A Nature Lover's Guide to Seeing God: Reflections and Photographs By a Biologist and a Pilgrim

With a Foreword by prominent Australian Christian leader, Tim Costello AO, this book combines high quality photographs of nature, science and Biblical reflections in a totally unique way. Be drawn to think about the natural world as perhaps you have not done so before and be inspired in your response to it and the One who has created and sustains it.

The stunning photographs reveal diverse aspects of nature - God's 'first' book. Of the book's 44 photographs, 34 are accompanied by a brief background with, where appropriate, relevant scientific detail and also a reflection inspired by the image. In writing these reflections, the authors, also both Bible college graduates who have served in full time ministry in Australia and overseas, have drawn from various parts of the Bible - God's 'second' book - to consider not only what has been recorded about nature-creation, but also what has been written about its Creator, humanity, and our role and responsibilities.

The reflections address such questions as: Is the order, precision, interconnectedness, and beauty in nature merely random and co-incidental? What is the purpose of nature-creation? What does science reveal about nature? What parables and metaphors for life can be 'read' from nature? What do natural disasters and death and decay - parts of nature that cannot be ignored - mean? How should we respond to nature? What is the added perspective of Christians on creation care?

The photographs and reflections can be used as a daily source of inspiration to guide devotion, prayer and meditation. For Christians, this book provides valuable insights and challenges. It is also a delightful source of information and wisdom for people who love nature and recognize how significant it is.

This book would be a great gift for such people as well as those with whom you would simply like to share something of the sheer beauty and diversity of the predominantly Australian landscape.

Endorsement:

"What a delightful book! A Nature Lover's Guide to Seeing God is an invitation to see the wondrous world of God's creation through the complementary lenses of science and faith and to be drawn into the worship of the God glimpsed in the beauty of nature and revealed above all in the person of Jesus Christ. Each stunningly beautiful photograph is accompanied by scientifically-informed observations alongside insightful biblical reflection and prayer. This is a book to savor. Your eyes will be opened afresh to how extraordinary is this earth that we too often take for granted and how extraordinary is our Creator and Redeemer God."

• Dr Jonathan Moo (Associate Professor of New Testament and Environmental Studies at Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington. Author of a number of books including Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World. Co-authored with Douglas J. Moo. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2018.)

"For those who appreciate the majesty of nature, whether of any faith or of no faith, a daily time of feasting from Bob & Evelyn's delicious photographic smorgasbord of mainly Australian flora and fauna, waterscape and landscape will provide food for the soul. This book, comprising photos, science-informed background and 34 Biblical reflections, is a labour of love. Bob & Evelyn's attention to detail in revealing God's incredible design in nature, and integrating this with the Bible-based reflections will have life lessons for all of us. I learned, for example, that the grass tree (Reflection 31) can not only survive fires of 1,000 degrees centigrade (1,800 Fahrenheit), after the bushfires they become a precious food source for animals. This illustration can help those of us undergoing trials, or helping others struggling through fiery times, to make sense of the moment and find hope for the future."

• Rev Dr Philip and Dr Diane Marshall (SIM International)

Publisher Description

This book, with a Foreword by prominent Australian Christian leader, Tim Costello AO, combines high quality photographs and words to delight and inspire. Through its stunning photographs and thoughtful words, this book celebrates the beauty, diversity, detail, creativity, design, form and colour that is present in nature. Each of the 44 photographs captures a different aspect of nature and of these, 34 are explained in a brief background with, where appropriate, relevant scientific detail. Alongside the background information for these photographs, there is also a reflection. In writing these reflections, the authors have drawn from various parts of the Bible to consider not only what has been recorded about nature-creation, but also what has been written about its Creator, humanity and an appropriate response. These 34 photographs and reflections can be used as a daily source of inspiration to guide prayer and meditation.