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Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible
Summary of scientific evidence that points to the existence of God. The author, a PhD in mathematics, was one of the founders of the American Scientific Affiliation, a professional organization for Christians in the scientific field.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2020
Note, Dec. 28, 2020: I've just edited this review to add an omitted word to one sentence.
Christian faith, as the Bible itself suggests, is not solely a matter of response to external evidence; in the absence of a willingness to subordinate one's own will and desires to those of God, no evidence in support of the claims of God will be accepted, no matter how compelling it is. And we do not respond to God's love primarily on the basis of "scientific evidence," any more than we do to the love of other people. But Christian faith does assert some things to be objectively true about the nature of the universe; if those claims are to be accepted, it is fair to expect that objective evidences, as far as we can observe, would be consistent with them. This is where Stoner's book comes in.
Though written by a scientist (a mathematician), the book is intended for a non-specialist audience, and provides a short, clearly-written summary of the evidence (up to that time; there have been further discoveries since, of course) that point to the existence of a creating and superintending Intelligence in the universe. (A particular strength of the book, drawn from Stoner's mathematical background, is the use of probability theory to demonstrate that the likelihood of the production of the world as we know it by chance-guided evolution would be a "statistical monstrosity.") There are more extensive (and more recent) treatments of the subject; and as I recall, Stoner's case is more for theism itself than an examination of evidence for Christianity specifically. But with its limitations, it does provide a very basic, simple starting point for the Christian who wants to know more about the basis for faith, as well as for the searching nonbeliever who wants to objectively consider the evidence.
Christian faith, as the Bible itself suggests, is not solely a matter of response to external evidence; in the absence of a willingness to subordinate one's own will and desires to those of God, no evidence in support of the claims of God will be accepted, no matter how compelling it is. And we do not respond to God's love primarily on the basis of "scientific evidence," any more than we do to the love of other people. But Christian faith does assert some things to be objectively true about the nature of the universe; if those claims are to be accepted, it is fair to expect that objective evidences, as far as we can observe, would be consistent with them. This is where Stoner's book comes in.
Though written by a scientist (a mathematician), the book is intended for a non-specialist audience, and provides a short, clearly-written summary of the evidence (up to that time; there have been further discoveries since, of course) that point to the existence of a creating and superintending Intelligence in the universe. (A particular strength of the book, drawn from Stoner's mathematical background, is the use of probability theory to demonstrate that the likelihood of the production of the world as we know it by chance-guided evolution would be a "statistical monstrosity.") There are more extensive (and more recent) treatments of the subject; and as I recall, Stoner's case is more for theism itself than an examination of evidence for Christianity specifically. But with its limitations, it does provide a very basic, simple starting point for the Christian who wants to know more about the basis for faith, as well as for the searching nonbeliever who wants to objectively consider the evidence.
September 28, 2015
I first heard of this book in a sermon on the subject of Christian Evidences a couple of weeks ago. My interest was raised so I found a used paperback copy on line and bought it. I must say that most of the book was a disappointment.
In the first chapter Mr. Stoner attempts to harmonize the first chapter of Genesis with the prevailing theory of his day on how the universe came to be. Some of the things he mentions are, of course, very dated since the book was first published in 1958. To harmonize Genesis 1 with the prevailing theory of Mr. Stoner's time or with the "Big Bang" theory of our day is an impossible task. A careful study of Genesis 1 when harmonized with other scriptures on the subject clearly teaches that God created all things in 6 literal 24 hour days. God leaves it up to the reader to believe or disbelieve what He said.
In the second chapter Mr. Stoner attempts to reconcile what Genesis 1 and 2 says about the creation of life with the "geological record". However, there is no place on earth where the geological record, as depicted in modern science books, actually exists. In the real world so called "older layers" are often found on top of "newer layers". Genesis 1 and 2, when harmonized with other scriptures on the beginning of life, teaches that God created all life such that each species produces offspring "after its kind" - and that He did it during the 6 literal 24 hour days of creation week. It is left up to the reader of Genesis to believe or disbelieve it.
The most helpful chapters of the book are the 2 chapters that deal with the probability that prophecies in scripture could have been fulfilled by chance. Mr. Stoner presents interesting and compelling information that shows that it is mathematically beyond reason that men writing hundreds of years before an event could accidentally correctly predict the event. The evidence he presents regarding the prophecies concerning Christ is by far the most compelling.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't buy this book. I would, however, try to find a free copy and read it.
In the first chapter Mr. Stoner attempts to harmonize the first chapter of Genesis with the prevailing theory of his day on how the universe came to be. Some of the things he mentions are, of course, very dated since the book was first published in 1958. To harmonize Genesis 1 with the prevailing theory of Mr. Stoner's time or with the "Big Bang" theory of our day is an impossible task. A careful study of Genesis 1 when harmonized with other scriptures on the subject clearly teaches that God created all things in 6 literal 24 hour days. God leaves it up to the reader to believe or disbelieve what He said.
In the second chapter Mr. Stoner attempts to reconcile what Genesis 1 and 2 says about the creation of life with the "geological record". However, there is no place on earth where the geological record, as depicted in modern science books, actually exists. In the real world so called "older layers" are often found on top of "newer layers". Genesis 1 and 2, when harmonized with other scriptures on the beginning of life, teaches that God created all life such that each species produces offspring "after its kind" - and that He did it during the 6 literal 24 hour days of creation week. It is left up to the reader of Genesis to believe or disbelieve it.
The most helpful chapters of the book are the 2 chapters that deal with the probability that prophecies in scripture could have been fulfilled by chance. Mr. Stoner presents interesting and compelling information that shows that it is mathematically beyond reason that men writing hundreds of years before an event could accidentally correctly predict the event. The evidence he presents regarding the prophecies concerning Christ is by far the most compelling.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't buy this book. I would, however, try to find a free copy and read it.
June 7, 2017
A sincere attempt to critically assess whether science (and history) supports the view that the books of the Bible were indeed written under the inspiration of a supernatural all-knowing power, force, energy or entity - in particular, the Omnipotent God of the Judaeo-Christian faiths.
The evidence laid out in the book is persuasive starting with a comparison of the creation account in Genesis with proven scientific knowledge that was not established at the time Genesis was written, fulfillment of prophecies (primarily from the old testament) concerning ancient peoples, cities and nations, and fulfillment of prophecies regarding the historical Christ. The probability that human knowledge and mere happenstance alone accounts for the alignment of Genesis with science and the fulfillment of the prophecies is a chance of 1 in an astronomically large figure.
What is missing is a comprehensive debunk of the best arguments against the Bible being the word of Almighty God. But it has to be appreciated that this was not the focus of the author and in any event the overwhelming scientific proof is compelling enough.
The evidence laid out in the book is persuasive starting with a comparison of the creation account in Genesis with proven scientific knowledge that was not established at the time Genesis was written, fulfillment of prophecies (primarily from the old testament) concerning ancient peoples, cities and nations, and fulfillment of prophecies regarding the historical Christ. The probability that human knowledge and mere happenstance alone accounts for the alignment of Genesis with science and the fulfillment of the prophecies is a chance of 1 in an astronomically large figure.
What is missing is a comprehensive debunk of the best arguments against the Bible being the word of Almighty God. But it has to be appreciated that this was not the focus of the author and in any event the overwhelming scientific proof is compelling enough.
February 19, 2024
takes certain things as fact without citations or explanations of the science
August 17, 2025
Worthwhile quick read, first 3 chapters attempt to prove the Bible, I don’t have enough biblical knowledge but the analysis was interesting. I found the conclusion most insightful
November 1, 2007
It purports to show "Scientic Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible". It falls very short of showing the Bible as the product of Divine intelligence.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews