"God Speaks Science" by John Van Sloten. A Review

 

In many circles, it feels like science and religion are in a sweaty jiujitsu match. Tossing, tumbling, vying for dominance. Recently John Van Sloten, a Calgary-based writer, teacher, and pastor, has published a 208-page softback, working with both science and faith. Overall, it is an interesting book with good intentions. Science and faith are not at odds, at their heart. They are the two books of God's revelation, showing us God's attributes in different ways. The author does a nice job working this out, drawing in the help of scientists who believe in God's work, who would claim to be Christians. It is written on a popular level and not with theoretical abstractions.

Throughout the work science is understood as unpacking "God's creation words" (12). And Scripture, like a pair of good glasses, sharpens our vision. "When viewed through the lens of the Scriptures, creation becomes a theater of God's glory" (11). This is the theme throughout the book, whether looking at DNA, hydrology, super novae, knees, neuroscience, or other aspects. As Van Sloten develops this theme, it was often very refreshing and caused me to stop and think through the ways we see God's handiwork and God displaying his beauty and reason through creation.

But "God Speaks Science" is written assuming the legitimacy of theistic evolution. The author doesn't defend it. He doesn't make the case for it. Rather, he and the scientists he enlists assume it, and it flows into a majority of the chapters. It becomes part of the backdrop on which each subject is sketched and painted.

Yet even if a reader doesn't agree with theistic evolution (like me), they will find the material mostly stimulating. And devotional. And they will come to think of science in a slightly different light, enjoying more the theater of God's glory. I'm glad I read it.

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