Book review: Beyond Science by John Polkinghorne

Beyond Science is a series of nine essays by John Polkinghorne that examines a range of scientific and theological topics. The chapters progress from a discussion of the nature of scientific knowledge, through the process of scientific discovery, to the mystery of the human mind. From this foundation, Polkinghorne offers an argument for a reasonable acceptance of a Creator, and how this revelation influences one's outlook on a range of social and ethical issues. I found it to be a satisfying and enjoyable read, albeit one that is unlikely to be accessible to a wide audience. The themes discussed are thought-provoking, and Polkinghorne delivers them with clarity and a gentle humour. However, their juxaposition tends not to be especially fashionable, and Polkinghorne's scholarly writing does not lend itself easily to readers outside of academia.

Book review: "The People's Bible" by Derek Wilson

2011 was the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the King James Bible. As a result, a number of books detailing the history of The Book were published to commemorate the occasion. The one I read was The People's Bible. The Remarkable History of the King James Version by Derek Wilson. I found it to be an insightful and enjoyable read. Wilson looks at the history of the KJV from the century before its publication to today, charting the changing religous and cultural climate that lead to its publication, and analysing its enduring influence.

Two aspects of the book particularly stood out for me. First, his portrayal of the situation prior to 1611 is vivid and memorable. The description of religious ritual in the setting of a primarily illiterate rural population evokes images of a way of 'doing' Christianity that is very different from the way it tend to be done in the Western world in this day and age. Furthermore, while the distribution of contraband bibles to believers desperate to read the Word of God in their own language is still a reality for many people in many countries, it is incredible to think that English speakers were in this very situation five centuries ago.

The second aspect that stood out was Wilson's discussion of the lasting influence of the King James Version of the Bible, and the questions that are still very relevant today. Should everybody be able to read and interpret the bible? Or should it be reserved for those who have undergone the training necessary to understand it deeply? How does the process of translation link into the belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and the authority that belief engenders? He contends that the increasing number of English translations of the Bible hinders the memorisation of scripture. While this may not be true at an individual level, in the community of faith generally, the lack of a single standard translation makes it more difficult to build "religous currency" that "strengthen[s] fellowship and reaffirm[s] belief" (pg 197). This hindrance though is tempered by the impression one gets that Wilson considers the ideal of a single most accurate English translation that all parties agree upon to be something of a chasing of the wind.

Readers of this blog will know that I like my software to be open-source. I like my religion to be open-source too. It is a bold statement by the Bible to claim to be the Word of God, and a bold statement by the Church to claim to point to the Saviour of humanity. The Church has devoted considerable energy to ensuring that these claims can be evaluated by people for themselves. Not only does this include the translation of the Bible into as many languages as possible, but also the publication of the Bible in Greek and Hebrew. The result being that the Bible is probably the most scrutinised and studied document in the world. The Bible has a significance about that few other pieces of literature possess, and which demands careful consideration of its contents. It is well worth a read.

References:
   McGrath A. 2001. In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible. London
   Wilson D. 2010. The People's Bible. The Remarkable History of the King James Version. Lion: Oxford.

Book review: "Every Living Thing" by Rob Dunn

The subtitle of this book, "Man's Obsessive Quest to Catalog Life, from Nanobacteria to New Monkeys" caught my eye as I was looking through a book sale table. Being one of those who desires to contribute to this quest, I was delighted to find it. The book is an enjoyable overview of selected personalities whose lives and work define (for the author) the growth of our knowledge of biodiversity. Their stories are told with understanding and humour.

Starting with indigenous knowledge of biota, he introduces us to Linnaeus and Leeunwenhoek before describing modern scientists whose work has increased our appreciation for the diversity of life and expanded our understanding of its limits. The journey described is one that progresses from a focus on the species with greatest impact on daily life, to an understanding that "the rest of life does not revolve around us, nor is it like us (p. 247)". Comparing this discovery to the Copernican revolution, he argues that there remains the need for humility in assessing our knowledge and acheivements in discovering the natural world.

A major theme of the book is the obsessiveness that drives the scientists who are described. Being one who shares a similar outlook, I can sympathise with the men and women described. Indeed, I find myself wishing I could be (to a certain extent) in their shoes. However, I don't know if someone who doesn't have the same drive and desires would find the portrayals heroic or pathetic. As the author describes,

"If systematists are socializing, it means, to many of them, simply time they are not looking at the organisms they really love. The obscurity of the things on which taxonomists work does not lessen their focus. In fact, it may heighten it. To dig into their subject, they have to dig so far in, focus so intensely, that the rest of the world seems farther and farther away." (p. 101)

Balance is important, and many of the best taxonomists I've met understand that. But it is hard, when there's so many fascinating and beautiful creatures out there not to succumb to the temptation.

In summary, "Every Living Thing" is an accessible and enjoyable book that tells the story of a few of the personalities who have contributed to the classification and discovery of the organisms we share this world with.


Dunn, R. 2009. Every Living Thing. Man's Obsessive Quest to Catalog Life, from Nanobacteria to New Monkeys. HarperCollins, New York.