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The Hidden Face of God: Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth
In a timely fusion of science and faith, the scientist and popular writer Gerald L. Schroeder explains why cutting-edge scientific theories point to a great plan underlying the universe.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Gerald Schroeder
16 books75 followersGerald L. Schroeder is a scientist, author, and lecturer, who focuses on what he perceives to be an inherent relationship between science and spirituality.
In 1965, Schroeder received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in nuclear physics and earth and planetary sciences. He worked five years on the staff of the MIT physics department. After emigrating to Israel in 1971, he was employed as a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Volcani Research Institute, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His Doctorate was in two science fields, Earth sciences and physics. He teaches at Aish HaTorah College of Jewish Studies.
He professes Orthodox Judaism, and his works frequently cite Talmudic, Midrashic and medieval commentaries on Biblical creation accounts, such as commentaries written by the Jewish philosopher Nachmanides. Among other things, Schroeder attempts to reconcile a young earth creationism Biblical view with the scientific model of a world that is billions of years old using the idea that the perceived flow of time for a given event in an expanding universe varies with the observer’s perspective of that event. He attempts to reconcile the two perspectives numerically, calculating the effect of the stretching of space-time, based on Einstein's theory of general relativity. Schroeder holds to a theistic evolution view.
Gerald Schroeder lives in Jerusalem with his wife (the author, Barbara Sofer). They've had five children with a changing number of grandchildren.
(Sources: Wikipedia, official website)
In 1965, Schroeder received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in nuclear physics and earth and planetary sciences. He worked five years on the staff of the MIT physics department. After emigrating to Israel in 1971, he was employed as a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Volcani Research Institute, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His Doctorate was in two science fields, Earth sciences and physics. He teaches at Aish HaTorah College of Jewish Studies.
He professes Orthodox Judaism, and his works frequently cite Talmudic, Midrashic and medieval commentaries on Biblical creation accounts, such as commentaries written by the Jewish philosopher Nachmanides. Among other things, Schroeder attempts to reconcile a young earth creationism Biblical view with the scientific model of a world that is billions of years old using the idea that the perceived flow of time for a given event in an expanding universe varies with the observer’s perspective of that event. He attempts to reconcile the two perspectives numerically, calculating the effect of the stretching of space-time, based on Einstein's theory of general relativity. Schroeder holds to a theistic evolution view.
Gerald Schroeder lives in Jerusalem with his wife (the author, Barbara Sofer). They've had five children with a changing number of grandchildren.
(Sources: Wikipedia, official website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 2, 2010
I extremely recommmend this book which gives a much needed perspective on science in this age of scientific secularism; Dr. Schroeder is in a unique position to give this perspective because he is an accomplished physicist as well as an individual who believes in God in the religion of Judaism. As a muslim myself, I agree with many of his views on science especially his emphasis on the notion that this magnificent wonder-full world was not conceived spontaneously without meticulous wisdom and infinite complexity of which a great deal is still unknown. He ventures through physics, cell composition and function, childbirth, the brain, and the mind among other topics to explore this universe we take so much for granted. For instance, did we know that in protein synthesis, proteins are used to make proteins? or that science still can't explain how we can see a picture in our mind? or that our body makes 2,000 proteins a second!?, how then can we accept that we were formed by some pattern of hit-and-miss mutations? this book challenges you to think and explore YOU, in a verse in the Qur'an "And in yourselves, Can you not see?" (51:21). Can we not see how much wisdom is expended in our being, which is being perpetuated every day? and in the whole ecological biosphere? The book is really eye-opening as you discover many intricate details untalked about in the science classroom or not really discussed. This book illustrates proof of an Intelligent Creator who has inexhaustibly created a complex universe which we can only begin to perceive to this day.
September 24, 2012
The author does a good job of pointing out the "givens" that have to be accepted by scientists attempting to explain our origins or the way the universe works. However, he relies too much on intelligent design ideas to demonstrate that God must exist, even though intelligent design is a pseudoscientific ideology that has rightly been rejected by serious scientists. Instead of relying on the "God of the gaps" to prove his case, I would have liked to have seen more positive evidence of God's existence.
September 14, 2025
According to Gerald L. Schroeder, “The renowned former president of the American Physical Society and professor of physics at Princeton University, recipient of the Einstein Award and member of the National Academy of Sciences, John Archibald Wheeler, likened what underlies all existence to an idea, the ‘bit’ (the binary digit) of information that gives rise to the ‘it,’ the substance of matter. If we can discover that underlying idea, we will have ascertained not only the basis for the unity that underlies all existence, but most important, the source of that unity. We will have encountered the hidden face of God.” (8-9)
Schroeder later states, “Wisdom, information, an idea, is the link between the metaphysical Creator and the physical creation. It is the hidden face of God.” (49)
At the end of his exploration, Schroeder leaves the reader with, “Even in the closest of encounters, the face of God remains hidden.” (187) Does that mean his entire book is not worth reading?
Perhaps, the “face of god” is the thirst for knowledge and understanding and creating conscious personal electric connections and signals within our own brains, or something like that... Information is like, wicked important dude...
“Call it wisdom or an idea, information. The Hebrew word integrating all these would be emet, reality.” (38)
Schroeder later defines wisdom as, “the building block, the substrate, from which all the time and space and matter of the universe were created. Wisdom is the interface between the physics of the world and the metaphysics of creation.” (93)
My late professor, Dr. Elie Wiesel (also a Jew), defined wisdom as, “the soul of knowledge” in our class, “Memories, Madness, and Desire” in 2008.
Schroeder was living in Jerusalem with his wife and five children at the time of this publication (2001), but laments, “I personally do not think that the complexity of life proves the existence of the Divine.” (93) later adding, “Faith backed by knowledge is much stronger than faith based on an emotionally driven gossamer hope, whether that faith be secular or religious.” (93-94)
I tend to believe in Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the Patriot Way. Is there a face morph image of Bill and Tom? There’s tons of empirical evidence to back it all up too! The TB12 Method may or may not be pseudoscience, but Schroeder argues, “The wisdom of biology doesn’t try to beat the rules of nature. It outsmarts them.” (102) Maybe people from New England are wicked smaht too? “We’re not used to icy sidewalks in Jerusalem.” (175) Native Massholes certainly are.
There are three distinct personal connections I made to Wallacean (is that even word?) literature during The Hidden Face of God.
1. Chapter 7 opens describing the brain as an antenna: “If the universe is indeed the expression of an idea, the brain may be the sole antenna with circuitry turned to pick up the signal of that idea.” (105) Schroeder earned his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In DFW’s opus, Infinite Jest, the MIT radio station is shaped like a brain.
2. Discussing female and male brain differences as demonstrated through standardized testing, Schroeder summarizes, “In standardized tests of skills, women in general do better at matching items having common characteristics. Men excel at rotating three-dimensional objects.” (144) Yang in Dave’s Brief Interviews With Hideous Men tells Ndiawar, “Look, man. I rotate three-dimensional objects. Mentally.”
3. Is non-fiction more of your forte’? Perhaps consider this one: “Neural cells getting information from the white lines alone are inhibited from only two sides. Nothing other than surgery, which I am not suggesting, will remove the effect. It’s built from birth. Lobsters have the same problem!” (163)
4. Bonus points:
A. “And the brain is the top-of-the-line example of this successful struggle against oblivion.” (133)
B. “Destroy the cortex and you destroy consciousness. Destroy the brain and the palpable mind goes with it into oblivion.” (152)
*“Is a joke truly funny when we laugh at it, or is it merely some aberration of our frontal lobe?” (143)*
If I could date anyone, I’d date Gravity because...“Gravity is always attractive.” (32-33)
I rate this book four stars.
Schroeder later states, “Wisdom, information, an idea, is the link between the metaphysical Creator and the physical creation. It is the hidden face of God.” (49)
At the end of his exploration, Schroeder leaves the reader with, “Even in the closest of encounters, the face of God remains hidden.” (187) Does that mean his entire book is not worth reading?
Perhaps, the “face of god” is the thirst for knowledge and understanding and creating conscious personal electric connections and signals within our own brains, or something like that... Information is like, wicked important dude...
“Call it wisdom or an idea, information. The Hebrew word integrating all these would be emet, reality.” (38)
Schroeder later defines wisdom as, “the building block, the substrate, from which all the time and space and matter of the universe were created. Wisdom is the interface between the physics of the world and the metaphysics of creation.” (93)
My late professor, Dr. Elie Wiesel (also a Jew), defined wisdom as, “the soul of knowledge” in our class, “Memories, Madness, and Desire” in 2008.
Schroeder was living in Jerusalem with his wife and five children at the time of this publication (2001), but laments, “I personally do not think that the complexity of life proves the existence of the Divine.” (93) later adding, “Faith backed by knowledge is much stronger than faith based on an emotionally driven gossamer hope, whether that faith be secular or religious.” (93-94)
I tend to believe in Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the Patriot Way. Is there a face morph image of Bill and Tom? There’s tons of empirical evidence to back it all up too! The TB12 Method may or may not be pseudoscience, but Schroeder argues, “The wisdom of biology doesn’t try to beat the rules of nature. It outsmarts them.” (102) Maybe people from New England are wicked smaht too? “We’re not used to icy sidewalks in Jerusalem.” (175) Native Massholes certainly are.
There are three distinct personal connections I made to Wallacean (is that even word?) literature during The Hidden Face of God.
1. Chapter 7 opens describing the brain as an antenna: “If the universe is indeed the expression of an idea, the brain may be the sole antenna with circuitry turned to pick up the signal of that idea.” (105) Schroeder earned his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In DFW’s opus, Infinite Jest, the MIT radio station is shaped like a brain.
2. Discussing female and male brain differences as demonstrated through standardized testing, Schroeder summarizes, “In standardized tests of skills, women in general do better at matching items having common characteristics. Men excel at rotating three-dimensional objects.” (144) Yang in Dave’s Brief Interviews With Hideous Men tells Ndiawar, “Look, man. I rotate three-dimensional objects. Mentally.”
3. Is non-fiction more of your forte’? Perhaps consider this one: “Neural cells getting information from the white lines alone are inhibited from only two sides. Nothing other than surgery, which I am not suggesting, will remove the effect. It’s built from birth. Lobsters have the same problem!” (163)
4. Bonus points:
A. “And the brain is the top-of-the-line example of this successful struggle against oblivion.” (133)
B. “Destroy the cortex and you destroy consciousness. Destroy the brain and the palpable mind goes with it into oblivion.” (152)
*“Is a joke truly funny when we laugh at it, or is it merely some aberration of our frontal lobe?” (143)*
If I could date anyone, I’d date Gravity because...“Gravity is always attractive.” (32-33)
I rate this book four stars.
April 16, 2013
Probably one of the best books I ever read! I cannot tell you how much of a profound impact this book had on me with the DNA structure and ways of looking at how we came to be as humans in relation to God with creating us. A good book for Christians, Jews, Muslims, Theist, Agnostics, and Atheists to gain perspective.
February 22, 2025
IS MODERN SCIENCE OPEN TO THE ‘METAPHYSICAL’ AND THE SPIRITUAL?
Israeli physicist Gerald Schroeder wrote in the Prologue to this 2001 book, “A single consciousness, an all-encompassing wisdom, pervades the universe. The discoveries of science… have moved us to the brink of a startling realization: all existence is the expression of this wisdom… Every particle, every being, from atom to human, appears to have within it a level of information, of conscious wisdom. The puzzle I confront in this book is this: where does this arise?... The information just appears as a given, with no causal agent evident, as if it were an intrinsic facet of nature.” (Pg. xi)
He continues, “The age-old theological view of the universe is that all existence is the manifestation of a transcendent wisdom, with a universal consciousness being its manifestation. If I substitute the word information for wisdom, theology begins to sound like quantum physics. Science itself has rediscovered the confluence between the physical and the spiritual… If a spiritual unity does underlie physical reality, it would be natural for people to search for that unity. Regrettably in the rush of our daily obligations we often become disconnected, losing the realization that such a unity might actually exist…” (Pg. xii-xiii)
He adds, “In the following pages, as we journey through the newly discovered marvels of the cosmos, of life, and finally of the brain/mind interface, I ask only that, as you read, you use these facts to reexamine your opinions concerning the origins, evolution, and essence of this wonderful world in which we live.” (Pg. xiv)
He says in Chapter 1, “the puzzle of our tenuous existence in space is secondary to the most baffling riddle of all: that of existence itself. It’s a question we might prefer to ignore. Why is there an ‘is’? Why is there something, anything, rather than nothing? In our fascination with life’s origin, we bypass this most basic of conundrums. The very fact and nature of existence… the limited nature of time, space, and matter from which we and all the universe are constructed, force upon us the unsettling reality that at some level there is the metaphysical… But is this metaphysical force that produced our universe Godly? That is not an easy question.” (Pg. 1-2)
He observes, “From a theological stance… Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all draw their understanding of creation from the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. Genesis claims that a single, eternal, omnipotent and incorporeal God created the universe. This would imply intelligent design on the level of the Divine, and yet from the Bible’s view, the universe is far from perfect… the biblical message… [is] that the original Divine design of the world was flawed, required Divine retuning, and the Tuner acknowledged the need. According to the Bible, intelligent design… is not necessarily perfect design.” (Pg. 10)
He states, “Both theology and science probe the nature of reality. Both seek to find an order in the workings of the world… The surprise of science is that discoveries starting in the early 1900s have moved us ever closer to the implication that the world we see around us… our bodies included, are expressions or manifestations of something as ethereal as energy. And that below the energy lies information, a totally nonmaterial basis for existence. While not calling this information spiritual, science has significantly closed the gap between the material and the spiritual.” (Pg. 17) Later, he adds, “Why is the universe so intelligible, so consistent? Science alone cannot say. Perhaps we are encountering a hint of the metaphysical held within the physical.” (Pg. 35)
He continues, “what we see here is far more significant than fine-tuning. We see the consistent emergence of wisdom, or ordered complex information that is nowhere hinted at either in the governing laws of nature or in the particles of matter that form the brain that lies below the mind’s thought…. Why are the laws of nature elegant, and from where did they acquire the wisdom to produce intelligent life?... Could it be the metaphysical shining through?” (Pg. 46)
He outlines, “The objective of what follows is twofold: (1) to ponder what processes might have been responsible for life’s development in the light of its overwhelming complexity; (2) to discern that the complexity found in life is qualitatively different from that found in the substructures from which it arose…With life, the increase in complexity from physics to biology seems to be of type as well as amount… Our world contains hidden knowledge that is waiting to be expressed. It seems as if a metaphysical substrate is impressed upon the physical. The Bible, for one, suggests this to be true.” (Pg. 48)
He says, “Life beats the odds of chaos over cosmos, but not by defeating the second law of thermodynamics… Life wins by outwitting the second law… Cleverly, life scaled the mountain of complexity. What enabled these complex arrangements of carbon plus a few other elements to become so clever remains an enigma.” (Pg. 59)
He suggests, “science is on the brink of discovering an even more sensational reality, one predicted almost three thousand years ago, that wisdom is the basis of all existence…. ‘With wisdom God founded the earth.’ (Prov 3:19)… Wisdom is the building block… from which all the time and space and matter of the universe were created. Wisdom is the interface between the physics of the world and the metaphysics of creation.” (Pg. 88)
He acknowledges, “The concept that life may have resulted from inert, dumb, random reactions starting in an undifferentiated ball of energy at the big bang stretches the imagination. Does this prove there’s a God active in our world? I personally do not think that the complexity of life proves the existence of the Divine. But it does demonstrate unequivocally that we are missing some basic factors in how the origin and the development of life occurred. Whether these factors include the metaphysical, or even the Divine, may never be absolutely verifiable.” (Pg. 93)
He wonders, “Is it possible that, in parallel with this bizarre subconsciously lived multiplicity of our mind, there is also a multiplicity within the world, a world unrealized at the conscious level, but still very real in its impact upon the world our conscious physical senses can access? This would be metaphysical, in the sense of being outside the physical. Call it, perhaps, an underlying wisdom from which the physical world emerges. A physicist might call it information. If the parallel is complete, then both the physical and the metaphysical are together embedded in a higher singular existence. A theologian might call that singular existence God. A physicist might call it the metaphysical potential field that collapsed and gave rise to our universe. Our brain might be the sole organ by which we are able to sense the metaphysical.” (Pg. 127-128)
He notes, “The idea that a universal consciousness, emergent from this wisdom, might be present in what we habitually refer to as inert matter finds support in a range of scientific data. Entangled particles act in concert even though departed by distances that obviate the possibility of their communicating in the reaction time required. It is as if each particle is simultaneously aware of the other’s action at the instant of the action.” (Pg. 154-155)
He observes, “The discovery of nonlocality, of action at a distance, illogical though this phenomenon is, has revealed the linkage of disparate parts of the universe. The infinitely extended wave characteristics of all matter give physical basis to the metaphysical claim that the entire universe is entangled. Taken together, these seemingly illogical but validated insights point to something quite logical and marvelously wonderful. The universe is truly a uni-verse. All existence is joined through the expression of information, an idea, wisdom. Our mind is the emergent link that occasionally taps into that unity. You know when it happens as the surge of exhalating emotion envelops your entire body. At these moments, as one’s local individuality dissolves into the unity that embraces all existence, we realize the full meaning of ‘the Lord is one.’” (Pg. 159)
He argues, “The Bible teaches reality, not some fantasy. Notwithstanding the biblical description of God as ‘compassionate and gracious,’ the Bible knows that bad things happen to good people and God lets them happen… Our impulse might be to flee from such a God. Jonah tried and failed. We are in this universe and that is the way it operates. If we were gods, our concept of how to run the world might be different. But we are not gods…. The biblical challenge is to understand the apparent randomness in nature, the acts that bring at times joy and at times tragedy, within the context of the claimed compassion and graciousness of a Creator involved in the creation.” (Pg. 176)
He concludes, “the universe is not closed to the nonphysical. It cannot be closed. Its total beginning required a nonphysical act…. Our universe had a metaphysical beginning. The existence… of the eternal metaphysical is a scientific reality. That single exotic fact changes the rules of the game. In fact, it establishes the rules of the game. The metaphysical has at least once interacted with the physical. Our universe is not a closed system.” (Pg. 186)
This book contains abundant explanation and examples of ‘scientific’ matters, as well as seemingly being less focused on the Bible and theology than his earlier book. (I’m almost tempted to describe its metaphysics as ‘New Age,’ but this term seems very anachronistic in 2025, rather than 1985.) At any rate, this book will appeal to those seeking reconciliation of the spiritual and the scientific.
Israeli physicist Gerald Schroeder wrote in the Prologue to this 2001 book, “A single consciousness, an all-encompassing wisdom, pervades the universe. The discoveries of science… have moved us to the brink of a startling realization: all existence is the expression of this wisdom… Every particle, every being, from atom to human, appears to have within it a level of information, of conscious wisdom. The puzzle I confront in this book is this: where does this arise?... The information just appears as a given, with no causal agent evident, as if it were an intrinsic facet of nature.” (Pg. xi)
He continues, “The age-old theological view of the universe is that all existence is the manifestation of a transcendent wisdom, with a universal consciousness being its manifestation. If I substitute the word information for wisdom, theology begins to sound like quantum physics. Science itself has rediscovered the confluence between the physical and the spiritual… If a spiritual unity does underlie physical reality, it would be natural for people to search for that unity. Regrettably in the rush of our daily obligations we often become disconnected, losing the realization that such a unity might actually exist…” (Pg. xii-xiii)
He adds, “In the following pages, as we journey through the newly discovered marvels of the cosmos, of life, and finally of the brain/mind interface, I ask only that, as you read, you use these facts to reexamine your opinions concerning the origins, evolution, and essence of this wonderful world in which we live.” (Pg. xiv)
He says in Chapter 1, “the puzzle of our tenuous existence in space is secondary to the most baffling riddle of all: that of existence itself. It’s a question we might prefer to ignore. Why is there an ‘is’? Why is there something, anything, rather than nothing? In our fascination with life’s origin, we bypass this most basic of conundrums. The very fact and nature of existence… the limited nature of time, space, and matter from which we and all the universe are constructed, force upon us the unsettling reality that at some level there is the metaphysical… But is this metaphysical force that produced our universe Godly? That is not an easy question.” (Pg. 1-2)
He observes, “From a theological stance… Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all draw their understanding of creation from the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. Genesis claims that a single, eternal, omnipotent and incorporeal God created the universe. This would imply intelligent design on the level of the Divine, and yet from the Bible’s view, the universe is far from perfect… the biblical message… [is] that the original Divine design of the world was flawed, required Divine retuning, and the Tuner acknowledged the need. According to the Bible, intelligent design… is not necessarily perfect design.” (Pg. 10)
He states, “Both theology and science probe the nature of reality. Both seek to find an order in the workings of the world… The surprise of science is that discoveries starting in the early 1900s have moved us ever closer to the implication that the world we see around us… our bodies included, are expressions or manifestations of something as ethereal as energy. And that below the energy lies information, a totally nonmaterial basis for existence. While not calling this information spiritual, science has significantly closed the gap between the material and the spiritual.” (Pg. 17) Later, he adds, “Why is the universe so intelligible, so consistent? Science alone cannot say. Perhaps we are encountering a hint of the metaphysical held within the physical.” (Pg. 35)
He continues, “what we see here is far more significant than fine-tuning. We see the consistent emergence of wisdom, or ordered complex information that is nowhere hinted at either in the governing laws of nature or in the particles of matter that form the brain that lies below the mind’s thought…. Why are the laws of nature elegant, and from where did they acquire the wisdom to produce intelligent life?... Could it be the metaphysical shining through?” (Pg. 46)
He outlines, “The objective of what follows is twofold: (1) to ponder what processes might have been responsible for life’s development in the light of its overwhelming complexity; (2) to discern that the complexity found in life is qualitatively different from that found in the substructures from which it arose…With life, the increase in complexity from physics to biology seems to be of type as well as amount… Our world contains hidden knowledge that is waiting to be expressed. It seems as if a metaphysical substrate is impressed upon the physical. The Bible, for one, suggests this to be true.” (Pg. 48)
He says, “Life beats the odds of chaos over cosmos, but not by defeating the second law of thermodynamics… Life wins by outwitting the second law… Cleverly, life scaled the mountain of complexity. What enabled these complex arrangements of carbon plus a few other elements to become so clever remains an enigma.” (Pg. 59)
He suggests, “science is on the brink of discovering an even more sensational reality, one predicted almost three thousand years ago, that wisdom is the basis of all existence…. ‘With wisdom God founded the earth.’ (Prov 3:19)… Wisdom is the building block… from which all the time and space and matter of the universe were created. Wisdom is the interface between the physics of the world and the metaphysics of creation.” (Pg. 88)
He acknowledges, “The concept that life may have resulted from inert, dumb, random reactions starting in an undifferentiated ball of energy at the big bang stretches the imagination. Does this prove there’s a God active in our world? I personally do not think that the complexity of life proves the existence of the Divine. But it does demonstrate unequivocally that we are missing some basic factors in how the origin and the development of life occurred. Whether these factors include the metaphysical, or even the Divine, may never be absolutely verifiable.” (Pg. 93)
He wonders, “Is it possible that, in parallel with this bizarre subconsciously lived multiplicity of our mind, there is also a multiplicity within the world, a world unrealized at the conscious level, but still very real in its impact upon the world our conscious physical senses can access? This would be metaphysical, in the sense of being outside the physical. Call it, perhaps, an underlying wisdom from which the physical world emerges. A physicist might call it information. If the parallel is complete, then both the physical and the metaphysical are together embedded in a higher singular existence. A theologian might call that singular existence God. A physicist might call it the metaphysical potential field that collapsed and gave rise to our universe. Our brain might be the sole organ by which we are able to sense the metaphysical.” (Pg. 127-128)
He notes, “The idea that a universal consciousness, emergent from this wisdom, might be present in what we habitually refer to as inert matter finds support in a range of scientific data. Entangled particles act in concert even though departed by distances that obviate the possibility of their communicating in the reaction time required. It is as if each particle is simultaneously aware of the other’s action at the instant of the action.” (Pg. 154-155)
He observes, “The discovery of nonlocality, of action at a distance, illogical though this phenomenon is, has revealed the linkage of disparate parts of the universe. The infinitely extended wave characteristics of all matter give physical basis to the metaphysical claim that the entire universe is entangled. Taken together, these seemingly illogical but validated insights point to something quite logical and marvelously wonderful. The universe is truly a uni-verse. All existence is joined through the expression of information, an idea, wisdom. Our mind is the emergent link that occasionally taps into that unity. You know when it happens as the surge of exhalating emotion envelops your entire body. At these moments, as one’s local individuality dissolves into the unity that embraces all existence, we realize the full meaning of ‘the Lord is one.’” (Pg. 159)
He argues, “The Bible teaches reality, not some fantasy. Notwithstanding the biblical description of God as ‘compassionate and gracious,’ the Bible knows that bad things happen to good people and God lets them happen… Our impulse might be to flee from such a God. Jonah tried and failed. We are in this universe and that is the way it operates. If we were gods, our concept of how to run the world might be different. But we are not gods…. The biblical challenge is to understand the apparent randomness in nature, the acts that bring at times joy and at times tragedy, within the context of the claimed compassion and graciousness of a Creator involved in the creation.” (Pg. 176)
He concludes, “the universe is not closed to the nonphysical. It cannot be closed. Its total beginning required a nonphysical act…. Our universe had a metaphysical beginning. The existence… of the eternal metaphysical is a scientific reality. That single exotic fact changes the rules of the game. In fact, it establishes the rules of the game. The metaphysical has at least once interacted with the physical. Our universe is not a closed system.” (Pg. 186)
This book contains abundant explanation and examples of ‘scientific’ matters, as well as seemingly being less focused on the Bible and theology than his earlier book. (I’m almost tempted to describe its metaphysics as ‘New Age,’ but this term seems very anachronistic in 2025, rather than 1985.) At any rate, this book will appeal to those seeking reconciliation of the spiritual and the scientific.
April 24, 2018
This book constructed a fascinating answer for how science reveals truths about God. But, it also left me a little wanting for some more arguments that the author leaves a little abstract.
April 2, 2016
“The further philosophical problem of there having been a beginning arises with the idea that the beginning of our universe marks the beginning of time, space, and matter. Before our universe came into being, there is every scientific indication that time did not exist. Whatever brought the universe into existence must of course predate the universe, which in turn means that whatever brought the universe into existence must predate time. That which predates time is not bound by time. Not inside of time. In other words, it is eternal. If the laws of physics, or at least some aspect of the laws of physics, did the job of creation, those laws by necessity are eternal.”
“Wisdom, information, an idea, is the link between the metaphysical Creator and the physical creation. It is the hidden face of God.”
“The further philosophical problem of there having been a beginning arises with the idea that the beginning of our universe marks the beginning of time, space, and matter. Before our universe came into being, there is every scientific indication that time did not exist. Whatever brought the universe into existence must of course predate the universe, which in turn means that whatever brought the universe into existence must predate time. That which predates time is not bound by time. Not inside of time. In other words, it is eternal. If the laws of physics, or at least some aspect of the laws of physics, did the job of creation, those laws by necessity are eternal.”
“Wisdom, information, an idea, is the link between the metaphysical Creator and the physical creation. It is the hidden face of God.”
“The further philosophical problem of there having been a beginning arises with the idea that the beginning of our universe marks the beginning of time, space, and matter. Before our universe came into being, there is every scientific indication that time did not exist. Whatever brought the universe into existence must of course predate the universe, which in turn means that whatever brought the universe into existence must predate time. That which predates time is not bound by time. Not inside of time. In other words, it is eternal. If the laws of physics, or at least some aspect of the laws of physics, did the job of creation, those laws by necessity are eternal.”
May 31, 2018
This book contains scientific facts about gravity, physics, biology, etc. that support recognition and appreciation of the ways that life and nature are intricately yet simply designed. Some gather an appreciation for the Divine through bible study; others can read this book and marvel at the myriad ways the Divine is known to us through scientific discoveries.
June 14, 2010
The author postulates that because the universe is so unfathomably large and our bodies are so unfathomably complex and comprised of things so small, there must be some unifying wisdom behind it all (aka God). I can agree with him because I believe that all this is a bit too much to have come about by random accident, but I don't think he actually proved anything.
February 19, 2013
I was enthralled, and still am, about what it takes "just" to see with the human eye. How is it even remotely possible that a system so complex could come about by blind, random chance, and in such a "short" period of time? To believe in Darwinism, where nature doesn't do any designing any more than God does, boggles my mind.
December 29, 2011
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the Science of G-d. It was harder to understand and it was a little redundant. But - at the same time, I can't knock it totally because I finished it and wanted a little more.
November 24, 2015
Really interesting in theory. I found some of the science a little difficult to follow, as evidenced by the fact that I can hardly remember any of it right now. But I do recall while reading it that I was totally immersed.
July 25, 2011
A compelling read for both the believer and non-believer.
August 4, 2011
Worth reading again.
December 22, 2012
This is an interesting view of our world. The author combines science, psychology, and religion to explain many mysterious of our universe, from formation of planets to cell proteins.
May 21, 2014
Good book, with a lot of information in it. Overall I found it pretty boring to read. It also lacks the depth and scope of some others in the realm of science.
December 26, 2014
A bit unclear at times, but fantastic. This book really opened my eyes to some of this world's greatest wonders, and opened my mind to ideas I had never thought of before.
August 8, 2016
DNF @ 10%, I actually became angry at this book for the incredibly flawed logic, false dichotomies, and false equivalencies. I couldn't take anymore.
November 28, 2016
Mind boggling! This book may change your life.
Read
January 31, 2022The Hidden Face of God:
Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth
by Gerald L. Schroeder Ph.D. | May 9, 2002
THE QUINTESTINAL BOOK FOR GOD PROOFERS.
This is Dr. Schroeder's best book, in my opinion.
Everyone needs to read/study this book. It is not about any man-crafted religion and does not propel one to join anything.
It does propel one to think like never before.
The Hidden Face of God is an extraordinary venture undertaken to demonstrate that the beauty and complexity of life cannot have come about by chance.
Even if you don't believe in God, you should read it, and ponder the mysteries of creation.
There is a tremendous amount to think about, and the book is well written, understandable by anyone with an interest (but not necessarily training) in the natural sciences. There IS a mind at work out there. It underlies everything. Its name is Wisdom. Dr. Schroeder proves it by showing the scientific evidence in a very pleasant and readable style.
I encourage everyone to read it. It's very powerful. I love this book. It really has me digging deep with every chapter I read. Schroeder does a great job of rolling away the stones that cause intellectuals to stumble. This should be a must-read for anyone who is searching for the truth I liked the fact it was not pro anything, Mr. Schroeder is simply seeking the truth, Where did life come from???
This is an extraordinary book, I believe YeHWeH-God guided the author. I recommend this book very, very highly.
Make sure you give a copy to your children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, your mother, father, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, members of clergy, your politicians at all levels.
You might have to absorb it in small doses (I did). Every page is a gold mine. You read a few paragraphs and suddenly you are no longer reading, you are thinking. Thinking like never before.
CONSIDER THIS: Anthony Flew, one of the world’s most renowned atheists, after he read this book he changed his mind and decided that there is a God. Flew was in his 80's and I respect him for keeping an open mind, especially at that age, and then changing his mind.
Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth
by Gerald L. Schroeder Ph.D. | May 9, 2002
THE QUINTESTINAL BOOK FOR GOD PROOFERS.
This is Dr. Schroeder's best book, in my opinion.
Everyone needs to read/study this book. It is not about any man-crafted religion and does not propel one to join anything.
It does propel one to think like never before.
The Hidden Face of God is an extraordinary venture undertaken to demonstrate that the beauty and complexity of life cannot have come about by chance.
Even if you don't believe in God, you should read it, and ponder the mysteries of creation.
There is a tremendous amount to think about, and the book is well written, understandable by anyone with an interest (but not necessarily training) in the natural sciences. There IS a mind at work out there. It underlies everything. Its name is Wisdom. Dr. Schroeder proves it by showing the scientific evidence in a very pleasant and readable style.
I encourage everyone to read it. It's very powerful. I love this book. It really has me digging deep with every chapter I read. Schroeder does a great job of rolling away the stones that cause intellectuals to stumble. This should be a must-read for anyone who is searching for the truth I liked the fact it was not pro anything, Mr. Schroeder is simply seeking the truth, Where did life come from???
This is an extraordinary book, I believe YeHWeH-God guided the author. I recommend this book very, very highly.
Make sure you give a copy to your children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, your mother, father, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, members of clergy, your politicians at all levels.
You might have to absorb it in small doses (I did). Every page is a gold mine. You read a few paragraphs and suddenly you are no longer reading, you are thinking. Thinking like never before.
CONSIDER THIS: Anthony Flew, one of the world’s most renowned atheists, after he read this book he changed his mind and decided that there is a God. Flew was in his 80's and I respect him for keeping an open mind, especially at that age, and then changing his mind.
October 8, 2019
Schroeder is a bona fide scientist, with a doctorate in nuclear physics, credentials that persuaded me to buy this book. Only later did I discover that he is also an Orthodox Jew who believes that the Bible’s creation story can be reconciled with Big History with days lengthened by Einsteinian time distortion, an idea that smacks of desperate Biblical fundamentalism and science fiction. But no matter. This is a thoroughly scientific book, advancing the interesting thesis that the universe and human life are both too amazing to be explained by random-chance-based evolution. He makes a persuasive case. It’s difficult to see chance being up to the profound challenges of the complexity of cell, muscles, nerves, the brain, or the mind; or the challenges posed by a universe that had the potential of fully realized intelligent life within it at the moment of the Big Bang. Schroeder pulls no punches in presenting this complexity in mind-numbing detail. But his angle permits the reader to feel no compunction to memorize or otherwise absorb this detail in all its glory, but instead to simply stand in awe of it.
July 10, 2018
For all of us who look at the incredible wonder of nature and our universe and the awesome complexity of our own human body and inherently know that all of this could not have come about by the process of random selection and chance ... here is a book written by a MIT trained physicist who explains in riveting detail the underlying wisdom and design found in all living things. This, the author contends, points not to randomness but to a Mind outside of all things visible and invisible ... an Intelligence that has programmed into all things, an incredible purpose and design and wisdom that the author calls The Hidden Face of God. He makes a strong case that all of life is an integration of the physical with the metaphysical. His explanations of cellular life ... DNA ... the human mind and consciousness ... the incredible workings of the brain ... are all full of remarkable detail that is sometimes hard to wrap your mind around ... but leave you with the full assurance that a Wisdom above all that is seen or unseen is involved ! The author calls this Wisdom, God, and so do I !!
March 24, 2023
2.5/5 Too much science and not enough theology. I found myself learning/relearning many concepts from general biology, chemistry, physiology, etc., but I wanted more scripture or reference to theology. I found the author often referring to Genesis 1 to prove his point. I get that it’s a great one to help people that lean towards science rather than faith, but I think he could’ve taken more arguments from F. Collins's book, The Language of God, not just Intelligent Design. Overall, I thought it was good, however, lacking what I was hoping for.
August 21, 2020
Similar to, but not as good as “Nature’s Destiny” by Michael Denton. Particularly good on cell biology and the brain. Just a pity that Schroeder’s wonder at creation cannot be made more complete by belief in Jesus (The Logos which he alludes to in his reference to wisdom in the universe - See the Bible, John 1:1).
August 11, 2017
Mostly a review of high school science in awe of the universe. No real philosophical arguments for God other than incredulity.
June 6, 2020
Interesting enough, but not as good as his previous two works.
March 9, 2022
The creation of man by God seen through science. Amazing.
August 20, 2023
A must read for any atheist or agnostic. Or even any theistic person of any faith to further strengthen their belief in intelligent design/creator.
February 24, 2024
Deep, interesting, and intriguing. The author exposed a number of things I was totally unaware of. Some of what was shared was well beyond my understanding. A good book overall.
August 25, 2025
This is a copy in my library which has a treasured location . It will challenge your view of the world if you are a secular atheist or devout theist!
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