Schroeder's theories are invaluable for anyone with strong ties to both the physical sciences and the veracity of the Bible. Without his books I would have been content to think about Bible for Bible and science for science. With his books, each one enriches and enhances the other. Science of God is his most important book, but the nitty-gritty of his time dilation theory is better-explained in Genesis and the Big Bang. Must-read.

a fantastic book giving new insights into old historical problems, very readable even for the le-man, I highly recommended it.

Very interesting! It is a study of the first chapter of Genesis in light of recent findings in physics, microbiology, and astrophysics. Something I found intriguing was about our (the Jewish) calendar.

". . . Logically, the calendar should start with the creation of the world. That would be the generations since Adam plus the six preceding days. But such is not the case. Two thousand years ago, long before there was any controversy over hundred-million-year-old dinosaur bones and cosmic ages reaching into the billions of years, the starting date of the biblical calendar was set at the creation of the souls of humankind (Gen. 1: 27), and not at the creation of the universe, the "In the beginning" of Genesis 1: 1." (Page 45)

That is something I intend to ask my rabbi!

The author then goes on to explain how, using cosmic background radiation, it can be shown that all the 16 billion years leading to Adam took place in six days. Since the first chapter of Genesis and science are in agreement as to the order in which events happened, this makes wonderfully good sense. Whether or not I am convinced will depend on what the rabbi says when I ask him about when the calendar begins - or other research to follow!

Another fascinating subject was the mention of the age differences prior to the Flood:

"Prior to the flood at the time of Noah, the life spans of the persons being discussed ranged from 365 years to 969 years, with the average being 840 years. Sexual maturity (the age at which a woman first gives birth) was reached at 65 to 187 years (average 115 years). Both averages are approximately ten times the current values for developed countries, obviously far from today's reality. Whatever one may think of the pre-Noah longevity, by the time of Abraham, just ten generations after Noah, life span had so decreased that the Bible required an explicit miracle for Abraham, age 99, and Sarah, age 89, to conceive a child (to be named Isaac, from the Hebrew word for laugh, as Abraham did when the angel said he and Sarah would be parents the following year; Gen. 17: 17).

"The cause of this dramatic decrease in life expectancy is not stated. However, the actual age data as listed in the Bible are instructive. . . . Prior to Noah there is no strong trend either increasing or decreasing longevity. Following Noah, a trend is clear. Life span becomes shorter through the generations. The biblical concept is that change takes place over time and through generations, just as did the development of the world in the first chapter of Genesis." (Page 15)

I do wish he had gone into more detail as to what he thinks may have caused the decline in age. Was there something that the Flood brought about that changed the environment? Regardless, I did find the book illuminating.

This was an interesting book. Not that any of his ideas have been picked up after reading this, but I appreciate the different points of view and they were refreshing to read. His attempts to reconcile the so-called rift between the Old Testament and modern science is nothing if it isn't tidy.

I would have to place this work on my top-five list for thought provoking books. The author does an excellent job weaving modern scientific thought with ancient biblical commentary. It is done in such a way that the reader finds the connection between the two topics to be much stronger than would be shown by other contemporary views on the topic.

As with other books like this, I would encourage the reader to approach with an open mind as well as a bit of skepticism. The author presents some very interesting ideas, some of which seem highly plausible and some of which are a bit far-fetched. I think the phrase "don't miss the forest for the trees" would be applicable. One could easily get wrapped up in a particular detail while missing the overarching theme.

Oy vay!

(If you don't speak yiddish it's a short way of saying "cut the crap because it hurts my head".)

I have rarely seen a more ridiculous example of sophistry and naarishkeit... sorry there I go again. It's worth reading as an example of how not to think. Combines junk science and terrible theology. I hope his Rebbe doesn't get to hear of it.

Oy vay!

(If you don't speak yiddish it's a short way of saying "cut the crap because it hurts my head".)

I have rarely seen a more ridiculous example of sophistry and naarishkeit... sorry there I go again. It's worth reading as an example of how not to think. Combines junk science and terrible theology. I hope his Rebbe doesn't get to hear of it.

Gerald Schroeder really has something quite interesting here. Of course you will have the atheist and religious nay-sayers bad mouthing the book, that's just what they do. They both have their influential organized religions to worry about. But Schroeder really paints a picture that caused my mouth to drop in amazement more than once. This book was a breath of fresh air to me, and I'm speaking from someone on the religious side of things. Despite my beliefs, I've always distrusted the modern intelligent design theory put forth by some religious institutions. Schroeder's detailed insight provides a great alternative, and he does so using the Torah in the Hebrew as a reference. I've long wanted to see science and religion reconciled in the church, and this is a nice step in the right direction. There of course may not be 100% accuracy, I doubt we will ever have 100% accuracy when it comes to scientific detail of the origin of life and the beginning of life, but many of the proposals Schroeder put forward have very large possibilities.

/// 6 days stretching to the 13.5-to-16.4 billion years by cosmic background radiation's [CBR] frequency as clock of the universe (CBR frequency related to CBR temperature - see next) (Schroeder notes the large numbers are estimates) pages 57-58, 61-62, 65-67, Appendix A part a.
/// 6 days / (365 days / year) x 10^12 = 16.4 billion years;
where 10^12 approximately equals "ratio of ... cosmic background radiation [CBR] ... temperature ... at the moment of quark confinement [into protons and neutrons] ... to [CBR temperature - with CBR temperature related to CBR frequency per Schroeder] now", Schroeder, p65
/// Schroeder (MIT) seems well-received by Reasons to Believe "The scientific content of 'Genesis and the Big Bang' reflects scholarly integrity, as does that of Schroeder's more recent book, 'The Science of God'. Schroeder's creation theology seems sound for the most part. Our only point of significant disagreement is the time frame for the creation chronology." Note that Schroeder defends his time frame on page 65: "Bible's perspective is one that looks forward from the beginning...."
/// Schroeder has this multiplication and division from 13.5-to-16.4 billion years to 6 days taking an exponential 'path' through time [p.65; table p.67] [A=A0 x e^(-Lt)] (whatever time really is) to get from 13.5-to-16.4 billion years down to 6 days. A former Rocketdyne engineer said (time) seems to be to (the absence of gravity) - as - (not spoiling of food) is to the (temperature) : (less gravity) more (time); (less temperature) more (unspoiled food).
/// If you have something or come on anything about these topics also I'd like to know at [idnkoli@yahoo.com]

/// 6 days stretching to the 13.5-to-16.4 billion years by cosmic background radiaion's [CBR] frequency as clock of the universe (CBR frequency related to CBR temperature - see next) (Schroder notes the large numbers are estimates) pages 57-58, 61-62, 65-67, Appendix A part a.
/// 6 days / (365 days / year) x 10^12 = 16.4 billion years;
where 10^12 ¡Ö "ratio of ... cosmic background radiation [CBR] ... temperature ... at the moment of quark confinement [into protons and neutrons] ... to [CBR temperature - with CBR temperature related to CBR frequency per Schroeder] now", Schroeder, p65
/// Schroeder (MIT) seems well-received by Reason to Believe "The scientific content of 'Genesis and the Big Bang' reflects scholarly integrity, as does that of Schroeder's more recent book, 'The Science of God'. Schroeder's creation theology seems sound for the most part. Our only point of significant disagreement is the time frame for the creation chronology." [[...]] Note that Schroeder defends his time frame on page 65: "Bible's perspective is one that looks forward from the beginning...."
/// Schroeder has this multiplication and division from 13.5-to-16.4 billion years to 6 days taking an exponential 'path' through time [p.65; table p.67] [A=A0 x e^(-Lt)] (whatever time really is) to get from 13.5-to-16.4 billion years down to 6 days. A former Rocketdyne engineer said (time) seems to be to (the absence of gravity) - as - (not spoiling of food) is to the (temperature) : (less gravity) more (time); (less temperature) more (unspoiled food).
/// If you have something or come on anything about these topics also I'd like to know at [idnkoli@yahoo.com]

This book is by far the best discussion (books and speeches) that reconciles current scientific beliefs with those held by monotheist religions.

Personally, I thought his explanation of the age of the universe was brilliant. Some of Schroeder's other points were not as convincing, but his efforts were admirable.

Individuals from the religious and scientific communities should read this book with an open mind and see how their prior beliefs can be reconciled with the science and/or religion.

The author attempts to square modern scientific evidence with a literal interpretation of the Old Testament. His primary theological sources are the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, and Nahmanides, "a leading 13th-century kabalistic commentator".

While the pieces fit together almost too perfectly, Schroeder's book is loaded with astounding scientific concepts and facts that make random evolution and random reality seem totally out of the question. Science, just as much as theology, demands a designer's hand.

For example, when discussing the improbability that matter formed at all during the Big Bang, he says,

"For an exotic, still uncertain reason, infinitesimally more matter than antimatter was produced...As the particles and antiparticles annihilated, that one extra particle in ten billion remained. From those rare 'extras,' every galaxy, star, and human is composed..."

He employs unimaginable large and small numbers to defend design with regard to evolution, the origin of life, DNA, and a host of other mysterious physical phenomenon. Bottom line--numbers don't lie. The odds that our DNA took shape by chance is zero, a statistical impossibility.

One of his most interesting explorations is his attempt to reconcile the six days of creation with our understanding that the universe is fifteen billion years old. He bases his argument on the law of relativity. Schroeder argues that for God, existing in a time perspective outside of ours, one day might seem like a billion years from our point of view. While I couldn't follow all his arguments, it seemed rather amazing that he could square the time difference between Genesis and science so perfectly. Still, that time discrepancies between God and man can be explained by relativity is credible, even if the numbers do not fit perfectly.

Schroeder also debunks some common misunderstandings about evolution. According to him, the fossil record indisputably proves that life did not evolve gradually, but that it appeared suddenly and mysteriously.

"These fossils in conjunction with other discoveries indicate that all animal phyla appeared almost simultaneously 530 million years ago in the Cambrian period. All further development was confined to variations within each phylum. One of the great mysteries of animal evolution is why no new phyla have appeared since that Cambrian explosion of life."

That was news to me, along with several other facts about evolution that he discusses along the way.

For the science-challenged (like me), this is a tough read. But I'm glad I read it, because I had no idea how strong the physical evidence for design is, or how much I misunderstood the current outlook on evolutionary theory. If Schroeder is correct about how perfectly the Biblical authors described physical law as we understand it today, that may be the best rational argument of all in favor of God.

This book and the concepts presented within I found to be in remarkable agreement with what I have always believed. I simply lacked the knowledge to present it so eloquently.

Those whose knowledge is mostly scientific lack the biblical knowledge to properly understand what it is saying. Likewise religious persons who lack the scientific know how can't clearly understand the point of view of evolution. This book neatly blends the two together to show that science and religion do not have to be at odds with one another.

For anyone is not sure that there's a God, or even if you are pretty sure of what you believe, this is the book to read. I needed to plow through the probabilities sections, but I got the message anyway. I now have pictures in my mind of creation, the placement of the earth, and the beginning of life, rather than just words. The author brought these concepts into conjunction with the Biblical days of creation convincingly, and included information I had never heard from another source. I have bought another book for my grandchildren, and I'll probably buy more.

The case made in this book is very interesting. Could the theory of relativity be the answer to reconciling science aqd religion regarding the age of the earth?

Previously I have read a few books on Intelligent Design which present you with the Chef's menu: a full meal is picked for you: take it all or leave it all. Schroeder's work is the opposite. He's throwing out intriguing and open-ended possibilities - you pick from the buffet what suites your fancy. Nothing feels cramed down your throat. I bought 5 copies of this book to share with friends because it has given me hope. It is bridging the decades old schisms in my mind left by my voracious appetite for scientific truth and my convictions about the authority of the Bible. His work achieves its magic by stretching the beliefs held on both extremes. This book will not satisfy black and white thinkers commited to either strict Biblical literalism or abiotic evolution. It is however a wonderful read for anyone caught in the middle who is left unfulfilled by either extreme.

I respect the author's intent, which is quite admirable and amazing. He does a good job of chastising the religious and scientific communities for their rigid and sometimes dishonest inability to accomodate findings and facts that disprove or call into question their "beliefs".

BUT, his utter reliance on Hebrew mystics disqualifies him from creating a true argument for HIS "beliefs". Why would they have a monopoly on universal insights and truths?

Still, I enjoyed reading this book, and 3 stars or 3.5 stars is appropriate.

This book is full of a lot of great scientific information, however the author's real purpose is to fudge both science and the Bible so that it appears they are one in the same. The author says in the first chapter that he will not try to fudge the Bible so it fits with science yet that's all he does throughout the entire book. His connections are unlikely to convince the average intelligent reader. But don't take my word for it, if you chose to read this book then try this: After every conclusion he makes about the Bible and Science ask yourself 'Does this evidence support the idea that the Bible is true, or is it merely a way of reading the Bible so that it loosely fits scientific fact'.

Excellent book attempting to reconcile science and bible. Readers should be cautioned that some familiarity with quantum mechanics and relativity are helpful but not required. Recommended especially for those with science background who have not read the bible.

Excellent book attempting to reconcile science and bible. Readers should be cautioned that some familiarity with quantum mechanics and relativity are helpful but not required. Recommended especially for those with science background who have not read the bible.

This is the most brilliant book I have ever read. It literally made me see stars! How many books do that for you? The author is extremely intelligent and has researched the subject intensely. He explains how the Bible AND science are both correct regarding the origin of the universe and life. It is a great way to reconcile ideas.

This is the most brilliant book I have ever read. It literally made me see stars! How many books do that for you? The author is extremely intelligent and has researched the subject intensely. He explains how the Bible AND science are both correct regarding the origin of the universe and life. It is a great way to reconcile ideas.

Must read if you have questions about what live is all about. Though I am not a total believer in God. Dr. Schoeder handles all topics in plain english and very respectful. I think it would be great to mee him as well as read all his books.

Must read if you have questions about what live is all about. Though I am not a total believer in God. Dr. Schoeder handles all topics in plain english and very respectful. I think it would be great to mee him as well as read all his books.

The entire premise of this book is "If you hold the bible up to the light of the full-moon while standing on one leg, one can plainly see how scriptures and science are in harmony" While I can think of many colorful short phrases to describe this book while it ricochets of the wall into the trash can, the initials "B,S" comes to mind.

Schroeder wants the reader to believe that the book of Genesis makes reference to Einstein's theory of relativity! Supposedly, Einstein's time-dilation explains why the Creation "days" are actually long eons of time and that quantum mechanics can be used to explain other apparent contradictions between Genesis and the findings of modern science. Never, I say again never have mankind witnessed the establishment of a scientific fact that came about as a result of biblical investigation. These pseudo scientists lurks in the murky shadows of biblical nonsense until real science reviles some wonderful and enlighten truth about our world. Then they pounce and yell "Eureka!!!", bible in hand, ready to defile and hijack true scientific findings.

By reinterpreting the bible to conform to reality is nothing short of intellectual dishonesty. For it is written starting from Genesis that "The evening and the morning was the first DAY!!!" The evening and the morning was the second DAY!!".... so on and so on"
"Six DAYS you shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh DAY is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. For in six DAYS the Lord made the heavens and the Earth and rested on the seventh DAY"......Exodus 20: 9, 11. Hence 1 day = 24hrs Wouldn't it be fun to see how "science in the bible" explains how dead people rise from the tome and rejoin the living, how blindness, leprosy, paralysis are healed just by a mere touch????????

Click your heels together three times Mr. Schroeder then return to reality. The rest of are waiting for you.

The entire premise of this book is "If you hold the bible up to the light of the full-moon while standing on one leg, one can plainly see how scriptures and science are in harmony" While I can think of many colorful short phrases to describe this book while it ricochets of the wall into the trash can, the initials "B,S" comes to mind.

Schroeder wants the reader to believe that the book of Genesis makes reference to Einstein's theory of relativity! Supposedly, Einstein's time-dilation explains why the Creation "days" are actually long eons of time and that quantum mechanics can be used to explain other apparent contradictions between Genesis and the findings of modern science. Never, I say again never have mankind witnessed the establishment of a scientific fact that came about as a result of biblical investigation. These pseudo scientists lurks in the murky shadows of biblical nonsense until real science reviles some wonderful and enlighten truth about our world. Then they pounce and yell "Eureka!!!", bible in hand, ready to defile and hijack true scientific findings.

By reinterpreting the bible to conform to reality is nothing short of intellectual dishonesty. For it is written starting from Genesis that "The evening and the morning was the first DAY!!!" The evening and the morning was the second DAY!!".... so on and so on"
"Six DAYS you shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh DAY is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. For in six DAYS the Lord made the heavens and the Earth and rested on the seventh DAY"......Exodus 20: 9, 11. Hence 1 day = 24hrs Wouldn't it be fun to see how "science in the bible" explains how dead people rise from the tome and rejoin the living, how blindness, leprosy, paralysis are healed just by a mere touch????????

Click your heels together three times Mr. Schroeder then return to reality. The rest of are waiting for you.

"The Science of God" is a scientifically sound and well-written text on the deeper levels of compatibility between legitimate academic science & Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy). Dr. Schroeder is not a religious fundamentalist nor someone wishing to convince you of anything, but rather an MIT physicist who also happens to have a good knowledge of Torah, Talmud, & Rabbinic Commentary.

Because of his unique intellectual background, Schroeder gives a perspective largely lacking in the Creationism vs Bing Bang/Evolution debate. He doesn't twist the science to match the religious texts, and he readily admits when something doesn't quite match up. Basically it's very intellectually honest yet convincing.

The ultimate point of this book, however, is not whether God or Nature created the universe; rather Schroeder explains that the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. In the end science can't provide for an explanation of a "Beginner", just a "Beginning". And since deep research into Bible & ancient commentary yield similar conclusions to those of modern physics, the reader -- whether Creationist, skeptic, or somewhere in between -- should come away with a bit more respect for each side's argument.

I highly recommend this book to those who are open-mindedly seeking to learn more about these fascinating issues.

"The Science of God" is a scientifically sound and well-written text on the deeper levels of compatibility between legitimate academic science & Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy). Dr. Schroeder is not a religious fundamentalist nor someone wishing to convince you of anything, but rather an MIT physicist who also happens to have a good knowledge of Torah, Talmud, & Rabbinic Commentary.

Because of his unique intellectual background, Schroeder gives a perspective largely lacking in the Creationism vs Bing Bang/Evolution debate. He doesn't twist the science to match the religious texts, and he readily admits when something doesn't quite match up. Basically it's very intellectually honest yet convincing.

The ultimate point of this book, however, is not whether God or Nature created the universe; rather Schroeder explains that the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. In the end science can't provide for an explanation of a "Beginner", just a "Beginning". And since deep research into Bible & ancient commentary yield similar conclusions to those of modern physics, the reader -- whether Creationist, skeptic, or somewhere in between -- should come away with a bit more respect for each side's argument.

I highly recommend this book to those who are open-mindedly seeking to learn more about these fascinating issues.

After studying at a secular University, my faith was constantly challenged on all levels. In Biology, Darwin's theory was taught as fact. I didn't know what to make of the fossil findings of Australopithecus afarensis up to Cro-Magnon in Anthropology. Even my Literature classes would point out how the Bible had borrowed stories from older stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Schroeder's book is a refreshing breath and proves if anything that we believe what we want to believe. I appreciate his attempt to mesh science with God and I think it is about time that the church embrace science rather than dismiss it. Evidence points to an older Earth; does that make God's creation any less unique if he took 3 billion Earth years versus 7 Earth days to make it? When has God ever operated on our time?

The fact that Genesis and modern science share the same sequence of events when it comes to piecing how the universe and life on this planet was formed is fascinating. Schroeder points out that there is also repetition and pattern in the universe, such as log rhythms of galaxy spirals that mirror the spirals in a nautilus; evidence that an intelligent designer was at work. When we find a design that works, we use it repetitively (like the wheel): an inherited trait from our maker? I think so. Another simple concept in design that we see God use is something very big starting from something very small (like a massive redwood growing from a tiny seed). I like to think of the Cambrian Explosion as God planting seeds.

Some of Schroeder's theories seemed rather forced like his flood theory, the idea that Cro-Magnon existed without a soul (I wonder then why they buried their dead), and I don't feel Schroeder offered a good explanation about dinosaurs.

This book is not enough to turn a hard-core atheist into a believer, but it offers some helpful insight to those who are willing to embrace the possibility that we are more than a coincidence.

For those who believe faith is enough; you don't need this book. Genesis is one short book of the Bible and it doesn't go into much depth about how the universe was made; it simply states that God made it. Like a signature on a painting: you wouldn't doubt one of Picasso's paintings simply because he failed to leave a detailed description as to where his inspiration came from, what colors he used, which brush strokes he decided on and so forth. Obviously God is not that interested in making sure we know exactly how he carried out the task of creation, he just wants us to know he did it. Now stand back and admire it!

After studying at a secular University, my faith was constantly challenged on all levels. In Biology, Darwin's theory was taught as fact. I didn't know what to make of the fossil findings of Australopithecus afarensis up to Cro-Magnon in Anthropology. Even my Literature classes would point out how the Bible had borrowed stories from older stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Schroeder's book is a refreshing breath and proves if anything that we believe what we want to believe. I appreciate his attempt to mesh science with God and I think it is about time that the church embrace science rather than dismiss it. Evidence points to an older Earth; does that make God's creation any less unique if he took 3 billion Earth years versus 7 Earth days to make it? When has God ever operated on our time?

The fact that Genesis and modern science share the same sequence of events when it comes to piecing how the universe and life on this planet was formed is fascinating. Schroeder points out that there is also repetition and pattern in the universe, such as log rhythms of galaxy spirals that mirror the spirals in a nautilus; evidence that an intelligent designer was at work. When we find a design that works, we use it repetitively (like the wheel): an inherited trait from our maker? I think so. Another simple concept in design that we see God use is something very big starting from something very small (like a massive redwood growing from a tiny seed). I like to think of the Cambrian Explosion as God planting seeds.

Some of Schroeder's theories seemed rather forced like his flood theory, the idea that Cro-Magnon existed without a soul (I wonder then why they buried their dead), and I don't feel Schroeder offered a good explanation about dinosaurs.

This book is not enough to turn a hard-core atheist into a believer, but it offers some helpful insight to those who are willing to embrace the possibility that we are more than a coincidence.

For those who believe faith is enough; you don't need this book. Genesis is one short book of the Bible and it doesn't go into much depth about how the universe was made; it simply states that God made it. Like a signature on a painting: you wouldn't doubt one of Picasso's paintings simply because he failed to leave a detailed description as to where his inspiration came from, what colors he used, which brush strokes he decided on and so forth. Obviously God is not that interested in making sure we know exactly how he carried out the task of creation, he just wants us to know he did it. Now stand back and admire it!

After studying at a secular University, my faith was constantly challenged on all levels. In Biology, Darwin's theory was taught as fact. I didn't know what to make of the fossil findings of Australopithecus afarensis up to Cro-Magnon in Anthropology. Even my Literature classes would point out how the Bible had borrowed stories from older stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Schroeder's book is a refreshing breath and proves if anything that we believe what we want to believe. I appreciate his attempt to mesh science with God and I think it is about time that the church embrace science rather than dismiss it. Evidence points to an older Earth; does that make God's creation any less unique if he took 3 billion Earth years versus 7 Earth days to make it? When has God ever operated on our time?

The fact that Genesis and modern science share the same sequence of events when it comes to piecing how the universe and life on this planet was formed is fascinating. Schroeder points out that there is also repetition and pattern in the universe, such as log rhythms of galaxy spirals that mirror the spirals in a nautilus; evidence that an intelligent designer was at work. When we find a design that works, we use it repetitively (like the wheel): an inherited trait from our maker? I think so. Another simple concept in design that we see God use is something very big starting from something very small (like a massive redwood growing from a tiny seed). I like to think of the Cambrian Explosion as God planting seeds.

Some of Schroeder's theories seemed rather forced like his flood theory, the idea that Cro-Magnon existed without a soul (I wonder then why they buried their dead), and I don't feel Schroeder offered a good explanation about dinosaurs.

This book is not enough to turn a hard-core atheist into a believer, but it offers some helpful insight to those who are willing to embrace the possibility that we are more than a coincidence.

For those who believe faith is enough; you don't need this book. Genesis is one short book of the Bible and it doesn't go into much depth about how the universe was made; it simply states that God made it. Like a signature on a painting: you wouldn't doubt one of Picasso's paintings simply because he failed to leave a detailed description as to where his inspiration came from, what colors he used, which brush strokes he decided on and so forth. Obviously God is not that interested in making sure we know exactly how he carried out the task of creation, he just wants us to know he did it. Now stand back and admire it!

Schroeder's book does a superb job of evoking new thought on this subject and ongoing debate of exactly how God created the earth. There are many theories, such as Day-Age, Gap, Flood and Literal-24 Hour Day. But, Schroeder brings another idea into the equation, that of Einstein's relativity. A very interesting read.

While Schroeder's scientific approach is novel, his theological sources are suspect. Maimonides, a 13th century Jewish philosopher, was one of his major sources for theology. Conservative Christian teachings of all congregations today would disagree with these ideas. Nahmanides, also from the 13th century, was a Jewish Biblical commentator and kabbalist. His ideas are closer to today's beliefs, but both of these sources were in a theological no-man's land of time. They were far removed from the authors, the cultural/linguistic aspects behind the Torah of Scripture and they did not benefit from the scholarship of the past 150 years. While these are good sources of reading, they are not the place to rest ideas of theology regarding Creation because of these issues.

Schroeder brings up a SUPERB observation regarding those involved in the debate of Creationism versus Atheistic Macro-Evolution. Very few people involved in the debate are highly knowledgeable regarding both sides of the argument. Most scientists have a "high-school level" or lower understanding of theology and most supporters of Biblical Creationism have the same level of understanding of science. Very few are well-versed in both.

Schroeder delves deep into scientific discussion supporting Creation and Biblical accounts. This is interesting and is much too deep for those not trained in science. There is some superb theory put forth, but this is really for graduate level study.

This is not the book to start an investigation in the theories of Creation and Evolution, but after much reading, this could be an interesting book to read to get deeper inputs.

Schroeder's book does a superb job of evoking new thought on this subject and ongoing debate of exactly how God created the earth. There are many theories, such as Day-Age, Gap, Flood and Literal-24 Hour Day. But, Schroeder brings another idea into the equation, that of Einstein's relativity. A very interesting read.

While Schroeder's scientific approach is novel, his theological sources are suspect. Maimonides, a 13th century Jewish philosopher, was one of his major sources for theology. Conservative Christian teachings of all congregations today would disagree with these ideas. Nahmanides, also from the 13th century, was a Jewish Biblical commentator and kabbalist. His ideas are closer to today's beliefs, but both of these sources were in a theological no-man's land of time. They were far removed from the authors, the cultural/linguistic aspects behind the Torah of Scripture and they did not benefit from the scholarship of the past 150 years. While these are good sources of reading, they are not the place to rest ideas of theology regarding Creation because of these issues.

Schroeder brings up a SUPERB observation regarding those involved in the debate of Creationism versus Atheistic Macro-Evolution. Very few people involved in the debate are highly knowledgeable regarding both sides of the argument. Most scientists have a "high-school level" or lower understanding of theology and most supporters of Biblical Creationism have the same level of understanding of science. Very few are well-versed in both.

Schroeder delves deep into scientific discussion supporting Creation and Biblical accounts. This is interesting and is much too deep for those not trained in science. There is some superb theory put forth, but this is really for graduate level study.

This is not the book to start an investigation in the theories of Creation and Evolution, but after much reading, this could be an interesting book to read to get deeper inputs.

Mr. Schroeder mentions the dinosaur problem with the Bible but doesn't go far with it, because he can't. I would think he convinces mainly those who are members of the choir who have already taken that leap of faith.

Mr. Schroeder mentions the dinosaur problem with the Bible but doesn't go far with it, because he can't. I would think he convinces mainly those who are members of the choir who have already taken that leap of faith.

I read The Hidden Face of God first and now The Science of God. Beyond an amazingly well researched exposition of a very compelling argument for the existence of God and Intelligent Design, it is a great read. Amazing page turner! I would read this one first and then The Hidden Face of God immediately after (couldn't put the first one down and had to go to the next one right after I finished the last page.)

Amazing job by Gerald L. Schroeder

When you need answers for your children to debunk the secular reasoning why there is no God this book is a must read. It gives you ammunition for the difficult questions.

I read The Hidden Face of God first and now The Science of God. Beyond an amazingly well researched exposition of a very compelling argument for the existence of God and Intelligent Design, it is a great read. Amazing page turner! I would read this one first and then The Hidden Face of God immediately after (couldn't put the first one down and had to go to the next one right after I finished the last page.)

Amazing job by Gerald L. Schroeder

When you need answers for your children to debunk the secular reasoning why there is no God this book is a must read. It gives you ammunition for the difficult questions.

Gerald Schroeder has done the world a favor that should be trumpeted far and wide. Dr. Schroeder is no lightweight: having PhD's in Nuclear Physics and Earth Science plus a wealth of realworld experience enables him to speak with authority.

What I like about the book are the facts: his science is real, tested, and hard-hitting. If you ignore the science or try to dismiss it, know that you do so because of an internal bias, not because of superior science. With the newspapers full of biased accounts of "battles" between Creationists and Darwinists, it is so important that the REAL science be put forth, and that's what Schroeder does best.

What I dislike about the book, only due to the speculative content, are the diversions into obscure doctrinal issues of religion. He may have perfectly valid arguments but it would take another book to do proper justice. As is these diversions come across more as opinions, in stark contrast to the dense science found in most of the work.

The Science in "Science of God" is spectacular.

Awesome, unapologetic look into the truly converging worlds of Science and God, where one does not need to close one's eyes to shut out what can be seen, and at the same token, not compromise a single aspect of religious belief. As a technical science buff who is also religious, I can tell you that this book saved my religious understanding of how God interacts with this world, and how we were all created. Thank you Dr. Schroeder.

Many have attempted to reconcile the apparent disparities between science's account of the big bang/evolution and the creation story in Genesis. Schroeder presents an interesting approach that works within the framework of both paradigms.

Schroeder analyzes the original Hebrew wording of the Genesis account to identify subtle meanings which lend insight into how the Genesis account may be compatible with modern scientific knowledge. He applies Einstein's concepts of relativity of time and space and suggests that the "six days" of creation may refer to a sort of cosmological time instead of 24-hour-day earth time, because in the big bang mass and gravity were concentrated (and gravity bends light and therefore dilates time). Lending support is his observation that there were four "days" in the Genesis account that occurred before the sun (the basis for our 24-hour solar day) was created. Schroeder suggests that these four pre-solar days may have encapsulated the periods of stellar expansion and evolution occurring after the big bang and before the ignition of our sun. Schroeder also goes on to suggest that proto-humans such as the Neanderthal, etc. were part of the physical process of creation, after which "Adam" developed and became a "living soul." After the creation of Adam on the sixth day, according to Schroeder, the Bible begins marking time according to 24-hour solar days.

I am not an expert in these areas but I feel that Schroeder presents some very interesting perspectives on this topic that provide a fertile ground for further pondering and investigation. I would even suggest that Schroeder's work has the potential to do for creationism what Carl Sagan's "COSMOS" series did for the public understanding of cosmology.

I began this book one evening and couldn't put it down until it was finished about four or five in the morning. Page after page I was dazzled by logic and reason that defied everything I knew about literal Creationism, and scientific evolution. What happened was, the layers of comfortable acceptance of traditional views were peeled back, and I realized for the first time that in my heart, they had been merely ideas, accepted because "they" told me so.

Schroeder's book scared me. For the first time in my life I suddenly *knew* that the biblical creation account was true. It was no longer just a because-the-Bible-says-so acceptance.

Far too many religious people shun scientific examination of their faith, locking themselves in ivory towers where even facts and evidence can "go to hell", if it disagrees with their traditional understanding. Scientists really have found evidence of a universe billions of years old though. Do we just shove our heads in the sand and ignore it?

We no longer need to. Gerald Shroeder's book makes perfect sense of both science and religion, without detracting from the purity and truth of either of them. He doesn't have to; the truth is, God really did create in six days the universe scientists now understand to be billions of years old, and the Genesis account describes this creation to the letter. There is no contradiction. It's enough to make you cry.

Both science-oriented readers and believers will be shaken up by this book, because ultimately it gives honour to God who created all science. It's essentially a search for the whole truth, and that's something we should all respect.

Several have said that this book is completely unconvincing for various reasons. The reasons tend to be as follows:
1. The author quotes non-Biblical sources such as Kabbalistic writings, therefore they have no relevance to the Bible.
2. The author does not read the Bible in a literal fashion from a person's perspective on Earth (and that's what the Bible was intended to be, damn it!).
3. The author is an idiot because he is trying to prove the existence of God, and it's clear God doesn't exist.
4. This book is no more than this person's opinion, and therefore has no value.

Each of these reasons contains a kernel of truth, but little more. All of them show inconsistency in reasoning. To refute:
1. The non-Biblical sources such as commentary on Scripture CAN be true, even though they are not the primary source, i.e., the Bible itself. The logic in point one is presented thusly:
a. The Bible is true.
b. Source A is not the Bible.
c. Ergo, Source A is not true.
This is a non sequitur fallacy that implies that only the Bible contains truth, and everything else is false. Even the Bible itself says that there are things (specifically, other miracles of Christ) not mentioned in the Bible. Other works besides the Bible can be sources of truth, even if those works are not divinely inspired. (Example of inconsistency in reasoning in this logic: most who agree with number 1 will claim the above and then read other authors like Billy Graham or Hal Lindsey. If the writings of Billy Graham can contain truth, why not the writings of Josephus or the writings of Rambam?)

2. The whole point of this book is to attempt to square the text of the Bible with modern science. To those who would say that the author is out of bounds by interpreting the six-day creation story as being six days from God's perspective (as opposed to the perspective of someone on Earth), let's look at another passage. Is the bread and wine at the Last Supper LITERALLY the Body and Blood of Christ, or only symbolic? Most who hold to the logic evinced by point 2 would say that the Six Days were six days as we understand them, but that the bread and wine were only symbols of Christ's Body and Blood. once again, this is inconsistent reasoning. Incidentally, as a Catholic, I believe that the bread and wine, are, in fact, the actual Body and Blood after the Consecration. Also, nothing in the Bible says that EVERY word in the Bible is absolutely literal, so to assume otherwise violates the (also unbiblical, yet ironically assumed by many) tenet of Sola Scriptura.

3. If you accept premise number 3, you are no scientist. Theists, atheists, and agnostics can all be good scientists. Since we cannot disprove the existence of God, it is an irresponsible (and unscientific) person who claims that only atheists can be real scientists. We are free to discuss problems in logic of the various religions, but to dismiss out of hand the possiblity of the existence of a Creator is to be in denial.

4. This may be the most ridiculous premise of all. Of course this book is only this man's opinion. He does not claim it to be a religious text. He only says that he is trying to find a way to reconcile what seem to be completely exclusive opinions. Also, in the same vein, of course his postulates are untestable. So is Darwin's theory of evolution, as it would take millions of years from now for us to observe any real macroevolution. That does not mean that Darwin was wrong, nor does it mean that this author is wrong. On the other hand, Einstein's theory of relativity has been tested. Without a counterexample, it cannot logically be assumed to be false. Certain parts of evolutionary theory, such as microevolution, HAVE been tested and shown to be true as well.

I, as I said, am a Catholic. In reading this book, I find my faith greatly strengthened. Not because this man or his work is specifically Catholic in nature (I think he is an Israeli Jew), but because his work lends scientific backing and independent credibility to what the Catholic Church has always taught. St. Augustine, in the 4th century AD, said that we should always have "faith seeking understanding". He also said that if science or OUR UNDERSTANDING of Scripture are at odds, then one of them is incorrect. For many years, Creationists have said that science was wrong, and Evolutionists have said that Scripture was wrong. What is beautiful about this book, is that it shows that both of these groups could be wrong about their assumptions, and all the while both groups could be right about their core beliefs. Does this mean that both might have to modify their worldviews to accept this thesis? Yes, however, this modification neither endangers faith nor science, but should strengthen both. Because of the fact that Catholic teaching is bolstered by these ideas, this is definitely a must-read for Catholics. Actually, I think it is a must-read for all who seek truth.

Those who say that nothing in this book changes their minds about anything (unless, of course, they already agree 100% with the author), are either not actually reading the book, or their minds are SO closed that they believe they already know everything worth knowing. (If the latter is the case, why bother reading? Reading a book only to create a straw man is not evidence of a person seeking truth, but only that of a person with a closed mind. Only God knows everything.)

Obviously, as this man is not God, nor is inspired directly by Him, this work is not perfect. But it is definitely gourmet food for thought.

I have to agree with others that this book does little in convincing or even reconciling any disparate views between science and religion. Obviously Mr. Schroeder is a man of strong faith, but possibly even stronger scientific beliefs. He seems to be trying to prove to himself that they can both reside peacefully in his mind.

His book deals only with a few aspects of the Hebrew bible, mainly the book of Genesis, (ie; the creation of the universe in 6 "days" and of creation of man (Adam)). As well there is a philosopical explanation of the nature of God, a paleontologic explanation of Adam (and Eve?) with respect to Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man, a biologic and quantum mechanical explanation of free will, and on it goes.

"Proven" scientific facts are never disputed and even the theory of evolution (albeit modified) is admitted to. But unlike other enlightened scientists Mr Shroeder appears to take the Bible literallly at it's word, no allegory or parables here. Hence he goes on to show how Adam was "created" 6000 years ago (by Bible estimates) and how that relates to known facts of early hominids (150,000-40,000 b.c.e.) and evolution. How the 400 to 900 year ages of early biblical figures are actual. And although he admits the account of Noah and the flood has problems he does not discredit it.

There is a LOT of interesting physics and mathematics in the book, although I must admit it was way over my head, so he could have proven to me that the earth was flat. And a lot of just plain good scientific research (he knows a lot about a lot). But in the end it just didn't gel into a believable "scientific" theory of God, just a slew of interesting assumptions.

A couple of far reaching assumptions made me question the authors reasoning. One was a reference to archaeopteryx (a reptile/bird evolutionary link of the late Jurassic period) which he states is mentioned in the book of Leviticus as "tinshemet" in a list of animals that are considered ritually pure or impure. I wondered why an animal which had been extinct for 100 million years would be mentioned as fit or unfit for sacrifice. And second was his quantum (pun intended) leap of deduction that a single word in the Hebrew writing of the book of Genesis can be shown to be a round-a-bout proof that dinosaurs are mentioned in the story of creation.

Long and short is that the book is interesting, not authoritative by any means in my opinion, and that Mr. Schroeder should be commended for being among that group of scientists and theologians with wide open minds, of which we need so many more. Now if I could just get a quantum mechanical explanation of how Jonah made it through those 3 days in the belly of the great fish.........

now, i'm no scholar, i'm only 18 for crying out loud, but i found this book to be absolutely amazing. all i ever knew growing up was what they taught in church, and they certainly don't teach this! but i found no contradictions between the bible and evolution. i particularly found the part about adam interesting, the whole neshama thing. i liked it so much that i bought his following book, the hidden face of god. i recommend this to anyone wanting to "broaden their horizons". the scientific jargon was sometimes hard for me to follow, but i blame that on me being young and well.. not a scientist. but for the most part it was easy to read and absolutely fascinating. makes you wonder how far the rabbit hole really goes...

The most charitable comment I can give to this book is that "it is a journey". More specifically, it is a torturing journey. The author tends to mix up very simple scientific methodology and metaphysical philosophy. Often, Gerald seems to look like an armchair philosopher and jumps to unsupported onotological conclusion. One may find plenty philosophical problems in the analysis, arguments from personal credulity and incredulity. The arguments are not even close to being convincing. I would not recommend this chauvinistic exegesis to anyone would like to 'find things out'.

As a scientist in an ongoing search for truth, I have been disappointed by ham-handed efforts of the creation crowd to cling to extreme minority viewpoints of credentialed scientists from diverse fields of science that would collectively be required to support a *literal* interpretation of Genesis. Similarly, I have been mystified by scientists who reflexively dismiss the idea of some kind of intelligent design outright by way of circular reasoning, arguing that since intelligent design can never be disproven, it is not scientific and thus could not be truth, since only science can properly assess truth.

It is hard to understate, then, the moxie of Schroeder's innovative attempt to reconcile with Genesis scientifically DOMINANT paradigms (i.e. universe many billions of years old, terrestrial life hundreds of millions of years old, species variation to extensive degree by alteration or differential expression of genes). Schroeder introduces his intent thus: "In the following chapters, I attempt to avoid the subjective tendency of bending Bible to match science or science to match Bible." (softcover p.19) Whether he was successful or not is in the eye of the reader, but the explicit intent is refreshing.

This book, then, would be of particular interest to two groups:

1) Scientists who wonder how their mainstream conclusions could possibly be reconciled with ancient accounts of creation from the Hebrew Torah.

2) Jews and Christians who are discomforted by the apparent incompatability between the text of their faith versus the observed truth about our planet and universe as collected and interpreted by the VAST MAJORITY of professional scientists.

The prime example of this reconciliation is Schroeder's attempt to fit a 15-billion year old universe with the six-day account of Genesis by arguing that: 1) from a collective, "Creation-wide" perspective, time advanced differently in the primordial hot universe (time dilation), and 2) that "days" in the ancient hebrew text only adopted the terrestrial perception (instead of universal perception) of time passage upon the creation of man late in the "creation" process.

Later chapters address other issues, such as the likelihood that genetic variation by mutation at rates observed in today's laboratories (or even much greater rates) were sufficient to generate the speciation evidenced in the fossil record within the abbreviated time-frame indicated by the fossil record itself.

By virtue of his theological background and professional training (MIT-trained physicist), Schroeder is uniquely qualified to attempt such a reconciliation. However, as evidenced by several previous reviews, this training is not enough-- at least not enough to win over skeptical scientists. It may be that the sheer enormity of burgeoning data within each of the fields (molecular genetics, population genetics, paleontology, geology, as well as cosmology and particle physics) is simply too great for one individual to incorporate into solid perspective within *each and every* discipline to present an airtight case on all scientific fronts.

Previous reviewers have asserted gross inaccuracies with the science presented in this book. As a clinical neuroscientist, I am not in a position to assault or defend Schroeder on evolution, genetics, particle physics or cosmology. However, I would argue against throwing the baby out with the bathwater. For example, the latest data on cosmic background radiation indicates an accelerating expansion of the universe, and an approximate age of 13.7 billion years instead of the 15 Schroeder cites. Must this nullify the core of his whole premise? Maybe so, but not enough to discard this book out of hand.

The strength of this work is in its innovation. Schroeder rightly notes that the Bible is silent on many subjects, and actually leaves room for many observed phenomena, such as speciation and niche-filling by DNA alteration. It is only the rigid mindset of many religious individuals that closes this possibility.

The weaknesses of the book lie in the specific physical science undergirding Schroeder's arguments, as well as in his over-reliance on conjecture. I thus was left with the same mind-set I had before I read the book, namely that the simplest explanation for why the Genesis account is not borne out by the findings of mainstream science is that Genesis was inspired and spoke great *truth* on a metaphorical and didactic level-- but not at a literal level.

On the whole, I found it a fascinating read. In accord with previous reviewers, I liken this effort to a Model-T. Crude in the light of today, yet innovative at its introduction, with the potential to be honed with further investment in this line of reasoning. This whole line of inquiry would benefit enormously by some kind of COLLABORATIVE work, with each chapter penned by a bona-fide expert in that field of the physical sciences, where this expert can build a much more solid case in conjunction with the totality of data in his or her field. I could even envision anonymous contribution, inasmuch as publicly arguing for some kind of intelligent designer is probably not conducive to garnering tenure in the Paleontology Department of Secular State University....

Not one of his best books. I thought the hidden face of God was much better for the money. Schroeder sympathizes with the intelligent design movement and makes a compelling case for his cause from a theological standpoint. For Schroeder, the mind can be converted into energy and energy can then be converted into mass. This is the next great step in physics and is just a few years before discovering the path for this venture. However there is much speculation and little evidence to back up the claims presented. The book is often lax on supportive evidence and testimony.

Schroeder believes physics will drastically change in the following years but his revolutionary view ends with that subject. Schroeder seems to blindly accept many other avenues without fail, such as geological dating, human evolution, and even embryology. Subjects which have much more subjective and questions marks. Further Schroeder's rational for doing so is not much more than simply accepting the status quo. His whole argument, for instance, against YEC and Noah's flood revolve around dated writing tablets. Schroeder argues the flood could not have altered dating schemes because certain writing pieces are dated at 10,000ys old. This is simply flawed reasoning and can be explain by skewed dates produced because of the flood.

There were several chapters were Schroeder went off topic and started going on some tirade. The chapter on free will was interesting but I expected more. His chapter on randomness and how mathematically evolution has many problems was very detailed. I thought that his take on Adam being the first human with a soul was an interesting way of interpreting genesis. A tough topic to cover, but Schroeder does ok.

While I started and finished the book convinced there is a God- so I certainly understand Schroeder zeal for the topic. Unfortunately, I took very little away from his book. To keep the review short I will mention a few pros and cons.

Pros-

1- The statistical analysis (While very tedious to read, and often very dull). Provides significant insight in to how "Life randomly occurring" doesn't quite add up.
2- the scientific evidence provided by the Big Bang shows that this theory of conception may not contradict the teachings of the Bible.
3- That seven days can actually be translated over many eons of time using Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
4- Evidence found in the entire fossil record doesn't fare well for those who beleive in Darwin's theorys on evolution.

Cons-
1- What about Eve? While Schroeder goes into great detail on how Adam may have been the first human with a "Soul" (meaning there may have been humans prior to Adam, but they were without a soul so they don't count) he completely neglects to mention Eve. Didn't God create Woman so that man wouldn't go through life alone? What about the concept of birth as being a punishment on women for Eve's sin? Did the "souless" pre-Adams not give birth? I point this out because it follows a disturbing trend of only pointing out the details that fit within the theory.
2- When talking in big numbers it can be very annoying when they are described as "a billion billion billions" or a "Billion Millions". Come on.... people who understand math (and you must understand math in order to learn ANYTHING from the book)hate this type of notation.

While I found the work to be fact filled I certainly didn't find it to be overly enlightening. Therefore, I have a hard time believing that non-beleievers would ever be convinced from any of his arguements.