The Reluctant Messenger of Science and Religion: Science and the World's Religions Are Pieces to a Puzzle That Need Each Other to Form a Complete Picture (Paperback)

~ Stephen Boston (Author)
Key Phrases: seven wisdoms, reluctant messenger, improbability argument, The Master, San Francisco, Quantum Reality (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Science teaches evolution. Genesis describes creation. Christianity, Judaism, and Sufism teach resurrection. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism teach reincarnation. The Reluctant Messenger of Science and Religion resolves these paradoxes. Chester and Lydia meet in a debate. One wins. One loses. Neither are ever the same. Lydia discovers a secret from her past that destroyed her family. She tries to ignore it, but her nightmares won't let her. Chester's greed for gold and revenge lead him to ancient knowledge which the powers of darkness fight to suppress. When the information last came to light, thousands died. Somehow, Chester must safely reveal it to the world. "This is the most inspirational story I have ever read! Honest!" Clint Hoadley...

About the Author

Dr.He teaches The World's Great Religions at a state university. Dr. Evelyn Boston holds a Theocentric Business and Ethics Ph.D., Behavioral Counseling M.Ed., and Sociology/Psychology B.A. She is a human resource trainer, executive coach, and employee assistance professional for an international corporation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (March 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595268218
• ISBN-13: 978-0595268214
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,059,496 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY interesting reading for the open minded, July 3, 2003

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"The Reluctant Messenger of Science and Religion" is a study in how science and the world religions are not in conflict with each other and need each other to form a complete picture. To make it less of a laborious read it is presented in the format of a novel. It starts with two members of debate societies debating over whether science is correct about the creation of the earth or religion is correct. From there we follow both the losing and winning debater through a series of life changing and illuminating events that effectively illustrate the authors' beliefs. It is very well written for a book of this sort and teaches the viewpoint that there are other interpretations of various Bible passages that are not in conflict with science. In fact there are several areas where the teachings are actually a return to the older beliefs. The book also freely examines other religious views from Islam to Hinduism, Buddhism to Sufi and brings them into the discussion.

Strong conservatives from almost any religious teaching will probably have a problem with this book as it attempts to bring harmony between the various beliefs and show that they are all parts of a more complete whole. Since most conservatives by definition believe that their view is right and any other is blasphemy I would expect them to have at least some difficulties. On the other hand, those with an open spirit will probably find it one of their favorite books.

Having said this, I would be failing my obligation to my readers if I did not point out that there are several editing problems of a nature that I would not expect in a finished product. While I did not make a note of them as I went along there are maybe ten to fifteen in the book - far more than the two to three maximum that I expect. As an example, page 235 has the sentence "Chester spoke to know one in particular". Although annoying, they don't interrupt the flow of the book too much and the authors make their point very clearly. It is only because of these errors that this is a recommended read and not a highly recommended read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, April 26, 2003

By	Meenakshi Suri (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

The website is so vast, that it was almost inconceivable to imagine that a book relatively small as this one, would do justice to the premise that all religions as well as science have to be seen together to uncover the truth.
But the Drs. Boston have managed to produce just that! The Reluctant Messenger is a book that satisfies the reader of a skeptical Chester's adventures with religion and science with the Master, which are on the website, and introduces a new juxtaposition: that of Lydia who is a believer of one religion alone. Coming together in a debate spirals each into a search for peace; in two differing directions: one in remote areas of India, and the other within the remote areas of conventional religion. The seeming innocuousness of the physical setting hides the breathtaking journeys each of them takes to the far reaches of human belief, faith and knowledge.
Those who have made a study of religion and/or of science, will not be disappointed: this book is a masterly progression of elegantly presented word diagrams that explain just how the different religions as well as science do fit together into a magnificent picture. There is a masterly change of pace from the sublime to the mundane: descriptions of a meditation of different dimensions and the clearing up of a breakfast table.
The tolerant among us are used to thinking that each religion leads to God- but that all religions together do that; and that science is not just a re-discovery of old facts but a re-presentation of them: that is indeed a unique perspective.
But what of the stories of Lydia and Chester? Do they come together once again? As the book progresses, so do they; and as we are caught up in their lives, it appears that we will need a sequel to find that out!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An original and enthralling novel, July 18, 2003

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

The collaborative effort of Stephen and Evelyn Boston, The Reluctant Messenger Of Science And Religion is an original and enthralling novel about two people caught amidst revelations that threaten both their personal lives and the world itself. Paradoxes between conflicting world religions, the seeming contradictions between science and faith, inspiration and desperation, all meld into a tautly written saga that makes for rapt, involving reading from beginning to end.