REVIEW: Spitzer in One: Scripture, History, Science, Reason, Faith, by Dr. Jeff Mirus

By Dr. Jeff Mirus, Catholic Culture, Oct 30, 2023

Jeffrey Mirus holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from Princeton University. A co-founder of Christendom College, he also pioneered Catholic Internet services. He is the founder of Trinity Communications and CatholicCulture.org.

Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, Science, Reason and Faith: Discovering the Bible: Our Sunday Visitor 2023. 360pp. Paper $34.95.

Just two-and-a-half weeks ago, in a review of Fr. Robert Spitzer’s new book from Ignatius Press, Science at the Doorstep to God, I mentioned that Fr. Spitzer had written so widely on the topics covered in this book that the potential reader should “choose the book(s) that focus most closely on the particular paths he or she is likely to find most helpful”. Little did I know that another new book by this remarkable priest was about to be released by Our Sunday Visitor: Science, Reason and Faith: Discovering the Bible.

Once again, this 360-page book covers a lot of the same ground as several of his previous studies, but with two differences. First, it is organized primarily around questions that arise specifically in relationship to our reception of the Bible and the realities which the Bible recounts. Second, it is presented in question-and-answer form, which makes it easier and quicker to find more succinct treatments of the particular issues which may be of greatest interest. This also makes the book more accessible to the general reader. To a significant extent, you can jump around as mood and particular interests dictate, and without taking as much time as would be required by most of Fr. Spitzer’s previous books. …