Mere Science and Christian Faith, by Greg Cootsona

For too many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, science and Christianity seem incompatible.  Greg Cootsona, pastor, campus minister, and college professor, wants young Christians today to embrace the compatibility of believing in an all-powerful God and studying the wonder of his creation through mainstream science.  In Mere Science and Christian Faith: Bridging the Divide with Emerging Adults Cootsona wants to "inspire more ministry leaders to point emerging adults toward studying nature as an act of worship."  Given that "half of our college students and postcollege emerging adults will be involved in science-related fields," Cootsona writes that "they need to know how to do their work while following the upward call of Christ."

The difficulty many science-oriented emerging adults have is two-fold.  First, the church perpetuates a suspicion of mainstream science by alienating it, rather than embracing it.  Second, when the church does talk about science, it focuses on conflict, teaching about controversies between faith and science rather than engaging.  We should "teach the collaboration, not the controversy."

Cootsona wants Christians to be comfortable with mainstream science as a means to teach us about God's creation.  Overall, he holds to a view of dual causation: "God as first cause works through secondary, intermediate, and natural causes."  In every field of science we can find practicing Christians who are both faithful followers of Christ as well as scientists accomplished in their fields of study.  Unfortunately, by focusing on controversy, many young Christians miss this fact and assume that one can't be a mainstream scientist and hold on to Christian faith.

Cootsona's book is a helpful remedy for this line of thinking that holds science and Christianity as incompatible.  He delves into several issues, like the days of creation, Adam and Eve, and cognitive science, bringing some reason to these contested areas.  More than anything, the resources he refers to can open up lines of inquiry for leaders and young people alike.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!