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Let there be Science: Why God loves science, and science needs God
Why is it that science has consistently thrived wherever the Christian faith can be found? Why is it that so many great scientists - past and present - attribute their motivation and their discoveries, at least partially, to their Christian beliefs? Why are the age-old writings of the Bible so full of questions about natural phenomena? And, perhaps most importantly of all, why is all this virtually unknown to the general public? Too often, it would seem, science has been presented to the outside world as a robotic, detached, unemotional enterprise. Too often, Christianity is dismissed as being an ancient superstition. In reality, neither is the case. Science is a deeply human activity, and Christianity is deeply reasonable. Perhaps this is why, from ancient times right up to today, many individuals have been profoundly committed to both - and have helped us to understand more and more about the extraordinary world that we live in. As authors Tom McLeish and David Hutchings examine the story of science, and look at the part that Christianity has played, they uncover a powerful underlying reason for doing science in the first place. In example after example, ranging from 4000 BC to the present day, they show that thinking with a Christian worldview has been intimately involved with, and sometimes even directly responsible for, some of the biggest leaps forward ever made. Ultimately, they portray a biblical God who loves Science - and a Science that truly needs God.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2017
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Tom McLeish
14 books13 followersTom McLeish is Professor of Physics and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University, following former academic positions at Cambridge, Sheffield and Leeds. He has won awards for his research on the molecular theory of complex fluid flow, and currently works on applications of physics to biology, and topics in science policy and history. He is also involved in science-communication via radio, TV and schools lectures. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Physical Society and the Royal Society.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 19, 2018
This is a book about what Christianity says about science, and about what science says about Christianity, all through stories of interest to readers of all faiths or none, to show that science flows naturally from the Christian worldview and that it always has.
The authors’ claim in this book is that doing science is a fundamental part of what it means to be human, and that it works best when understood as a gift from God. Their approach throughout the book is to use stories, since stories are how we best understand ourselves and our beliefs.
The first set of stories takes science from the present back to 1100 BC, to demonstrate that science is not something new. These stories included a brief discussion of the “first clinical trial,” Daniel and his friends eating nothing but vegetables and drinking nothing but water for ten days, then comparing their appearance with that of the young men who ate the royal food. (Daniel 1:12-14). The rest of the stories take us up to the present time.
The authors intended the following quotation to apply to science, but I couldn’t help thinking how it could also apply to the current debate over an historical Adam and Eve, the Fall and original sin: “When there is an obvious clash between observation and theory, the only sensible course of action is to rethink or replace the failing model—even if it is popular or has held sway for a long time. In reality, though, this is not at all easy. Starting all over again often requires far more courage than sticking rigidly to an old, familiar belief.” (p. 62)
The authors conclude that “the faith community should celebrate and enjoy science, not fear it.” (p. 189)
The book includes many easy-to-understand descriptions of important advances in science. However, I frequently found myself wishing that the authors had gone a little bit further in their discussions of significant experiments.
The book is written in an informal, easy-to-read style. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the science and Christianity dialogue.
The authors’ claim in this book is that doing science is a fundamental part of what it means to be human, and that it works best when understood as a gift from God. Their approach throughout the book is to use stories, since stories are how we best understand ourselves and our beliefs.
The first set of stories takes science from the present back to 1100 BC, to demonstrate that science is not something new. These stories included a brief discussion of the “first clinical trial,” Daniel and his friends eating nothing but vegetables and drinking nothing but water for ten days, then comparing their appearance with that of the young men who ate the royal food. (Daniel 1:12-14). The rest of the stories take us up to the present time.
The authors intended the following quotation to apply to science, but I couldn’t help thinking how it could also apply to the current debate over an historical Adam and Eve, the Fall and original sin: “When there is an obvious clash between observation and theory, the only sensible course of action is to rethink or replace the failing model—even if it is popular or has held sway for a long time. In reality, though, this is not at all easy. Starting all over again often requires far more courage than sticking rigidly to an old, familiar belief.” (p. 62)
The authors conclude that “the faith community should celebrate and enjoy science, not fear it.” (p. 189)
The book includes many easy-to-understand descriptions of important advances in science. However, I frequently found myself wishing that the authors had gone a little bit further in their discussions of significant experiments.
The book is written in an informal, easy-to-read style. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the science and Christianity dialogue.
August 26, 2017
Hutchings and McLeish were guest on Premier Radio's "Unbelievable" programme. That's how I came to find out about their book.
As a scientist and a teacher of physics and chemistry I was pleased to find a book that might help me not only maintain my integrity as a Christian, but also offer ideas as how best to teach physics from the Christian worldview.
The book is not a manual telling you how to do science as a Christian. It is different from other books that seek to reconcile Christianity and science. Throughout the book its authors show how there is nothing wrong with showing how the Christian worldview not only complements science, but can, if faced honestly, support science more than science can support itself.
The authors set out the journey they will make 'across the room' (read the book) and through the use of stories - true stories from science and the Bible - make their point very clearly and quite convincingly.
This is not a book seeking to turn scientists into Christians. Rather, it is a book that shows how science and Christianity have everything in common. (Which is hardly surprising: science arises from a world created by the God of the Bible!)
I recommend that Christians, scientists, and those who would not carry either label, read this readable book.
As a scientist and a teacher of physics and chemistry I was pleased to find a book that might help me not only maintain my integrity as a Christian, but also offer ideas as how best to teach physics from the Christian worldview.
The book is not a manual telling you how to do science as a Christian. It is different from other books that seek to reconcile Christianity and science. Throughout the book its authors show how there is nothing wrong with showing how the Christian worldview not only complements science, but can, if faced honestly, support science more than science can support itself.
The authors set out the journey they will make 'across the room' (read the book) and through the use of stories - true stories from science and the Bible - make their point very clearly and quite convincingly.
This is not a book seeking to turn scientists into Christians. Rather, it is a book that shows how science and Christianity have everything in common. (Which is hardly surprising: science arises from a world created by the God of the Bible!)
I recommend that Christians, scientists, and those who would not carry either label, read this readable book.
February 13, 2022
A wonderful read, that requires pausing in places to savour the science and the humanity that lies beyond laboratories. I've loved the imagery of certain well known scientists discovering their claimed truths and delighted in recognising hints of science I have long before put to the back of my mind, only to rediscover it through this book.
It has been an enjoyable journey through the ages to discover so many others exist our there who have a love of discovery for the benefits of science or of faith.
It has been an enjoyable journey through the ages to discover so many others exist our there who have a love of discovery for the benefits of science or of faith.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews