I admit as soon as I opened the box I loved what I saw. The Amazing Bible Timeline includes 6,000 years of world history in a circular format. This timeline is big, 37 x 45″ with more than 1000 entries and is color coded by people groups, Shem and his descendants are yellow, Ham, blue and Japheth, pink. The Catholic church and the Reformation also have their own color designations.
The Bible Timeline includes some other helpful features.
- In addition to including the date of a person’s birth and death, it gives you the number of years after Adam that they lived. So while Noah was born about 2950 B.C. I can tell by looking at the timeline that he was born 1056 years after Adam.
- For each Biblical figure and many Biblical events the timeline includes the Bible references making it easy to look up the Scripture account of that person or event.
- The timeline is organized geographically so that you are able at a glance to see what was happening in Egypt, China, Rome and Israel simultaneously.
The timline includes a bibliography and a disclaimer that many dates are a matter of discussion. Based on the sources they reference, the dates should be within generally accepted Christian beliefs. The timeline also comes with several free downloads.
- Two artistically different versions of the genealogy of Christ that would be suitable for printing and hanging on your wall.
- An interactive layered pdf map that displays the Holy Land at 6 different periods in history, 1850 B.C. – Abraham and the prophets, 1500-1200 B.C. – Moses, 1020 B.C. – united Israel, 605 B.C. – Babylonian Empire, 4 B.C. – Roman Empire and the Holy Land today. Each layer of the map can be viewed independently as well as viewing several layers at a time.
- A pdf version of the Amazing Bible Timeline.
You also get a free 3 day e-course: “Get the Most from your Bible Timeline Study” that points out different features and gives ideas for using the Timeline.
What we thought:
Caveat emptor – Let the buyer beware. (More details in a moment, just wanted to make sure you saw this in case you’re skimming. 
)
I really like the compact layout of this timeline. Even though it is BIG it is more compact than a linear timeline would be. The timeline fits on our 4 x 4′ school table and I purchased a vinyl table cloth to go on top which makes this very convenient to use. As a person who doesn’t like visual clutter this is a great option since it is confined and tidy. It is also more convenient than a folded timeline because it is constantly in view and available at a moment’s notice. We’ve even referred to the timeline during conversations with guests. If you are planning on mounting it on a wall I think that it would be difficult to see unless you mounted it very close to the floor. The print is small and the children will often sit on top of our table to be able to see.
Since it is always out and available we spend time looking at it, learning and calling out interesting contemporaries like, “Gideon was judging Israel during the Chow dynasty in China” and “Homer lived at the same time as Solomon”.
We’ve always used a timeline book and having the visual of all history at once is a good addition to our school. This product is a resource that you would use in conjunction with your regular Bible or history studies, it is not designed to be a curriculum by itself.
Now, back to the caveat emptor clause. The very afternoon that I sat down to write what I thought would be a simple straight forward review, I received an email from the producers of The Amazing Bible Timeline with the subject line “Wow! Let’s Clear This Up Right Now”. They stated that some reviewers were making assumptions about them and the timeline and they wanted to clear it up. They included a link to a response page. I carefully read their response page, read some of my crewmate’s reviews, talked to my husband and decided to look a bit more carefully at the timeline. The major question that is being discussed is, “Does The Amazing Bible Timeline have a Latter Day Saints (Mormon) slant?”
Here are some undisputed facts.
- There are two similar sites run by the makers of The Amazing Bible Timeline. The site that the TOS Crew was given and the LDS Book of Mormon Timeline with Bible and World History site . These sites are completely separate and unlinked and the TOS Crew may not have known about the existence of the second site if Sheri, one of our members, had not done some investigating.
- The references listed for the two versions of timelines offered are different. You may view the cited sources for the LDS version here. On my version the Book of Mormon is not cited as a source.
- Even though The Book of Mormon is not cited as a source, it is listed and referenced as a source in the body of my timeline.
- There are some LDS events listed as fact on my copy of the timeline.
I was going to reference and link to several pieces of information from their response page, but it has been changed and the info I was going to include is no longer there. They did state in their initial response and restated in their revised response that there is no need for them to disclose their specific religious affiliation other than the fact that Christ is their personal savior. That is certainly their prerogative and I respect their wishes.
In the original version of their response page they stated that the original films for the timeline had been accidentally destroyed by FedEx in 2000 and that they needed to use the films from the LDS version to help them recreate the standard version (this statement is also referenced in the Home Sweet Home School review). They said that any LDS references that were still present were left in error. They also asked us to notify them of any LDS references so that they could be removed.
So according to the makers of The Amazing Bible Timeline, the LDS references on the version of the timeline that they sent to me have been left on the timeline in error for the last 9 years.
I did not do enough research and am not familiar enough with the Book of Mormon to know for certain if there is a LDS slant to the whole timeline. There are several things that seem peculiar to me and different from what I’ve always heard and been taught. I think that Sheri , Danielle, Tammi and Lori all add good points and I encourage you to read those if you would like more information.
Our family is not part of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and because of differences in our beliefs and how those affect this timeline, The Amazing Bible Timeline is not something that we would be comfortable purchasing.
The Amazing Bible Timeline is available for $29.95 and you can buy two for $49.95. If you’d like to take a look for yourself, they offer a a 60 day guarantee, if you do not like the timeline or it doesn’t fit your needs you may simply mail it back and they will reimburse your full purchase price including shipping!
You may read more of my homeschool curriculum reviews on my review page.
Bible Charts and Maps, LLC sent me this product free of charge to enable me to write this review. All opinions are my own and I am not otherwise reimbursed for any reviews here on Raising Olives
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I would not be interested in an LDS version, either, but I really like the idea of a compact, conclusive timeline that also has Scripture references. We’re using core 6 of Sonlight right now and the Bible readings, while approximately the same time period, vary somewhat from the period of history of the books we’re reading. For instance, I wanted to read the kids 2 Chronicles 32 the same day we finished God King, so they could read the biblical account of Judah’s defeat of Sennacherib. I happened to know where to find it, but I don’t know the reference for many events of ancient history. I would love to be able to better synchronize our readings using a timeline such as this. How do we find out when their non-LDS version will be ready to ship again?
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
The version that I reviewed is the non-LDS version. Sorry I wasn’t more clear about that.
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Great review. Balanced and well researched!!
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I’m just going to say I am shocked. By both your comments about the LDS Church and those of people you support and link to your blog. As a member os the LDS faith I am offended at being called “not christian”. I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, I believe his is my savior.
I completely support your right not to want to teach your children something not of your beliefs and not use the timeline, thats your decision, but to destroy the time line because you dont agree? or to agree with others views about how “unchristian” another faith is? I suggest a study into the beliefs of the LDS church before discrediting or supporting others that discredit anyone.
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Wow Ashley. I honestly don’t understand why you are taking offense at this review.
My only comment about the LDS church is that our family is not part of it and because of our different beliefs and the fact that some of those are taught on the timeline that this is not something our family would be comfortable purchasing.
I linked to some of my Crew mates blogs, as a courtesy to readers who may be interested in more information than I can offer. These Crew mates have done more research and/or have more knowledge of the issues than I do. If you take issue with their statements I suggest that you take it up on their blogs.
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Hmm, I was very excited until I read further. I would probably pass this map up because of the LDS references and how they do tend to contradict biblical teachings. Not based on opinion but on fact. But now my interest is up, I would like to find and purchase one of strictly biblical reference!! Any suggestions???
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I don’t have any suggestions. This was the first timeline in this format that I had seen.
Maybe some readers have more info than I do.
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ok, based on reading my comment, it could be mis-construed… I meant that the company confirmed LDS sources on the maps and such. I also didn’t read the other links as well. I don’t mean to offend anyone when I wrote my comment and sorry if it came across that way. =)
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Kimberly, I think your review was written well. As one of your LDS friends I like that you took the time to describe the product first in your review. I also think it is great to write exactly why a product doesn’t work for your family – that is why people read reviews, to see if it might work for their family. I’m sorry you had a commentor who chose to be offended.
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Lovely and gracious as always, Tristan. Thank you!
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Gracious. I never called the Mormon faith “unChristian” in my review-and I didn’t see that tone in the others. I am sorry Ashley felt offended. I have friends who are Mormon, Jehovah, Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, Buddhist and nothing in particular (just to name a few). I made it very clear that I was not impressed with the company because they were not being clear about their sources or their direction for the chart. Well-I did investigate them-like I do with any company that offers Biblical based material. I want to know where they are coming from, to be sure it aligns with what we want to teach our children. Not anyone else’s kids-but ours. Which is our God given right. I also make it very clear that what I write in my reviews is based on how the product worked for us, could possibly work for others and yet-understand that it cannot work for all. I hope that clears up my take on this whole deally bob.
First Mate Sheri
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Kimberly, I feel so blessed to actually know you and your family personally and I just wanted to publically state that despite the fact that we are LDS you have embraced and supported and encouraged me as a homeschooler and a mother in all my dealings with you. I have never felt ostracized or ridiculed or even unfairly judged although I am aware we have some doctrinal differences in our beliefs you are yet still one of the better examples in my life of truly Christ-like living. I also want to state that I have watched the way you consistently seek after truth and the dedication with which you pursue your goals of righteous living and I honestly trust your judgement to be fair unbiased and honest as you see it from your viewpoint. I found your review to be fairly objective given that you may have had some previous experience with teaching history and attempting on your own to cross reference bibical dates with world events you probably found the timeline to be helpful at first and then felt wary because you believe the Bible to be the only and infallible word of God and wondered what additional information may have come from other sources which you don’t trust.I too have had misgivings when teaching my children from sources that I have not personally prayed about and felt a confirmation from the Holy Spirit as to their truthfulness. Being LDS we accept the idea of continual revelation from God through prophets and personal revelation to guide us I found the chronological dates contained in the back of our scriptures to be helpful in our study of world history. I trust that you pray over the curriculum choices you make in your family and I both respect that and find it helpful to learn what things you use and why. The peaceful and gracious spirit in your home is very condusive to receiving revelation and I know you seek knowledge from God daily in all the ways of your household may you have the Lord’s choicest blessings in your home and upon your children which he reserves for his faithful servants as you train up your olive plants.
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Thank you Carole Lynn! I appreciate your public as well as private encouragement.
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So yours was the non-LDS version, but it still had LDS events listed on it, right? If the company was unaware of this, I assume they’re working on coming out with a version without the extra-Biblical events. I was wondering if they knew when it would be ready.
I also think your review was a fair one and not offensive at all. I can’t say I have any LDS friends, but I do listen to Glenn Beck, does that count? If I’m going to buy a timeline for my kids to study I want to make sure the events listed are ones that I, too believe happened. That’s the whole reason we homeschool- so we can make these choices! I think that’s common sense for most of us.
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I agree this is a very interesting Timeline Chart! My DH and I got it to put up in our young adult Sunday School room! I will have to check it now regarding your Caveat Emptor comments!
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I also am LDS and was a little disconcerted to see comments eluding to the Timeline being less than worthy of others – BUT…I’m in agreement with the fact that we all want to teach our children what we believe/know to be true. Though the constant criticism of the LDS additions to the time line are slightly irritating to me, I’m also very grateful for your post since it’s a Fantastic find for our family! Thank you for posting it and for all your other great ideas.
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Raising Olives Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Interestingly the producers of this timeline said that the LDS references on this version of the timeline are there in error. They asked reviewers to point them out so that thy could be removed before the next printing.
I believe that I have a responsibility to my readers to point out errors or problems that I notice with a product (especially errors that have been overlooked, according to the producers, for 9 years). That is why I include pros and cons in each of my product reviews. I tell you what I like and what I don’t like and then you make a decision as to whether it will work for your family or not.
One of the TOS reviewers is LDS and you may be interested in reading her Timeline review.
If you decide to purchase this timeline I suggest that you click through the link for the LDS version of the timeline. I think that it will be a better fit for your family.
I’m glad that you found something that will work for your family!
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