Cosmic Chemistry: Do God and Science Mix?

Almost all science-faith books written by Christians err on the side of “God of the Gaps” thinking: “This is so amazing, God must have done it.” The author usually means or implies that the hand of God stepped in and designed a protein or genetic code or Zebra, much as an engineer would.It is easy for any faith-minded person to understand why this is appealing… but if you practice science professionally, it becomes a serious problem. No scientist gets to say “God did it, that settles it, let’s go out for a 3 martini lunch.”Lennox maneuvers beyond this trap, thus making this book one of the finest in the tradition of “Let us apply theology and the hypothesis of a divinely ordered cosmos as a means of conducting scientific research with curiosity and precision.”That demands a book that is far more difficult to write, but much more rewarding. Cosmic Chemistry is the outcome of at least a decade of hard research and cross-disciplinary thinking. So for example the chapters on evolution are “evolution positive” while detailing the extraordinary self-engineering of cells. It indicates that science is only at the foothills of exploring these questions, and the most interesting issues in evolution have mostly been glossed over by most authors.You’ll find a rare blend of history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, theology and philosophy, ably and responsibly managed. The range of authors Lennox quotes here is impressive in its breadth and depth. One example is the infamous Galileo incident which is usually accompanied by a person who has axes to grind. He quotes Arthur Koestler:“Contrary to statements in even recent outlines of science, Galileo did not invent the telescope, nor the microscope, nor the thermometer, nor the pendulum clock. ...he did not throw down weights from the leaning tower of Pisa, and did not prove the truth of the Copernican system. He was not tortured by the Inquisition, did not languish in its dungeons, did not say ‘eppur si muove’ [‘but it moves’]; and he was not a martyr of science. What he did was to found the modern science of dynamics…”This book is as able a handbook as you will find on a “functional philosophy of science.” Lennox examines presuppositions and biases in science that rarely get much attention, yet does so in a polite, respectful, accurate manner. You’ll come away with a much clearer apprehension of what questions science can and cannot answer.I think the strongest contribution this book makes is in explaining post-Darwinian models of evolution in plain English. A version of evolution very different from Richard Dawkins and friends has been championed by Barbara McClintock, Lynn Margulis, Carl Woese, James Shapiro and Denis Noble. It is supported by 75 years of solid research and tens of thousands of papers.In post-Darwinian evolution, the agency of the cell is the star of the show, not natural selection. This has deep implications for cancer, genetic diseases and immunology. It has already lead to major advances in the way these diseases are treated. (I suggest interested readers investigate the Cancer & Evolution Symposium for examples.)This is variously termed “Third Way of Evolution,” “Extended Synthesis,” and "Cognition Based Evolution." There is no disputing its findings, but its primary problem is that it is much more complex and not readily explained on the back of a napkin.Lennox does a marvelous job of outlining the mechanisms and mysteries. He also addresses Origin Of Life, Origin of the Genetic Code and consciousness. Again, so many faith oriented authors default to miracles. Lennox, while not ruling them out, takes the high road and keeps the door wide open for future discoveries.Lennox’s treatment of information is especially good because information, like mathematics itself is abstract. (Lennox is a math professor.) This fact alone contradicts the reductionist view of biology because reductionism cannot account for the existence of information or mathematics. All of this leads to giving ideologues like Richard Dawkins a sound thrashing, which Lennox does without ever losing his manners.In the past this would have provoked a backlash from Dawkins. Given the current dismal state of Neo-Darwinism now, however, I predict Dawkins will bite his tongue. It is simply not possible to defend the ‘Selfish Gene’ any longer.The benefit of all of this is it rescues science from BOTH sides - creationists who would ascribe everything to miracles, and the materialists who ascribe everything to monkeys on typewriters and natural selection… who use the word “evolution” as though it is a magic wand that eliminates the need for any further explanation.Lennox concludes appropriately by considering the role that quantum mechanics has in observation and consciousness, then takes a step back to consider what it all means.I don’t think there’s ever been a time when empirical science has been more compatible with thoughtful theism. Cosmic Chemistry is a splendid exponent of that view.

I am going to say something dramatic. This book is the most significant book I have read in my life. I was gripped throughout. If, like me, you are a scientist, but find the Richard Dawkins-type militant atheism unconvincing, then give this book a go. Although its effect on society will not be immediate, I believe it will in time be seen as profound - and very positive. Understanding the world through science or through the spiritual methods will no longer be seen as inevitably in conflict.

I'm halfway through this book and have found it very helpful, especially in debunking Dawkins et al. As a non-scientist I'm finding parts of it quite challenging - perhaps they will make more sense when I do some background reading and come back to them.

I found it stunning the way Dr Lennox marshals the latest thinking across a wide range of scientific disciplines. The clarity of argument combined with the humility of the writing draws you in and lifts the spirit. Here is rich fare, whether for the curious who..

everyone should read this book.