The Many Faces of God: Science's 400-Year Quest for Images of the Divine

by Jeremy Campbell

How science has changed our perceptions of God―from the age of Newton to the era of quantum mechanics. A grand work of philosophy and history, The Many Faces of God shows how our religious conceptions have been shaped by advances in technology and science. Beginning his narrative in the 1600s and concluding with the fervor of the millennium, Jeremy Campbell shows how Isaac Newton and his generation altered the medieval definition of God from one interpreted through divine messengers to an all-knowing, autocratic God who watched over the scientific wonders of the universe. Arguing that religions harbor a secret fear that science may one day explain God away, Campbell masterfully shows how twentieth-century technology and theology have become intertwined, often to the detriment of both disciplines. Illuminating the writings of such intellectual luminaries as Calvin, Luther, Einstein, and Niels Bohr, all the way up to John Updike, The Many Faces of God is a sweeping history of religious and scientific thought in the Western world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this book, and it was interesting overall. However, it was a bit repetative. I think this book could have made its point (and then some) in half the number of words. I also didn't like the author's writing style that much--he jumped around with no transition between time periods and countries. And speaking of countries, I really didn't like the book's implicit focus on England and the US. He discusses scentists and theologians from all over Europe, but traces their influence on these 2 countries only. He makes it sound as if people like Galileo and Bonhoeffer wrote primarily for a British audience, and had absolutely nothing to do with their own nations. There is nothing wrong with focusing on the history of Brittain and its colonies, but that should be made explicit in the book description or introduction, instead of making it look like an overview of a trend in European history in general.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good look at the often ignored and underplayed links between science and religion. Even for me it was a surprise how the two played off each other in changing how we see the world. His conclusions were valid to me and are worthy of further thought.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

Not only could I not finish this book, I could barely start. The author's style irritated me too much. I'm not sure I can explain this very well, but it felt as if he was creating an emotional word-picture and not really making an argument and supporting it with evidence. I do think narrative modes have a place in historical writing, but there is a limit.

Also, it seemed like there was an insufficient time (none, in the small portion of the book I read) spent explaining how his starting point came about.

Maybe I missed out on a great book, but I just couldn't make myself go on with this one.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the ultimate theological conclusion I somewhat disagreed with, I found this book one of the best 'history of...' books addressing the topic of the relationship between science and Religion. It focuses on physics instead of biology. Campbell masterfully traces a common thread in how science shapes our image of God throughout so as to make even the most devout believer deeply wonder where one's conceptions of God come from. I myself learned a great deal of absolutely fascinating history from this work and I highly recommend it.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Campbell is more concerned with history - particularly theological history - than with exploring the truth or finding solutions, but that is not a criticism. The book has a Western, especially British, slant, but it traces most thought since the 17th century about monotheism and the nature of the universe and its creator.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read some, skimmed some, liked most of it. A context for religious thought in human history.

[John Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information concerning the years of the growing confidence of science and how it. Slow reading for me, but I was interested in the topic especially since I got it for 1 dollar.