Fire in the Equations: Science, Religion and the Search for God [Paperback]

Kitty Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

Since the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species" in 1859, many have found science and belief in God irreconcilable. The conflict has been heightened by the subsequent dramatic advances in physics, biology and the new fields of chaos and complexity. Some scientists insist that belief in God can sit comfortably alongside scientific knowledge; for others the idea is anathema. But this is not a question confined to scientists, philosophers and intellectuals. From the author of "Stephen Hawking: A Quest for a Theory of Everything", this book examines the impact of scientific discoveries and the question of whether we can ever "find" God - or a scientific formula that will erase once and for all the notion of God.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

At least since the Catholic Church forced Galileo to renounce Copernicanism, scientists and religionists have eyed one another with suspicion. But is the conflict between modern science and religious belief inevitable? Must those who accept the theories of Einstein and Heisenberg reject the visions of Isaiah and Paul? Well versed in both physics and theology, Ferguson holds out hope for reconciling rigorous science with sincere faith in God. But which God? The author concedes that it is easier to reconcile a scientific perspective with a distant deity who detonates the big bang and then leaves the universe to follow inflexible laws. But in carefully nuanced reasoning, she shows that modern science does not compel its adherents to reject the miracle-working personal God of Scripture. What comes through most clearly in this analysis is that science will never give believers or atheists unassailable public proofs of their positions. Like Jacob with the angel, each of us must still struggle with some questions alone. Bryce Christensen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Kitty Ferguson, a former professional musician with a life long interest in science, is an independent scholar and lecturer who lives in Cambridge, England, and South Carolina. She has also written the best-selling books Black Holes in Space Time and Stephen Hawking: Quest for a Theory of Everything.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802843557
• ISBN-13: 978-0802843555
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,012,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An AMAZING book about Quantum Physics and God, January 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire in the Equations: Science, Religion and the Search for God (Paperback)

This book is fairly deep and it will take a fair bit of concentration to understand the concepts it's talking about but the insight recieved is well worth the effort. It clearly explains the fairly complex theories of quantum physics and looks at how a creator (God) can fit into it all. Kitty is very fair and logical in her look at the arguments and just when you think she's won the argument for one "side" she throws a spanner in the works and does a back flip with a new piece of information.

I really enjoyed this book because it helped me to understand different theories of the begining of time and the Universe. It has a lot of philosophy which I also enjoyed. I love astronomy, physics, reading, logic and God. This book combines all these ingredients well. You will look at the Universe in a whole different way after reading The Fire in the Equations.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book worth reading, September 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire in the Equations: Science, Religion and the Search for God (Paperback)

This Book does a great job showing the conflicts and the harmony between science an religion. This book really is fair and as balanced as it's going to get on the subject. This book shows that while science is a reliable tool, you can't use it to answer every question. It also shows how you can't really use you religion or lack of it to "prove" that God does or doesn't exist.
All I ask as a engineer major is that "Is the belief in God reasonable?" I beleive so, but the use of science for proof won't be considered. Since the Big Bang has limited us to what we can know, I think that it is the question most of us show ask ourselves.
**As for what some others have said.
Since natualism is the method we use to discover things in science, then there shouldn't be any surprise when science seems atheistic.Duh, Most people relize that alot of scientific results seems to suggest otherwise. So spare the public with crap like "science supports athesim" , you must have not read the book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complex View of the Ultimate Question, March 29, 2008

By 

Christopher H. Harrington (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fire in the Equations: Science Religion & Search For God (Paperback)

This book is one of my personal favorites. I love the way the author seemlessly blends the ideas of cutting edge science with religion, philosophy and pretty much anything revolving around the concept of a search for God. this book is written in a remarkably neutral perspective. the author makes a point to try to seem nonpartisan.

The ideas here are rather complex so one might want to dedicate their full attention to absorb the full implications.

I could read this again and again.