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Following a Passion for Sports to Israel

By: Aharon Ben Anshel

Published: April 14th, 2004

 

 

Although he lived his life devoid of traditional religious observance, Albert Einstein very famously stated: “I shall never believe that G-d plays dice with the world.”

So it is with many scientists and philosophers for whom study and research into the intricacies of the universe develops into admiration and understanding that there actually appears to be meaning in the universe.

Stephen Barr is professor of physics at the University of Delaware, and this tome expresses his unique ability to explain very complex scientific theories in a very enlightening manner that has value even for those not immersed in the religion-versus-science debate. Barr’s clarity and logic is invaluable in his description of physical processes and scientific theories to help us all get from point “A” to point “B”.

Is it true that quantum theory, or now string theory, is at the bottom of all reality? Must one truly understand complex mathematics and philosophical theories to envision a 10-dimensional world, or a universe in which our free will results in many “almost” duplicate parallel universes as a result of the myriad choices we make in our lives every day?

Using the insights of modern physics, Barr reveals that recent scientific discoveries and religious faith are actually deeply consonant. Written in a style that laypeople will understand, the rigorous and concise text explains modern physics without oversimplification.

The book uses five of the 20th-century’s revolutionary discoveries - the Big Bang theory, the Unified Field theories, Anthropic Coincidences, Gödel’s Theorem in mathematics, and
Quantum Theory - to cast serious doubt on the materialistic view of the universe and to provide greater credence to theistic claims about G-d and the universe.

Modern Physics and Ancient Faith is published by the university press of a noted Christian university. It provides both philosophical and scientific evidence that challenge the notion that G-d does not exist – a concept the devout usually have no need for. It could also been published by one of many Judaic publishing houses, and is additional evidence that fences are
coming down and that valuable intellectual exchanges are happening on the American publishing scene.

Barr and other thoughtful scientific thinkers don’t believe the universe lacks cause of purpose, or that the human race is an accidental by-product of blind material forces. He insists that
the great discoveries of modern physics are more compatible with the central teachings of the monotheistic religions about G-d, the cosmos and the human soul than with the atheistic
viewpoint of scientific materialism.

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