KIRKUS REVIEW
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.
