God in the Lab: How science enhances faith

by Ruth Bancewicz

For Dr Ruth Bancewicz, experiencing scientific research first hand brings a sense of awe that enhances faith. She has encountered many others who have similar stories. This book distils that experience, and explores the common ground between science and faith. Science can be unglamorous and tough, but it gives the opportunity to use creativity and imagination, to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, and to experience the joy of finding out new things - thinking God's thoughts after him. Through the eyes of the author and six other experienced scientists, God in the Lab shows how science can build faith in God.

Genres: Science, Christian, Faith

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2015

Reviews

[Glenn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable, well-researched and much-needed book.

Drawing on her own experience as well as interviews with working scientists, Dr Bancewicz describes how research is done and then draws out how experiences of awe, wonder and beauty can both arise from scientific investigation and also inspire it.

Since she herself, and her interviewees, are practicising Christians, this demonstrates how science can not only be integrated with a Christian faith, but can enhance, shape, and deepen it. Her book is not a philosophical or theological discussion, just good reporting. Non-scientists will appreciate the accessible way it introduces how scientific research works.

God in the Lab -- in its way a love story -- is a welcome break from the aridity and acidity (if you can have both) of much that is written about science and faith.

A couple of queries. I wasn't quite with her on her paean to the beauties of the Zebra fish. I'm clearly not a biologist, so it still looked like a half-digested jelly-baby to me.And at one point in the book she states her belief in the Bible as the word of God. This is well and good, but might perhaps have needed a few pointers as to why with her scientific background she has made, and why we might make, that particular faith stance.

Overall? Refreshing and welcome account of how scientific research and open, enquiring, active Christian faith can inform and inspire each other.

[Philip Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 'devotional' and inspiring view of being a Christian in science.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this for the third time for a book club, and it's still just as good! I love how fresh Ruth's book feels compared to so much else that's written in this area, delving into the human side of science rather than just the intellectual arguments for and against God's existence. She covers creativity, imagination, beauty, wonder and awe, discussing how science and Christian faith meet and enrich one another in each. It got me missing research science! Super readable and engaging, with lots of interviews, quotes and stories.

[Frank Peters]

A few years back, I was fortunate enough to see and hear Ruth talk to a group of secondary school students at a Christian youth event. I was very impressed with her ability to firmly, graciously and humorously negotiate through the issues of faith and science. This book is very much like listening to her talk. I thought the introduction was really good, and I found myself thinking about all of the people I could or should recommend the book to. Unfortunately, the subsequent chapters, although still really good, were just too similar to the way someone speaks – i.e. they were somewhat repetitive, with a small information content. As a result, while I really liked what was written, I found myself getting bored with the writing style. Another partial criticism is that the book could have been titled: “God in the biology lab”, since essentially all of the concrete examples were all of biology. This is totally OK, except that the introduction implied that the focus was on all the hard sciences. Instead Physics and Chemistry were only given a token nod. Since Ruth was trained in biology, I think this is fine, but she might have been advised to not pretend anything broader. After finishing the book, I would still recommend it, but only to women who have interests in biological fields.

[Michelle Grayce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book to read if you are interested in faith and science. Interesting read.