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How Does God Act in the World?: Science, Miracle, and Mission
Does God act in the world, and if God does, then how? These questions are central questions for Christian theology and Christian mission and ministry. Is God simply a creator who then goes on holiday and leaves the universe to develop, or is God the one who is embodied in Jesus, the God of signs and wonders, death and resurrection? And what does this mean for signs and wonders today, in the life of individuals and local churches? From The Simpsons to a wedding in Cana, from grace to quantum theory, and from the problem of evil to eschatology, David Wilkinson argues that the biblical picture of a God who acts in the world makes sense in the light of modern science, but how God acts cannot be reduced to simple models.
152 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2025
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June 20, 2025
This is a well written book based on a four-part lecture series. The book starts with a discussion on how science looks at determinism, from Newtonian Physics through Chaos and Quantum uncertainty. Then the author provides a partial historical overview in how theologians believe God acts in the world. From there he looks at more recent trends in Christianity, where miracles are becoming more accepted (e.g. the Charismatic movement), and then starts a discussion on how one can best proceed as a scientist and as a Christian. Wilkinson does not provide a concrete way of thought to bring these two together but rather provides a series of principles that he suggests could and should be used. I think this was a very useful and reasonable approach.
My criticisms of the book are minor. First, when discussing historic theological views on how God acts, he limited the discussion to Wesleyan and Open Theology views, while completely ignoring Reformed thought. This seemed odd until I better understood the target audience for the lecture series. Secondly, the author argued that the Covid pandemic was the modern equivalent of the Lisbon earthquake in providing a challenge to faith and then went on to argue how important it was for church leaders to support Covid government initiatives. I don’t agree fully on either point but was pleased that he later acknowledged the complexity of the Covid response including the psychological damage that resulted in many as a result of the lockdowns. Ultimately, I wish that Covid was never mentioned in the book in which case my criticisms of the book would largely be eliminated. With that minor exception, the book is recommended and useful in generating thought, but won’t provide a concrete answer for anyone who is hoping for that.
My criticisms of the book are minor. First, when discussing historic theological views on how God acts, he limited the discussion to Wesleyan and Open Theology views, while completely ignoring Reformed thought. This seemed odd until I better understood the target audience for the lecture series. Secondly, the author argued that the Covid pandemic was the modern equivalent of the Lisbon earthquake in providing a challenge to faith and then went on to argue how important it was for church leaders to support Covid government initiatives. I don’t agree fully on either point but was pleased that he later acknowledged the complexity of the Covid response including the psychological damage that resulted in many as a result of the lockdowns. Ultimately, I wish that Covid was never mentioned in the book in which case my criticisms of the book would largely be eliminated. With that minor exception, the book is recommended and useful in generating thought, but won’t provide a concrete answer for anyone who is hoping for that.
Displaying 1 of 1 review