By
– October 10, 2011
Schroeder, an eminent scientist with impressive credentials, is now an applied theologian teaching in Jerusalem. He has written an intriguing book that will stimulate thinking about the world, God, and Judaism. His view of God, emanating from God’s self-referential statement “Ehiyeh asher Ehiyeh,” which he aptly translates as “I will be that which I will be” serves as the basis for his understanding of the compatibility of the Big Bang theory of creation and the Biblical account, and is also the basis for his concept of a dynamic God for whom change is His cornerstone. Schroeder’s “science” is at times less than easily accessible for non-science oriented persons, and at other times rather understandable and fascinating. He has keen insights into Biblical interpretations as well. With that said, nonetheless, this reviewer — who tends to be far less persuaded by attempts to prove notions that are at their very heart faithbased— wishes that the book had been titled, “God According to God According to Me: A Physicist Makes Some Always Interesting, At Times Compelling Arguments for a Fascinating View of God.” Appendix, indices, notes.
William Liss-Levinson is vice president, chief strategy & operations officer of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a consumer health research, information, and publishing company. He holds a Ph.D. in education and is a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Book Council.