Hear the Voices of Ancient Wisdom in the Modern Language of Science
Ancient traditions, whose only claim to authenticity is that they are old, run the risk of becoming old-fashioned. But if an ancient tradition can claim to be not only ancient but also timeless and contemporary, it has a far greater chance of convincing each new, young generation of its value. Such a claim requires that each generation’s retelling use the new metaphors of the new generation.
—from Chapter 1
In our era, we often feel that we can either speak about God or think scientifically about the world, but never both at the same time. But what if we reconciled the two? How could the basic scientific truths of how the natural world came to be shape our understanding of our own spiritual search for meaning?
In this provocative fusion of religion and science, Rabbi David Nelson examines the great theories of modern physics to find new ways for contemporary people to express their spiritual beliefs and thoughts. Nelson explores cosmology, quantum mechanics, chaos theory, relativity, and string theory in clear, non-technical terms and recasts the traditional views of our ancestors in language that can be understood in a world in which space flight, atom-smashing, and black holes are common features of our metaphorical landscape.
Judaism, Physics and God reframes Judaism so that it is in harmony with the conquests of modern scientific thinking, and introduces fascinating new ways to understand your relationship with God in context of some of the most exciting scientific ideas of the contemporary world.
“Incisive. Thoughtful. Lucid. Profound. Goes to the heart of why humanity has searched for meaning in the universe.”
—Dr. Michio Kaku, professor of Theoretical Physics, City University of New York; author of Parallel Worlds and Einstein’s Cosmos
“Stunning…. Succeeds, at the same moment, in expanding the reader’s awe of science while deepening and strengthening spiritual connection.”
—Rabbi Shira Milgrom, rabbi at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, New York
“Enrich[es] the Jewish approach to understanding God.”
—Sh’ma
“I welcome this lively and questioning contribution from the Jewish perspective to the contemporary dialogue between science and religion.”
—Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne, scientist theologian; author of
Belief in God in an Age of Science
Belief in God in an Age of Science
“An interesting and useful presentation … one that presents science and religion not as rivals but as complementary ways of addressing some of life’s key questions.”
—Rabbi Arthur Green, author of Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow
Rabbi David W. Nelson, PhD, a popular lecturer and former senior teaching fellow at Clal—The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, is campus rabbi and assistant professor of Religion at Bard College in Annandale on Hudson, NY.
Rabbi David W. Nelson, PhD, is available to speak on the following topics:
- Judaism, Physics and God
- The Metaphors of Belief: How Our Language Shapes Our Judaism
- Can God Be Conscious?
- With All Your Heart, with All Your Soul, with All Your Brain: Neuroscience and the Experience of Jewish Life
- Judaism and Science: What Do We Really Believe?
- Jewish Life on Campus: A View from the Front Lines
