"Born to Wonder" (Alister McGrath)

TITLE: Born to Wonder: Exploring Our Deepest Questions-- Why Are We Here and Why Does It Matter?
AUTHOR: Alister McGrath
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2020, (320 pages).

What is life all about?  Why are we here? These questions of life and pondering of mysteries are part of our human makeup. Indeed, we learn more about life through questions instead of answers. In this book, author and professor Alister McGrath brings us through a couple of questions to wonder about ourselves, about life, and about our future. He tackles questions like:

• Who are we? What are we? What do we mean?
• Why we need more than mere facts?
• Why it is important to consider alternative perspectives?
• Is meaning a discovery or an invention?
• Why is there a loss in wonder in a world of disenchantment?
• Is our existence meaningful or meaningless?
• What's wrong with us?
• What is the fate of humanity?
• What does it mean to be human?
• ...

McGrath covers many grounds based on the theme of wonder. We are simply some molecular carbon particles simply there to survive. We need to ponder about what it means to be human. We have that need to make sense of what is going on in the world. This rises in importance even as we deal with the brokeness and chaotic events happening in the world today. Even if we do not feel a need to ask such questions at present, there is no telling when the same set of questions will arise sometime in the future. McGrath then takes us on an exploratory journey from our smallest atoms to the large universe. He asks about our tendency to become preoccupied with our own concerns and explores the different views of how human narcissism comes about. He reminds us too not to make ourselves the center of the universe, and to repeat the same mistakes our ancestors had dealt with Copernicus. McGrath cites many philosophers, thinkers, and scholars in showing us that the questions we ask, are more common than we might think. It is a universal concern, not just some religious initiative.

He ends with a powerful section about how we could move forward with our set of ponderings and wonderings. This last chapter is a must-read for all.

My Thoughts

This is a book about apologetics to remind us that life itself is a question we ought to ponder about. This question should humble us to recognize that we are not the center of meaning. Instead, there is something or someone larger than ourselves. McGrath eagerly engages the different perspectives of the day to offer an alternative argument to atheists, agnostics, and skeptics alike. He even mentions his own colleague, Richard Dawkins, that while they share different faith and life perspectives, they could still appreciate the beauty and mysteries of this world. Humans are much different from animals because they are able to ask questions about the meaning of existence. Surely that is a hint that we cannot reduce life to simply atoms and molecules! What I do appreciate is how McGrath does it with reason and care not to be reductionistic on other views. He is showing us a powerful way to explain with reason the rationality of Christianity. In contrast to some of the skeptics which often tend to reduce Christianity to choice bits for attack, McGrath writes respectfully with class and knowledge. 

In all three sections of exploration, McGrath has this common theme: The world is larger than ourselves which calls for humility. Life is meaningful and mysterious, which calls for generosity and openness to learn. Our future is hopeful which calls for a willingness to expand our horizons through learning and graciousness. As a scientist, he is able to engage with some of the leading scientists in many areas of disciplines. As a philosopher, he reminds us about Henry David Thoreau's lament that "there are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers." Indeed, many could talk about philosophy but few actually go beyond that. As a Christian apologist, McGrath makes the case that Christianity is reasonable and is worthy of further investigation by the skeptic. If there is one thing that would perhaps need more exploration, that would be the emotional component. While this may not necessarily be, relatively speaking, within the author's expertise, it is still an important consideration. After all, we are human beings with emotions, and often, the emotions could get the better of our intellect. 

Alister McGrath is one of the world’s leading Christian theologians, is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. Previously he was professor of historical theology at Oxford University and is currently senior research fellow at Harris Manchester at Oxford.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.