REVELATION THROUGH SCIENCE

A nonfiction work offers an argument for a theoretical détente between religion and science.

Martin observes that many Americans complacently accept the idea that a belief in both science and religion is “intractably opposed”—the two domains of thought are so radically incompatible that any reconciliation, let alone a synthesis, is simply impossible. But he argues that the remarkable discoveries of modern science belie this divergence and that within them one can find a rationally defensible view of an intelligent creator. In order to render this plausible, the author treats readers to an intriguing tour of the major scientific disciplines, including astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, and paleontology, each one visited with admirable lucidity given its technically prohibitive nature. Within each branch of science, he finds evidence of “ ‘anthropic’ fine-tuning”—ways in which extraordinary complexity emerged that was absolutely necessary for the creation of life, a host of “numerical improbabilities” and “physical constants and conditions” that seem unlikely to be the consequences of brute chance. Martin resists the label “intelligent design”—it’s been too thoroughly coopted by enemies of science—but he adopts a scientifically informed version of its core philosophical argument. The author also provides a “poetic or allegorical” account of the biblical teaching of Creation that can be made consistent with science. While Martin concedes that “science has aspects that can and may disrupt confidence in spiritual leanings,” he largely interprets science as a means to understanding God and creation: “My view is that science is a modern, valid means of revelation of God’s creation. Science observes and explains the nature of God’s work in His universe and in us.” This is a marvelously rigorous work of analysis written by a professed “theistic scientist” without a hint of aggressive polemics. Martin aims to produce a rational argument based on science but true to religion that is accessible to the “educated nonscientist,” and he roundly succeeds.

A thoughtful and captivating brew of science, theology, and philosophy.