John Calvin and the Natural World

Those of us who have the privilege of teaching science in a Christian college or university have to work hard at helping students see science from a Christian perspective. In this book review essay Dordt College physics professor Dr. John Zwart describes these experiences in working with students in his non-majors physical science class.

In addition to describing his work with scientifically uninitiated students, John also discusses Calvin’s knowledge of and thoughts about science. He reviews Davis Young’s recent book John Calvin and the Natural World (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2007), which examines what Calvin wrote about science.

Note added later: This essay appeared in the September 2009 issue (v. 38, n. 1, pp. 27-31) of the Dordt College publication Pro Rege. We had been given permission to post it ahead of time since it is relevant to our discussions and a helpful summary of Calvin's views.