A biased study of the complicated intersection between faith and reason.
A conservative Christian attempts to put to rest the conflict between religion and science by providing an argument based on Jesus’ teachings.
Miller, who refers to his recent journey into Christianity, opens with Albert Einstein’s conjecture that science is inextricably linked to religion. The author contends that most scientists err in neglecting to consider the wisdom contained in the Bible as scientifically and historically accurate. To illustrate a typical misunderstanding, the book examines the debate regarding the age of the universe. Scientific evidence suggests the Big Bang occurred nearly 15 billion years ago, while creationists claim the universe is considerably younger. The author applies Einstein’s law of relativity (the greater the mass of an area, the slower time passes) to explain the compatibility of the Bible’s contention the world was created in six days. This wordy, dry tome also investigates the psychological speculation about the formation of the human mind and recent neurological findings concerning the dynamics of the brain’s right temporal lobe which, when activated, increases a person’s propensity to accept abstract notions. Coupled with thorough research and the detailed scientific and spiritual explanations are passages from the Bible, declaring that nonbelievers are to be condemned. Unfortunately, the rigidity of Miller’s argument and his dire reactionary warnings significantly limit his potential audience. An important section of the book is devoted to contradicting the fundamentals of other world religions. According to Miller, the development of Hinduism, Buddhism and Protestant Christian belief resulted from man’s tendency to move away from divine thought and toward reason and logic. Dualistic thinking is the culprit here–man’s desire to be both spiritual and deductive not only reflects the destructive polarization of modern society, but also leads to disunity in the Christian church.
A biased study of the complicated intersection between faith and reason.Pub Date: Feb. 6, 1936
ISBN: 978-1-4134-8749-7
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
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
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