| A Guide to The God
Hypothesis
The questions below
have been developed to help deepen your group's discussion
and understanding of the materials presented in The God
Hypothesis.
- What on earth
could the mythical figure of Goldilocks have to do with
modern cosmology and the possibility of a Creator?
- What does modern
empirical science have to say about the various characteristics
of God?
- Do you believe
there is formal scientific PROOF for the existence of
God?
- If so, why haven't
we heard about it yet?
- Can the concept
of omnipotence (e.g., the property of being all-powerful)
be demonstrated with the facts of modern science EXCLUSIVELY?
- Does the concept
of Intelligent Design have any role to play in modern
science?
- If so, where could
it possibly fit in without taking away from the practice
of science itself?
- What does the
popular concept of Murphy's Law have to do with modern
science and the possible existence of God?
Barrow, John D., and Frank J. Tipler. The Anthropic Cosmological
Principle (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986). This
is one of the most important and all-encompassing books
on the scientific evidence for design ever written. A "must
read" for anyone who is seriously interested in what
the universe itself has to say about the existence and nature
of the Designer.
Behe, Michael J. Darwin’s Black Box
(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996). This is the book
in which Behe’s much-talked-about concept of "irreducible
complexity" is introduced.
Darwin, Charles. The Origin of Species
(New York: P.F. Collier & Son Co., 1909). The single
most influential book on origins ever written. The really
surprising thing, however, is the fact that it is not an
atheistic treatise by an stretch of the imagination, contrary
to popular belief.
Davies, Paul. God and the New Physics (New
York: Simon & Schuster, 1983).
___. The Mind of God (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992).
Davies is one of the premier scientific theorists in the
world today, particularly regarding the possible existence
of a Intelligent Designer. Each one of his books is essential
for the serious student of natural theology.
Dawkins, Richard. The Blind Watchmaker
(New York: W.W. Norton, 1987). Dawkins is one the Theistic
Evolutionist’s most voracious opponents.
Dembski, William A. Intelligent Design
(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999). Dembski has
quickly become the spokesperson and chief representative
of modern "Intelligent Design" theory.
Denton, Michael. Evolution: A Theory in
Crisis (Bethesda, MD: Adler & Adler, 1986).
___. Nature’s Destiny (New York: The Free Press, 1998).
Both of these books are genuine masterpieces. Every page
of Nature’s Destiny is breathtaking in its brilliance
at every level. The moment I opened this book I thought
to myself, "This is destined to become one of the greatest
books ever written on the various scientific aspects of
Design.
Gould, Stephen Jay. Ever Since Darwin (New
York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1973). Gould is one of
the most important and widely read science authors in the
world today. His books are highly recommended for anyone
who wants to understand the various aspects of modern evolutionary
theory.
Hawking, S.W. A Brief History of Time (New
York: Bantam, 1988). This is the world-renowned physicist’s
classic book on history and nature of cosmology.
Johnson, Philip E. Darwin on Trial (Washington,
DC: Regnery Gateway, 1991). A lawyer by trade, Philip Johnson
has become one of the leading critics of the modern theory
of evolution.
Ross, Hugh. The Creator and the Cosmos
(Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1993).
___. The Fingerprint of God (Orange, CA: Promise Publishing,
1991).
Hugh Ross is the Christian astronomer who started the "Reasons
to Believe" ministry in Southern California over a
decade ago. His books, newsletters, and magazines are all
first-rate and very highly informative. Dr. Ross has been
a huge inspiration to me both personally and professionally.
His vision of the relationship between science and religion
is highly revealing, and it is based on hard-core empirical
science.
Sagan, Carl. Cosmos (New York: Random House,
1980). This is Dr. Sagan’s classic text and television
series on the nature of the universe. There are "billions
and billions" of interesting ideas to be found here,
although Sagan’s idea that we are existentially insignificant
because of our physical insignificance has clearly been
transcended by the findings of modern "anthropic"
cosmology.
Sanford, John A. Evil: The Shadow Side
of Reality (New York: Crossroad, 1981).
___. The Kingdom Within (San Francisco: Harper & Row,
1987).
John Sanford’s work on the psychology of religion are
modern-day classics. They have had a huge influence on my
own research, and to this day Sanford stands alone as the
number one authority on the relationship between classical
theology and modern depth psychology
Schroeder, Gerald L. Genesis and the Big
Bang (New York: Bantam, 1990).
___. The Science of God (New York: The Free Press, 1997).
Dr. Schroeder’s books are the definitive texts on the
actual relationship between empirical science and traditional
Biblical teaching. His work on the relativity of time as
far as the traditional "six day creation" is concerned
is original, heroic, and utterly convincing.
See Michael's expanded
Science & Religion Bibliography
here.
|
