Moonfinder and Classical Astronomy

My friend Jay Ryan is a homeschooling dad. Like most homeschooling Dads, he works a full time job.  What sets him apart for the average dad is that in his "spare" time he educates others on Classical Astronomy. Jay has published several books and textbooks. He has written an email newsletter on astronomy since 2002. His new venture is the Classical Astronomy Celestial Almanack (click on the link to go to the information and order page.) Each month Jay will produce a new almanack with information about the current month. At just $3 an issue his information is completely affordable so check it out today! (just FYI - I do not get any compensation for my plug of Jay's work - it is just such a great product I wanted to tell you all about it.)

Did you know that until recently the study of astronomy was considered essential? Because I can't say it better than Jay, here is an excerpt from his January e-newsletter.

"Let me just a share a bit of the vision that has motivated me to promote astronomy since 1990.  Some people think that astronomy is a special subject for "people who like that sort of thing."  Most people consider astronomy an optional subject, even people who like it.  But as explained many times over the years, visual astronomy was an essential subject for all of pre-industrial history.  It has practical value for navigation and timekeeping, which is the God-appointed purpose for creating the Sun and Moon (Gen. 1:14).  Though a ll cultures in the world have historically used the Sun and Moon for timekeepers, the study of the sky (and of all creation) should have a special meaning and purpose for Christians  The Apostle Paul wrote:

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: - Romans 1:20.

In other words, in addition to any practical, utilitarian value, we should study the visible things in God's creation to better understand the LORD's divine nature.  Indeed, the Apostle directed these words to the unbelievers of his time, pagans who worshiped God's creatures, including the Sun and Moon.  But let me so bold as to submit that many Christians in today's generation are also "without excuse," like the pagans of old.

Americans in today's modern world live behind a comfortable wall of technology.  We have replaced the LORD's timekeepers with clocks and other gadgets.  Most of us live our lives under artificial electric light, rather than the "two lights" that the LORD placed in the sky. In so many other ways as well, our artifical man-made world has insulated us from God's creation.  

Today's modern technological conveniences are not necessarily bad things, but it can be a bad situation when we rely on them to such a degree that they displace the LORD's creation.  When we fail to observe and appreciate the visible things that God has made, we miss out on an opportunity to learn from them about His invisible qualities, His "eternal power and Godhead."  In this way, we fail to understand this aspect of our Creator, and our lives are made poorer, including the lives of our children."

So, take a few minutes to check out Jay's site Classical Astronomy and look into his books. I ordered his newest book Moonfinder in December and was awed by its simplicity and wonderful way of imparting information. The illustrations were charming - just what I love in a good book! I enjoyed sitting down and reading it to Daniel as well as just reading it to myself. Although targeted at homeschooling families, Jay's books are for every Christian student in North America. I used his Signs & Seasons curriculum with Melissa during her senior year (along with the accompanying field journal.) I learned so much (and have so much to learn still) and look forward to using it with both Abbie and Daniel. I so appreciate all of Jay's hard work!

Happy Sky viewing,

Tina