gilgamesh, among others). It is interesting to read all of those in parallel.

It also gives an introduction to young earth creationism and a bit on flood geology. I would have preferred more inclusion of other theories on those points, but there are other books for that.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

AO yr 6. A mix bag for this one. A few Anti-Marian takes and a bit too fundamental for me. (Nice dragons in stories aren't biblical and therefore we shouldn't read such stories.) In other places she made it sound like certain more biblical/historical theories were factual when they weren't. But I found the timelines and close study of the Old Testament Patriarchs very helpful and I enjoyed reading it with my 10,12 and 14yr old.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a very thick book, but it is jam packed of thought provoking ideas and factual history that proves many Genesis themes. I read it aloud to my 10&12 yo’s and they understand most of it. Definitely worth a re-read on their own and assigning some of the extra activities and deeper study that we skipped.

[Brit Chhangur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pre-read for AO year 6.

Almost skipped this book, but glad I didn't. I enjoyed it and appreciated her ideas. She states some things as fact that the Bible isn't actually clear on, but it's been a good opportunity to teach Annie to read with discernment and fun to imagine how things could have worked!

[Julie Mabus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was thought provoking. She had some interesting ideas worth pondering. Many of the things she said were conjecture on her part and she made them out to be fact but I did appreciate her ideas. They gave me a lot to think about and will influence my future study of Genesis. AO Y6

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to reading through Genesis as real history instead of just figurative language. I have finally figured out that I can trust the Bible as truth, and that it has told us as much as we need to know, and that the details don't matter as much and can even be a hindrance and stumbling block. But for people who have never looked at the Old Testament as literal truth, this can be a great first glimpse.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so simple and yet packed with so much rich knowledge and resources to learn more. I have several new books for my wish list because of this book! Definitely going to delve deeper into this history.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this unit study..we had not studied Genesis like this before. Excellent. You can borrow mine if you'd like.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned SO much! I can't stop talking about this book. From Beowulf, giants, dinosaurs, origin of language, the book is a great intro to the truth of it all. Highly recommend.

[Kyna Dians · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! The bibliography alone makes this a great resource. It is a child's book but will have adults digging deeper into what you believe about Genesis - the Book of Beginnings.

[Fivewincs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the Genesis story. Goes well with Adam & His Kin.

[Amber Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

great resource for kids and parents