A Concealed God: Religion, Science, and the Search for Truth [Hardcover]

Stefan Einhorn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Is there a "concealed God" that operates as the hidden power behind human existence and the creation of the natural laws that govern the universe? Could it be that this force, this concealed God, can be experienced but not described and provide meaning to life? Swedish molecular oncologist Einhorn addresses these and other questions in this sophomoric exercise in the philosophy of religion. Einhorn examines the similarities in religions by listing five characteristics that all religious systems share: ritual and myth, moral values, comfort and caring, social systems and spiritual content. He finds that every religion seeks to discover a concealed God that provides purpose and power for the religion. Examining the relationship of religion to physics, chemistry and biology, Einhorn then asks whether or not science can provide a path toward insight into the divine. He concludes that the strongest scientific argument for an unexplained divine force is the fact that our world offers all the physical and biological requirements that enable life to exist in it. In the end, he says, neither science nor religion can aid in the search for the concealed God; the only meaningful path to the divine is meditation, contemplation and prayer. His conclusion that it is up to the individual to search for answers to the question of God's existence negates much of what went before. Einhorn's definitions of religions, arguments for the existence of God, and discussions of the relationship of science to religion are left in the end without a raison d'Etree.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Stefan Einhorn, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of molecular oncology and chairman of the department of oncology-pathology at the Karolinska Institute. The author of several popular science books in the field of medicine, he is also a prominent lecturer in both Sweden and the United States.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Templeton Foundation Pr (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890151939
• ISBN-13: 978-1890151935
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,528,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informed, informative, and highly recommended reading, October 5, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concealed God: Religion, Science, and the Search for Truth (Hardcover)

Thoughtfully written by Stefan Einhorn (Professor of Molecular Oncology and Chairman of the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden), A Concealed God: Religion, Science And The Search For Truth is a careful and inquiring examination into the nature of God's existence. Eschewing both blind faith and absolute secularism, A Concealed God looks at the common factors found in seven of the world's most widespread religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Drawing upon each faith's profession of a higher power, A Concealed God presents and eloquent and highly intriguing investigation into eternal questions. A Concealed God is informed, informative, and highly recommended reading for students of theology, metaphysics, and comparative religion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of different views of God and spirituality, December 17, 2006

By 

NoWireHangers (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concealed God: Religion, Science, and the Search for Truth (Hardcover)

The book does not answer the question whether there is a god or not, but states that if there is one, it is a "concealed" god, according to most major religions. Einhorn goes on from there to describe the different views of God in various religions, and the different schools of mysticism's way of finding God.

The book seems to be aimed at religious seekers, and I think many will find it a good place to start when wanting to learn more about various religions.