I have to say this book nailed it. I absorbed it while I read a section at a time. I wanted its message to go straight to my heart. And it did, really did. I have taken “praise” to heart. The challenge presented is to give praise in all things, both good and bad. I’m not used to thinking that way. To be honest, it seems backwards and a little daunting, perhaps. On the first page the statement is made: “Power … is released when we begin to praise God for everything in our lives instead of pleading with Him to change the circumstances that displease us.” Story after story shows where someone had a difficult circumstance they praised God for and continued to praise God for. Then it got interesting. The person they were giving praise for… would have a change of heart or the circumstance would have a positive turn around. I took up the challenge. I started implementing praise in my thoughts, prayers, and activities. To be honest, I felt some resistance to doing this. Already my views are changing concerning troubling issues. This book is packed full of verses that I’m highlighting. I intend to read these verses often to impress them in my thinking. Merlin Carothers also wrote “Prison to Praise,” which is distributed in prisons. I’m sure it is every bit as beneficial as this book.

Well Presented, Well Written, Well Balanced

The Works of His Hands takes the reader on a journey with two levels that intermix. This makes for an educational, intelligent, and interesting read. On one hand, there is Garte’s personal history as an atheist raised by atheist communist American parents–with roots in a totally secular, anti-god worldview. The author has a keen aptitude for the study of elegant scientific formulas with respect for pure science in keeping with that of a credible scientist. On the other hand, we have the atheist on a journey of a discovery of sorts. This takes him to the other side, the world of beauty, meaning, and purpose. This eventually connects the dots as it leads him into another realm that settles on theism, then experientially and spiritually to belief in the reality of a relational creator God. Throughout this book is a look at natural wonders from an evolutionary creationist view. This is explained in detail and presented as the way the author views the intersection of God as Creator and the evolving of living matter over time that is true to its own nature. The author’s journey into finding relationship with God is the reason this book fascinates in the telling of it.

In some ways this is a difficult book for me to review. The author and I do not share the same conclusions about the process of creation since I believe in a literal six day creation and scriptural inerrancy. In recommending this book I don’t want to confuse my readers as to my own stance. Garte’s arguments and conclusions make sense and are well- and thoroughly- thought-out and articulated. I read them with interest, though, I confess, with some skepticism in regard to evolutionary creationism. However, that said, this does not minimize the impact and meat of the book’s message nor the author’s delight with his spiritual awakening and where this takes him. I respect Sy Garte’s views. Neither of us need apologize for the views we hold on how the world came into being. More importantly, we both believe God was “the first tapper” (My Life with the Saints, James Martin, SJ), the One responsible in creating the expansive universe and earth’s creation. This book is well worth the read. It is exciting that God can be discovered through the eyes of a scientist looking for the greater meaning in it all. It reminds me of the sentiments expressed in Surprised by Joy, by C.S. Lewis. Another book I reviewed that has commonalities–atheist scientist to Christian believer scientist–is Always be Ready by Hugh Ross, a complimentary read. Well done, Sy Garte.

Foreword by Alister McGrath