Beyond the Firmament: Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation

Features

• Perfect Paperback: 228 pages
• Published by: Watertree Press August 30, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0978718615
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0978718619
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 8 ounces

Product Review
Gordon J. Glover takes seriously the claims not only of Biblical revelation but also of natural revelation (creation), and he deftly navigates the frontier between the scientific investigation of the universe's origins and the theological investigation of Holy Scripture. As an advocate of Biblical infallibility, he asks us to stay tune to ancient Near Eastern world-views and to exercise hermeneutical sensitivity in inquiring what the book of Genesis is actually attempting to say. While not endorsing all of Glover s conclusions, I commend this work as a thoughtful treatment of the issues surrounding origins as seen from an intentionally and distinctly Christian perspective. -- P. Andrew Sandlin, President, Center for Cultural Leadership

Gordon J. Glover takes seriously the claims not only of Biblical revelation but also of natural revelation (creation), and he deftly navigates the frontier between the scientific investigation of the universe's origins and the theological investigation of Holy Scripture. As an advocate of Biblical infallibility, he asks us to stay tune to ancient Near Eastern world-views and to exercise hermeneutical sensitivity in inquiring what the book of Genesis is actually attempting to say. While not endorsing all of Glover s conclusions, I commend this work as a thoughtful treatment of the issues surrounding origins as seen from an intentionally and distinctly Christian perspective. --P. Andrew Sandlin, President, Center for Cultural Leadership (christianculture.com)

Gordon J. Glover's new book will be important for several groups of people: thoughtful Christians troubled by culture wars and seeking a way beyond them, people engaged in the science-religion debate that seems to have heated up (on both sides) in recent years, and those interested in how world-views (ancient, medieval, modern, or whatever) resource and limit the ways we read sacred texts and apply them today. I found it energetic, well-researched, and constructive. -- Brian McLaren, author/activist

Gordon J. Glover's new book will be important for several groups of people: thoughtful Christians troubled by culture wars and seeking a way beyond them, people engaged in the science-religion debate that seems to have heated up (on both sides) in recent years, and those interested in how world-views (ancient, medieval, modern, or whatever) resource and limit the ways we read sacred texts and apply them today. I found it energetic, well-researched, and constructive. --Brian McLaren, author/activist (brianmclaren.net)

I have carefully read Beyond the Firmamentand I am once again rethinking my previously held positions. I have been a card-carrying `young earth' adherent for most of my 73 years. Can old dogs learn new tricks? I certainly hope so. Gordon, in his book, has clearly and with great good will, challenged all in my camp to rethink our handling of Scripture, our hermeneutics, and perhaps even a strong bias against modern science. I am in the process of doing just that and I sincerely thank Gordon for his book. Thank you Gordon, for calling us all to greater humility and faith. -- Rev. Jack Carter, Senior Pastor, Church of the King, Corpus Christi, TX

In clear, everyday language, Gordon Glover shows that thoughtful Christians need not choose between God's world and God's word. Glover's approach will be appreciated by anyone who wishes to better understand, and more fully rejoice in, the fact that the maker of heaven and earth graciously allows us to understand something of Himself as we study both his Creation and the Bible. Glover shows how science and scripture are complementary - not competing, nor co-extensive - means of approaching truth, and instills a new appreciation for the ways in which God accommodates his revelation to our limited, broken, and frail human circumstances. -- David W. Opderbeck, Associate Professor of Law, Seton Hall University Law School

Many times I have heard conservative Christians complain that the Big Bang removes God from the picture, so it must be an atheistic theory But science can only examine the physical universe in terms of material cause and effect, and is not equipped to address transcendent meaning or purpose, and as described in this book, the interpretation of the physical aspects of nature cannot be held hostage to particular philosophies of either Christians or atheists. I would strongly recommend this book as a valuable addition to a church library and bookstore, and it should pique some Christians, agnostics, and atheists into thinking about what they believe, or what they do not believe. -- Dr. Christopher M. Sharp, Research astrophysicist and educator

Many times I have heard conservative Christians complain that the Big Bang removes God from the picture, so it must be an atheistic theory… But science can only examine the physical universe in terms of material cause and effect, and is not equipped to address transcendent meaning or purpose, and as described in this book, the interpretation of the physical aspects of nature cannot be held hostage to particular philosophies of either Christians or atheists. I would strongly recommend this book as a valuable addition to a church library and bookstore, and it should pique some Christians, agnostics, and atheists into thinking about what they believe, or what they do not believe. --Dr. Christopher M. Sharp, Research astrophysicist and educator (csharp.com/creationism.html)

Product Description
As debates within the Church over the scientific details of creation become more frequent, the experts seem to grow more entrenched while the rest of us only become more confused. Somewhere between the endless arguments over distant starlight and Carbon-14 dating, calculating the mathematical improbabilities of things that already exist, and parsing ancient Hebrew and Greek, somebody requirements to ask the simple question, If 3,500 years of scientific progress can t help modern Christians figure out Genesis, then how could the ancient Israelites possibly have understood it so well? What secret did this newly liberated gaggle of Hebrew nomads take with them out of Egypt that holds the key to understanding God s telling of His own creation story? Beyond the Firmament challenges all creationist camps whether Young-Earth, Old-Earth, or Theistic Evolutionist to step outside of traditional paradigms and recognize how our modern, Western, post-Enlightenment scientific worldview actually blinds us from seeing the simple truth of Creation as it was originally intended; and how our failure to grasp the theological significance of the biblical creation model puts science and faith on a collision course.

Reader Reviews
Glover has penned a superb treatise on the creation/evolution dilemma. He takes the reader to the true root of the controversy and carefully examines the contributing factors by thoroughly deconstructing and analyzing the current Creationism model. He offers up a model that is theologically sound, while preserving the biblical authority of the divinely inspired text and the validity of science. The author's communication method is intelligent, yet done in a conversational style with everyday language and concepts. This is refreshing when compared to the overly-academic literary works on the market today. What made me appreciate this book so much is the target audience the author had in mind, and how he relates to that audience at a very personal level. Glover wants to communicate with Evangelicals, and does so effectively. It is very apparent that the author holds his personal relationship with Christ very dear to his heart. He recognizes that God divinely inspired the writing of Genesis. From there, Glover guides the reader through the authorial intent of Genesis 1 and evaluates the text as a theological response. His intriguing presentation is persuasive. While Glover touches on evolutionary science, his primary focus is a treatment of the creation text. This is a must-read for anyone who is researching the never-ending creation/evolution controversy.