| Reviews
Science and Religion Brought Together
Author details how looking at both science and religion can lead to seeing the bigger picture
ST. LOUIS — The think tank, TED, has hosted some illustrious speakers—Al Gore, Bill Gates, James Cameron—speaking on some illustrious topics. But their most popular speech? The one about spaghetti sauce. Author and cultural polymath, Malcolm Gladwell gave a charming presentation on how more information or choices (i.e. the wide variety of spaghetti sauces) actually increases our odds of contentment. Simplified: more variables = good vibes. Gladwell debunked the idea that more choices led to higher degrees of anxiety. Gladwell, it seems, knew differently. And it seems, so does author S. Craig George.
In his debut release, On God's Path: The Unfolding Story of Humanity (published by AuthorHouse), George bridges the gap between religion and science, insisting that the two do not have to be mutually exclusive. He writes: "More dots to connect give us a better chance of bringing into focus a much larger and more inclusive picture of where we came from and where we may be going."
With the nugget more-is-better in hand, George presents an optimistic and pious view of creation. The Big Bang theory is compared and reconciled with the creation accounts of Genesis, Buddhist theories are placed side-by-side with theories of Hinduism and Christianity, and the Axial Age—the period which many conclude to be when the foundations of all world religions began—is thoroughly explored. He uses such recognizable references as the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City to simplify esoteric theories, making them accessible to the lay reader. Citing luminaries like New York City's Archbishop Timothy Dolan, George lays out a well-researched and well-rounded read.
With scientific, historical and religious consideration, George engages the reader to consider humanity's past and its future, giving readers all the dots to make for a complete picture.
ForeWord Clarion Review
RELIGION
On God's Path: The Unfolding Story of Humanity
S. Craig George
AuthorHouse
978-1-4520-1982-6
Four Stars (out of Five)
S. Craig George applies the knowledge he has gained from his education and
employment in the fields of engineering, earth sciences, and theology to take a new look
at the history of the Earth and humankind. The happy result is his first book, the thoughtprovoking
On God's Path
.
George, who writes from a Christian/Catholic background, offers a brief primer
on several topics, from the formation and development of the cosmos to the similar views
that emerged within the world's major religions during the Axial Age, before Jesus'
birth. George notes that compassion, thoughtfulness, connectedness, and the rejection of
violence, greed, hatred, and egoism were universally venerated during the period between
800 B.C.E. and 200 B.C.E. (coined the Axial Age by philosopher Karl Jasper). Shortly
thereafter, Jesus came on the scene and reinterpreted many of the existing tenets and
laws.
"Since this book deals primarily with humanity as a whole and explores the
possibility of humanity on a path of moral progress, Jesus' introductions of new standards
in moral teaching are of special interest," George writes.
The author takes issue with fundamentalists who discount scientific evidence and
espouse a literal interpretation of the Biblical account of creation. "Although the Bible
contains some historically correct information, it also contains some stories which were
intended to convey theological truths," he writes.
Looking at the current trajectory of humanity, George sees positive developments
in the last few centuries, perhaps signaling a second Axial Age—a new turning point.
Notably, slavery has been mostly eradicated, and a more enlightened sense of human and
civil rights has been embraced in most countries. As greater numbers of people seek the
Divine in churches and within themselves, they will understand that "we are from Christ,
we are always one with Christ, and our destiny will be fulfillment in Christ."
Meanwhile, it is up to individuals to take a role in the future of humanity. He
asks, "Are we living in a way that respects the truth and that can lead the world to be a
more Christ-like place?" He calls on everyone to live as an "agent" of God to fulfill His
plan for Creation, namely peace and brotherhood.
The book's front cover features an image connecting Earth and Christianity. It
includes an index and a sizable number of references.
Written with the layperson in mind, On God's Path is designed to stimulate
thinking and encourages readers to reevaluate their view of history in a way that does
not put evolution at odds with the Christian creation story. Whether George has made his
case for a new Axial Age—with humanity at one with Christ—likely depends on whether
readers share the author's religious beliefs.
Linda Salisbury
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