« Back to Issue 35

Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, & the Meaning of Life

Reviewed by Colin Selby.

Alister McGrath is a theologian who began his academic life with research in molecular biophysics. He brings a well-informed and clear mind to this important contribution to the continuing debate between science and religion. Alister is Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University. He describes his own journey from atheism to faith and is therefore well placed to contribute this thoughtful review of Dawkins’ writings.

As the author states, this book is not a religious rebuttal of Dawkins, but seeks to encourage “an exploration of the place of the natural sciences in shaping the world of our minds and the culture in which we live, based on Dawkins’ published writings”. The chapter on ‘proof and faith’ I found particularly helpful. Here we have a useful contribution to the discussions about science and Christian belief. The book is very readable and does not require a detailed knowledge of the scientific ideas engaged. It does encourage us to debate ‘graciously and accurately’ and to listen to each other without closed minds. There is plenty of further reading and I recommend this book to anyone searching for meaning in life or well placed to encourage this search in others.