Crossbridge Books

Tree Shadow

Berrow Green

MARTLEY

WR6  6PL

UK

 

+44 (0)1886 821128

crossbridgebooks@btinternet.com

www.crossbridgebooks.com

Created to the satisfaction of Crossbridge Books by PT Design - philtapp@hotmail.co.uk

Review for The Association of Christian Teachers, March 2005

www.christian-teachers.org.uk

 

'This delightful book arises from the author's own experience of a lifetime's work teaching science. There is a simple message: science and Christian faith do not conflict. Arthern's personal and passionate conviction that the wonder of science leads us to worship the Creator permeates the text. Curiosity, wonder, the thrill of new discoveries that challenge the way we think about the universe, such as “mountains on the moon”, are part of the joy of living in God's world.

 

'The book consists of 50 short chapters of between three and seven pages in length. The majority of the chapters are impressively researched biographies of important figures in the history of science. Each gives us an intriguing glimpse into the person and the relationship between their professional and spiritual lives. Those included range from ancients like Archimedes, through those who were influential in the heyday of modern science like Michael Faraday, to modern figures like Francis Collins who leads the Human Genome Project. Both the greatness and the humanity of these figures are developed. I loved the little snippets of trivia, such as the story of Linnaeus' dog that would attend church in his absence. The biographies are punctuated with six reflections on the nature of truth in science and religion, where the message of the book is explained in a more discursive manner.

 

'This book is a marvellous example of what the religious educators call “learning from”. Arthern challenges his reader to be prompted to reflection in the face of nature's wonders. I can imagine it being read by pupils who are fascinated by science. It is an excellent antidote to the notion that science and religion conflict, a basic assumption of many teenagers. I can also imagine the book being a superb source of assembly ideas.'

 

Highly recommended

 

Reviewer: Dr Trevor Cooling

Secondary Education Adviser

Diocese of Gloucester and Distance-Learning Courses Leader

for The Stapleford Centre

 

 

 

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