The God of Monkey Science: People of Faith in a Modern Scientific World

by Janet Kellogg Ray

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2023

How to hold true to your faith and embrace modern science

Ever since the Scopes Monkey Trial in the early twentieth century, American evangelicals have considered scientists public enemy #1. But this antipathy to modern science turned deadly during the COVID-19 crisis, when white evangelicals snubbed precautions and vaccines. Herself an evangelical Christian and a science educator, Janet Kellogg Ray explains how we got here and how to fix it.

As the follow-up to Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark?, this lively volume covers evolution as well as the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines, climate change, and the frontiers of genetic research. Ray explains the facts accessibly and with verve. Along the way, she vividly narrates the scientific achievements—and political and religious drama—that got us to where we are today.

Ultimately, Ray calls for evangelicals to speak to science, rather than deny it. We need Christian ethics now more than ever to determine how best to act in light of current scientific data and for love of neighbor. If you’re afraid of science hurting your faith, this book will show you how to be true to both.

International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) Book Prize on Science and Religion Long List (2024)

Sojourners Best Books List (2023)

Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
     1.   The Playbook 
     2.   Science and the Evangelicals 
     3.   Whom Do You Trust? 
     4.   Scientific Literacy in a Time of COVID 
     5.   Faith over Fear
     6.   Life in the Bubble 
     7.   You and Me against the World 
     8.   They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Constitutional Rights 
     9.   Anthony Fauci Hates Puppies 
     10. The Earth Is Running a Fever 
     11. Hello, Dolly! 
     12. Living as People of Faith in a Modern Scientific World 
Discussion Prompts 
Notes
Index

Praise for The God of Monkey Science

Publishers Weekly
“Christians questioning received anti-science narratives will find this an accessible and thoughtful resource.”

“Janet Kellogg Ray writes like a journalist, thinks like a scientist, and makes connections to everyday life like a pop-culture expert. I heartily recommend this book!” 
—Thomas Jay Oord, author of Open and Relational Theology 

“With wit and an accessible style, Ray persuasively argues that Christians have become ‘solution averse’ to the detriment of themselves and their neighbors. She challenges Christians to stop being afraid of science and to live well as people of faith in our modern scientific world.” 
—Dave Verhaagen, author of How White Evangelicals Think 

“In this accessible and engaging book, Janet Kellogg Ray critiques evangelicalism but does so from the inside without rancor. Christian voices like Ray’s give me hope that evangelical engagement with science will not entirely devolve into monkey science.” 
—Jim Stump, vice president of programs at BioLogos and host of the Language of God podcast 

Product Details

• Title: The God of Monkey Science: People of Faith in a Modern Scientific World
• Author: Janet Kellogg Ray
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781467466592, 9780802883193, 0802883192, 146746659X
• Resource ID: LLS:9781467466592
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-23T01:11:49Z

About Janet Kellogg Ray

Janet Kellogg Ray is an enthusiastic science educator who blogs at JanetKRay.com on the intersections of science, faith, and culture. Raised a creationist, she is uniquely equipped to explain evolution to questioners, doubters, deniers, and those who just want to know more about the science of origins: she's been there, and she understands.