Chapter Summary: Mathematics Through The Eyes Of Faith

Salem Alsari

Mat 301

Dec,2017

Mathematics Through The Eyes of Faith

The main aim of James Bradley and Russell Howell’s book is basically to address the unfamiliar relationship between mathematics as a major in the field of science and Christian/religious beliefs. Mathematics Through The Eyes of Faith consists of eleven chapters with each one representing an important common subject of the connection between math and faith. For example: infinity, dimensionality, chance. Moreover, each chapter ends with a list of substitute exercises for the student. Some of them are good old fashioned, logical mathematical exercises that would interest even the most advanced students of mathematics. The book also offers a combination of less complicated problems.

The third chapter through the fifth chapter addresses three specific mathematical areas. These areas are infinity, dimension, and chance. In my opinion, these three subjects are evident by the complexity of mathematics for students that might have otherwise been unaware. “What Does Infinite Mean?” This is the how the authors begin chapter three. Therefore, mathematics has the best way for trying to understand infinity. On one hand, in mathematical field there are objects or symbols associated with infinity as well as some terms are truly infinite. For instance: the set of counting numbers {1,2, 3….} as well as one case of the set of infinite decimals 1/3=0.333…..On the other hand, for the religious students they believe that God has neither a beginning nor an end, and is not bound by time or space therefore, God is

Two of the definitions are written in this book. Bradley and Howell state, “dimension is the number of coordinates required to specify a point in the object” (p.64). They also mention some main topics of dimension such as: fractal dimension, a twist on dimension, higher dimension, and entering lower dimension which allows the authors to discuss fractal geometry. A pivotal part of this chapter is Herman Grassmann’s research which describes dimension as a bridge that connects science and faith. Additionally, the material of higher dimensions helps us to understand how God transcends the universe through observable principles such as our senses, and experiences. Equally as important as the previous subject, Chance in chapter five, is particularly imperative because it mentions deep theological and philosophical cases such as: case for theistic determinism as well as a case for theistic nondeterminism. The authors evenly divide the explanation of both the theists and non-theists in separate pages to distinguish the differences between them, including some examples and figures. Based on the argument between the two cases, the determinist insists and argues that God is the highest power of this universe, and therefore excludes ontological doubt. In comparison, the non-determinist believes that God has created the physical universe with a freedom to choose and a life of its