Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach

by Vern Sheridan Poythress

What does God have to do with mathematics? Everything. In this book, Vern Poythress argues that the harmony of abstract mathematical truths, the physical world of things, and the personal world of our thinking depends on the existence of the Christian God. Poythress shows that these distinct “perspectives” on mathematics cohere because all three find their origin in God’s consistent character and nature. Whether it’s simple addition and subtraction or more complex mathematical concepts such as set theory and the nature of infinity, this fascinating book lays a theistic foundation for all mathematical inquiry.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Education

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2014

About the author

Vern Sheridan Poythress was born in 1946 in Madera, California, where he lived with his parents Ransom H. Poythress and Carola N. Poythress and his older brother Kenneth R. Poythress. After teaching mathematics for a year at Fresno State College (now California State University at Fresno), he became a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he earned an M.Div. (1974) and a Th.M. in apologetics (1974). He received an M.Litt. in New Testament from University of Cambridge (1977) and a Th.D. in New Testament from the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa (1981).

He has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.

More information about his teaching at Westminster can be found at the Westminster Seminary website.

Dr. Poythress studied linguistics and Bible translation at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, and taught linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1977. He has published books on Christian philosophy of science, theological method, dispensationalism, biblical law, hermeneutics, Bible translation, and Revelation. A list of publications is found on this website.

Dr. Poythress married his wife Diane in 1983, and they have two children, Ransom and Justin. He has side interests in science fiction, string figures, volleyball, and computers.

The family lived on a farm until he was five years old. When he was nine years old he made a public commitment to Christ and was baptized in Chowchilla First Baptist Church, Chowchilla, California. The family later moved to Fresno, California, and he graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno.

He earned a B.S. in mathematics from California Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University (1970).

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even the most basic math equations show God’s glory and character. Addition, which can be used abstractly in advanced equations or to find out how many oranges you have, is a representation of both God’s transcendence and his immanence. And for numbers themselves to even work, there must be a sense of both unity and diversity - to know you have four oranges means that you know you have four individual units but that they make a collective whole. This concept has its roots in the Trinity.

Poythress talks about how God can be seen in the equation 2 + 2 = 4 for nine chapters (part of the low rating, let’s be honest here), but it’s amazing that the simplest of concepts can reveal so much about our infinite God. The child can understand him, but the wisest will forever be dazzled.

I studied math in part because of the idea of infinity: Math, in a way that only theology can also do, forces us to encounter the Infinite when just looking at a piece of paper. There are infinitely large numbers, and there are an infinite number of numbers between 0 and 1. In all our wisdom and knowledge we will never be able to fully calculate something as simple as the square root of two. Math is full of the glory of God.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma boa introdução ao assunto.

[Josh Berkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a christian math teacher, I found this a neat entry level book to begin exploring how the God of the Bible explains mathematics. This book was helpful, though I think it is written for a mathematical audience.

[Marcos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muito interessante a abordagem, especialmente no começo do livro. Depois se torna um pouco repetitivo.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much, but I wish it would have been more in depth.

[Enrique J. Rojas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way in over my head!! Good exposure to Mathematical Theology if there is such a thing.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5.

Some profound insights.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

My high school math teacher unabashedly proclaimed math points to God. He wouldn’t be able to say that today without consequences. While the truth is readily apparent to all, more and more it is suppressed (Romans 1:19-23). Therefore, instead of being in awe of the Creator, the creature, the discipline of math being one, is worshipped. This is a temptation for everyone.

Vern S. Poythress sets out to redeem math from this error by rightly placing it as subordinate to God.

𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 is written for a Christian audience. It is helpful for anyone who would like to understand the relationship between math and faith, but perhaps especially for those who are preparing to work in this discipline.

Dr. Poythress demonstrates how even the most basic math equations glorify God.

You know those “boring” parts of the Bible where God provides detailed instructions for building the tabernacle and the temple? This book will help you develop a greater appreciation for those passages. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.

The text does come across as repetitive at times due to using two plus two equals four as a frequent example, but I’m not sure it could have been done differently. I also would have liked a deeper discussion of some topics.

After reading this book, I am now interested in checking out others in Dr. Poythress’ 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 series. I think they will be really helpful for post-secondary education.

[Dwayne Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Startling in its conclusions for Christians accustomed to think of mathematics and science as somehow divorced from the holy. Poythress redeems mathematics - makes it holy - by showing how the fundamentals of mathematics both point to the Biblical worldview and are only explicable in light of the same. Of a piece with the expanding Frame-Poythress corpus, complete with the Tri-Perspective analytical method.

[Brent · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a Christian and a mathematician. This book is embarrassing on both accounts. There were maybe about 15 pages in the back that were worthwhile, but the majority of the book consisted of infantile mathematical explanations and odd spiritualization of certain mathematical properties. I was highly disappointed in this book.

[Addison King · Rating 4 out of 5]

God has something to say about everything, including mathematics. Math is good, true, and beautiful not simply because God says so, but because it flows from His perfect character. Poythress points this out beautifully.

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easily comprehensible report on the expansive and complicated topics of mathematics and God. Maybe occasionally a little too infantile, and definitely repetitive, but insightful and a good beginning.

[Flynn Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could’ve been an article.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to thinking about how Mathematics relates to God.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't understand every part of this book, but the parts I did understand and the parts I didn't were both good for me.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred how Poythress treated math in Redeeming Science, but this was still a good, thought-provoking read

[♱⃓ kate ♱⃓ · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was so hard for me to understand and so boring too. math is not for me and neither was this book

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize at the time I picked it up, but this is effectively an attempt to derive a philosophy of mathematics from theology proper (God's nature) without reference to natural law or classical philosophy on the subject. It's a diligent attempt, but it naturally comes to some eccentric and fragile conclusions.