I will certainly not defend Wiker's book, although there are some very
interesting and historically accurate parts in it. From my point of view as
an historian of early modern science, the two biggest problems--fatal
problems IMO--are these.
(1) Wiker sees the Augustinian tradition, which most Christians in science
look upon favorably, as the bad boy that is responsible for modern unbelief.
Consequently, he very badly misinterprets the high-powered theism of some
of the leading figures of the scientific revolution, among them Boyle and
Newton. In his view, the Christian natural philosophers of this
period--excuse me, the Augustinians of this period--were responsible for
buliding a bridge between the ancient atheists and genuine hedonists
(Epicurus, Lucretius and company) and the modern "hedonists" (Darwin,
Sanger, etc).
(2) If you look closely, as I did, you will see Wiker engage in a subtle
rejection of the crucial notion of scientific laws, esp mathematical laws
which he does link with unbelief. In reading the book, I came away with the
impression that he will influence young people not to go into science, esp
not into chemistry or physics. I was appalled, and I told IVP my low
opinion--I even asked them to consider removing his book from their catalog,
b/c of the very bad taste it will give youth about modern science.
Those are strong words, I realize, but this is a potentially very damaging
book for the reasons just stated. It's a new low for IVP.
Ted
Received on Thu Jul 28 08:18:44 2005
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