The New Book Worms

2006-01-13T04:25:00.000-08:00

"Finding Darwin's God" is a powerful book that seeks to change minds, but puts up roadblocks on the way. The Author Kenneth Miller is a first rate microbiologist, the author of numerous high school textbooks, an adept debater of Darwinian evolution and a devoted Catholic. His thesis is simply that darwinian evolution, rightly understood, should be no more of a difficulty for people of faith then should the roundness of the earth or the rotation thereof.

He spends the first third or so of the book explaining away the arguments of the young earth creationists, as well as the 'newer' ID (intelligent design) arguments. In this he shows that he knows his content well, and seems after a quick read to have successfully debunked the opposing side. Saddly, and to the consternation of myself and other readers, he also takes unneccesary pot shots at his opponents with unneeded sarcasm. This is in fact my biggest complaint about the book. Millers style is much too cocky and argumentative to make you actually want to be on his page regardless of whether he is right.

The next main third plus of "Finding Darwin's God" discussed the materialistic writings of his collegues that argue extensively that materialism justifies lack of belief in God. In this he argues strongly against their a priori conclusions. In doing so he also shows the falicy of arguing against evolution. He shows that the argument agains evolution in itself is an acceptance of the philosophical (not scientific) conclusions of these materialistic and athiestic scientists. Thus those, like ID, who argue against evolution are contenting themselves with a God of the gaps argument. (God of the Gaps: Litterally God is in the scientific gaps. Whatever we can't explain scientifically is obviously God, thus as we continue to find out more scientifically, our conception of God continues to shrink.) Miller points out strongly that this philosophy of argumentation leads to a rejection of science without evidence as well as giving athiests a program for disproving religion. The program? =Thus, if science can answer all the questions or gaps, then obviously God doesn't exist. This god is an ever shrinking God that Mr. Miller is not comfortable with, and quite frankly neither am I.

Thus, the rest of the book where he builds up a theology that attempts to meld the scientific views of darwian evolution with a conception of God. He is not overly successful, yet he definitely has brought some interesting thoughts to the table. To conclude, he talks about Darwins own spiritual journey and possible conclussions about God. His last page quotes the ending paragraph of Darwin's "Origins"* then answers candidily:
"What kind of God do I believe in?
The answer is in those words.
I believe in Darwin's God."

* "There is a grandeur in this view of life; with its several powers having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most wonderful and most beautiful have been, and are being evolved."

A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian D. McLaren (Part I)

2006-01-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here's the first book that I have ever read (ever).

A good friend of mine gave me this book, so I took his word that it is worth reading and dove in this morning.

McLaren seems to be on a mission to shape this "new kind of Christian" (which also happens to be another book he wrote) and since I'm downs for anything fresh and flashy I think I'll keep reading.

So far I'm only through the intro, and chapter "0." I think he started writing his book at chapter one, and then felt compelled to go back and write a chapter before one. In any case, his introduction and chapter 0 spend most of there time repeating how absurd he is and that he is probably wrong about everything he is saying and that it's not too late to return the book.

This is brilliant rhetoric, and good selling, because no one will put down a book that is self proclaimed as ridiculous--we love ridiculous, and the fact that he calls himself ridiculous is all too sane.

I think I'm starting to sound like him: ridiculous and repetitive. So I'll get to the point. From what I can gather, this book will be about building a doctrinal frame that will build a house in which all people who follow the one called Jesus can dwell together. There may be different rooms, with different decorations and styles. But all will still live in the same household, and therefore can call each other family.

That's my two cents so far. If anyone else is reading with me tell me your thoughts.

-El Wormo

readme

2006-01-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

OK. So here's our idea: We'll read books that we think are interesting (if they're not interesting, we'll stop reading them), and then we'll blog about 'em. Your comments, additions, and contributions are welcome...In fact they are begged for. May this set forth a new community of readers, thinkers, philosophers and communicators.

May our critiques be witty, and our conversations be relevant.

-El Wormo