Recommend-A-Book-Wednesday: Kenneth R. Miller: Finding Darwin's God

So far I've only reviewed novels on Recommend-A-Book-Wednesday but this time I wanted to review a nonfiction book.  One of my favorite science books is titled Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth R. Miller.  Too frequently we're told that we have to either believe in science or believe in God.  I've never seen it that way. The very fact that there is order in the universe that can be understood through study, observation and experimentation is, for me, evidence of a God.  That humans even had a chance to evolve, that we live in a universe that is more than just a primordial soup is simply miraculous and the fact that we can explain so much of all this through science makes it even more of a miracle.  I've had this discussion with a lot of different people but never before have I seen a book so adept at pairing religion and science without compromising or belittling either. 

Kenneth R. Miller is a molecular biologist and a professor of biology at Brown University.  He's also the coauthor of many scientific text books.  In the early pages of Finding Darwin's God he proves himself to be an expert in evolutionary theory and argues passionately and convincingly against those who would reject evolution as the mechanism that brought us all into being.  However he also explains how evolution is compatible with a belief in God and he enthusiastically professes his own belief in a personal God.  While he has little patience for those who preach that the bible should be read in lieu of scientific studies he also chastises individuals within the scientific community who are critical and disdainful of those who have faith. 

I realize that Miller (and my) philosophy isn't for everyone. Among my readers there are both unwavering creationists and Atheists.  But if you're a confirmed Atheist then being exposed to another individual's spirituality shouldn't be a threat to you & if you're a strong believer in creationism then reading someone else's arguments in favor of evolution shouldn't sway you and if anything should give you ideas on different ways to argue your own case.  Personally I think it's worth reading simply in order to see things through a different perspective.  Obviously you don't have to adopt the perspective as your own, but it can't hurt to be aware of it. And really, how many times do you get to read a book that offers a different point of view without insulting yours? If for no other reason, that should in and of itself make this book worth picking up.  

 

Kyra Davis 

Bestselling Author of:

The Sophie Katz Mystery Series
and
So Much For My Happy Ending
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