Particles of Faith - Book 14

HAPPY EASTER!

Particles of Faith; A Catholic Guide to Navigating Science by Stacy Trasancos is a worthwhile read. I am grateful to her for writing it.  Trasancos is currently a high school science teacher but formerly was a research scientist with a PhD in Nanochemistry.  After she converted to Catholicism, she also earned a Masters in Theology.  So she is well placed to discuss the tension that seems to exist between faith and science.

This book is like a memoir of sorts.  In the first part of the book, the author traces her education, her love for science and how she wound up as a nanochemist (I didn't even know what nanochemistry was!).  She then tackles the meaty issues that seem to divide Christians: creationism, intelligent design and evolution.  She patiently explains the science involved in these issues in layman's terms and why theology, which governs one realm of knowing and science, which governs another, don't contradict each other.  Both realms are important but limited.  Science is always in a process of uncovering and discovering how the natural world works.  There is much we don't know and much we may never know.  In theology, we can approach our understanding of the divine using our reason but we must also base what we believe on divine revelation, something we are too limited to fully understand.  Science shouldn't overreach and try to do theology and theology shouldn't overreach and try to do science.  Instead of competing, they complement our understanding of our world and our lives.

Trasancos was very influenced by Father Stanley Jaki, a Benedictine priest who held doctorates in both Physics and Theology.

I found this book very enlightening.  I think Catholics who struggle with this issue should read it.  In my area, many Catholics are influenced by protestant fundamentalistic creationism and often they don't even realize that they are at variance with what the Catholic position on this is.

This book also fulfills the requirement for the 'your name in the title' square in my bingo book challenge.

For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.