Faith of a Maker: Reasons for Believing in Jesus (Ark House Press)
By Phillip McKerrow
Review by Harry Goodhew
The interactions between science, technology and faith, and the many questions that arise from the work of “makers”, don’t often get an airing so it’s good to see them investigated at depth in Faith of a Maker: Reasons for Believing in Jesus by Dr Phillip McKerrow.
What he seeks to do in the book brings to mind the verse from Psalm 111 that sits above the main entrance of The Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physics: The works of the Lord are great; sought out of all them that have pleasure therein (KJV). To have this quote stand in such a place is a testament to the union of faith and scientific inquiry that has marked some of Western society’s greatest intellects and, for me, Faith of a Maker stands in that noble tradition – a contemporary endorsement of those words.
Dr McKerrow is an electrical engineer and a former associate professor of computer science at the University of Wollongong. For a non-scientist like this reviewer, his book is a fascinating and readable introduction into the dazzling and sometimes frightening world of advancing computer science.
The book’s contents are wide-ranging, from engineering and AI to faster-than-light travel. Each chapter includes creative stories, quotations and discussions about reasons for believing in Jesus. McKerrow examines the apparent conflict between the Bible and nature, from the viewpoint of a maker, in a discussion about duality. Students and STEAM practitioners (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) will find these discussions enlightening.
He uses stories from his experience as a Christian who makes things to illustrate the discussions. Some stories are deeply personal, reflecting a life of faith. Others are of interactions with students. Still others are of the “I built it” type, including a wooden motorboat he made from marine ply. Dr McKerrow also uses quotations to introduce readers to people who have thought about the issues in the interaction of science, engineering and faith.
Reading this book will perhaps do for its readers what it has done for me – introduce me to remarkable people of whom I knew nothing. One example is Leonhard Euler, whom McKerrow observes is “thought to be the greatest mathematician of the 18th century”, adding: “Some people believe that Euler’s identity is the best empirical evidence we have for the existence of God. It has been called the God Equation. It is one way that nature proclaims the glory of God”.
I encourage anyone who is struggling with questions about believing in Jesus to read Faith of a Maker. Non-Christians will find reasons for believing in Jesus. Christians who feel bombarded with unbelief in popular science documentaries will find rational arguments for belief that will bolster their faith.
The Rt Rev Harry Goodhew was the 10th Archbishop of Sydney and is a former Bishop of Wollongong.
