Is it time to catch up on some serious faith-and-science reading?
It was Christmas, and I got lots of books to read. I was eager to enjoy them and share the good news of great reads. But I also had (still have) visitors, and Christmas to enjoy, and trips, and conversations, and cats (not mine) and dogs (also not mine), and family, and friends, and catching up on catching up... And time keeps slipping away. But today I shall start posting a few of those book reviews.
Since Christmas is only just over for many celebrants, posting some reviews about "faith" books makes a kind of sense. And here are three about the intersection (no--not division) between faith-and-science. They're not enemies. Seriously, they're not enemies. (And one day maybe my own faith-and-science book will also come out, with the same point of view!)
First is Friend of Science Friend of Faith, listening to God in His works and word by Gregg Davidson, a pleasingly scientific, easily understood book that reveals, very convincingly, that faith and science are not, and truly couldn't be at odds. Well-chosen diagrams make complex ideas understandable, and an enjoyable writing style allows the reader to listen in on debates as the author leads to his conclusions. And "truth never needs to fear the open discussion of ideas." This is one to enjoy with some seriously well-balanced three-star coffee.
Another recently-released, similarly well-balanced book is The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith by Sy Garte. The author is someone I've known and respected online for quite a while, and his book is both personal and factual, an eminently readable account of how someone brought up to scorn faith finds himself more and more aware of the falsehoods that lie behind that scorn. Reading it is like being invited into conversation with the author and many other eminent scientists. Enjoy with some more well-balanced three-star coffee.
Then there's When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers or Partners by Ian Barbour. It's an older book, published at the turn of this century, so its science is occasionally not as up-to-date as in the other two books. It's also a much more serious read, less accessible perhaps in its language and its arguments. But it's fascinating just the same, going deeper into many of the arguments more lightly touched upon in the other books, and delving into philosophy, computers and more, as well as biology and creation. Maybe go for a rich elegant four-star coffee to accompany this rich read.
I'm reading Science and Religion around the World (edited by Brooke and Numbers) now, and a National Geographic Concise History of World Religions. Much to enjoy. Plus lots of fiction books, with lots more reviews to post, just as soon as I can find time.
Since it's not Christmas anymore, I'll wish you happy reading and a happy new year, and go back to catching up on catching up!
Since Christmas is only just over for many celebrants, posting some reviews about "faith" books makes a kind of sense. And here are three about the intersection (no--not division) between faith-and-science. They're not enemies. Seriously, they're not enemies. (And one day maybe my own faith-and-science book will also come out, with the same point of view!)
First is Friend of Science Friend of Faith, listening to God in His works and word by Gregg Davidson, a pleasingly scientific, easily understood book that reveals, very convincingly, that faith and science are not, and truly couldn't be at odds. Well-chosen diagrams make complex ideas understandable, and an enjoyable writing style allows the reader to listen in on debates as the author leads to his conclusions. And "truth never needs to fear the open discussion of ideas." This is one to enjoy with some seriously well-balanced three-star coffee.
Another recently-released, similarly well-balanced book is The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith by Sy Garte. The author is someone I've known and respected online for quite a while, and his book is both personal and factual, an eminently readable account of how someone brought up to scorn faith finds himself more and more aware of the falsehoods that lie behind that scorn. Reading it is like being invited into conversation with the author and many other eminent scientists. Enjoy with some more well-balanced three-star coffee.
Then there's When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers or Partners by Ian Barbour. It's an older book, published at the turn of this century, so its science is occasionally not as up-to-date as in the other two books. It's also a much more serious read, less accessible perhaps in its language and its arguments. But it's fascinating just the same, going deeper into many of the arguments more lightly touched upon in the other books, and delving into philosophy, computers and more, as well as biology and creation. Maybe go for a rich elegant four-star coffee to accompany this rich read.
I'm reading Science and Religion around the World (edited by Brooke and Numbers) now, and a National Geographic Concise History of World Religions. Much to enjoy. Plus lots of fiction books, with lots more reviews to post, just as soon as I can find time.
Since it's not Christmas anymore, I'll wish you happy reading and a happy new year, and go back to catching up on catching up!
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