The Waters above the Firmament: An Exemplary Case of Faith-Reason Conflict

THE WATERS ABOVE FIRMAMENT: An Exemplary Case of Faith-Reason Conflict by Dino Boccaletti. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2020. 136 pages. Hardcover; $99.99. ISBN: 9783030441678. Paperback; $69.99. 9783030441685. *The Waters Above the Firmament is a fascinating tour through exegetical history an offbeat subject: waters above firmament. In both popular and scholarly conversations about science religion, few subjects tend to dominate landscape, with topic origins dominating conversation since Darwin's day. Interestingly, however, "waters firmament" references have been largely overlooked, even though they bear on cosmology view creation held biblical authors. this volume, physicist Boccaletti takes readers in-depth how these passages understood Christian exegetes from early centuries era seventeenth century. driving question tackled understand following verses first chapter book Genesis: "And God said, Let there be firmament in midst waters, let it divide waters. And made firmament, divided which were under firmament: was so. called Heaven. evening morning second day" (Gen. 1:6-8, KJV). *In exegesis passage (and others that build it, such as Psalm 148:4, "Praise him, ye heavens heavens, heavens"), many different theories its meaning put forward. our own day, those familiar young-earth (YEC) movement may heard bit peculiarly YEC point view. their hands, sometimes teach earth surrounded a canopy water whole world paradise reduced harmful effects sun, enabling people live centuries-long lives described Genesis. The canopy then collapsed become source flooded days Noah. *Boccaletti does not address claim. Instead, he presents historical overview marches chronologically works classical, medieval, modern commentators, trying interpret claim seems plainly contradictory common sense: shell surrounding earth, or maybe cosmos. While no definitive scientific refutation either classical medieval world, prima facie implausibility nevertheless led persistent apparent conflict between faith reason needed contended if Bible's authority remain intact. There also thorny uncovering gave rise description, along background extra-biblical writings. describes Christianity, during primarily three approaches understanding question. First, could allegorized so representative something else, exalted spiritual beings who worship God. approach accept like ancient Near Eastern belief shaped flat disc, add literal aqueous it. third, most difficult, try reconcile Greek Incorporating picture, posited spherical at center cosmos, creative, convoluted, interpretive schemes. For example, brings us into Augustine's discussion theory are place order cool slow down outer planets, would otherwise overheat owing great velocities. Thus might serve temper heat empyrean. millennium endorse variation some thinkers, John Scotus Eriugena, deny existed all. No consensus reached Middle Ages superior. increasing pressure abandon geocentric model sixteenth- seventeenth-century astronomers Copernicus Galileo, astronomy received interpreters Bible. reasons unrelated science, Protestant thinkers Luther Calvin began consult sources outside Latin tradition, significantly Hebrew text Genesis originally written. Both men considered vital embrace highest possible authority, inclined toward believing just that: heavenlies mysterious work Allegories rejected, burgeoning heliocentrism Catholic period Benedictus Pererius David Pareus turned back text, freeing themselves strictures Vulgate Jerome limitations what firmamentum mean. posit Moses's teaching Hebrew, aimed everyman his consistent reasonable, common-sense clouds, making sky rather than heavens. excellent job collecting contains innumerable lengthy quotations give context exegetes' perspectives, provides helpful each thinker. over thirty presented depth, scores more referred to, abundant primary materials. adds commentary interpretation own, including nice comparison Moses Greeks, guiding reader development movements situating them setting. fact, complaint much various interpretations question--but love will revel thoroughness. *Despite Boccaletti's comprehensiveness attention detail, things expect find part work. Billing itself "An Conflict," one anticipated depth analysis underlying methodological, epistemic, issues. descriptions things, but very well developed. Readers looking get new insights aspects faith-reason conflicts--looking for beefier treatment theology philosophy--will likely disappointed. Along lines, all clear thinks we should take away careful study conflicts. What conclude? lessons? He make clear. rich sources, light insight nature science-religion tensions resolve them; angle perennial problems need look elsewhere. But desire immerse intriguing throughout seventeen history, real treat. *Reviewed Bradley L. Sickler, University Northwestern, St. Paul, MN 55113