Podcast
Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible
Hosted by The Natural Theology Project · EN
Have you ever wondered why God made mosquitoes? How an axolotl can regrow parts of its body? If a snail is born with a shell? Or why an octopus has three hearts?
Welcome to Nat Theo (Nat = Natural, Theo = Theology), a Bible-based nature and science podcast for curious kids and their families! Join Master Naturalist, Bible teacher, and author Eryn Lynum as we explore fascinating creatures, incredible science, and the truths of God’s Word.
Through engaging stories, surprising facts, and memorable nature lessons, children discover how creation points to its Creator. From tiny insects and backyard birds to capybaras, axolotls, dinosaurs, oceans, weather, space, and more, each episode helps families develop a biblical worldview while growing in faith and wonder.
Whether you homeschool or attend public, private, or Christian school, Nat Theo makes a fun and educational addition to your family’s week. It’s science rooted in Scripture, nature study filled with wonder, and biblical truth you can carry with you wherever they go.
The Natural Theology Project helps families nurture faith and wonder through Bible-based nature study, science curriculum, and the Nat Theo podcast.
67episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
You Are Wonderfully Made! A Very Special Episode Made by Listeners
Jan 30, 2025Tap to summarizeWhat better way to wrap up our Wonderfully Made series than to hear from our listeners? Tune in for this very special bonus episode and always remember: You are wonderfully made!“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
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The Story Of The Doctor Who Stole A Bible - With Dr. Matthew Sleeth
Jan 20, 2025Tap to summarizeDr. Matthew Sleeth was a doctor who believed only in science… until science failed him. When science could no longer answer his deep questions, he went searching for answers elsewhere, and he found them only after stealing a Bible.Episode Links:Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Blessed Earth - Biblically-based stewardship of creation: https://blessedearth.org/Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love for Us: https://www.amazon.com/Reforesting-Faith-Trees-Teach-Nature/dp/073529177224/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life: https://www.amazon.com/24-Prescription-Healthier-Happier-Life/dp/1414372280Dive in deeper with the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
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A Very Imperfect Christmas Tree Story - BONUS Episode
Dec 23, 202400:17:54Tap to summarizeAfter searching for a nicely shaped Christmas tree, our family decided to bring one home that represents the Colorado wilderness! Enjoy our favorite Christmas storybook, Why Christmas Tree's Aren't Perfect, and hear my kids' favorite Christmas memories.See our Ponderosa pine Christmas tree: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXP83NRggm/Order your copy of Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Christmas-Trees-Arent-Perfect/dp/1501825836Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect was read and recorded with permission from Guideposts books.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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What Color Is a Polar Bear? With Biologist Jill Smith- Episode 55
Dec 17, 202400:35:43Tap to summarizeIf a polar bear isn’t white, what color is it? Discover the amazing ways birds and mammals stay warm, alive, and thrive in frigid Arctic temperatures.Here’s our trail map:What Birds Did God Design to Live In the Arctic?What Mammals Did God Design to Live In the Arctic?What Color Is a Polar Bear’s Fur?How Does God’s Light Help Us Live and Thrive?Episode Links:Jill Smith’s Book, Nature Unveiled: https://jillsmith.my.canva.site/life-long-learnerGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Arctic Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/polar-bear-colorExplore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Apologia’s Earth Science Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/apologia-advantage-set-earth-science-with-junior-notebooking-journal/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)“Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NCV)“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days, and years. They will be in the sky to give light to the earth.’ And it happened. So God made the two large lights. He made the brighter light to rule the day and made the smaller light to rule the night. He also made the stars.” Genesis 1:14-16 (NCV)“The true Light that gives light to all was coming into the world!” John 1:9 (NCV)“In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people.” John 1:4 (NCV)“In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Countercurrent Circulation: A design allowing a bird to keep its body warm, even while its legs are in icy cold water, by trading heat between the blood in their feet and the rest of their bodies.Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies.Guard Hairs: Longer coarse, or rough, hair that acts kind of like a raincoat, protecting an animal from rain or wet snow.Transparent: See-through.Undercoat: Short, dense, and soft fur growing beneath the outer guard hairs.Sebum Oil: Natural oil made by the body's sebaceous glands. Animals that make this oil use it to coat their fur like a waterproof layer.Back Fat: Thick layer of fat beneath the skin. Some animals can store this layer of fat to use as energy throughout the winter.Blubber: Thick layer of fat beneath the skin on marine mammals including seals, whales, polar bears, and walruses. Used as energy and insulation.Hibernation: When an animal goes into a dormant, sleepy state and its metabolism slows, heart rate slows, and body temperature lowers.Metabolism: A chemical process in a body that changes food into energy. Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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What Caterpillar Braves the Arctic? With Biologist Jill Smith - Episode 54
Dec 10, 202400:34:19Tap to summarizeMeet the oldest living caterpillar on earth who braves the Arctic and can survive in -90 degrees Fahrenheit! On part one of our 2-part Arctic feature, discover the unique Arctic ecosystems and the plants and creatures God designed to thrive there.Here’s our trail map:Where Is the Arctic and What Is It Like?Can Plants Grow in the Arctic?What Caterpillar Braves the Arctic?Do Any Amphibians Live In the Arctic?How Does God Prepare Us for Harsh Conditions?Episode Links:Jill Smith’s Book, Nature Unveiled: https://jillsmith.my.canva.site/life-long-learnerGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Arctic Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/arctic-woolly-bear-mothTry CTCMath’s simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Apologia’s Earth Science Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/apologia-advantage-set-earth-science-with-junior-notebooking-journal/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“God is our protection and our strength.He always helps in times of trouble.So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes,or the mountains fall into the sea,even if the oceans roar and foam,or the mountains shake at the raging sea.”Psalm 46:1-3 (NCV)“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life…” 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)“May he (God) equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)Terms Learned in This Episode:Ecosystem: An area where the plants, creatures, and other things in nature like water, rocks, dirt, and sun all help each other.Permafrost: A thick layer of soil beneath the surface that remains frozen throughout the year.Heliotropism: When a plant grows toward (follows) the sunlight.Photosynthesis: A process controlled by sunlight that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy. How a plant makes its own food.Diapause: When an insect goes dormant (stops growing or developing) to survive the cold. Similar to hibernation.Generalist: A species that can survive in a wide range of conditions and make use of many resources for food and energy.Glycerol: A chemical compound some creatures produce to keep their cells from freezing.Amphibian: Group of cold-blooded animals that include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Most live on land and in the water and go through metamorphosis.Harsh: Unpleasantly rough or severe.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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How Do Wood Duck Babies Survive a 60-Foot Fall? Episode 53
Dec 3, 202400:27:15Tap to summarizeHow can a tiny wood duck baby survive a 60-foot fall? Discover God’s amazing design in wood ducks and what they teach us about trusting God’s voice.Here’s our trail map:How Does a Duck Keep Its Feet Warm?What Is a Wood Duck?Where Does a Wood Duck Nest?How Does a Baby Wood Duck Survive a 60-Foot Fall?How Can We Trust and Follow God’s Voice?Episode Links:Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Wood Duck Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/wood-duck-babiesSend in your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askWood Duck Map: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Duck/maps-rangeExplore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath’s K-12 math program for free at https://ctcmath.com/Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)“He (God) has planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard…” John 16:33 (NLT)“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…” Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Crest: A group of raised feathers on a bird’s head commonly used to identify certain species.Countercurrent Circulation: A design allowing a duck to keep its body warm, even while its legs are in icy cold water, by trading heat between the blood in their feet and the rest of their bodies.Tree Cavity: A tree cavity is a hole in a tree’s trunk that leads to a hollow area or sunken area inside the tree trunk. Formed by injury to the tree, branch loss, natural decay, or some birds.Down Feathers: A layer of soft, fluffy feathers under the outer feathers that keep a bird warm. In many species including wood ducks, chicks are born with these down feathers.Assurance: To have assurance is to be confident of something or to be certain about something.Instinct: Instinct guides and helps us to do something that we have not learned how to do yet, often to stay safe. It’s like a deep knowledge that God tucked inside of us or an animal.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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Do All Monarch Butterflies Migrate? With Kayla White - Episode 52
Nov 26, 202400:36:09Tap to summarizeMonarch butterflies make an incredible migration journey. But do all monarchs take this long voyage? Monarch expert Kayla White joins us as we explore God’s design in these long-distance insects.Here’s our trail map:Why Do Monarch Butterflies Migrate?How Do Monarch Butterflies Know When to Migrate?How Do Monarch Butterflies Find Their Way?Does Every Generation of Monarch Migrate?What Are 3 Ways We Can Follow God’s Plan On Life’s Journey?Episode Links:Nat Theo Shop: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubWatch a monarch emerging from its chrysalis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Qh8PGdy64Kayla White’s Books: https://lucytheladybug.com/ladybug-books-and-more/Melody: A Monarch Miracle: https://lucytheladybug.com/product/melody-a-monarch-miracle/Kayla White’s Blog (Monarch post) https://lucytheladybug.com/video-have-you-ever-seen-a-monarch-emerge/Monarch Migration Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/monarch-butterflies-migrate/Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” Psalm 145:4 (NLT)“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Proverbs 15:22 (NLT)“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)“The Lord says, ‘I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Generation: All the people born at about the same time. Like layers of people born throughout history.Diapause: When an insect goes dormant (stops growing or developing) to survive the cold. Similar to hibernation.Circadian Clock: The system God designed in a body similar to an internal clock. It helps our bodies wake, rest, and function throughout day and night.Imaginal Discs: A group of cells in a caterpillar that become the new parts of the butterfly.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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How Did Curiosity Save The Black-footed Ferrets? Episode 51
Nov 19, 202400:24:44Tap to summarizeHow did the Black-footed ferret go from being endangered, to extinct, to endangered, to extinct, and now making a comeback? Come along on this fascinating story and discover how one woman’s curiosity helped save an entire species.Here’s our trail map:What Is A Black-footed Ferret?How Did The Black-footed Ferret Almost Disappear?How Did Curiosity Save the Black-footed Ferret?Why Is Our God-given Curiosity Important?Episode Links:Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Endangered Animals Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/black-footed-ferretExplore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“...Stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14 (ESV)“Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Native Animal: An animal that is living where it belongs. It was not brought in by humans. It is living where God created it to live.Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies.Nocturnal Animals: Animals that are mostly active at night.Tapetum Lucidum: Reflective layer in some eyes that reflects light.Extinct: A creature is no longer living on earth. There are no more of its species.Endangered: When a species is likely to go extinct (meaning we will have no more of them in the future) if they are not protected.Awe: To be filled with amazement and wonder.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves? Meet the Forest Recyclers - Episode 50
Nov 12, 202400:24:50Tap to summarizeWhat good is a leaf after it falls off a tree? Meet the forest recyclers who help turn old things into new life.Here’s our trail map:What Is A Duff?How Is A Forest Recycled?What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves?Why Are Decomposers Important?How Does God Restore And Make Things New?Episode Links:Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Forest Recycling Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-fallen-leaves-are-importantFind great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Apologia’s Botany Exploring Creation with Botany Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/apologia-advantage-set-botany-2nd-edition-with-regular-notebooking-journalRoly-poly Episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/62dc056f-543f-49e1-8d71-c7056d13742a/Bacteria Episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1d403844-0e2d-494a-a113-5ed7e86c947b/Mushrooms and fungus episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b5b86cc0-358b-4136-bc79-643bd15aff9b/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore… The One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!’” Revelation 21:1, 5 (NCV)“God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)Terms Learned in This Episode:Duff: A layer on the forest floor made up of dead leaves, sticks, grass, and other natural things.Recycle: To make something old new. To turn something that would normally be thrown away into something useful.Humus: Healthy soil that is packed full of good minerals and nutrients from decomposers.Rhizosphere: The area beneath the soil or dirt surface that surrounds plant roots. Decomposing: Something natural is breaking down by a chemical process. It is becoming rotten or decaying.Enzymes: A type of protein, a very important building block in life, that speeds up chemical processes.Reconcile: To restore or bring back into harmony.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors? Episode 49
Nov 5, 202400:29:19Tap to summarizeWhy does a tree have leaves, and if they are so important, why do leaves fall off a tree? Discover why a tree lets its leaves go and why those leaves turn many different colors before they fall off.Here’s our trail map:What Is A Forest Biome?What Are Coniferous And Deciduous Trees?What Is The Job Of A Tree Leaf?Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves?Why Do Leaves Change Colors?How Can We Let Others Around Us See God’s Beauty Inside Us?Resources Mentioned and used for Research:Apologia Leaf Color Experiment: https://www.apologia.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-the-science-of-autumn-hidden-colors-activity/Access full Episode Lesson Guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Tree Leaf Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/tree-leaves-change-colors/Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, ‘This man was one of Jesus’ followers!’But Peter denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘I don’t even know him!’After a while someone else looked at him and said, ‘You must be one of them!’‘No, man, I’m not!’ Peter retorted.About an hour later someone else insisted, ‘This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.’But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’ And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.” Luke 22:54-62 (NLT)“We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (NCV)“I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Biome: A large area in the world with a specific climate including weather patterns and temperature where certain plants and creatures live.Coniferous Tree: A tree that makes cones, has needles for leaves, and most keep their leaves (needles) all year long.Deciduous Tree: Deciduous means “falling Off.” A deciduous tree has leaves that fall off. Most deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, but some lose them in spring.Marcescence: When a tree holds on to its dead, faded, withering leaves. This happens in the case of some oak trees that keep their browned leaves through winter then lose them in spring when new buds form.Photosynthesis: A process controlled by sunlight that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy. Photosynthesis allows a plant to use the sun’s energy to make food.Dormant: When something is not active or growing but can become active and grow more in the future.Chlorophyll: The pigment in plants that makes them green, including tree leaves.Xanthophylls: The pigment that makes leaves yellow, always present in leaves but not always visible.Carotenes: The pigment that makes leaves orange, always present in leaves but not always visible.Anthocyanins: The pigment that makes leaves red or purple, produced in the autumn after a hard freeze traps sugars in a leaf.Evergreen: A coniferous tree that keeps its leaves all year long and does not shed them.Mentioned in this episode:Send in your nature questionSend in your nature question at: https://erynlynum.com/ask
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