Customer Reviews

More Than Meets the Eye: Fascinating Glimpses of God's Power and Design

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Swenson has performed a genuine service for non-scientists by gathering the latest research and information on the Body and the cosmos, and presenting it in an easy-to-read, easy-to-appreciate manner. He explains the bizarre world of quantum mechanics, relativity, light and atoms without minimizing how strange these all are, when compared to our everyday reliance on things being what they aeem to be. On the atom: "An atom is a tiny puff of smoke that stays put. It is weaselly, ghostly, otherworldly...Einstein..resisted the wierdness of atomic behavior as long as he could. Perhaps it is best to simply accept the fact that when things get this small, the nature of reality itself changes." Swenson's also got a good sense of humor: "If you were to stretch out all the neurons and dendritic connections in the brain and lay them end to end, they would reach for 100 thousand miles and circle the earth at the equator four times. (That's why it takes two Valiums.)" Swenson also makes an ongoing case for something he is convinced of: there is too much complexity, and orderliness, for all this to have happened by chance, and his conviction is backed up by quotes from scientists who also happen to be atheists:"Physicists Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe calculated the odds that all the functional proteins necessary for life might form in one place by random events as one chance in 10 to the 40,000 power. They concluded that this was 'an outrageously small probability that could not be faced even if the whole universe consisted of organic soup.'" Swenson's book is a great resource for someone wanting to catch up on some amazing scientific findings, as well as a challenge to anyone who believes it all happened by accident.

I began this book with a certain cynicism. I heard the author on the radio, found him to be both brilliant and enjoyable, so I bought the book. One problem: I've never enjoyed things scientific. Wow, what a great surprise! This book presents what I'll call "intimate science" so engagingly that I soon dropped my long-held objection to reading about science and enjoyed the read. As a believer, I most appreciated the deeper understanding of the limitlessness of God which this book fosters. (I find it amazing that the "official" reviewer of this book suggests that Swenson stretches credulity when he asserts that God could hear a billion prayers at once! She has missed the key point which leaps from these pages: God is without limits -- we view him through the eyes of finite mortality.) If you are a "seeker" -- read this book. If you like science -- read this book. If you don't like science but love theology and genuinely good writing -- read this book. If you are trying to develop a stronger "apologia" for the faith -- read this book.

Every now and then, a Christian book comes along that's an instant classic -- a book that winds up on every evangelical bookshelf in the nation -- a book like "Knowing God" or "Evidence That Demands a Verdict."

I'm pretty sure "More Than Meets the Eye" will be one such book.

Swenson believes that science actually supports religion -- that it shows us there is in fact a deity, undeniably so; that only a blind man or an idiot could think otherwise in view of the amazing complexity of our world; and, for those already convinced about God, his book also demonstrates that most of us have a concept of God that is pathetically small and inadequate.

Tackling such topics as the human body, outer space, and subatomic physics, Swenson amasses such a dazzling array of facts and insights that you can start reading on almost any page and find it very tough to put down.

This is the kind of book you buy for everyone you know, believer and unbeliever alike. It's absolutely fascinating, and essential reading.

The two Amazon Editorial Reviews (from Publishers Weekly and Booklist) just don't get it. Why is it hard for people to understand that a book written by a Christian, for a Christian audience, by a Christian publisher will develop it's theme from a Christian perspective. And why would someone wonder how a Christian could believe that God could hear a billion prayers at once (since, God being God, from the Christian world-view, can hear an infinite number of prayers at any given "moment").

"More Than Meets the Eye," by Dr. Richard Swenson offers exactly what the subtitle accurately promises: fascinating glimpses of God's power and design. It does not pretentiously pretend to offer in-depth scientific analysis. It does present micro and macro signs of God's transcendence and immanence. Science and faith, when looked at with what Luther called "reason redeemed by grace," consistently connect to show God's handiwork, God's fingerprints, God's footprints everywhere--from the largest star to the smallest particle. No, "More Than Meets the Eye" is not the final word. However, it is a fascinating glimpse for those willing to look at creation and the Creator with intellectual integrity and spiritual authenticity.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Biblical Psychology," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

This book does a wonderful job of pointing out miracles of God as discovered by modern science. Swenson presents the complexity of the universe from a Christian world-view and masterfully mixes orthodox commentaries into his discussions of human anatomy and physiology, and modern physics. Multiple scientific thoughts are explained well enough to be understandable and intriguing but without the intricate detail of a science textbook. This book is very edifying for Christians with a passion for science and technology and would likely be a good evangelism tool for presenting a Christian world-view to a scientist or engineer that does not yet know the Lord.

The author was a speaker at a convention I attended. After enjoying his lectures, I immediately purchased this book. What I like about this book is its presentation of extremely complicated concepts (quarks, fission versus fusion, theoretical superstrings...) and then explaining them with simple terms and humor. I have found the book helpful for my high school honors science student's education. A pleasurable read that has enhanced my scientific knowledge and Christian faith.

This author is a wonderful writer (his book "Margin" Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives is the best life-organizer for the over-scheduled) who uses his medical doctor background to create a clearly written eye-opening explanation of the intricacies of the world around us. The facts tell the story: a creation this complicated is totally impossible without a Creator.

Vicki Huffman

I have read this book more than once. I have bought several and given as gifts. It really is the perfect book for everyone. It is an easy read. It is language and concept that children and adults can enjoy and relate to.

This is a must for all students interested in science and human nature.

This is a must for the non believer. It certainly proves, the grand design.

I'm just starting my second round thru the book. There's just so much to try to wrap one's mind around. I recommend this book to those who have an interest in physics, quantum mechanics, science, theology and the Creator of the Universe! (Sub-atomic particles will make your head spin!) I also recommend Dr. Swenson's video series of the same title.

Don't know how ANYONE could read this book and believe that "we" crawled out of some sludge hole as some other creature and "evolved" into what we are today. We were CREATED by the MASTER ARTIST! All you need to know is here. An excellent book to provide to those you know who are unsaved and skeptical!