God and Stephen Hawking, Book Review

Book Description:

'The Grand Design', by eminent scientist Stephen Hawking, is the latest blockbusting contribution to the so-called New Atheist debate, and claims that the laws of physics themselves brought the Universe into being, rather than God. In this swift and forthright reply, John Lennox, Oxford mathematician and author of 'God's Undertaker', exposes the flaws in Hawking's logic. In lively, layman's terms, Lennox guides us through the key points in Hawking's arguments - with clear explanations of the latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories - and demonstrates that far from disproving a Creator God, they make his existence seem all the more probable.

My review:

I think it is safe to say most everyone has heard of Stephen Hawking, a well known English scientist, physicist and mathematician who made fundamental contributions to the study of the origins, structure and space-time relationships of the universe.

In his book called 'The Grand Design' Mr. Hawking states: 'Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.' and another gem: "One can't prove that God doesn't exist, but science makes God unnecessary."

Well, I must say I was only too happy to read John C. Lennox's answer in 'God and Stephen Hawking: Whose design is it anyway?'. I imagine my grandmother would have a thing or two to say also to Mr. Stephen Hawking...Something such as 'If I am wrong in believing there is a God, then I have lost nothing. However if I am right, and you are wrong, then you have lost everything.'

Hawkins has absolutely no proof of what he calls the 'M' theory which John C. Lennox describes in a much more understandable manner in chapter two of his book. According to Hawking, the 'M' theory (his chosen candidate for a final unifying theory of physics) predicts a great many universes were created out of nothing. But how can something be made out of nothing?

John C. Lennox discusses this and other arguments made by Hawking, presenting both sides of these latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories in a concise and intelligent format yet easy to follow for anyone interested.  I admit I know next to nothing of Quantum physics.

Using facts and skillfully quoting reliable scientists and notable scholars, the author brings you to an undeniable conclusion: God's existence seems all the more probable!

As a Christian I have always objected to the statement that 'Religion is the opium of the masses.'  I believe myself to be a 'thinking' person and I perceive science as a marvelous world of 'what if?'.
I cannot conceive having to choose betwixt science and God!

Science does not exist without God, they are not separate, but judge for yourself by reading this 96 page book!


I give this one 5 stars (albeit it is worth much more!)

Meet the author:

John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics in the University of Oxford, Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science, and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College, Oxford. He is also an adjunct Lecturer at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum. In addition, he teaches for the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the Executive Education Centre, Said Business School, Oxford University.

I received this book free from KREGEL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.