The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder

by William P. Brown

In their highly selective and literal reading of Scripture, creationists champion a rigidly reductionistic view of creation in their fight against "soulless scientism." Conversely, many scientists find faith in God to be a dangerous impediment in the empirical quest for knowledge. As a result of this ongoing debate, many people of faith feel forced to choose between evolution and the Bible's story of creation.

But, as William Brown asks, which biblical creation story are we talking about? Brown shows that, through a close reading of biblical texts, no fewer than seven different biblical perspectives on creation can be identified. By examining these perspectives, Brown illuminates both connections and conflicts between the ancient creation traditions and the natural sciences, arguing for a new way of reading the Bible in light of current scientific knowledge and with consideration of the needs of the environment. In Brown's argument, both scientific inquiry and theological reflection are driven by a sense of wonder, which, in his words, "unites the scientist and the psalmist." Brown's own wonder at the beauty and complexity of the created world is evident throughout this intelligent, well-written, and inspirational book.

Genres: Science, Theology, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Ecology

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2010

Reviews

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reread for me and it still astounds me after several years. It is both a brilliant reading of scripture and a compelling narrative of contemporary science and both accounts and the partnership he creates between them fill me with wonder.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging book about reconciling religious and scientific narratives of creation. Brown offers readings of 7 creation stories in the Old Testament alongside discussions of scientific narratives that illuminate and are illuminated by the biblical text. The book is a little uneven -- some chapters rock, but others are a little weak. Overall, an interesting and fresh take on this "debate."

[Ben McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book. In fact, I got it from the library and returned it previously, because I didn't want to read yet another book about Genesis 1-3. That was a mistake. This book starts with Genesis but its focus is spread throughout the canon. The whole point of the book is that there are five other accounts of creation beyond the two at the beginning of Genesis, and we need to read them all together. The other five are Job, Psalms (104 in particular), Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and 2nd Isaiah. Brown's book stands out for several reasons beyond just its canonical breadth: he writes fluidly and poetically about both Scripture and science, mixing them expertly so that you not only think but feel that these are two sides of the same story. Brown is also content to let the accounts clash, and in the last chapter when he brings the seven accounts together the sparks fly. My favorite chapters are on Job and 2nd Isaiah, but the main point is that all these are more than the sum of their parts, and there's no better way to show how big the theology of creation is than to actually step beyond the first three chapters of the Bible.

[Art Giff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is as fine a book on eco biblical theology as I have read over the last eight years. Based in refreshing translations of seven key texts and equally refreshing commentary, the author seeks to bring new light to the relationship between the Hebrew Bible and science. I was amazed how deft he was at explaining scientific principles that he suggests are in a virtual parallel relationship with the texts.I thought his chapters on Psalm 104, Job and Proverbs were his strongest. The connections he finds between faith and science are very important as we continue to find ways to address the multitude of ways we are degrading Earth, our only habitat.

His purported focus on the ecology of wonder was often subverted to the tasks of elucidating the texts and the science, but he returns to the theme in his last chapters.

Finally, the author has clever way of writing and can cast off a surprising pun or humorous turn of phrase. I have made a project of reading as many eco-theology tests as I can. Can't believe it took me so long to discover this one.

[David Larrabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT about the science and religion debate centered n Genesis 1, but does include a discussion of Genesis. The Old Testament contains more content about creation than the beginning of Genesis, yet in public debate, Genesis and evolution have taken center stage. This is unfortunate, and this book explains why and moves beyond Genesis.

William Brown is an Old Testament scholar who has ventured into the unforgiving land between science and religion. Those who want simply Biblical exegesis will be challenged (good!). Those who want to see only science would do well to ponder the experience of wonder. This is important work as our attitudes are shaped by our theology (including atheism as a theology). So this dialog is essential, and I applaud William Brown for taking the time to do the work of coming out of a theological comfort zone into the religion-science dialog arena.

This is accessible to a wide audience and I strongly recommend it, especially if you have any doubts that science and religion have anything to offer each other.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this book raised more questions for me then it answered about evolution and the Bible theologically I don't know that I agree with everything written; however,But it raised in me an appreciation for science and the creation accounts and a continued curiosity at how they mesh together.

To use his words it expanded my wander and wonder.

[Tim Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, awe-inspiring.

[Jacob]

R.b. Tim Mackie

[Paul Bruggink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prof. William P. Brown's book centers around what can be learned from the seven creation accounts in the Bible. Chapter 1 describes his 3-step guide for comparing science and religion: "(1) elucidate the text's perspective on creation within the text's own context, (2) associate the text's perspective on creation with the perspective of science, and (3) appropriate the text in relation to science and science in relation to the text." Chapter 2 is a brief introduction to Babylonian, Canaanite and Egyptian creation and flood stories.

Chapters 3-9 discuss the seven pillars of creation, based on the seven places in the Bible that the creation story is presented:
The Cosmic Temple (Genesis 1:1-2:3) describes the literary framework interpretation with no mention of it by name nor any mention of the people commonly associated with it, e.g., Meredith Kline, Mark Futato, etc. It also describes the cosmic temple with no mention of or reference to John H. Walton, who described it in the NIV Application Commentary for Genesis (2001, pp. 147-152) and in his book "The Lost World of Genesis One" (2009).
The Ground of Being (Genesis 2:4b-3:24) contains a summary of current research on the evolution of homo sapiens.
Behemoth and the Beagle (Job 38-41) contains a survey of biology.
The Passion of the Creator (Psalm 104) describes creation as an ongoing process and contains a rant against man's destructive impact on the environment.
Wisdom' World (Proverbs 8:22-31) has a brief survey of quantum physics, neurobiology and cognition.
The Dying Cosmos: Qoheleth's Misanthropic Principle (Ecclesiastes 1; 12) contains a brief survey of time and motion.
The Fabric of the Cosmos: The Emergence of the New Creation in "Second Isaiah" (Isaiah 40-55) contains a very brief survey of spacetime, gravity, emergence and the evolution of plants.

He has obviously done his scientific homework, but what we end up with is a theologian summarizing the findings of science. He does present some well written, interesting perspectives on each creation passage. However, there are better introductions and better advanced works on integrating science and the Bible, if that is what you are looking for. See my Listmania! List "Helpful books on the Bible-science debate" for suggestions.

[Phil Aud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should give this another star simply for the immense research. There was a lot about this book that I loved. The in-depth look at the diverse biblical creation accounts and the various modes of understanding that we can gain from them both individually, and even more so, side-by-side was fascinating. I enjoyed the historical backdrop, the scientific insights, and certain theological insights. However...

Rabbi Sacks, in his book "The Great Partnership," writes about how faith and science do different things. The first provides meaning, the latter explanation. In certain ways I sensed that these lines were getting blurred from time to time. Eschatology, for me, was the 'missing link' (pardon the pun). 'The City' was touched on briefly, but I would have liked to have read more. What does it mean to be human, not simply according the 'seven pillars', but also according to where creation is headed? In the last chapter he dealt with how the present will impact the future. I agree. But the future also impacts the present, which impacts how we live as image-bearers within it.

[Andy Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting approach to biblical interpretation. However, it is not without its problems. the lines of authority get blurred, and many theological questions are unacknowledged. I do not doubt though, that this text will be valuable for future biblical interpreters as a good starting place for interdisciplinary questions and dialogue.