Designed to the Core

This is a book for educated scientists who perhaps see that science leads to answers that contradict the prevailing scientific dogma that the cosmos and life has always been a matter of chance, and therefore, due to the vastness of the universe, and the astronomical periods of time attributed to these things, there must be life elsewhere in the universe. It is clear from Dr. Ross’ writings that much of the focus for astronomical research has been geared toward finding life “out there.”As one who believes in the God of the Bible, I appreciate that Dr. Ross associates the “fine tuning” observed in the universe with a “Fine Tuner”, but I sense that he is reluctant to come right out and give God the credit (the glory) to which He is due. It is perhaps understandable that he fears losing his audience, or even being “cancelled” for holding a view not supported within today’s scientific community. But I applaud him for connecting the obvious dots.I struggled through the projections of so many gradual, but nonlinear changes, influenced by multiple variables, that are purported to have occurred over billions and billions of years. I was impressed with estimated values that also carried a range of uncertainty, but most of those uncertainties are still pretty large. Considering that man has only been studying geophysics or astrophysics with precision instruments for maybe 100 to 800 years (depending on what passes for precision), it seems unwarranted to extrapolate this narrow window of observation out by 200 million times and still think we know what happened so long ago.It seems that the same “fine tuning” argument applies in spades to the improbability of life — any life — yet Dr. Ross appears to buy into the timescales for life as set forth by evolutionary biologists, who worship the god of chance, not the God of design.I appreciate that faith plays a role in Dr. Ross’ conclusion that there is a Creator, and we can read about His Way in the New Testament. But we can also read accounts of His creation in Genesis, detailed accounts that demand to be taken at face value. When we cannot reconcile the prevailing scientific position with a biblical account, which is to be believed? I think Dr. Ross still has a foot in each camp.

Its relentless factual style is totally appropriate to the subject itself. Hugh piles fact upon fact without rhetoric or personal comments. This makes it dry and diffiuclt; but that is precisely what is called for. The net effect is overwhelming: the universe is fine tuned on all possible scales. You can't just pick a random galaxy and assume there must be life there somewhere. That so many galaxies, galaxy clusters, and even galaxy super clusters are off limits for life puts paid to the Star Trek notion of a universe teeming with advanced civilizations. Then when we zero in on the Earth Moon system the degree of fine tuning is even more stringent. So many things have to happen in just the right order and right time to result in a habitable planet that the mind reels. Who knew that the interface between inner and outer mantle was so significant?Reading this book demands focused attention to a degree that only a small minority of the population is willing to give. Don't be looking for humorous personal stories. However, those who do persist will find that fine tuning is evident on every astronomical scale of our universe.

I greatly admire the work Hugh Ross has put into this book. However, for the average reader, I submit this book is beyond their ability to fully appreciate. Or maybe it is just beyond my ability.There is so much detail and interweaving complexity that I could not get my mind around all of it. I tried to synthesize the book down to essential anthropic truths that I could usefully use to discuss with others. I had hoped that there would be a final chapter summarizing all I read into information like bullet points. Then I could use them to support my position that the universe has undeniable fine tuning characteristics unable to be explained by chance alone. The actual final chapter left me disappointed that did not occur. There were short summaries of each chapter at the beginning of each chapter but I found them bare boned and not particularly helpful.I can not deny that the book accomplishes my initial hoped for result, but not in a way I can succinctly interpret that result for others in my sphere of influence. Again, I'm sure that is due to my limitation of understanding and not a fault of Hugh Ross's scholarship. However, to get a quick idea of what I am saying, consider the chapter footnotes which are voluminous at 79 pages long. Talk about substantiating everything in minute detail! It is that kind of detail that I submit an average layman can not fully appreciate, nor understand when applied to the universe in all its layers.I'm glad I struggled through the book if not only for the sense of awe I came away with. And I probably only understood half of what I read. But I did absolutely understand only our Christian God could have created our universe. But I give it three stars for not being more understandable to a layman and also because the final chapter did not explicitly point to our Lord Jesus Christ as the creator. Anonymous intelligent design could not create such a universe that we live in, much less the earth we inhabit.

As always, Mr. Ross has done his research, which is mostly a gathering of the various findings of the world's top (and current) scientists in a number of disciplines. Though several parts are difficult for us lay people to comprehend, Hugh breaks down the technical terminology into explanations easier for most to understand or at least grasp the jist of it.As always, his conclusions point the reader into the depths of philosophical pondering as to just how this special planet came to be so superbly designed to support complex life - like us.

Dedicated to my brother. It takes less faith to believe in a designer creator than the random chances of every fine tuning of the universe. This is a very well presented evidence pointing to our Creator

The book is AWESOME. Hugh Ross is AMAZING. Simply brilliant book from a real genius.