About this title: Increasingly astronomers recognize that if the cosmos had not unfolded exactly as it did, humanity would not, could not, exist. Yet these researchers - along with countless ordinary folks - resist belief in the biblical Creator. Why? Hugh Ross uses both science and scripture to explain how the universe's design fulfills several distinct purposes. It answers challenging questions about science and faith, including responses to Dawkins and the New Atheists. Author is president of Reasons To Believe and author of "Creation as Science and The Creator and the Cosmos". It helps readers engage non ...
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Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Baker Pub Group
Date Published: 2008-10-01
ISBN-13:9780801013041ISBN:0801013046
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780801013041. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Baker Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780801013041ISBN:0801013046
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP Country = UNITED STATES
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780801071966ISBN:0801071968
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 224 pages. Astronomers recognize that if the cosmos had not unfolded exactly as it did, humanity would not, could not, exist. yet these researchers-along with countless ordinary folks-resist belief in the biblical creator. why? this title uses both science and scripture to explain how the universe's design fulfills several distinct purposes. (Paperback) read more
Description: New. Overstock publisher book. May have remainder mark or sticker. Ships within 2 business days with delivery confirmation. Expedited shipping available. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Baker Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780801013041ISBN:0801013046
Description: New, Publisher overstock, may have small remainder mark. Excellent condition, never read, purchased from publisher as excess inventory. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Baker Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780801013041ISBN:0801013046
Description: New, Publisher overstock, may have small remainder mark. Excellent condition, never read, purchased from publisher as excess inventory. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Baker Book House USA
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780801071966ISBN:0801071968
Description: New. Astronomers recognize that if the cosmos had not unfolded exactly as it did, humanity would not, could not, exist. Yet these researchers-along with countless ordinary folks-resist belief in the biblical Creator. Why? This title uses both science a... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Baker Book House USA
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780801071966ISBN:0801071968
Description: New. Astronomers recognize that if the cosmos had not unfolded exactly as it did, humanity would not, could not, exist. Yet these researchers-along with countless ordinary folks-resist belief in the biblical Creator. Why? This title uses both science a... read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: BAKER BOOK HOUSE
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780801013041ISBN:0801013046
Description: New. Ross, founder and president of Reasons to Believe, reveals the universe's design, its purposes, and God's surpassing love for his creation. read more
Description: New. PLEASE NOTE: All books are promptly imported from the UK using International Priority Airmail. Delivery is typically 5-10 working days. Please do not select expedited shipping. Heavier and more expensive items have tracking number. Professional and reliable bookseller (est.1987). read more
Description: New. PLEASE NOTE: All books are promptly imported from the UK using DHL or Royal Mail international mail WITH TRACKING NUMBER. Delivery is typically 5-10 working days. Please do not select expedited shipping. Professional and reliable bookseller (est.1987). read more
Description: New. Please note that deliveries to addresses in the UK and Europe will be in 4-14 business days. Other countries should refer to Alibris standard times. ISBN10: 0801071968. read more
"From the back cover of the book: "Reasons to Believe scholars proclaim the powerful message that logic and science support, rather than erode, trust in the transcendent God of the Bible. The harmony becomes clear as they present testable truth."
I put that here because that was exactly what this book set out to do (and in my opinion accomplished) in the specific area of cosmology. Since I'm already a believer in the Bible and Christianity what was most exciting to me was learning about astrophysics and the 13.73 billion year history of our universe as scientists have discovered it so far. (Please note, like some Christians, I do not hold a "young earth creationist" worldview and neither does the author.) For instance, did you know that in Ontario is our planet's richest nickel deposit and that it is the result of an asteroid collision during an uninhabitable time in our planetary development (p. 50)? Facts like this and many others about mass, gravity, the second law of thermodynamics had me both fascinated and educated about what has been going on since the big bang and what we can expect to happen as this universe continues to age. Soaking up words like "galactic habitable zone," "solar twin" and "dark energy" had me feeling like a Trekkie throughout much of the book - I felt I could almost talk authoritatively on the subject! (But then one of the appendices went just a bit less "layman-y" and I was bored to tears - so I probably won't quit my day job for astronomy just yet!)
Ross did an excellent job handling the scientific evidence of the universe and, true to the Reasons to Believe model, he intertwined it with theological/philosophical discussion as well - referencing relevant Biblical verses at many points. While there was nothing really "wrong" with his theology I did find his theological language a bit overly superlative and flowery at times - an unfortunate common practice in religious discussions. Personally, I much prefer the blunt, to-the-point style of scientific discussion and think it carries through nicely to philosophical discussions as well, especially in a book like this. However, I wouldn't say his language reduced the force of his conclusions in any way, but only caused a minor personal irritation in the handling of the "testable truth."
Perhaps the most exciting thing about this book for me was having a few new insights into both the physical world I live in and how it relates to the Biblical account. Let's just say that this book gave my worldview an updated framework... the following passage may better explain my meaning. In discussing the fall of man (Adam and Eve leaving Eden), Ross writes:
===== God did not curse the world directly. There's no evidence to suggest alterations occurred in the physics of the universe or Earth. Few cosmic features could be more important for revealing their Maker than the constancy of the physical laws. If the force of gravity or the velocity of light changed occasionally, the result would be chaos and confusion (not to mention extermination). The universe would be indecipherable, at best, if each star and planet formed by different principles and processes. The biblical prophet Jeremiah declared that the laws that govern the heavens and Earth are as "fixed," or secure, as God's promises to Israel (see Jer. 33:25-26). The apostle Paul said the entire universe (which would include all its space-time realm) is subject to the law of decay (see Rom. 8:18-23). ... Rather than the laws being changed, the ground became cursed as Adam and his descendants altered the manner of their work. Instead of wisely administering resources for the benefit of the plants, animals, and all life as God commanded (see Gen. 1:28-30), Adam and Eve and their descendants allowed greed, laziness, and selfishness to ruin their environment. ... When humans practice evil, they experience additional pain and work. Extra work that serves no purpose but to partially reverse the effects of sin becomes "painful toil." (pp. 168-169) =====
What is so ground-breaking about this to me personally is that like so many other personal learnings, this about our vast, mysterious, almost-incomprehensible universe has only reinforced once-mysterious biblical accounts. The Garden of Eden wasn't heaven! It was part of the same Earth we all inhabit today and subject to the same laws. Adam and Eve weren't super heroes with special abilities! They were human beings subject to the same physical laws we all abide by today.
Thinking about this led me to consider that superstition (acting as though some parts of your physical life on Earth doesn't abide by physical scientific laws) has no place in a functional worldview - an accurate worldview will honestly deal with the facts of the world around us, not conveniently "magic" them away.
At the end of the book Ross discusses the end of the universe and what we might expect of life in a realm not restricted by space-time. (Think stick figures trying to comprehend life outside their piece of paper.) This is a pretty exciting section and shines a light of hope on an otherwise bleak inevitability to life in a permanently decaying universe.
With this book Ross has helped me simultaneously understand more about our physical universe and further develop my worldview in an intellectually honest way. I look forward to reading and learning more like this from the Reasons to Believe scholars."
"It was okay. It really left me wanting alot more information. Especially dealing with how the book of Genesis lines up with the authors views.But I think he might have some other books that deal with that topic more closely."
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