Summer is in full swing, but it’s not too late to share some new releases and favourite recents books, audiobooks and author talks

 

New releases from The Faraday Institute

The Works of the Lord: 52 biblical reflections on science, technology and creation

by Ruth M. Bancewicz

“This book fills a crucial gap by encouraging us to use all that science tells us about our world and universe to help us to worship and pray in a deeper and more informed way. It will be a great help in engaging with the many major developments of our time, such as climate change and AI, in a more reflective and rounded way. It will appeal to a broad range of church traditions and I hope it will be very widely used in private devotions and corporate worship.”

Bishop Richard Cheetham, Member of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion

 

The Landscapes of Science and Religion, What Are We Disagreeing About?

by Nick Spencer and Hannah Waite (Audiobook also available on  major platforms)

“The relationship between science and religion has long been a heated debate and is becoming an ever more popular topic … Spencer and Waite explore where the perceived conflict really lies. What exactly are people disagreeing about when they disagree about science and religion, and what, if anything, can we do to improve that disagreement and bring about a fruitful dialogue between these two important human endeavours.”

 

 

Recommendations from the Faraday Team

New Explorations in the Lost World of Genesis

by John H. Walton (Audiobook also available on all major platforms)

Dr Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director, says “In this thought-provoking book, the author critically examines his understandings of the Genesis texts published over the past decades … Whatever conclusions the reader comes to themselves, they will be challenged to grapple with the texts afresh in their ancient Near East contexts, a valuable exercise for anyone interested in Biblical hermeneutics.”

 

 

Struggling with God, Mental Health and Christian Spirituality

by Christopher C. H. Cook, Isabelle Hamley and John Swinton (Talk from Prof John Swinton on this topic available here)

Dr Ruth Bancewicz says “This is a fantastic introduction for anyone in a church context who is trying to get to grips with our mental health pandemic. It includes practical advice and good theology from some experienced contributors.”

For those  looking to go deeper ‘Finding Jesus in the Storm: The spiritual lives of Christians with mental health challenges’  by John Swinton is an in-depth exploration of the lived experience of depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

 

Unravelling DNA: Applying Christian Values to a Genetic Age

by Chris Wild (Recent talk from Dr Chris Wild on this topic available here)

Rev Prof Keith Fox, Emeritus Director, says “”Dr Wild explains the science and the amazing discoveries that have been made, but raises important ethical questions, from a Christian perspective.”

 

 

 

Beyond Evolution, How New Discoveries in the Science of Life Point to God

by Sy Garte (Book and Audiobook available from 19 August 2025)

Dr Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director, says “In this thoughtful and well-written book the author describes how concepts such as “purpose,” a word long banned in evolutionary discourse, have now come back into the biological mainstream … Sy Garte sees God’s creative work in the whole of life, from beginning to end, not somehow located in the current gaps in our scientific understanding. Those of any faith or none will find much here to stimulate thought and to inspire.”

 

 

Divine Windows: Seeing God through the lens of science

by David Gregory

Dr Ruth Bancewicz, church engagement director, says “Here is an affirmation of the visual and of imagination, awe and wonder in both science and theology… We are given a deep groundwork as preparation for spiritual reflection on scientific images, before being let loose to explore some pictures from astronomy for ourselves, with enough scientific and theological content to fire the imagination. This is a beautiful book to give to thinking friends, family and colleagues, as well as a resource for the church.”

 

One we haven’t read yet, but it’s on our wish list …

If the Ocean Has a Soul

by Rachel G. Jordan (Audiobook also available on major platforms. Interview with Rachel on her book available here)

“For marine biologist Rachel Jordan, both science and Scripture are means of knowing creation and Creator. In If the Ocean Has a Soul, Rachel considers the natural world through a spiritual lens, meshing marine biology with biblical truths in a keen and current take on faith and science.”