If the Ocean Has a Soul: A Marine Biologist's Pursuit of Truth through Deep Waters of Faith and Science

by Rachel G. Jordan

The ocean is filled with scientific discoveries—and God’s presence.

For marine biologist Rachel Jordan, both science and Scripture are means of knowing creation and Creator. In If the Ocean Has a Soul, Rachel considers the natural world through a spiritual lens, meshing marine biology with biblical truths in a keen and current take on faith and science. With engaging storytelling and deep knowledge of the Bible, she asks and answers questions
How can Christians reconcile religion and science when the two seem opposed?What do suffering and death teach us about the character of Jesus?How do we care for the environment when there seems to be little hope for repair?What do the ocean and its sea creatures, specifically, reveal about God?In these pages, Rachel recounts fascinating aquatic phenomena alongside the sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic stories of animals she has known. You’ll lose yourself in the shadows of an underwater labyrinth; hear spiritual wisdom from a great-grandmother coral the size of a Volkswagen Beetle; and fall in love with Porky, the pudgy porcupinefish greeting visitors at the Windjammer shipwreck. And along the way, you’ll see how the promise of restoration unfolds in both physical and spiritual ways. Rachel’s thoughtful scientific and theological insights encourage us to know the Creator of the sea and everything in it.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Rachel G. Jordan is a professional marine biologist and lay theologian. A self-professed Jesus-loving coral nerd, she was raised in Idaho and has since traveled the globe chasing her passion for faith and science. She has an MS in marine biology and ecology from James Cook University (Australia), a BS in ecology from Seattle Pacific University (USA), and a certification in biblical studies from Bodenseehof Bible School (Germany). In addition to working as a coral biologist for the US National Park Service, Rachel has worked in marine aquaculture research, organic chemistry laboratories, veterinary research facilities, the pet industry, and a museum. When not diving or writing, she can be found reading C. S. Lewis, growing wildflowers, and exploring creation with her husband. You can also find her on Instagram @shorelinesoul or at rachelgjordan.com.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of If the Ocean Has a Soul by author and marine biologist Rachel G. Jordan and loved how she interwove her scuba diving and scientific research on ocean reefs and corals with her Christian faith and Scripture. Her insights made my recent excursion beneath the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Aruba in an Atlantis submarine even more delightful as I viewed many different varieties of fish and corals as well as artificial reefs formed on shipwrecks.

[Laurie McClish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much science talk.