Science and religion are often considered to be at odds. Author Griffen examines this dissonance as an insider in both realms. He recounts a general history of science, beginning with the Greeks, who stressed that truth came from the mind, not the senses. The early Christian Church, for its part, believed that only appointed authorities could dispense truth, and all else was heresy. Under the influence of such pioneers as Galileo and Newton, the church gradually came to accept the basic processes of the scientific method: observation, hypothesis, prediction, and analysis. By the 1900s, scientists believed that everything was known about the physical universe. However, a new generation of thinkers—Heisenberg, Einstein, and Hawking—looked farther and deeper into the hugeness of space and the properties of the tiny atom. Scientists, Griffen believes, may believe in a Creator when they contemplate the universe’s variety and vastness, while religiously inclined individuals can use scientific facts to predict and order physical existence.

With both a doctorate in physics and ordination in the National Association of Spiritualist Churches, Griffen is well qualified to explore this fascinating subject matter. He has an engaging writing style that includes a light but welcome sense of humor, such as acknowledging that the hard information offered sometimes makes him go and take a nap. This humorous touch gives some otherwise tough ideas an easier flow for less scientifically minded readers. He pays due respect to all the world’s great religions and clearly illustrates the ways that the facts of science can meld with the unseen mysteries of the spiritual life. He devotes considerable attention to explanations of scientific discoveries and complex theories while paying due respect to spiritualist viewpoints. Those who read his work with an open, tolerant view may gain a better grasp of both disciplines through his balanced analysis.

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