Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

About - Ever tried to rectify science and religion? Wondered about genesis vs. the Big Bang? How about what was going to happen when the world ends? Or even the question Pope Francis asked, would you baptize an extraterrestrial? Fr. Guy Consolmagono and Fr. Paul Mueller, priests, work for the Vatican Observatory, and have degrees in science, are asked these questions and more which  they now present in this book. To help explain, they write as if they are having a conversation together in various locations (from art galleries to Antarctica). They talk science and religion and how they don't compete with each other even if they don't always seem to agree. Yet, God created both and they both share important truths of our world and Heavenly Father.

Author - Guy Consolmagno, SJ and Paul Mueller, SJ

Publisher - Image Publishing

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Like most Catholics (or Christians for that matter) I have heard the arguments on science vs. religion before, which is why I was interested in this book. I might have wanted a way to show how religion is true and science can prove it when I started this book (which the authors warn against) and learned some interesting things (such as the Vatican has an observatory and astronomers! ;) ). The idea of using conversation style writing and locations was intriguing in the beginning and seemed like it would help explain the science and religion in a common form so it might be more understandable. But, it got awkward pretty quick. It didn't seem to be used as effectively as it could and, on occasion, the authors got on tangents on the location or example they were sharing for a couple of sentences that felt like the discussion was going off topic for no good reason. I struggle with science so that didn't help me and the explanations seemed long winded and over done. To a scientist, everything was probably necessary and it was pretty much understandable but overwhelming. I could only read so much at a time and then needed a break, yet, at the same time, I felt like if I kept reading everything would come together clearer. I did appreciate what they were trying to do. This book I would recommend to someone who understands science more than me, even borrow them the book. But, someone who struggles with science, I would tell them about the book but hesitate in giving it to them.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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Chew on a good book today!

Prove It! God

"Got God?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Ever be in a conversation about God and your friend asks you if you believe in God and/or why? Had trouble answering that? Ever been asked that if there is such a loving God, why do innocent people suffer? Or be told that they don't need to be told how to live their life? This book covers those questions and more, each chapter containing a question and an answer using reason, quotes by those who have gone before us, and examples of good ways to approach the topic. Don't be afraid, share with your friend why you believe in God in a honest, kind, and loving way using reason and His word.

Author - Amy Welborn

Publisher - Our Sunday Visitor

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Excellent. Fantastic. Engaging. Well Reasoned. Brought me closer to God and understanding why I believe what I believe. Sometimes I fall into the trap that started this book, "Why do you believe in God." "I always have." Not a very good answer to someone who doesn't believe or has doubts about Him. But now, I understand more and have some useful advice on what to say and how to reason it. I have also fallen into the trap of having to prove it and becoming defensive and heated when discussing these kind of things. The book reminded me to stay calm and how to go about discussing things things farther without attacking anyone. The book did use the words 'absurd,' 'silly,' and other such phrases when stating unbelievers and doubters claim why they doubt God which might turn someone coming to faith off from reading this book. But I loved it and will be recommending it in the future and work on remembering its advice and arguments when discussing these things in the future.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - There are 4 more books to the Prove It! Apologetics.
                          Prove It! Church, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Jesus, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Prayer, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! You, Review - Coming Soon

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