An intellectually stimulating, faith-promoting work.
A thorough exploration of astronomy through the lens of biblical teachings.
This volume, designed as a companion to Faulkner’s (The Created Cosmos, 2016) previous book, aims “to discuss astronomy, using scientific categories, in the light of Scripture,” whereas the former took a different tack, exploring “what the Bible had to say about astronomy, using the categories that the text itself presents.” As such, this installment has far more to say about astronomy than it does about the Bible, but it’s always presented with an underlying Christian tone and perspective. Faulkner covers a vast variety of topics, starting with historical perspectives on the story of Creation, then “progressively journeying…from the earth, to the moon, to the planets, to the sun, to the stars, to the realm of intergalactic space.” The book wraps up with a discussion of the structure, origin, and history of the universe and a brief, faith-focused conclusion. The author is thorough, and as he approaches topics from various perspectives, he supports his assertions with a wealth of detail. As a writer, Faulkner possesses two great advantages that are often difficult to find together: first, a very deep well of knowledge (both of astronomy and Christianity) and, second, the ability to present this knowledge to a lay audience in a comprehensible, engaging way. Readers need not have extensive expertise in astronomy to grasp the text; however, they must be able to understand and appreciate an academic writing style. The book can be read from front to back, but there’s nothing stopping readers from dipping in wherever they’d like; a subject and Scripture index are conducive to researching by topic. Christian readers will likely find Faulkner’s perspectives to be inspiring and refreshing, especially in his defense of “recent, six-day creation” and his attacks on naturalism, which he defines as “the belief that the natural world is all that exists.” As a result, Faulkner truly fulfills his hope that his book “will encourage the Christian in his faith.”
An intellectually stimulating, faith-promoting work.Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-68344-098-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Master Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 19, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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