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Christianity in the Light of Science: Critically Examining the World's Largest Religion
This anthology of new critical essays written by experts in their fields, in honor of the late Victor Stenger, examines Christianity using established scientific criteria. Where science specifically touches upon the claims of Christianity the authors seek to show those claims lack the required evidence. The result is that Christianity is not a sufficiently evidenced religion. In his New York Times bestseller, The Failed Hypothesis, physicist Victor Stenger argued that claims of religion should be subject to the same standards of scientific rigor as any other truth claim. Taking this approach, the contributors argue that Christianity fails every known scientific test for truth. Stenger himself wrote a chapter for this volume before he died.In it he presents a brief history of ideas about cosmology, showing that Christianity's premodern understanding of the cosmos is incompatible with current scientific evidence regarding the origin and structure of the cosmos. Other contributors examine a wide variety of topics, including biblical archaeology, Intelligent Design, the Shroud of Turin, free will, the existence of the soul, the efficacy of petitionary prayer, and more.This challenging work is indispensable reading for both skeptical readers and open-minded people of faith.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2016
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August 13, 2016
Christianity in the Light of Science: Critically Examining the World’s Largest Religion by John Loftus
“Christianity in the Light of Science" is a solid anthology of critical essays that examines the scientific evidence that have convinced most atheists to walk away from Christianity. Accomplished author and former preacher John W. Loftus, assemble a group of scholars who focus on the scientific evidence lacking in Christianity. This persuasive 380-page book includes fifteen essays broken out by the following five parts: 1. Science and Religion, 2. Science and Creationism, 3. Science and Salvation, 4. Science and the Bible, and 5. Science and the Christ.
Positives:
1. A professionally written and edited book. Loftus has an excellent track record of quality work.
2. Fifteen solid essays from scholars of various backgrounds covering a wide-range of topics with a focus on examining Christianity through scientific evidence.
3. An excellent list of contributors including prominent women.
4. Easy to follow format that allows readers to jump to topics of interest.
5. Always provocative. These anthologies are intended to provoke critical thought and examine the evidence for what it is. “The reason believers are not open-minded to science, in those areas where science conflicts with their faith, is because of confirmation bias.”
6. Many great quotes immersed throughout anthology. “A man who prays is one who thinks God has arranged matters all wrong but who also thinks he can instruct God on how to put them right.” —Christopher Hitchens
7. Harrison kicks it off with an excellent essay on thinking critically. “Christianity's overarching opposition to Good Thinking is the crucial challenge, and there is only so much time in a day. This is where the most damage is done, and it should be the focus.”
8. Eller’s essay focuses on the cognitive science of religion. “The first thing to note about neurological and cognitive evolution (and this point will figure prominently below) is that the human brain developed from pre-human brains and retained many of the components and functions of those reptilian and mammalian brains.”
9. So what accounts for the deep entrenchment of religion as a human universal? Nichols sheds light. “There are three trends playing out on the world stage today: anti-intellectualism, anti-science, and anti-modernity.”
10. The late great Victor Stenger leaves us with his final essay on cosmology. “Copernicus's supporters had a hard time reconciling the Copernican model with the Bible, particularly the Joshua story (Joshua 10:12–13), as well as Psalms 93:1, 96:10, 104:5, and 1 Chronicles 16:30, which declare that the foundation of Earth remain forever unmoved.”
11. Hafer destroys “Intelligent Design” with her cogent essay that cleverly showcases the scientific approach. “The results presented here are strong evidence that ID cannot be considered a scientific discipline because it does not follow the basic requirements for scientific research.”
12. A look at the failure of original sin.
13. One of my favorite essays debunks the soul. “In spite of well-publicized claims to the contrary, there is in fact no credible evidence for the existence of the soul.”
14. Pearce tackles the illusion of free will. “We are left with a concept of free will, this contra-causal, libertarian notion, which makes no sense in philosophical and theological context, and which is not supported by any evidence.”
15. A look at the historic/scientific claims of the Bible. “Outside of a small circle of believers, there existed no actual proof of the man, Jesus, whom early Christians claimed changed history.” “The awkward fact is there is a mismatch between the Exodus narrative in the Bible and associated sources and the narrative based on the archeological record.”
16. Was there a Nazareth Village Farm (VFM)? Find out.
17. Adair takes a comprehensive look at the Star of Bethlehem. “Putting this all together, the weight of the evidence strongly favors the idea that the tale of the Star of Bethlehem was deliberate theological fiction.”
18. Tarico goes over the research on the power of petitionary prayer and why it’s far from harmless. “Petitionary prayer suppresses critical thought.”
19. Nickell dissects the Turin Shroud.
20. Provides a brief biography of each contributor.
Negatives:
1. This anthology does not stack up to Loftus’s “Christianity is not Great: How Faith Fails”. Mr. Loftus has set the bar very high so it’s hard to live up to such expectations. That stated, don’t misconstrue such a statement as suggesting this book is not worth reading. I’m a big fan of all Loftus’ work, this book included.
2. I can’t quite put my fingers on it but there is something missing in this anthology. A big scientific “revelation” or something headline worthy.
3. Some essays are easier to follow than others. As an example, though quite simplified the essay on Before the Big Bang will still go over the heads of laypersons.
4. Requires an investment of your time.
5. No formal bibliography.
In summary, this is a solid anthology with excellent contributions. It’s not the groundbreaking book as previous works but it’s another solid contribution to a movement that focuses on critical thinking and progress. A solid anthology, I recommend it!
Further suggestions: “How to Defend the Christian Faith” and “The Christian Delusion” by John Loftus, “God: The Failed Hypothesis” by Victor Stenger, “Natural Atheism” and “Atheism Advanced” by David Eller, “Soul Fallacy” by Julien Musolino, “Free Will? By Jonathan M.S. Pearce, “A Manual for Creating Atheists” by Peter Boghosian, “God Is Not Great” by Christopher Hitchens, “The Not-So-Intelligent Designer” by Abby Hafer, “NazarethGate” by Rene Salm, “The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View” by Aaron Adair, “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “The Believing Brain” by Michael Shermer, “Faith vs. Fact” and “Why Evolution Is True” by Jerry A. Coyne, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Trusting Doubt” by Valerie Tarico, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “Think” by Guy P. Harrison, and “The Science of Miracles” by Joe Nickell.
“Christianity in the Light of Science" is a solid anthology of critical essays that examines the scientific evidence that have convinced most atheists to walk away from Christianity. Accomplished author and former preacher John W. Loftus, assemble a group of scholars who focus on the scientific evidence lacking in Christianity. This persuasive 380-page book includes fifteen essays broken out by the following five parts: 1. Science and Religion, 2. Science and Creationism, 3. Science and Salvation, 4. Science and the Bible, and 5. Science and the Christ.
Positives:
1. A professionally written and edited book. Loftus has an excellent track record of quality work.
2. Fifteen solid essays from scholars of various backgrounds covering a wide-range of topics with a focus on examining Christianity through scientific evidence.
3. An excellent list of contributors including prominent women.
4. Easy to follow format that allows readers to jump to topics of interest.
5. Always provocative. These anthologies are intended to provoke critical thought and examine the evidence for what it is. “The reason believers are not open-minded to science, in those areas where science conflicts with their faith, is because of confirmation bias.”
6. Many great quotes immersed throughout anthology. “A man who prays is one who thinks God has arranged matters all wrong but who also thinks he can instruct God on how to put them right.” —Christopher Hitchens
7. Harrison kicks it off with an excellent essay on thinking critically. “Christianity's overarching opposition to Good Thinking is the crucial challenge, and there is only so much time in a day. This is where the most damage is done, and it should be the focus.”
8. Eller’s essay focuses on the cognitive science of religion. “The first thing to note about neurological and cognitive evolution (and this point will figure prominently below) is that the human brain developed from pre-human brains and retained many of the components and functions of those reptilian and mammalian brains.”
9. So what accounts for the deep entrenchment of religion as a human universal? Nichols sheds light. “There are three trends playing out on the world stage today: anti-intellectualism, anti-science, and anti-modernity.”
10. The late great Victor Stenger leaves us with his final essay on cosmology. “Copernicus's supporters had a hard time reconciling the Copernican model with the Bible, particularly the Joshua story (Joshua 10:12–13), as well as Psalms 93:1, 96:10, 104:5, and 1 Chronicles 16:30, which declare that the foundation of Earth remain forever unmoved.”
11. Hafer destroys “Intelligent Design” with her cogent essay that cleverly showcases the scientific approach. “The results presented here are strong evidence that ID cannot be considered a scientific discipline because it does not follow the basic requirements for scientific research.”
12. A look at the failure of original sin.
13. One of my favorite essays debunks the soul. “In spite of well-publicized claims to the contrary, there is in fact no credible evidence for the existence of the soul.”
14. Pearce tackles the illusion of free will. “We are left with a concept of free will, this contra-causal, libertarian notion, which makes no sense in philosophical and theological context, and which is not supported by any evidence.”
15. A look at the historic/scientific claims of the Bible. “Outside of a small circle of believers, there existed no actual proof of the man, Jesus, whom early Christians claimed changed history.” “The awkward fact is there is a mismatch between the Exodus narrative in the Bible and associated sources and the narrative based on the archeological record.”
16. Was there a Nazareth Village Farm (VFM)? Find out.
17. Adair takes a comprehensive look at the Star of Bethlehem. “Putting this all together, the weight of the evidence strongly favors the idea that the tale of the Star of Bethlehem was deliberate theological fiction.”
18. Tarico goes over the research on the power of petitionary prayer and why it’s far from harmless. “Petitionary prayer suppresses critical thought.”
19. Nickell dissects the Turin Shroud.
20. Provides a brief biography of each contributor.
Negatives:
1. This anthology does not stack up to Loftus’s “Christianity is not Great: How Faith Fails”. Mr. Loftus has set the bar very high so it’s hard to live up to such expectations. That stated, don’t misconstrue such a statement as suggesting this book is not worth reading. I’m a big fan of all Loftus’ work, this book included.
2. I can’t quite put my fingers on it but there is something missing in this anthology. A big scientific “revelation” or something headline worthy.
3. Some essays are easier to follow than others. As an example, though quite simplified the essay on Before the Big Bang will still go over the heads of laypersons.
4. Requires an investment of your time.
5. No formal bibliography.
In summary, this is a solid anthology with excellent contributions. It’s not the groundbreaking book as previous works but it’s another solid contribution to a movement that focuses on critical thinking and progress. A solid anthology, I recommend it!
Further suggestions: “How to Defend the Christian Faith” and “The Christian Delusion” by John Loftus, “God: The Failed Hypothesis” by Victor Stenger, “Natural Atheism” and “Atheism Advanced” by David Eller, “Soul Fallacy” by Julien Musolino, “Free Will? By Jonathan M.S. Pearce, “A Manual for Creating Atheists” by Peter Boghosian, “God Is Not Great” by Christopher Hitchens, “The Not-So-Intelligent Designer” by Abby Hafer, “NazarethGate” by Rene Salm, “The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View” by Aaron Adair, “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “The Believing Brain” by Michael Shermer, “Faith vs. Fact” and “Why Evolution Is True” by Jerry A. Coyne, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Trusting Doubt” by Valerie Tarico, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “Think” by Guy P. Harrison, and “The Science of Miracles” by Joe Nickell.
February 1, 2022
If you accept Christianity on faith, then there's nothing in this book that will change your mind, and I wish you happiness as long as you don't make others suffer needlessly. If, however, you view science as the best way of knowing whether testable claims are true, and you happen to accept Christianity, then this book will either (1) convince you that your acceptance is entirely faith based or (2) change your mind.
In this collection of scholarly treatments of testable claims of Christianity, authors honor the belief of the late Victor J. Stenger that such claims should be held to the same rigors of other scientifically testable claims. Claims addressed are those for which physical and historical evidence can be examined. Included are such topics as cosmology, intelligent design, the shroud of Turin, the existence of the soul, free will, historicity of the bible and the events surrounding Jesus of Nazareth, the efficacy of prayer and that star that hung out over town.
Note that the topics addressed are those that are actually testable through rigorous scientific or historic methods. You'll not find an essay criticizing the existence of anything supernatural since claims of the supernatural are not testable. Even the essay on the soul addresses only those claims about the soul that bear directly on the physical world.
The issues included are rigorously researched, accurately sourced (footnotes consist mainly of references to academic publications), and very engaging. Victor J. Stenger would have been proud. If you read this book, then at the very least, you'll get an appreciation for the skeptical view that science takes of testable religious claims.
In this collection of scholarly treatments of testable claims of Christianity, authors honor the belief of the late Victor J. Stenger that such claims should be held to the same rigors of other scientifically testable claims. Claims addressed are those for which physical and historical evidence can be examined. Included are such topics as cosmology, intelligent design, the shroud of Turin, the existence of the soul, free will, historicity of the bible and the events surrounding Jesus of Nazareth, the efficacy of prayer and that star that hung out over town.
Note that the topics addressed are those that are actually testable through rigorous scientific or historic methods. You'll not find an essay criticizing the existence of anything supernatural since claims of the supernatural are not testable. Even the essay on the soul addresses only those claims about the soul that bear directly on the physical world.
The issues included are rigorously researched, accurately sourced (footnotes consist mainly of references to academic publications), and very engaging. Victor J. Stenger would have been proud. If you read this book, then at the very least, you'll get an appreciation for the skeptical view that science takes of testable religious claims.
August 6, 2017
A lively, provocative, pull-no-punches book of essays on what the authors see as the fallacies and absurdities of "God as Other" monotheistic religions, centering on Christianity. The essays are generally non-polemical and fair-minded, giving religious tradition and the concept of "faith" their due while at the same time knocking down nearly everything orthodox monotheists promulgate as true beyond question, and which even to suggest alternatives is blasphemous. Some of the essays are philosophical, some historical, some a mixture of both. Standouts are Jonathan Pearce's refutation of the notion of free will, often used by religious apologists to justify evil; Valaerie Tarico's demonstration of the illogicality of prayer influencing a God who is eternal and unchangeable; and the redoubtable Joe Nickell, part scientist, part detective, part gleeful debunker, who ends the book with an often hilarious deconstruction of the shroud of Turin mania.
This is a thoughtful book, occasionally going into "new antheist" mode but mostly dealing with religion by refuting it on the terms it sets for itself. If believers can approach it with an open mind, even they will find it stimulating and enjoyable.
This is a thoughtful book, occasionally going into "new antheist" mode but mostly dealing with religion by refuting it on the terms it sets for itself. If believers can approach it with an open mind, even they will find it stimulating and enjoyable.
December 10, 2016
Another one of Loftus's great anthologies of writings on christianity, "biblical history," atheism, and the lack of/problems with evidence relating to christianity, christian history, and modern views of the religion. As with any collection of critical papers from various authors (like a collection of conference papers), Loftus' collections always have a week paper or two. While this volume has a few duds (including one of R.Price's weaker essays, and I am a big fan of Dr. P. [so maybe I should blame Suominen, his co-author?]), it also has some wonderfully challenging and interesting papers (Hafer, Cargill, and Musolino each contributed stand-out works). I do hope Loftus continues to edit these essay collections.
November 25, 2017
What’s harder? Asking or answering ?
Whatever your question is, you will find your answer in this book ....
Whatever your question is, you will find your answer in this book ....
January 13, 2019
solid and enjoyable. Really, not a bad essay in the bunch. Three essays in each of 5 sections dealing with the Science and Religion, Creationism, Salvation, the Bible, and the Christ.
October 18, 2016
Once again Loftus has put together a great and exciting collection of writings that do indeed critically examine Christianity, this time in the light of science. And, in my opinion, the best and most useful contribution is the first one in the book by Guy P. Harrison, How to Think Like a Scientist: Why Every Christian Can and Should Embrace Good Thinking. Another reference book for my shelf!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews