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Rating: 
Summary: Sound and rich perspectives on cosmology
Review: (I am reposting this review, because the email address was wrong and it did not show up on my review page.)Ross, an astrophysicist, deals with cosmology using the physical, theological and sometimes the philosophical sciences in a well documented book. The first part of the book deals with the ancient cosmologies, the Greek and medieval philosophers, and the rise of astronomy/physics in the 16-17th centuries. Then Ross explains the consequences of Kant's deism, in particular his view of the universe as uncreated and infinite. The first part ends with the recent physical observations at the end of the 19th century (refuting Kant's view); and special and general relativity, with their theological consequences due to the singularity (begin of time and space.) Ross does a good job, but is sometimes weak (e. g. about the modern rejection of theistic arguments: he never mentions the real problem: the rise of nominalism and skepticism.) The second part deals with 20th century physical cosmologies and how all alternatives to the Big Bang had to be empirically rejected and how much the awesome evidence for the Big Bang accumulated. Here Ross is at his best. He also points out the atheistic motivations of those who tried to avoid the Big Bang. Most of this is excellent, he has also good insights on Quantum physics. However a few passages are unsatisfying, as his simple dismissal of Tipler's anthropic principles or his arguments against quantum originations of the universe (my impression is that he lacks philosophical depth, and this is problematic when he deals with design or quantum cosmology.) Those interested in apologetics will have to find complements in the writings of William L. Craig, Chris Isham, etc. The third and last part deals with theology, I found it excellent. Ross defends a concordist position, and refutes also both fundamentalism (Young Earth Creationism) and liberal theology. His chapter on evil has many insights. His "gospel acccording to the creation" seems however naive, it seems obvious that there are many humans in many cultures who never come to such conclusions by simply thinking about nature. I highly recommend this book. Those who may find it difficult can read Ross' more popular book Creator and Cosmos, which has less structure and is easier to read. To those who, on the contrary, want a more advanced book (dealing with physics and philosophy) I can recommend Craig's Theism, Atheism and Big Bang Cosmology.
Rating:
Summary: A scientist making room for God (hard to believe, no!)
Review: Hugh provides an argument against the Anthropic theory of the creation of life in the universe. His argument is based on the almost impossible odds that every physical law in the universe in extremely finely tunes to allow for life as we know it.
Rating:
Summary: Sound and rich perspectives on cosmology
Review: Ross, an astrophysicist, deals with cosmology using the physical, theological and sometimes the philosophical sciences in a well documented book. The first part of the book deals with the ancient cosmologies, the Greek and medieval philosophers, and the rise of astronomy/physics in the 16-17th centuries. Then Ross explains the consequences of Kant's deism, in particular his view of the universe as uncreated and infinite. The first part ends with the recent physical observations at the end of the 19th century (refuting Kant's view); and special and general relativity, with their theological consequences due to the singularity (begin of time and space.) Ross does a good job, but is sometimes weak (e. g. about the modern rejection of theistic arguments: he never mentions the real problem: the rise of nominalism and skepticism.) The second part deals with 20th century physical cosmologies and how all alternatives to the Big Bang had to be empirically rejected and how much the awesome evidence for the Big Bang accumulated. Here Ross is at his best. He also points out the atheistic motivations of those who tried to avoid the Big Bang. Most of this is excellent, he has also good insights on Quantum physics. However a few passages are unsatisfying, as his simple dismissal of Tipler's anthropic principles or his arguments against quantum originations of the universe (my impression is that he lacks philosophical depth, and this is problematic when he deals with design or quantum cosmology.) Those interested in apologetics will have to find complements in the writings of William L. Craig, Chris Isham, etc. The third and last part deals with theology, I found it excellent. Ross defends a concordist position, and refutes also both fundamentalism (Young Earth Creationism) and liberal theology. His chapter on evil has many insights. His "gospel acccording to the creation" seems however naive, it seems obvious that there are many humans in many cultures who never come to such conclusions by simply thinking about nature. I highly recommend this book. Those who may find it difficult can read Ross' more popular book Creator and Cosmos, which has less structure and is easier to read. To those who, on the contrary, want a more advanced book (dealing with physics and philosophy) I can recommend Craig's Theism, Atheism and Big Bang Cosmology.
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