There is a shortage of good Christian books on science that attempt to tackle theological issues. This is a theological book written by scientists for scientists and not a scientific book for theologians! As such, it is of limited interest to Themelios readers, though theologians ignore the issues of science at their peril. Few seem prepared to really grapple with the complexities and challenges of scientific thought.

The subject matter is important. The book is written in three sections. The first examines Christian thinking about science in a postmodern culture, outlining the realizations that have called modernism into question. Describing the breakdown of Enlightenment confidence, the writers examine key ideas expressed by historical thinkers in philosophy, science and Christian theology. As the concept of ‘value-free facts’ comes under analysis, the hard edges of a war between science and religion begin to blur. Instead of two distinct fields of knowledge, the authors suggest there is but one field studied by people with many different world views. Hence there is a need for Christians to have a theology of science. This first section was for me the most interesting and the most demanding part of the book.

Drawing on Trinitarian theology, the second section seeks a theological approach to understanding both the transcendence and the immanence of God. The third section explores the Great Commandment to love God and our neighbour with all our being, knowing and doing.

There is much that is good in this book. The authors realize the gap in the market and are trying, as scientists, to open up new horizons. Their holistic view of science and theology is inspiring, challenging Christians in science not to separate their work from their faith.

My criticisms are several. The book seemed to me longwinded and much of the latter part is (or should be) dealt with from the pulpit. Emphasizing godly behaviour, the writers seem to have a weak view of apologetics. Persuasion is not mentioned nor the biblical challenge to pull down strongholds and every lofty idea raised up against the knowledge of God. Frequent references to the Fall, asserting the entire corruption of the universe without any attempt to say what this might look like scientifically, have a hollow ring. Are they talking about ‘wickedness in high places’, physical death, earthquakes and tsunamis or the messages cosmologists receive from distant galaxies, which so massively predate any human existence?

The book finishes with just two pages pithily describing a four item agenda for further work. This to my mind was excellent and was worth much greater space.

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