The Wonder of the World by Roy Abraham Varghese

Varghese explores the basic and critical questions we face concerning this
remarkable and wonderful universe. Why are we here? Where are we going? This
is no doctrinaire treatise, but a sensitive, profound and clear discussion of
the important issues of our universe and our existence, including questions,
answers, and uncertainties. It is written with a deep understanding of philosophy,
spirituality, and the complex science involved, yet expressed in a way which
is interesting and very understandable to the non-specialist.

— Charles H. Townes

Nobel Prize winner and inventor of the laser

Though I found myself arguing with both protagonists, the issues raised and
Guru’s lucid outline of modern science’s framework of understanding, helped
me to challenge and refi ne my own answers to the ultimate questions that each
one of us must ask.

—Arno Penzias

Nobel Prize winner; discovered Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

establishing the Big Bang theory

You have in your book deployed abundant evidence indicating that it is likely
to be a very long time before such naturalistic [atheistic] explanations [for
the origin of life and reproduction] are developed, if indeed there ever could
be. . .I intend to reread The Wonder of the World at leisure. I was
hugely impressed and substantially challenged by it [ expanded
commentary by Antony Flew ]

—Antony Flew

The world’s best-known atheist and a critic of theism for more than 50 years

Congratulations on a fascinating book! I found The Wonder of the World
to be a highly illuminating and thought-provoking discussion of all the
important issues on the borderline between science and religion.

—Robert Jastrow

Founder of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies,

Director of the Mount Wilson Observatory

and author of God and the Astronomers

The Wonder of the World is an epoch-making and breathtaking treatise.
Among Indian thinkers Varghese is much inspired by the great theistic philosopher
Sri Madhvacharya. I have learnt a great deal from this giant work.

—BNK Sharma

Leading authority on the great Indian thinker Madhvacharya

and author of 23 books on Eastern thought

Varghese skillfully leads us through a scientific and philosophical description
of our magnificent universe. Experiencing the wonder of our world is the surest
path to realizing that a purely materialist answer to that question is both
scientifi cally and philosophically inadequate.

— Gerald Schroeder

Israeli scientist and author of The Hidden Face of God:

How Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth

If one could only bring back the sense of enchantment of the natural world
in our time in a society dominated by the scientism which is a product of modern
science! I think that your book is a remarkable achievement for which I want
to congratulate you. I hope that it will have a wide readership.

— Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Former Professor of the History of Science and Philosophy, Tehran University,
Iran;

Visiting Professor at Harvard University;

University Professor of Islamic Studies, The George Washington University;

Best-known Islamic scholar on the relationship of science and religion

and author of numerous books in this area including Science and Civilization
in Islam.

Outstanding! Excellent! Roy Varghese has outdone himself yet again. This book
delves into the "dialogue" between the mind of God and modern science; and issues
like spiritualist and materialist monism, Tao-of-Physics thinking, atheism,
and relativism, and on and on. Varghese does a masterful job of defending theism
and a dualistic view of the universe. He argues that the origins of life, mind,
and reproduction are inexplicable without the direct creative acts of God: "It
is simply incoherent to assert that a universe of pure matter, with no purpose,
no intellect, no consciousness, no will whatsoever, can give rise to conscious,
thinking, willing agents." His insights into Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism
are extremely important. Undoubtedly the best book I have ever read on the subject
as a whole. The Wonder of the World is a must read for anyone interested
in the most important journey the mind can make!

— Terry L. Miethe, Ph.D., Ph.D., D.Phil. (Cand. Oxon.)

Internationally known Philosopher and Theologian

Author of 21 books

The integrated humanistic vision evolved in this unique book is harmonious
with the vision of global spirituality that emerges from the vision of the
Vedas, especially as interpreted by Madhavacharya and, later, by Maharshi
Dayanand, the founder of the Arya Samaj.

— Swami Agnivesh

Religious and social leader in India

Roy Abraham Varghese's The Wonder of the World is what the subtitle
proclaims: A Journey from Modern Science to the Mind of God. Varghese has
been making this journey for a good number of years, pursuing in book after
book the data and arguments that lend credence for, or offer obstacles to,
belief in a vision of the world as the creation of an infinitely intelligent
mind. Varghese maintains, with considerably plausibility, that the greatest
thinkers of the four major world religions, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam, jointly and severally crafted the metaphysical matrix that underlies
modern science. This infrastructure, this matrix, is a meta-scientific Theory
of Everything that enables scientific Theories of Everything. Yet, Varghese
does not dwell unduly on these thinkers. The reader encounters not only Avicenna,
Maimonides, Aquinas, and Madhvacharya, but a good number of contemporary contributors
to science in physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science.

In some respects, Varghese's Wonder bears favorable comparison with
Stanley Jaki's Gifford Lectures, The Road of Science and the Ways to God.
While lighter on the history of Western Science than Jaki's Road, Varghese's
Wonder contains more detail on the current situation in science,
and it has the added advantage of being much better informed about Eastern
thought. It would be difficult to find a comparable investigation accessible
to a general audience. Setting out the pros and cons in dialogue form, Varghese
manages to keep the argument moving briskly along in language any educated,
attentive reader can follow. It would be hard to find anything in contemporary
literature quite like this lucid, wide-ranging exploration of the central
issues.

— Professor Thomas Sullivan

Philosopher, University of St. Thomas St. Paul, Minnesota

Reviews of Cosmos, Bios, Theos

Cosmos, Bios, Theos is an excellent anthology presenting scientists'
unedited original responses, which are frequently very eloquent, uniquely
stated, revealing, and thoughtful.

— Sunrise Magazine

Cosmos, Bios, Theos, the year's most
intriguing book about God was produced not by theologians but by 60 world-class
scientists, 24 Nobel Prize-winners among them. Cosmos, Bios, Theos
gives their thoughts on the Deity and the origin of the universe and of life
on Earth. For instance, the co-editor, Yale physicist Henry Margenau, concludes
that there is 'only one convincing answer' for the intricate laws that exist
in nature: creation by an omnipotent, omniscient God.

— Time Magazine

A most important body of informed opinion that will enlighten, inspire, and
strengthen those who, in their quest for answers to questions of ultimate
origins, or religious or metaphysical explanations, may look to scientists
for inspiration in their personal lives as well as for answers to scientific
questions.

— The Science Teacher

Reviews of Cosmic Beginnings and Human Ends: Where Science and
Religion Meet

Science and religion meet in a fine series of statements
by thinkers ranging from scientists to philosophers. This isn't just a Christian
collection: opinions range across and board and are based on a variety of
beliefs; but all consider the basics of connections between science and religion;
and all provide interesting reviews of human spiritual and scientific evolution.

— Midwest Book Review

A great read for theist, atheist, agnostic and skeptic alike...The
greatest attribute of this book is that it is not so much about trying to
make you believe or disbelieve in God, but rather that it makes one genuinely
ponder the question. I have met many atheists and theists alike who have never
truly done this. For the believers, it is also inspiring to find that (contrary
to popular belief) there are plenty of reputable scientists out there who
believe in God and have justifiable reasons for doing so...A truly wonderful
book.

— David Scott Roberts