This is a brilliant book, covering a range of disciplines and topics in a thoughtful way. Alister McGrath writes in a clear, considered and sensitive manner, and is fair to those who think differently to himself. The book is dense, and I found myself dipping into a chapter at a time. There is much to think about, so I think of this book almost as a reference tool, to be pondered and not read straight through.

I particularly enjoyed thinking about life as the process of a journey, as opposed to a view from a balcony. The chapter on the cosmos was thought-provoking. My favourite chapter was perhaps the last one, where McGrath summarises the book by encourages the reader to embrace the mystery of God’s creation with humility and wonder. I highly recommend this book to all those who are interested in science, theology or psychology.

What is life all about? Why are we here? These questions of life and pondering of mysteries are part of our human makeup. Indeed, we learn more about life through questions instead of answers. In this book, author and professor Alister McGrath brings us through a couple of questions to wonder about ourselves, about life, and about our future. He tackles questions like:

- Who are we? What are we? What do we mean?
- Why we need more than mere facts?
- Why it is important to consider alternative perspectives?
- Is meaning a discovery or an invention?
- Why is there a loss in wonder in a world of disenchantment?
- Is our existence meaningful or meaningless?
- What's wrong with us?
- What is the fate of humanity?
- What does it mean to be human?
- ...

McGrath covers many grounds based on the theme of wonder. We are simply some molecular carbon particles simply there to survive. We need to ponder about what it means to be human. We have that need to make sense of what is going on in the world. This rises in importance even as we deal with the brokeness and chaotic events happening in the world today. Even if we do not feel a need to ask such questions at present, there is no telling when the same set of questions will arise sometime in the future. McGrath then takes us on an exploratory journey from our smallest atoms to the large universe. He asks about our tendency to become preoccupied with our own concerns and explores the different views of how human narcissism comes about. He reminds us too not to make ourselves the center of the universe, and to repeat the same mistakes our ancestors had dealt with Copernicus. McGrath cites many philosophers, thinkers, and scholars in showing us that the questions we ask, are more common than we might think. It is a universal concern, not just some religious initiative.

He ends with a powerful section about how we could move forward with our set of ponderings and wonderings. This last chapter is a must-read for all.

My Thoughts
This is a book about apologetics to remind us that life itself is a question we ought to ponder about. This question should humble us to recognize that we are not the center of meaning. Instead, there is something or someone larger than ourselves. McGrath eagerly engages the different perspectives of the day to offer an alternative argument to atheists, agnostics, and skeptics alike. He even mentions his own colleague, Richard Dawkins, that while they share different faith and life perspectives, they could still appreciate the beauty and mysteries of this world. Humans are much different from animals because they are able to ask questions about the meaning of existence. Surely that is a hint that we cannot reduce life to simply atoms and molecules! What I do appreciate is how McGrath does it with reason and care not to be reductionistic on other views. He is showing us a powerful way to explain with reason the rationality of Christianity. In contrast to some of the skeptics which often tend to reduce Christianity to choice bits for attack, McGrath writes respectfully with class and knowledge.

In all three sections of exploration, McGrath has this common theme: The world is larger than ourselves which calls for humility. Life is meaningful and mysterious, which calls for generosity and openness to learn. Our future is hopeful which calls for a willingness to expand our horizons through learning and graciousness. As a scientist, he is able to engage with some of the leading scientists in many areas of disciplines. As a philosopher, he reminds us about Henry David Thoreau's lament that "there are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers." Indeed, many could talk about philosophy but few actually go beyond that. As a Christian apologist, McGrath makes the case that Christianity is reasonable and is worthy of further investigation by the skeptic. If there is one thing that would perhaps need more exploration, that would be the emotional component. While this may not necessarily be, relatively speaking, within the author's expertise, it is still an important consideration. After all, we are human beings with emotions, and often, the emotions could get the better of our intellect.

Alister McGrath is one of the world’s leading Christian theologians, is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. Previously he was professor of historical theology at Oxford University and is currently senior research fellow at Harris Manchester at Oxford.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I picked it up thinking it a sort of psychology book about human emotion of wonder. But it is much deeper and complex than that.
It is stuffed with philosophy and that too with abstract pure philosophy.
So it was tough to understand and to read in one go.
It is a book that requires patience and digging to extract things of your use.
It introduces to number of Philosophers and scientists.
It is a tough big book for intelligent guys who wish to know why we are here and purpose of life.

I was first attracted to the theme of “the meaning of life” when asked to read Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning in high school. Later, in college, I had to read it again. In grad school I was introduced to Paul Welter’s Counseling and the Search for Meaning in a course taught by the author. As the title suggests, the book draws from Viktor Frankl’s earlier ideas. Alister McGrath’s new book again returns to some of these same themes.

McGrath the search for meaning from a number of perspectives - historically, psychologically, scientifically, and theologically. He also addresses the importance of meaning and the lack of meaning (referencing Frankl) in an individual’s life.

Interestingly, McGrath originally trained as a molecular biophysics (PhD). As he began his college education he was an avid atheist. But over time he was forced him to examine his faith. In 1971, he writes, “I turned my back on one faith and embraced another.” He began studying at Cambridge for ordination in the Church of England. Completing additional studies in Divinity, he now serves as Professor of Divinity at Gresham College where he explores the intersection of Science, Faith, and God, within modern culture.

It was McGrath’s dual interests in science and theology that drew my interest to this book. I was not disappointed. Whether the reader’s interest lie in science, theology, psychology, or philosophy, McGrath’s Born to Wonder should be an interesting read.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

In "Born to Wonder," Alistair McGrath demonstrates how the human race has an innate desire to seek beyond what our physical eyes behold. The author surveys the contributions of different thinkers over the centuries on their musings regarding the meaning and purpose of life. In the first part, McGrath probes the inability of science and its various disciplines to fully explain why we are here and what we are to do with our lives. However, if we complement science with religion, specifically the historic Christian faith, we begin to formulate a framework by which we can understand our existence on earth. Next, McGrath examines the explorations on the human nature by four thinkers, namely Augustine of Hippo, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Iris Murdoch, and Richard Dawkins. Each of these thinkers possess distinct perspectives on how they comprehend human nature, dignity, and potential but find common ground in that human nature is complex and cannot be easily dissembled and understood. The second part of the book concentrates on the human quest to find meaning in our lives. McGrath utilizes the analogy put forward by John Alexander Pope of the “Balcony” and the “Road” as a helpful illustration of how life’s meaning requires us to have both an objective vantage point of view and a subjective, experiential perspective. The author points out that science can only offer cold, hard answers that cannot fully satisfy difficult, lofty questions regarding morals and values. On the contrary, we tend to gravitate toward narratives, especially those involving religion, to inform our worldview and allow us to find our footing in this vast universe. In addition, McGrath draws out how objective truth can only be realized through subjective experience as science can only provide and organize raw data but stops short of providing concrete conclusions about how we ought to order our lives. This is most vividly displayed in problems involving human suffering as any amount of scientific data cannot explain away the horror and pain caused by humans. In the two ensuing chapters, McGrath focuses on how science and religion are also similar in that both marvel at the wonder of our universe. However, science can only go so far in pointing out the complexities of our surroundings while Christianity looks to the One who created all those intricacies. In the final part of the book, the author investigates how we are to think about the future of the human race. McGrath discusses how the Renaissance and Enlightenment thoughts of human progress fail to reconcile against the harsh realities of war and conflict throughout history. Even when we consider advances in technology such as the rise of genetic engineering and transhumanism, these all prove to be futile attempts in trying to improve the human condition by playing god. Rather, McGrath states that the Christian upholds humans as being capable of great good as image bearers of God but also fail to meet His holy standards when we succumb to our sinful, depraved natures. In his closing thoughts, the author urges readers to carry humble hearts in searching for life’s answers with generosity towards alternative viewpoints and wonder towards life’s mysteries.

I recommend this book to believers and non-believers alike as a much-needed reminder that life is much more than what meets the eye. Although science is seen as the basis of truth through its ability to gather observations and establish credible theories to explain how things work, science can never fully explain the numerous mysteries of our universe. Our society today is cognizant of science’s failure to deliver and is beginning to seriously question the rationalistic and materialistic presuppositions of the past. In place of this, our generation of young people generally believe in science’s claims but complement their worldview with values such as relativism, tolerance, and spirituality. No matter how much science can offer to explain the meaning and purpose of life, the cumulative scientific data can never formulate an all-encompassing answer that satisfies our deepest desires. McGrath demonstrates that individuals across human history yearn find the answer to why we exist and for what purpose. The author asserts that the most satisfying answer is found in Christianity which reveals to us not only how the world was created but also how we are to live in this world. We can only begin to grasp our place presently in this world and our hope for the future when we derive purpose and meaning in both general revelation (science) and special revelation (God’s Word). Instead of relying on our own ability, knowledge, and wisdom to guide our lives, let us look up and beyond in marvelling wonder to the God who created all things and hold all things together by His mighty hand.

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Tyndale Book Publishers..

Original Post: https://contemplativereflections.wordpress.com/2020/09/13/book-review-born-to-wonder/