Math from a Biblical Worldview
My publisher, Master Books, recently interviewed me for their podcast about the Big Book of Math. Check it out to learn more about the resource and how to use it–you might pick up a few nuggets from math’s history along the way!
I’m excited to have just finished the draft of a full-color, 8.5 in by 14 in by 15 ft math timeline, on which students will be able to watch math in action throughout history—and see how math points us to the Creator in the process. Below is a sneak peek into just a few of the facts students will learn. Stay tuned for publication information!
Electricity—we take it for granted and use it countless times a day. Turning on lights, using a computer, microwaving those leftovers, looking at a digital clock, cranking down the AC, opening the refrigerator, doing a tub of wash—the list of daily uses of electricity or electrical devices could go on and on.
But did you know it’s math that helps us explore electricity and design devices like lights and computers? A glance back at history reveals a lot of math—and points us to the Creator.
Back in 1785, A man named Charles-Augustin de Coulomb discovered a mathematical relationship between the force and distance between electric charged particles by doing experiments. His result can be expressed algebraically like shown below.
In other words, the force produced by electricity can be described mathematically!
Later, many other men would do experiments and discover more of the ways electricity works. One key discoverer was a man named Michael Faraday, who realized that magnets can generate electricity and invented the first electric generator. Once again, math was used in this design. In fact, the relationship between the electrical voltage, the number of coils of wire, the change in something called magnetic flux, and the time can be described like shown below.
Faraday, like many other great scientists/inventors, saw creation (which math helped them explore) as pointing to God. Faraday wrote,
“The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.”
Sit back and think about it for a minute. Even at the microscopic level, electricity (which later scientists would realize is the flow of electrons) operates in a consistent enough fashion to describe it with formulas that we can rely on to work to such a degree that devices like light bulbs and computers can be built around it. Why is creation that consistent? Because a faithful, consistent Creator governs all things.
Despite how it often comes across to high school students, geometry is anything but meaningless. In fact, geometry means “earth measure.” It’s a branch of math that helps us measure God’s creation, from the microscopic to the vast distances of space.
I recently had the privilege to develop a geometry eCourse (available on MasterBooksAcademy.com). While it was the most challenging eCourse I’ve developed (creating slides to visually walk through proofs involving different shapes step by step required more than just walking through equations), it was also the most fun to work on. I was blown away over and over again by how geometry sings the Creator’s praises and proves a useful tool. Here are some examples, based on Harold Jacobs’ Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding curriculum and the eCourse I developed to go alongside it (the eCourse both walks through the material and expands on the ideas in the textbook to really bring in the biblical worldview as well as to help students master the concepts without being overwhelmed by the challenges).
Geometry and God’s CreationDid you know that geometry was used to find the circumference of the earth…and the distance to the nearest star? The distances of outer space are mind-blowing in themselves—yet how much more incredible the God who stretched out the heavens (Isaiah 42:5)! Geometry helps us describe the arrangement of molecules; did you know if the molecules in our bodies were just mirror images of what they are, life as we know it wouldn’t work? Geometry shouts out that life didn’t happen by accident. Geometry helps us see the design in our eyes, and how God gave us the ability to perceive both distance and depth. With geometry, we can measure the height of things we can’t physically stretch a measuring tape to measure—such as a mountain or a tree.
Geometry and Real-Life TasksNot only does geometry help us explore God’s creation, but it helps us complete real-life tasks. It helps us design bridges, make beautiful art, and engineer chairs, to name a few. Geometry proves a wonderful course to talk about how God made man in His image and how we’re accountable to our Creator for how we use the intellect and abilities God gave us (a great theme to explore in high school as students are thinking through their futures). On a daily basis, we all experience the effects of geometry applied for both good and evil. Every time we use our cell phone, we’re using cell networks that are really a grid of “hexagonal cells” (Jacobs, p. 583)…and we’re using that device for either good or evil.
While proofs are definitely a key part of geometry, they too are a useful tool. Proofs help us figure out if something applies just in one situation or in all, making them essential in describing God’s creation. After all, if we’re going to use geometry to measure distances in outer space where we can’t physically check our measurements, we need a way to think through those measurements logically. Deductive reasoning is thus a key piece of geometry—and it applies in other areas of life too. In the eCourse, students learn how in any proof, we start with assumptions—and the conclusions we reach are only as valid as the assumptions we begin with. This is key to understand when discerning through arguments people make (and when making them). For example, if you assume a uniformitarian perspective for how a canyon was made, you will reach different conclusions than if you assume a catastrophic global flood was the cause.
Don’t let geometry fool your students: it’s really an exciting journey through which we can behold God’s handiwork and get equipped to serve Him each step. While geometry can feel like a whole new world for students as it’s very different than arithmetic or algebra, understanding its purpose can help students push through the challenges to learn the key skills that really apply outside of math as well.
If you’d like to learn more or need a resource that teaches geometry from this perspective, check out the geometry eCourse I developed on the Master Books Academy. The first chapter is free to watch, and it will give you a greater glimpse into how geometry, far from being a meaningless exercise, is an incredible journey into measuring the earth.
I’m excited to have just finished an eCourse to go alongside Jacob’s Elementary Algebra!
The course, which is now available as part of the Master Book’s Academy, brings in the biblical worldview of math, presents the concepts, walks through examples, and more, offering an easy transition from Principles into high school math.
Learn more and view a sample chapter at the Master Books Academy.
P.S. I’m sorry I’ve not blogged much recently–it’s been a busy time! My husband and I just moved into our first home. We’re also still working on Algebra 2 (we expect it to be finished within a few months)…along with other math projects (stay tuned for more details in the upcoming months).
I recently watched a video on New Year’s resolutions that got me.
In the video, a little girl pointed out that if she wanted to ride a bike, it took more than a resolution. It took a willingness to fall and try again and again.
That illustration seemed to capture very well the learning process. It’s easy to start the new year with resolutions of how much better things will be (or how much better math class will be), but the reality of getting there will involve taking steps…and being willing to get back up when we fall.
As students try to improve problem-solving skills and stretch themselves, they will likely get problems wrong, just as we will fall off a bike when learning to ride. It’s part of the learning process. And as you try to teach math from a biblical worldview, you will likely fall short of what you hoped. Make sure you’re striving for the right goals–for God’s goals. But if you are, don’t give up–get back on that bike 🙂
New Videos
For the last several months, I’ve been working on an eCourse supplement to go alongside Book 2 of Principles of Mathematics…and it’s now finished! In the videos, I present the various concepts step-by-step. Whether you’re using the Principles of Mathematics program or not, feel free to check out some of the sample videos. I’ve put together a page with more information about the video eCourse.
Feedback
This feedback made my day yesterday.
“Thanks again. We love this book – it’s the first year in about the last 8 years that we haven’t had tears in our math time with this child, and she loves seeing the connections in math to real things that God created.” – Debby [referring to Principles of Mathematics: Book 1]
It’s the time of year again where many of you may be heading back to school after a summer break.
Here are some free resources to help encourage/equip you to teach math from a biblical worldview as you go.
Well, it’s finally public: I’m working on an eCourse to go alongside Principles of Mathematics: Book 1.
The eCourse will feature a short video to go with every lesson in the textbook. The videos will walk through the material covered in the curriculum, making it a perfect supplement for auditory or visual learners, or any student who needs a little more guidance in math.
Anyway, this video offers a very short overview!
Please leave a comment with your thoughts. The eCourse is also now available for preorder at a special price of $49.99. This price will grant access to the eCourse for the 2016-2017 school year.
[thrive_text_block color=”light” headline=”Bonus: Color, Light, and Math”] I recently posted a blog about Color, Math, & Light over on The Creation Club website. Hope you enjoy! 
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I was pleased to learn about this middle school math lesson plan that uses math to show the improbability of evolution. (The main math concept is probability, along with large numbers and scientific notation, although others are also used.) While designed specifically for a public school setting, it could be easily adapted for Christian or homeschool. (Thank you, Mr. Karl Priest, for putting it together and letting me know about it!)
I especially loved the suggestion given to have students try to write tally marks to help drive home how much a million is. Coupled with quotes like the one below, it brings home the point that, even from a human reasoning perspective, evolution doesn’t make sense:
“Imagine 10^50 blind persons each with a scrambled Rubik cube, and try to conceive of the chance of them all simultaneously arriving at the solved form. You then have the chance of arriving by random shuffling of just one of the many biopolymers on which life depends. The notion that not only biopolymers but the operating programme of a living cell could be arrived at by chance in a primordial soup here on the Earth is evidently nonsense of a high order.” Fred Hoyle, “The Big Bang in Astronomy”, New Scientist, Vol. 92, No. 1280 (1981): p.527
I would just add that evolution and creation can’t be proved—they occurred in the past. The issue ultimately comes down to faith, and that faith shouldn’t rest in our human reasoning of probability, but in the Word of the God who was there and has told us what happened. However, math does show us how even from a human reasoning perspective, evolution doesn’t make sense…and this lesson plan does a wonderful job showing that.
As the cartoon at the end of the lesson plan (and shown here) reminds us, you can’t reason someone into the kingdom of heaven. God has to do a work to change a heart. Let’s make sure we’re sharing the gospel with people as we remind them that creation clearly proclaims a Creator.
Note: If you’re stuck on how to begin sharing the gospel, check out the free resources at LivingWaters.com. He has a lot of helpful training materials to help.
A friend recently let me know that Truth and the Transcendent is now being offered for free online. I was really excited to see that…as now it means I can share it with all of you!
This book, published by Answers in Genesis, is one that I read years ago and found most helpful in wrapping my mind around how math points us to the Creator. As you might guess from the subtitle (The Origin, Nature, & Purpose of Mathematics), Truth & the Transcendent explores the philosophy behind math: what is it and what is its purpose.
My favorite chapter is Chapter 5, where Mr. Zimmerman points out that within math, we have the opportunity to behold God’s glory, allowing that to transform us from the inside out. He begins the chapter like this:
Why is it so important for the Christian to behold the glory of God reflected in mathematics or anywhere else? Simply because beholding the glory of God is the prime directive for spiritual growth.
He goes on to explain that so often we as Christians fall into the trap of trying to make ourselves more Christ-like through simply changing our actions, neglecting the reality that we’re transformed from the inside out as we behold God’s glory.
The key to resolving this tension between what is God’s part and what is my part, as a Christian, is found in II Corinthians 3,4, and 5, the linchpin being 3:18. “But we all, with uncovered faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” I become like Christ by beholding His glory.
As we realize how mighty, faithful, wise, etc., God is, it drives away our fear and pride. And within math–as well as every other area of life–we have an opportunity to behold God’s glory, letting our hearts be amazed at His handiwork and reminded to trust Him completely.
Math is an opportunity to behold God’s glory, as well as to complete the tasks He’s given us to do. As Mr. Zimmerman says,
Christian teachers, then, motivate their classes in two valid ways to learn mathematics. First, mathematics exhibits the glory of God, necessary to growth in His image, which is the destiny of Christians. Second, mathematics equips students to care for the creation, under the divine command.
Here’s the link to read Truth and the Transcendent for yourself. If you do, please leave a comment below with your thoughts. And until next time, remember to behold God’s glory as you study math, reflecting on His faithfulness that makes math possible and knowing that He’ll be just as faithful to everything else He says in His Word.
It’s still hard for me to grasp the reality that it’s actually done. Writing this math curriculum has been an amazing journey, fraught with unexpected delays (such as a concussion that left me unable to work much on it for more than a year) and challenges. Yet as I look back, I see God’s provision each step along the way.
Thank you, dear readers, for being a part of that provision—for your prayers and your encouragement. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me. (And please don’t stop praying! I’m still working on Year 2…which is due to come out late this year/early next.)
We decided to extend our pre-order pricing for a little longer, so you can still grab the curriculum at a reduced price you’d like a copy.
Also, I’ll be speaking at a couple of upcoming conventions and would love to see you there (I’ll be at the Master Books booth).
Here are the details:
Virginia – HEAV’s Virginia Homeschool Convention
June 11-13, 2015
Arizona – AFHE Home Education Convention
July 10-11, 2015
As you begin planning for next fall’s school year, don’t let the thought of math scare you. Math is a way of describing God’s creation—it’s a testimony to His faithfulness, wisdom, and greatness. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this short video I made a couple years ago for a quick reminder of how math can be seen from a biblical worldview. This version includes an ending I recently added that offers a quick overview of the curriculum too.
I’m a sinner saved by grace through Jesus Christ. I’m also a writer—I’ve been writing ever since I could hold a pen. I… Meet Katherine [Loop] Hannon.
