A review by lighthousebooks
Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach by Vern S. Poythress

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

My high school math teacher unabashedly proclaimed math points to God. He wouldn’t be able to say that today without consequences. While the truth is readily apparent to all, more and more it is suppressed (Romans 1:19-23). Therefore, instead of being in awe of the Creator, the creature, the discipline of math being one, is worshipped. This is a temptation for everyone. 

Vern S. Poythress sets out to redeem math from this error by rightly placing it as subordinate to God.

𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 is written for a Christian audience. It is helpful for anyone who would like to understand the relationship between math and faith, but perhaps especially for those who are preparing to work in this discipline. 

Dr. Poythress demonstrates how even the most basic math equations glorify God. 

You know those “boring” parts of the Bible where God provides detailed instructions for building the tabernacle and the temple? This book will help you develop a greater appreciation for those passages. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.

The text does come across as repetitive at times due to using two plus two equals four as a frequent example, but I’m not sure it could have been done differently. I also would have liked a deeper discussion of some topics. 

After reading this book, I am now interested in checking out others in Dr. Poythress’ 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 series. I think they will be really helpful for post-secondary education.