God's Undertaker

Review of God's Undertaker by John Lennox

This is a fascinating book by a Professor of Mathematics, on the question of "Has science buried God?" (the subtitle of the book)
This has become one of my favourite books about science and religion, and indeed, one of my favourite books, full stop.


I have read various books, articles and websites over the years regarding the whole"science versus religion" issue, but this is one of the best that I have found.
-Not necessarily because it answers questions that the others don't, but because he is dealing with a lot of myths about both 'sides'.
He is also speaking into the current culture of"popular" science and the seemingly aggressive atheistic stance of some present day naturalists.
It has helped to crystallise some of my thoughts, whilst challenging me in other areas.


Lennox presents a logical argument which is clear and concise, without so much technical detail as to be overwhelming
However, there is also enough in there to stimulate our own thinking.


He starts by dispelling some myths about faith and science and explains how the"battle" is not one of science versus faith, but of worldviews: Theism versus atheism within science


From there, the reader is taken through the relationship of Christianity to science, and the scope/limits of science, and then through a series of scientific areas including physics, biology (evolution and molecular biology), chemistry (DNA), through to maths and information theory.


In each section, he comments on the worldviews of prominent scientists and evidence that can be found for or against an outside source for the universe and everything in it.
I say 'outside source' advisedly because Lennox is careful to distance himself and his arguments from creationism and specifically, Intelligent Design, while allowing for the myths that have grown up around that (you'll have to read it to see what I mean).
Of course, he then spends much of the book attempting to show that the evidence points towards a universe that is designed and that design by it's nature, denotes intelligence!
He specifically uses scientific arguments to make his point, but quotes the bible when needed (which is not very often IMO)


Lennox also addresses a number arguments that atheists (such as Richard Dawkins) often cite against Christian/religious views.
One of these is"God of the gaps", the idea that it is simple superstition that calls on a"God" or"gods" to explain any phenomena that cannot be explained currently by natural processes.
He makes a special point of showing that he is using inference (a scientific method) to show the presence of an intelligent source, and not just"filling in" such gaps with what cannot be known.
He also singles out Prof Dawkin's assertions that all faith is blind faith with no concrete evidence to it.
Lennox asks"where is his [Dawkins] evidence that faith is not based on evidence?"


One section that I particularly liked early on is called"Aunt Matilda's cake" which I think is an excellent explanation in metaphor/parable form, of why science can't answer everything and how some things have to be revealed.


Overall, I think it is fair to say that the author presents a moderate viewpoint which looks at both sides of the 'fence'.
Throughout, he gives quotes from prominent scientists on all sides of the discussion (and believe me, it's not a simple 2-sided argument), using some of these as initial thought provokers at the beginning of each chapter.
I've found the book to be exciting like a detective novel, revealing, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
Reading it has stimulated me to worship and to lead some sessions on it in my cell group.