The Paradox of God and the Science of Omniscience

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Summary: A Stairway to Your Own Mind
Review: "Augustine's works ... planted a seed in early childhood from which my interest in paradox and God grew. Maybe this book will contain seeds for you." -- Clifford Pickover

Kurt Godel may have logically proved that God exists, but Clifford Pickover pursues the paradoxes that result from following a belief in a God that is omniscient and omnipotent. As an example of such a paradox consider the question - Can God make a rock so massive that He can't move it? Certainly many readers will find the chapter entitled "The Paradox of Led Zeppelin" to be their favorite. So, put on your "Stairway to Heaven" CD and shatter your mind with some superb reading.

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Summary: Calling God's bluff, this book exposes God's "hand"
Review: I found this to be a fascinating look at various paradoxes which result if an Intelligence is to be considered God-like (omnipotent, omniscient). Can an all-knowing Being actually be at a disadvantage? Were Adam & Eve punished unfairly if the whole original Sin was a pre-destined set-up? Was it good or bad for us that they sinned? Can the human mind create something original such as a song if God knew about its existence all along? What about "proofs" of God and Pascal's Wager?

Pickover offers up original insights to these and many more God issues using the conversations of a likeable pair of characters to supplement the discussions and thought puzzles. The book also has a section of intriguing subjective questions for the reader to ponder, as well as references from scripture that cast doubt on the Biblical God's loving nature. Christians may do a double take and have some trouble wrestling with the notion that God might not be omniscient after all. A fun, interesting, original slant on an ever-popular subject.

Nice illustrations and relevant quotes from the famous further flesh out this book on the Invisible God (or alien). Highly recommended for anyone interested in "God".

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Summary: A definite must-read about paradoxes and God!
Review: Paradox of God is an excellent book about the paradoxes brought about by true omniscience. Each section of the book first leads the reader on an imaginary adventure involving an omniscient being, such as the alien Dr. Eck, or God Himself. After using the story to introduce a paradox, he goes on to look at it from a logical point of view. I enjoyed his methods of using game theory to simply explain exactly how the paradoxes work. Pickover even shows that in some scenarios it can be a disadvantage to be omniscient.

The book is an excellent overview of many famous paradoxes, that challenges the way we look at religion. I highly recommend this book, as it covers many subjects that anyone can become enthralled by. Pickover has a wonderful gift of being able to explain even the most complicated of these paradoxes in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.

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Summary: A Fun Introductory Book
Review: This book is great if you are new to the subject or just want an easy and relaxing read on a very interesting topic. As another reviewer said, this isn't some revolutionary book. Of course he goes on to say that seminary students would enjoy picking it apart, etc. Who cares? How many books in seminary curricula could be broken down and picked apart? Most, if not all. What does it prove? Nothing. This book isn't out to prove anything, it's purpose is to open your mind up. Don't be disgruntled by this reader's opinion. Also, Pickover challenges Christian theology without being condescending. I really feel like he's just looking for truth, and not taking shots at Christians like many other authors do.

This book is broken down into small parts made for very easy for chewing. Each chapter begins with a paradoxal story, and then the rest of each chapter is spent on exploring its potential implications. My favorite chapter was on free-will. Christians, atheists, and pretty much everyone thinks we truly have free-will. But did you know that our brain is deciding out thoughts and actions before we even become conscience of it? It's reall amazing! My only complaint is that Pickover often seems to have trouble staying focused. I'm not picky about this at all, but this book got on my nerves a bit. Sometimes you are in the middle of a chapter and you can't even remember what the chapter's subject is. Fortunately, this only happens in a few chapters. Overall that is why I gave this book 4 stars. If you're looking for more than introductory material, checkout another title.