"Masterfully connects Scripture to nature and nature to God." --Lori Wildenberg, national speaker, parent coach, and author
For a generation whose eyes are constantly trained on screens, encountering nature at all is increasingly difficult, much less seeing what it reveals about God. How can parents help children reengage with God's world that is full of amazement, creativity, and love?
Eryn Lynum is a certified master naturalist, Bible teacher, and mom of four who wants to help families encounter and understand the connection between God and creation. She shares her own story of putting her kids in front of nature, and invites other parents to consider a similar journey.
With practical sections that look at nature through the lens of the Bible and activities to integrate faith and the natural world, Rooted in Wonder helps parents instill within their kids an unshakable faith. Through the art of play, the drive of discovery, and the awe of adventure, children will gain a sense of wonder in their Creator that will last a lifetime.
"With joy and practical know-how, Eryn Lynum helps parents connect the beauty of creation with love for the Creator. Rooted in Wonder is a must-read for helping the next generation to get outdoors and get to know God." --Matthew Sleeth, MD, executive director of Blessed Earth
Eryn Lynum is a certified master naturalist, Bible teacher, national speaker, and author of 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting and Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family’s Faith Through God’s Creation. She hosts the podcast Nat Theo: Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible.
Eryn lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, Grayson, and their four children, whom they homeschool—mainly in the great outdoors. Her family spends their days hiking, camping, and adventuring through the Rocky Mountains. Eryn leads nature classes and hikes and has been featured on Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Radio, Christian Parenting, Proverbs 31 Ministries, MOPS International, Bible Gateway, Her View From Home, and For Every Mom. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring God’s creation with her family and sharing the adventures at www.ErynLynum.com.
Nothing but praises and a sigh of relief as this book is everything I’ve been waiting for! For anyone and everyone, it indulges my hunger wanting to teach my kids more and more about who they are and who they were created to be. Rooted in Wonder seamlessly interweaves Truth and what we find in nature/ creation, allowing us to point our children to that connection with their natural curiosity and innate identity we find in nature. Each chapter has a “step outside” section, filled with activities and suggestions of ways for us to see nature in the Bible and see God in nature. Eryn puts into words what we all feel as we step into nature: a soul-refreshing respite and fellowship with our Creator. This is a refreshing, motivating and curiosity-provoking message that nudges and encourages us to go out and explore, pointing to and proving His Word even more- further etching them into our (and our children’s) hearts. My favorite thing as a mother is seeing my kids’ faces light up and their eyes sparkle as they discover something out on one of our adventures- whether hiking in a national park or right in our front yard. Memories with our children in nature take root, grow deep into our hearts and souls and replace any fears or doubts that we may have and tells them without words Truth— that innate knowing deep in us being stirred up again. Creation points to the glorious, awesome, magnificent God who wants to intimately know us and be with us… Emmanuel…. Until Heaven and eternity! Attune yourself in nature, aligning with divine creation and there is no room for lies or “untruths”.
As a biologist, I love how Lynum emphasizes the magnificent harmony between science and Christianity. That the more deeply we study and observe creation, the greater our delight will be in the Creator. For this topic of the intersection of parenting, nature, and Christianity, this book is great. I first discovered Eryn through her Nat Theo podcast, and both that podcast and this book have served to increase my children’s and my appreciation for nature and awe at its Maker.
I’m glad I added this to my stack of parenting (?) books! Her argument isn’t complex (take your kids outside), but the way she unfolds her thoughts and addresses topics like conservation and climate change as a believer were articulate and helpful. Definitely inspired me!
This book was a phenomenal read. I have yet to meet an author like Eryn Lynum. An excellent writer, a knowledgeable naturalist, and a fellow believer who solidly uses Scripture in exploring creation. Her podcast, Nat Theo, is one of our family's absolute favorites, and this book was just as good, if not better, as it was able to get more in depth. I was inspired in nearly every chapter to evaluate our current family habits, and to consider ways to be intentional about teaching my children about the Lord through His creation.
Great book. I’m not naturally science-minded and so most books on science do not deeply interest me, but this was very engaging. The author does a wonderful job of persuading readers on the ripple effect of curiosity in nature as a form of worship. I found a variety of things to apply to our family life. Can be read as a parenting book or as a read-aloud with adolescents on up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers from IPG for allowing me to have an ARC of this book. I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out.
At the metronome of God’s pace, creation answers our questions, then teaches us to ask better ones.
My husband and I love the outdoors. If we had more time to be outdoors we would do it. We kayak, hike, fish, he hunts, and I love just sitting outside reading a book or just enjoying the sun. Now that we are first-time parents, I wonder if our son will love the outdoors too. (So far he has shown that he does.) When I saw this book on Netgalley I thought, this could help me not only to encourage my son to be outdoors but how to connect with God through His creation. Maybe even teach me how to as well.
How could I, in a world that often worships creation rather than the creator intelligently and graciously educate others about natural things and, in every detail, show how those facts and wonders point back to the One who so eloquently designed them?
At the end of each chapter, it has a little activity along with scripture to read and questions to ask your children. This book helps to connect with God through nature as well as teaches our children how to connect with God.
I also love when she is talking about the fire that happened in Colorado by her house along with the floods that came after. My brother lives in Colorado so I was able to relate to what she was saying because my brother went through watching the fires and dealing with the floods that came after. I had a personal attachment to what she was saying because my mother and I dealt with the fear and anxiety of what was happening with Daniel. To read her connect that with God is amazing and quite dear to me. My favorite part of all.
I cannot wait until my son J is old enough to do some of these activities. Though I am definitely going to have to make it a tradition now to limit screen time. I feel like my husband might be the worst when it comes to this because he is either on his phone or watching TV, or playing video games. But it will be worth every minute we can spend outdoors.
Fantastic read! As an engineer with a deep love of science, it was so refreshing to read all the wonderful examples of how science and Christianity are connected. It feels like this day and age it can be a rather “us versus them” conversation and it really shouldn’t be- because it is absolutely connected. As a fellow Coloradan, her examples of hikes and events are right in my backyard. I also found myself googling “how to get a naturalist certification.” :-).
Another aspect of this book I appreciated was the quality of writing. It is written WELL. I’ve recently entered into the world of reading “mom literature”- not sure that’s an actual genre, but books written by moms on what they’ve discovered about kids and (adventuring, outside, reading books, etc). Their passion and conviction is evident and inspiring but the writing and editing leaves much to be desired, from this particular literature snob. So it was such a joy to read something well written on such an important and beautiful topic. Well done!
My children and I listen to the "Nat Theo Podcast" almost daily as part of our science homeschool curriculum. We have been loving learning more about our Creator through nature! purchased this book for more inspiration on how to point my children towards their Maker. It did not disappoint!
"God communicates to us through each other and through organized religion, through wise people and the great books, through music and art, but nowhere with such texture and forcefulness in detail and grace and joy, as through creation."
Wow, this book is exactly what I needed! Practical and encouraging, with lots of supporting information from fiction and nonfiction sources, all backed up by scripture. What I appreciate most is that the book always points you towards worshiping the Creator, not creation. Wonderful for equipping you to teach your children to love both nature and God.
3.5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this one and the author did a good job implementing scripture and talking about creation. I also liked her ideas for connecting creation to scripture at the end of each chapter. Great starting points for enjoying nature!
I loved this book and the encouragement the author gives to nurture our children’s natural sense of wonder experienced in nature. The Step Outside prompts at the end of each chapter connect scripture with nature in practical activities you can enjoy with your children!
I really wanted to love this book because I think spending time in nature is a wonderful way to connect with God and be rooted in reality. There were many things I did like in the book but I didn’t love it and was kind of disappointed in it overall. The target audience of the book is parents of young children.
In the introduction, the author begins to share her family’s story as they moved to the mountains to have more access to exploring nature and being outside. She has a degree in Biblical Studies and a certificate as a Master Naturalist. I had to look up what this meant and discovered it was like a single 40-hour course (not a degree of any kind).
Chapter 1: This is My Father’s World This chapter talks a lot about connecting nature and Scripture as both are God’s revelations. The author is a scientific concordist and this perspective dominates her approach.
Chapter 2: Reconnecting the Dots Between Creation and Creator In this chapter, the author promotes the Intelligent Design movement, a rather fringe, anti-evolution alternative to evidence-based biology, and highlights the work of a couple of ID movement proponents/authors. Statements like this on page 49 characterize the chapter, “Science untainted by bias and rightly conducted reveals evidence of intelligence and ingenuity.” She offers the false dichotomy and straw man characterization “creation or coincidence” in the age of “Darwinism” (page 49) and is concerned that children are “being taught Darwinism as fact instead of theory” and that “not even Darwin was fully convinced of his suppositions.” (page 52). Her comments revealed her lack of understanding of both Darwin’s work and the current theory of evolution when she said she disagrees with Darwin on many levels. What does Darwin have to do with anything at this point? It was clear that she does not want evolution to be true because of her theological position.
Chapter 3: Creation Groans… Until it Sings This chapter is about climate change and animals going extinct. The author attributes this to the ground being cursed in Genesis 3 (page 71), excusing human behavior that is contributing to the problems. According to the author, the rising temperatures align with 2 Peter 3:10 describing how the earth will be destroyed by fire (according to her eschatology). I did think she had some good points about the place of fires in the ecosystem and using examples from nature to teach resiliency in our children.
Chapter 4: Nurturing Contagious Curiosity in Your Children This chapter compares and contrasts childlikeness with childishness. The author encourages parents to nurture curiosity in nature and outdoor play.
Chapter 5: Becoming a Wonder Conservationist In addition to being a scientific concordist, the author holds to a rapture eschatology where someday soon the earth is going to be destroyed by fire. She says “If Earth has an end date and the Bible clearly shows it will be destroyed, how much time and effort should we invest in protecting it?” (page 93). Not every Christian sees this as the “clear” teaching in the Bible. Later, she tempers her dismissive attitude toward Earth saying “If our acts of stewardship and preservation keep one gift of nature around for a little longer, maybe we can point someone to the creator.” (page 95). The author seems to think life and land management were drastically different before a literal Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. From page 100, “Do you imagine Adam knew, at that moment, a tiny fraction of the effects of his decision? He and Eve set off a chain reaction, and they couldn’t have predicted even half of the repercussions. Perhaps in God’s description of “thorns and thistles,” he could envision weeds taking over and choking life from the garden. But could he foresee what this curse would introduce? Pestilence. Drought. Famine. Extinction. Flooding. Disease. He and his wife had, in one moment, set off and disrupted the planet’s balance for all time. They had introduced each challenge, heartache, impossibility, and devastation every farmer, agriculturist, and ecologist struggles against.” That’s quite a list to infer beyond what the text in Genesis actually says. This interpretation is difficult to reconcile with what is known about our world and the life on it. I liked how the author talked about “wonder conservation” and helping our kids and others learn about nature through study, time outside, and books/guides.
Chapter 6: The Absolute Truth About Nature The author says on page 114, “Nature provides excellent, irrefutable models of absolutes.” Yes, it does but it’s weird how the author seems to reject a lot of evidence because of her scientific concordism theology and commitment to the ID movement. Nature also provides many examples of gradients that are difficult to categorize into simple absolutes but the author neglects to mention these while criticizing other people who omit the truth.
Chapter 7: Nature-Minded: Growing a Healthy Mindset Outdoors This chapter discusses mindfulness and meditation and using time in nature to help sort out thoughts and reduce anxiety. Overall, I liked this chapter and agree that it is good to fill our minds with the wonder and beauty of nature.
Chapter 8: Native Pastimes The author encourages parents to help their children intentionally choose time outside instead of screen time.
Chapter 9: Nature’s Time Capsule Children grow up so fast and this chapter reminds parents that time out in nature is a way to slow down the rapid pace of life. The author shared that her family decided to move to Colorado to live a lifestyle that was more outdoors.
Chapter 10: Family Hibernation The author compares the way some animals hibernate in the winter to an intentional period of slowing down in the winter, turning off screens, and resting.
Chapter 11: Creation and Creativity Being outside can inspire creativity.
Chapter 12: Bringing Nature Indoors Plants and fish can be grown/raised inside for people who live in urban areas without as much access to nature or as a way to extend time with nature even during indoor activities.
Chapter 13: Unshakable Faith This quote from page 217 really encapsulates the whole book, “Walking with them [our children] over that bridge of evidence, we discover an unshakable faith founded on facts, rooted in God’s word, and strengthened by experience with God in creation.” This chapter is a summary of the rest of the book and it alone would be enough to capture the author’s apologetic intention. I truly wanted to love this book because I agree that we do connect with God through nature and a book on this topic would be beneficial. But it just has too many shortcomings to wholeheartedly recommend.
Rooted in Wonder a new book by author Eryn Lynum, is a must read for families that love nature and/or are looking in how to incorporate more nature activities into there home that focuses on what God’s Word says. She is a homeschooling mom like me and I read her previous book 936 Pennies a few years ago. I love how she incorporated Scripture and God’s Word into this book. Great for families with kids of all ages.
Each chapter provides a thorough overview of what the Bible says and how she gets into nature, along with activities and Scripture to incorporate into your daily life with your children. She also provides questions for you and your family to discuss and dig deeper. I really can see homeschool families using this book in morning time/science/Bible time, but it isn’t just for homeschool families but those who also want to be more intentional with getting your kids outside!
What drew me to wanting to read and review this book is not only the subject but that also Eryn is also certified to teach this, so she is definitely qualified on nature and connecting it to God’s Word! In her about: Eryn Lynum is a certified master naturalist, Bible teacher, and mom of four who wants to help families encounter and understand the connection between God and creation. She shares her own story of putting her kids in front of nature, and invites other parents to consider a similar journey.
Here are a few of my highlights:
Nature speaks for itself, but we need help translating its message. We need God’s Word to make sense of His world. Our kids are growing up in an unpredictable and ever changing world. Yet whatever drought seasons or circumstances they encounter, they can walk forward with confidence they encounter, they can walk forward with confidence rather than anxiety. They can thrive in a desert. While some of the fruit we will never see, we can trust tht God uses every ounce of our efforts. His Word goes forth and does not return void. Don’t be overwhelmed by the big picture. Instead, ask yourself what you can do today – right now. In nature, God has equipped us with a rich classroom teeming with robust materials that magnify His character and how he interacts with His children. Creation is composed in a mathematical and orderly manner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kregel Publications for the eGalley to review.
I decided to read this book with the hope that with all of the excellent environmental books coming out lately, I could give our Christian patrons something to read and rally around that not just reaffirms their faith but also gets them to join the fight to preserve nature.
I did *kind* of get that, but what I mostly got was rants about science that doesn't fit the author's beliefs, a regurgitation of scripture, personal anecdotes, and typical scout-like activities paired with bible study. Those last two aren't bad, though--quite the opposite.
Every time I thought this book did an excellent job on one thing, it disappointed me in the next. It's what kept me fluctuating between 3 and 4 stars for a review. Whenever I'd have a rushing excitement of "Yes!" reading one thing, the next I would cringe. For instance, the tirade on evolution, which is only about Darwin and not at all any deeper or more modern research. It's very obvious that Lynum dismissed evolution without doing any other research into the newer discoveries of such and only seemed to look for how Darwin was a "torn man" to reaffirm her position (she also does this with others, like C.S. Lewis). She also doesn't seem to understand that evolution is simply a process of change from one thing into another. All creations go through evolution; it is literally how God turned clay into man--it is a process of change from one thing into something else. Creations happen in stages, which is another characteristic of evolution. An illustration is a series of lines and colors in stages, for example. Evolution and creationism are not mutually exclusive, so when Lynum went off on a rant about how it was wrong and ONLY focused on Darwin and not a single thing else, I couldn't help but sigh. Another issue I took was with the "personal truths" rant, which is something else that she seems to have no real grasp on the truth of, ironically.
When the book was good, though, it was *good*. I loved the true appreciation for nature and its design, which is the whole point of the book. And even though Lynum says that the earth is doomed per prophecy, she says we should still take care of it because we are its shepherds. That--while admittedly I read rather cautiously because I was very afraid of where that train of thought was going--is what I was hoping for when I picked up this book. The stories she shares about her family's relationship with nature are excellent frames of reference and I really do think that the activities she outlines are an excellent way to get kids motivated to answer the call. There are very good postulations and connections made in this book.
So even though the citations in this book regarding science are dubious most of the time, the rest of the book is exemplary in my opinion. That love and care for nature and the explanation on how we can be proper shepherds of God's creation as we're meant to be according to the gospel, are why I wouldn't completely dismiss this book and will still recommend it to our Christian patrons.
“Rooted in Wonder” has been amazing in getting me refocused and helping me as a parent to bridge the the gap of using scripture and the time my children spend outdoors to cultivate a strong and deep faith in my children. At the end of each chapter are helpful questions to ask children, while at the same time digging into scripture. There are suggested outdoor activities to incorporate, as well as ideas to help your children process their experience. I am so excited to use this book this summer to awe my children of how God is and has been at work in creation using nature and scripture.
I love out she draws you in with her own experiences with her children. I especially can identify since I have lived in Colorado and the places are very near and dear to my heart. You will love how she draws you and in inspires you to get your kids outside as well as using Scripture to help your children build a resilient faith.
I was gifted this book and was curious to read it. I was pleasantly surprised when I was brought into moments of feeling moved and stirred at the connections made between the Creator and creation. One of the main takeaways for me was that the more we get ourselves outside, the more that we can encounter God in creation, and the more those encounters can strengthen our faith. And in that strengthening it creates solid evidence that can withstand the challenges and temptation to doubt the character and nature of God.
I also appreciated the practical applications at the end of each chapter. I’m a mom of a 15 month old, so some of the conversation pieces are a little advanced to where we are at now. But it definitely provides some vision for a foundation to build on.
The only downside were moments of boredom when the author went into detailed descriptors of specific nature aspects and I just lost interest because it felt a little cheesy.
Excellent book - very practical and helpful! This book has greatly encouraged my heart to keep my eyes focused on God and the truths He has written in His precious Word, the Bible. He is the One who created all things for us to enjoy and to think, He was able to do that in six days! Each chapter ends with a "Step Outside" section which gives such helpful and practical tips on how to encourage our children to take notice and wonder about the many details that are to be found while spending time in God's creation. Near the end of chapter 4, the author says, "Keep exploring until a small flicker of curiosity is fanned and flamed into a passionate pursuit of their Maker." That is our heart's desire! My husband and I long for our children to put their faith in God and draw closer to Him each day.
As a mother and adventurer I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Nature brings forth such wonder of how it is all created and by whom created it all. I have always felt God’s presence out in nature. This book ties what I feel out there together, awe & wonderment. I love that Eryn did research in nature with her family, through her own children’s wonderment of nature in all their adventures. The fact that she used other sources as well, showing how Nature is very connected through God in his creation fascinated me as I am learning things I did not know before. You can clearly see she did her research and did it well. I will be rereading this with my teenagers and taking them on more nature adventures using the book as a guide this time around. Thank you Eryn for connecting the dots of nature to its creator so very clearly.
Rooted in Wonder by Eryn Lynum Pub Date 11 Apr 2023 Independent Publishers Group, Kregel Publications Christian | Outdoors & Nature
I am reviewing a copy of Rooted Im Wonder through Independent Publishing Group, Kregel Publishing and Netgalley:
Eryn Lynum is a naturalist, an author, as well as a Bible Teacher:
Rooted in Wonder reminds a generation whose eyes always seemed to be glued on screens to take the time to encounter nature in a genuine way.
This book is divided into practical sections that remind the reader to view nature through the lens of the Bible as well as through activities to help integrate Faith in the Natural World.
In an often chaotic and confusing world, God’s creation not only provides a respite but also boldly and intricately reflects countless biblical principles that ground us while the culture rages on. As parents, we have the privilege and responsibility to pass these timeless truths on to our children. In her book, Rooted in Wonder, Eryn Lyman masterfully explains many biblical principles reflected in God’s creation and by doing so she shows parents how to help their children make these connections as well. I encourage parents to read through this lovely book with an eye toward godly culture building by investing in their children who will then pass these lessons on to their children.
Durenda Wilson 27-Year Veteran Homeschool Mom of 8
As a homeschool Mama of 3 young boys (6, 3 & 1) we prioritize teaching our kids the Bible, spending time outdoors in nature and lots of reading out loud. "Rooted in Wonder" has helped me be more intentional in regularly making the connection between what I observe in nature and the truth that it all points to Jesus as the ultimate Creative! It urges me to slow down and learn alongside my kids- who are naturally drawn towards the wonder and beauty of a ladybug, the majesty of a bald eagle, the intrigue of a bird building a nest. "Naturalism is an adventure in learning about creation so we can better understand and more deeply know our Creator" - Eryn Lynum Treat yourself to this inspiring resource as we head into spring and many outdoor adventures!
Hey friends! If you’re wanting a book that firmly plants the beauty of nature deep within scripture and a love for Jesus…this book is it! Eryn does an amazing job of linking the very many intricate and delicate aspects of nature to the one and only Creator. When it’s common to praise the creation over the Creator, “Rooted in Wonder” draws the child and even parent(s)/ caregiver(s) heart and attention back to God and His beautiful intention for his creation. The first page of the first chapter really won my heart over as it firmly lines up with what we desire for our children. Could not recommend this book more!
I love this book and feel I will return to it again and again. Eryn's descriptions of nature and and her ability to connect it with Scripture and our Creator makes the book especially meaningful. And her delight of finding God's truths in the wonders and beauty of his creation is contagious! She invites you in each rich chapter to step outside, to see nature in the Bible and to see God in nature with tangible activities and experiences that you can share with your children. This book encourages me to find peace, rest and beauty that surrounds me each day and to be grateful to my Creator. His creation is so amazing!
This year winter has been long and I’ve found myself struggling with getting the family outside as much as I’d like to. Then I started reading Rooted in Wonder and it was just what I needed to re-ignite my wonder and excitement for nature (in any weather!). It has encouraged me to remember the holy work we are doing out there as we spend time in nature and point our children to the one who created it all. The “Step Outside” prompts at the end of each chapter has given me so many ideas on ways to enjoy nature together and I love that each one points to the Bible and a truth that can be learned about the one who made us. Highly recommend this book, it’s been a real encouragement to my family!
As a parent raised myself in nature, now seeking to raise my children in nature as well, I read this knowing it would affirm my feelings about the world around us. It did that! Lynum writes at length on the natural world being an excellent example for us to use in teaching our littles life, theology, and to love our Creator as He loves us.
I appreciated her sentiment & learned a few things, too!
Each chapter has a section at the end with ideas for taking what you've read outside and converting it into a brief lesson. At the end of the book is a resource section with more helpful tools.
As a mama of toddlers and a homeschool mama, I really enjoyed this book so much. I read scripture individually and read scripture to my children, but the way the book connects scripture to nature and creation really helps me to view my Bible reading in a different light to help bring scripture to life for my children when we are outdoors.
Also, what do mamas really want in a book? PRACTICAL. I love how there are many "step outside" sections that give me ideas and help me to apply what I'm reading in tangible ways. 10/10 recommend if you love the outdoors and love the Lord!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and seeing how the author brought God, science, art, and math together. Watching my 6, 10, and 12 year old grands explore and create using the Step Outside segments sprinkled throughout this book has been nurturing their already creative mindsets. We have explored one project together and look forward to more throughout spring and summer. I highly recommend this book to Sunday School teachers, day care providers and homeschool families. I even recommend it for a baby shower gift and Mother’s Day gifts and Father’s Day gifts.