DD 111-115.999 (Tony) Measuring Eternity: The Search for the Beginning of Time by Martin Gorst (115 Gor)

Measuring Eternity was a pleasant surprise. A trojan horse for the literary world. While on the outside, it is touted as a history of cosmology and the famous attempts of scientists, astronomers, and physicists to determine the age of the universe. The inside is filled with philosophy. Like those residents of Troy, I too allowed this "horse" into my home and was surprised by it's contents.

What I expected was an examination (and by that I mean extermination) of the Christain belief that the universe and earth were not created in 7 days. I was on guard to reject the authors attempt to discredit the authority of the Bible. I was even prepared to forgive any I anger I may have from reading a blasphemy. I was on guard.; ready for those attacks to my Christain faith, prepared for a spiritual attack.

However, unlike the original occupants of the Trojan Horse, I was not murdered or plundered by what was hidden. In fact, the only one who seems destroyed by this books contents was the author himself.

I have a love for the unknown, and despite not doing well in it in high school, I enjoy reading up on physics and qunatum machanics. I may not understand the equations, but I have the type of brain that can understand concepts, when reasonably explained. Martin Gorst does a great job making the complex more simple. From a medieval bishop's biblical research that results in the estimate that universe was created on a Sunday evening some 6004 years ago to modern day scientists listening to intergalactic radio static and saying that the universe is billions and billions of years old; the author covers almost every major "discovery" to the age of the known (and ever growing) universe.

Yet, every time Gorst seems to disprove creationism, there's some flaw in his rhetoric that just validates the Word of God in Genesis chapters 1-5. Take for example the authors explanation of how Archbishop James Ussher came to determine that the Universe was created in the year 4004 B.C. First, Gorst explains how in the past 100 years scholars and clergy have agreed that the birth of Christ did not happen on the year 0. However, due to some mathematical errors made with our calendars, Christ was, with almost certainty, born in the year 4 B.C. Second, Gorst, goes in to detail how Ussher came up with his date of creation, by taking the years omitted from the Bible between King Nebuchadnezzar's death in 562 B.C. and adding 3442 years (amount of time recorded to have transpired in the old testament before the King's death) to it and coming up with 4004 B.C.

Then instead of disproving theses findings (as Martin Gorst is clearly trying to do) the author points out how funny it, that James Ussher came up with a date not based on round numbers, but with 4 years added. A coincidence like this one, listen between pages 30-35, doesn't cause me to refute the Bible's claims of a 7 day creation. It's actually strengthen my faith.

Like myself, Gorst plays devil's advocate accepting possiblities. Like the Chrstian theory that both the Bible may be right and the universe may be billions of years old. And this conflict could fit, because the Bible states that 1000 years in like a second in the eyes of God.

Also, sometimes I scoff at some religious theories, like Martin Gorst does. Just because you are a man of God, it doesn't mean you are perfect or correct. (If you notice some of my run-on sentences, you'll agree, I'm Not perfect) For example, the author finds it odd that the Archbishop added a month, date, and time to when creation happen. Would the creation start a 0?

Though Gorst has trouble proving his beliefs that the Bible is wrong, he is a master storyteller. He really makes these historical figures come alive: especially his work on Edwin Hubble. With Hubble, you find a warm and friendly person. Someone who is the anti-scientist, unlike Einstein, who rejects anyone who's theory are flawed. Thanks to the author, you really get to know these great men and women. And are sadden with their passing, like Hubbles. When I read of how he died, I felt so sad, even though I knew he had died almost half a century ago.

Lastly, Gorst writes an amazing history on one aspect of philosophy: the beleif of when the universe was created. His tome is not preachy, nor boring, except when math is involved ( and I really think the boredom is my fault). Again, like the Trojan Horse, "Measuring Eternity" is a true surprise for me. I really thought I was done with the philsophy section of our Dewey Project. So when I got to this book, I was so ready for a fresh subject. Yet, the word "Philosophy" keeps popping up. Searching for he beginning of time is the eptiome of what the Greeks were looking for: a way to combine science and religion.

Today's world tries to keep it apart. With events in history like the Scopes Monkey trial, and current issues like cloning and stem cells, science and religion are not opposite poles of a magnet, destined to never meet head on. True, science and religion are rivals, very much like the opposing armies of the Greek epic called the Trojan: The Achaeans and the Trojans, forever linked through history to be each other eternal enemies. However, science and religion are two armies that eventually must agree to meet if a clear answer is ever to be found.

Thankfully for readers interested in coming closer to the answer of this debate, you have a Trojan Horse to secretly bring both parties together. And a master craftsman, named Martin Gorst, to thank for being brave enough to complete the task at hand.