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A Catholic Scientist Harmonizes Science and Faith by Dr. Gerard M. Verschuuren. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2022). 208 pp., $18.95.
The media and education often suggest that science and religion are at war. It’s no secret that our world is plagued by a dictatorship of relativism. I’ve often thought of an expression I once heard: when man loses belief in the reality of God, man becomes God, the body becomes the soul, and time becomes eternity.
Thankfully, Dr. Verschuuren’s book, A Catholic Scientist Harmonizes Science and Faith, reminds us of the interrelationship between reason and religion.
He draws from the reflections of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Dr. Peter Kreeft, and scientists, like Blaise Pascal and Gregor Mendel. These pages are filled with anecdotes about developments in medicine, astronomy, and physics.
Dr. Verschuuren has written extensively on faith and science. His books A Catholic Scientist Proves God Exists, How Science Points to God, A Catholic Scientists Champions the Shroud of Turin, and In the Beginning are also available from Sophia Press.
There is no “double truth” between evolution and faith and the Big Bang Theory and faith, Dr. Verschuuren states.
As Albert Einstein surmised “Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a Spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a Spirit vastly superior to that of man.”
Hence, Dr. Verschuuren asserts that science alone isn’t conclusive and, simultaneously, critiques blind faith. He clarifies scientific and religious assumptions: Authentic reasoning leads us closer to God and belief in His attributes. Both science and faith are guided by logic and deal with facts.
The New Atheism, Dr. Verschuuren affirms, is erroneous, including Stephen Hawking and Richard Dawkins’ views. “Our thoughts should be controlled by reality” and objective truth.
Faith needs science to avoid fideism and even science requires belief, reflects Dr. Verschuuren.
Karin Oberg, Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University, wrote “Verschuuren has written an accessible and enjoyable introduction on the nature of the scientific project, the origins of its successes and limitations, and its fundamentally positive relationship with religion.”
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of A Catholic Scientist Harmonizes Science and Faith and/or to schedule an interview with the author.
Mary Beth Bracy is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality. Her books include Behold the Lamb, Bread of Life and The Little Way of Healing Love Through the Passion of Jesus: The Stations of the Cross with St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and she is co-author of the book Stories of the Eucharist. She has written articles for numerous Catholic publications and recorded some Catholic talks. Mary Beth is also a professional teacher, dual certified in English and Special Education, and the owner of a Catholic book and gift shop online. A proud member of the St. John Paul II generation, and lover of all things St. Thérèse, Mary Beth enjoys spending time in Eucharistic Adoration daily, keeping in touch with her family and friends, as well as, sharing her faith with others.
