Summary: Can faith in God and belief in science coexist? Coudl our love of God inspire our love of His works, and could science even help us wonder at and love God more? Absolutely!
In Scientists of Faith, readers will meet 28 brilliant men and women from different countries, time periods, religions, and fields of study who all share one thing in common: an unshakable faith in God.
From Peter Dodson, the renowned paleontologist who named Avaceratops; to Grego Mendel, the monk-scientist who discovered the hidden world of genetics; to Francis S. Collins, director of the Human Genome Project; Scientists of Faith reveals that faith in God isn’t just compatible with science — it can be a scientist’s most powerful inspiration in the journey of discovery.
(Summary from back of book – Image is mine – This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review)
My Review: Recently my eleven-year-old daughter posed a serious question: Is it possible to be a scientist and still believe in God? Personally, I believe that science and religion are compatible and I told her so, but her question could not have been more timely because a few days later, Scientists of Faith: 28 Stories of Brilliant Scientists with Remarkable Faith in God arrived in the mail. The publisher’s note at the front was perfection:
“…it seems kids and adults alike find themselves presented with something of a false choice: to believe in God, or to believe in the work of science. We hope to offer a third choice: to let God inspire one’s love of science, and to let science deepen one’s wonder at God and His works.”
Scientists of Faith tells the stories of 28 different scientists throughout history and the present day who were able to reconcile and revere both faith and science in their own lives. These scientists come from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and belief systems, with a variety of scientific specialties, including: math, chemistry, astronomy, biology, agriculture, archaeology, research, invention, astrophysics, genetics, biochemistry, paleontology, computer science and engineering, meteorology, microbiology, and more!
Here are the scientists featured (organized in order of birth year). Some are well known, while others might not be as familiar. How many do you recognize?
🔹Galileo Galilei
🔹Robert Boyle
🔹Sir Isaac Newton
🔹Maria Mitchell
🔹Gregor Mendel
🔹George Washington Carver
🔹Dorothy Garrod
🔹Henry Eyring
🔹Dame Kathleen Lonsdale
🔹Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri
🔹Katherine Johnson
🔹Abdus Salam
🔹Mehdi Golshani
🔹Father Bienvenido F. Nebres
🔹Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
🔹Georgia Mae Dunston
🔹Peter Dodson
🔹Aaron Ciechanover
🔹William D. Phillips
🔹Mary H. Schweitzer
🔹Francis S. Collins
🔹Donna Strickland
🔹Rosalind Picard
🔹Katherine Hayhoe
🔹Jennifer Wiseman
🔹Suchitra Sebastian
🔹Omololu Fagunwa
🔹Karin Öberg
Each scientist is featured in a two-page spread, which contains a full-page color illustration and a page-length mini-bio. Many also include inspiring quotes and questions for the reader that encourage personal reflection. Personally, I loved learning about the scientists’ lives as well as their studies and was impressed by their passion, intelligence, determination, faithfulness, and how they used their skills and knowledge to bless the lives of others.
Scientists of Faith introduces curious children to brilliant scientists whose devotion to God and dedication to learning served to enhance their faith and understanding throughout their lives. The author’s choice to highlight scientists from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems will undoubtedly appeal to a broader selection of readers. I know that as the mother of four daughters, I was thrilled by the equal representation of female scientists. I also appreciated that the book did not try to convince the reader of the rightness or wrongness of any of the represented faiths (predominantly Christian denominations, but also includes with Muslim and Jewish scientists) choosing instead to focus on the scientists’ shared belief in a higher power. My favorite element of the book are the questions at the end of many of the bios which encourage readers to think deeply. Here are a few sample questions found in this book:
🔹Father Bien found a way to use his profession to help others, especially the poor. What area of science are you interested in? Can you think of ways it could help others?
🔹Henry [Eyring] believed “God made the whole thing.” What does this mean, and how might this belief change how a person approaches faith and science?
🔹Jennifer says there are “deeper questions of life that science can’t fully address.” What do you think some of those questions might be? Does your faith help answer them? How?
As you can see, these questions are open ended, with no right or wrong answers, but simply encourage the reader to reflect on their own beliefs, experiences, and plans for the future. I also loved many of the quotes that accompanied each scientist. Here are a few of my favorites:
🔹I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use. — Galileo (astronomer & mathematician)
🔹Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God. — Maria Mitchell (astronomer)
🔹God would not have made the universe as it is unless He intended us to understand it. — Robert Boyle (chemist)
🔹I believe God did intend, in giving us intelligence, to give us the opportunity to investigate and appreciate the wonders of His creation. He is not threatened by our scientific adventures. – Francis S. Collins (physician & geneticist)
Scientists of Faith is an invaluable resource for faith-based families (with children ages 7+) who believe that science and religion are meant to be compatible. Tackling the entire book in one sitting might be a bit intense for younger readers, but short installments would be perfect, especially for bedtime, homeschool lessons, or family discussions. It was certainly a blessing and a comfort to our family and I highly recommend it to other families of faith who are looking for a similar experience.
My Rating: 5 Stars
For the Sensitive Reader: Some scientists face racism and sexism in pursuits of education. Some scientists face persecution because of their faith.
