'The Grand Design', by eminent scientist Stephen Hawking, is the latest blockbusting contribution to the so-called New Atheist debate, and claims that the laws of physics themselves brought the Universe into being, rather than God. In this swift and forthright reply, John Lennox, Oxford mathematician and author of 'God's Undertaker', exposes the flaws in Hawking's logic. In lively, layman's terms, Lennox guides us through the key points in Hawking's arguments - with clear explanations of the latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories - and demonstrates that far from disproving a Creator God, they make his existence seem all the more probable.
God and Stephen Hawking
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"A brilliant response to Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design. Make sure you hear both sides of the argument!" —Alister McGrath, author, The Dawkins Delusion
"Recent books touting atheism have been grounded more on dyspepsia than on dispassionate reason. In this book John considers the best, most recent science from physics and biology, and demonstrates that the picture looks far different from what we've been told." —Michael Behe, author, Darwin's Black Box on God's Undertaker
"[God and Stephen Hawking] certainly deserves to win the 'Award of Merit' in the '2012 Christianity Today Books Awards.'" —Arn.org
About the Author
John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. He lectures on Faith and Science for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He has lectured in many universities around the world, including Austria and the former Soviet Union. He is particularly interested in the interface of Science, Philosophy and Theology. Lennox has been part of numerous public debates defending the Christian faith. He debated Richard Dawkins on "The God Delusion" in the University of Alabama (2007) and on "Has Science buried God?" in the Oxford Museum of Natural History (2008). He has also debated Christopher Hitchens on the New Atheism (Edinburgh Festival, 2008) and the question of "Is God Great?" (Samford University, 2010), as well as Peter Singer on the topic of "Is there a God?" (Melbourne, 2011). John is the author of a number of books on the relations of science, religion and ethics. He and his wife Sally live near Oxford.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 121 people found the following review helpful
By Spellman
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I first read Grand Design by Stephen Hawking, I was struck by how much emphasis he placed on trying to disprove the existence of God rather than explaining M theory in terms easily understood by all. Apparently I was not the only one who saw that Hawking was using his book to put forth his "philosophy", although he claims philosophy is dead. Lennox cuts through Hawking's comments like so many hot knives through butter. Not only does he demonstrate the nature of Hawking's contradictions on philosophy and his erroneous conclusions of creation based on shotty and misplaced arguments, he makes short work of Hawking's scientific conclusions concerning the strength of M theory's legitimacy. Hawking too quickly has held M theory as the "Holy Grail" for science forgetting to mention it is untestable. A point Lennox elaborates upon with great clarity. I found this book enjoyable and honest. It is only 96 pages long, but written in an understandable and concise fashion.
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
McGrath calls this book: "A brilliant response to the 'Grand Design.'" It's only 90 small pages but is loaded with great insights and critical thinking--that which Hawking is really weak. John Lennox (MA PhD, DPhil, DSc; professor Mathematics Oxford) discusses Multi-universes, laws of nature, and rationality in a very easy to understand way. Most high school kids could understand much of this and he makes a great case for the existence of God. Lennox not only wins many public debates, he is a wonderful writer. get this work -it's inexpensive, short and very convincing. give it to an atheist friend, since it is short and doesn't cost much, it is easy to give away.
also see The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom
or Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity
also see The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom
or Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity
73 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think it is safe to say most everyone has heard of Stephen Hawking, a well known English scientist, physicist and mathematician who made fundamental contributions to the study of the origins, structure and space-time relationships of the universe.
In his book called 'The Grand Design' Mr. Hawking states: 'Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.' and another gem: "One can't prove that God doesn't exist, but science makes God unnecessary."
Well, I must say I was only too happy to read John C. Lennox's answer in 'God and Stephen Hawking: Whose design is it anyway?'. I imagine my grandmother would have a thing or two to say also to Mr. Stephen Hawking...Something such as 'If I am wrong in believing there is a God, then I have lost nothing. However if I am right, and you are wrong, then you have lost everything.'
Hawkins has absolutely no proof of what he calls the 'M' theory which John C. Lennox describes in a much more understandable manner in chapter two of his book. According to Hawking, the 'M' theory (his chosen candidate for a final unifying theory of physics) predicts a great many universes were created out of nothing. But how can something be made out of nothing?
John C. Lennox discusses this and other arguments made by Hawking, presenting both sides of these latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories in a concise and intelligent format yet easy to follow for anyone interested. I admit I know next to nothing of Quantum physics.
Using facts and skillfully quoting reliable scientists and notable scholars, the author brings you to an undeniable conclusion: God's existence seems all the more probable!
As a Christian I have always objected to the statement that 'Religion is the opium of the masses.' I believe myself to be a 'thinking' person and I perceive science as a marvelous world of 'what if?'.
I cannot conceive having to choose betwixt science and God!
Science does not exist without God, they are not separate, but judge for yourself by reading this 96 page book!
I give this one 5 stars (albeit it is worth much more!)
I received this book free from KREGEL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
In his book called 'The Grand Design' Mr. Hawking states: 'Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.' and another gem: "One can't prove that God doesn't exist, but science makes God unnecessary."
Well, I must say I was only too happy to read John C. Lennox's answer in 'God and Stephen Hawking: Whose design is it anyway?'. I imagine my grandmother would have a thing or two to say also to Mr. Stephen Hawking...Something such as 'If I am wrong in believing there is a God, then I have lost nothing. However if I am right, and you are wrong, then you have lost everything.'
Hawkins has absolutely no proof of what he calls the 'M' theory which John C. Lennox describes in a much more understandable manner in chapter two of his book. According to Hawking, the 'M' theory (his chosen candidate for a final unifying theory of physics) predicts a great many universes were created out of nothing. But how can something be made out of nothing?
John C. Lennox discusses this and other arguments made by Hawking, presenting both sides of these latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories in a concise and intelligent format yet easy to follow for anyone interested. I admit I know next to nothing of Quantum physics.
Using facts and skillfully quoting reliable scientists and notable scholars, the author brings you to an undeniable conclusion: God's existence seems all the more probable!
As a Christian I have always objected to the statement that 'Religion is the opium of the masses.' I believe myself to be a 'thinking' person and I perceive science as a marvelous world of 'what if?'.
I cannot conceive having to choose betwixt science and God!
Science does not exist without God, they are not separate, but judge for yourself by reading this 96 page book!
I give this one 5 stars (albeit it is worth much more!)
I received this book free from KREGEL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
God and Stephen Hawking
It is very easy to get caught in the hype of a prestigious name John Lennox opens up the debate further by challenging Hawking on various levels in the argument, that God is not... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Magpye
3.0 out of 5 stars
Intellectual Absurdity
The book is properly written except that he didn't lend the reader any favor by not proving the existence of god or his christian religion. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Samuel Asante-boaheng
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I wanted to give Lennox the benefit of the doubt - and rarely give up on a book; but when a third of the way in he asserts that "God is a person from whom physical laws come... Read more
Published 1 month ago by George Dahlman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what you'd want
In a book that debates the existence of God, this book does it addressing key arguments in a precise and exact manner. It goes more in depth when necessary, but isn't redundant. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michael C. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very well written...
I have enjoyed reading Stephen Hawkings several books, while becoming fascinated how many high profile scientists such as him have attempted to use science to disprove God. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dave Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent! This book is a sack of potatoes in the guts of atheism!
Picture a snail on a slab of concrete. Then picture a fifteen tonne steamroller rumbling over the top of it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S.T.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding Book
Dr. Lennox provides a critical review of The Grand Design, revealing its error in proposing M theory as an explanation for a universe from nothing, as substantiated particularly by... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robert F. Struck
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Lennox, God and Stephen Hawking
Lennox's books regarding science and belief in God are very encouraging. He regulary makes the case that God and science are not mutually exclusive notions. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cookeville Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
very well written
I have read half the book so far. it is really a good read. Not too complex, yet gets the point across well. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
GOD & STEPHEN HAWKING
John Lennox gives a clear picture of the facts versus
the wishful thinking or "educated guessing" in God & Stephen Hawking. Great read!
the wishful thinking or "educated guessing" in God & Stephen Hawking. Great read!
Published 2 months ago by Kathlyn Fauchon
