Title: The Love Story of Creation: Book 1
Author: Edward Ruetz
Publisher: Toplink Publishing
ISBN: 978-1948556675
Pages: 356
Genre: Science
Reviewed by: Susan Brown
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
How did the universe begin? The debate between scientists and theologians on this topic has been going on since we first looked to the heavens and questioned our existence; and thus the conversation began.
Author Edward Ruetz is a retired priest, as he is well qualified to uniquely merge his conversation into one which supports both the concept of accepting the theory of evolution, as valid as well as having a belief in God. In essence, these diametrically opposed theories are not incompatible. He says about this book, “My basic intent is to use narrative and fantasy, far-fetched as they may seem to be, to instruct you, the reader, about the scientific story of creation.”
It is, indeed, a fantastical story filled with imaginative, spirited characters through which his story unfolds. In the beginning, the universe is birthed by: Elohim, Sophia, Dabar and Ruah, a foursome of divine beings. We see the “birthing forth” of the universe through the eyes of a man who awakens to a land of brilliant light and proceeds to detail this vision which lasts exactly one year resulting in the universe coming into existence. The divine beings send Ruah off to birth new beings, as the formation of the universe is underway.
We come to know particles, quarks, atoms and photons with whimsical names like Quarkie, Quarko and Quarkoff, plus Photie, Hydro, Nitro, Phosie, Oxydon and Oxyjoy; all personified with human characteristics which dart around the cosmos, interconnecting with each other, bringing order out of chaos. There is quite a bit of science in The Love Story of Creation, but the explanations and descriptions on how nebulae, supernovas and galaxies come into being are written in a lively and engaging way which even a newbie science-lover can grasp. The running dialogue between all of these interactive beings is effervescent and filled with love, wonderment and kinship.
Through this ongoing, loving dialogue as billions of years of creation take place, the influence of the diving beings is prevalent … the hand of God in this cosmic process. This is the juncture where science and faith come together, in the ever present perspective that, indeed, in the beginning there was God and all that evolved after happened because of God’s presence.
The Love Story of Creation: Book 1 ends with the creation of the eukaryote cell, the building block of the flora, fauna and humans who will inhabit Earth. That means, of course, there is a Book II. Readers are treated to an afterword which foreshadows the developing progression of all that is Earth. There is also a glossary of terms and an extensive bibliography for reader reference. The Love Story of Creation is a fascinating and thought provoking book. It challenges us to try and see the creation story as one which can embrace the competing perspectives of science and religion while still having faith in a supreme being.
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