God & the Evolving Universe PA [Paperback]

It is not at all apparent that the authors have studied carefully all of the writings listed in the bibliography. References on various pages to Alan Watts, G.W.F. Hegel, and others cause one to wonder... The use of footnotes would have added authenticity and credibility to this book.

The authors deal fleetingly with so many themes and ideas that the book takes on the nature of a hodge podge. This is regrettable since the ideas touched on have the potential for logical development into a compelling theme.

Finally, it does not help that so much of the writing is gobble de gook - words and phrases thrown together in relatively meaningless ways. It's as if the authors were trying to dazzle the reader with fancy footwork (or fancy wordwork).

The title for my review is "Disappointing." In retrospect, I believe I should have selected "Highly Disappointing."

Redfield and his associates have loaded a plate for us at the salad bar of religious and philosophical syncretism. They have put some good things there. But the nutritional balance is suspect. Moreover, like mixing chemicals pulled randomly from under the kitchen sink, the resulting combination may be volatile.

My biggest complaint against this book is its willingness to 'spin' religious and philosophical 'developments' so that they fit neatly into their spiritual evolution paradigm. No matter that their notions run cross-currents with the larger context within which many of these religious and philosophical ideas have developed. It reminds me of a kind of inter-religious proof-texting, whereby religious leaders of the ages are all pointing in the direction in which the authors want us to go. But this is NOT where many of the thinkers and religious leaders of the past suggested we go.

Also disturbing is the book's over-simplification of ideas concerning evolution. While the authors deny that they do so, the book is built on the assumption of a linear trajectory that is not well attested by history or science. While I normally spend a lot of time criticizing Post-Modern thinkers, it might be wise for Redfield and company to take some of their critiques seriously and realize that the universe is not a 'just add water and stir' kind of place.

In truth, this is a digested cut and paste book glued together with wishful thinking.

Honestly, though, I think it is done with the best of intentions. And I will undoubtedly pick up Redfield's next book and read it, too.

Lastly, I would caution the reader that there is basically nothing new here. If you have read New Age books before, you have read this one. The strongest part of the book is the annotated bibliography (for which I commend the authors). Again, I don't agree with their interpretation of what they have read, but they are reading a lot of interesting things. To repeat...I can't help but feel good feelings for the authors. But this book leaves a lot to be desired.