Center for Scientific Studies

Review of "Mathematics in a Postmodern Age: A Christian Perspective"

by Matt D. Lunsford, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics

September 254, 2004 - Mathematics in a Postmodern Age: A Christian Perspective represents the first serious attempt in recent history to explore the questions of whether ideas coming from the Christian faith can enhance one’s comprehension of mathematics and whether the ideas of mathematics can broaden one’s understanding of the Christian faith. The editors have succeeded in compiling an insightful collection of essays that is guaranteed to generate spirited conversation and debate in the mathematical community. This work is a welcome addition to the resurgent literature on the philosophy of mathematics.

The book is divided into three major sections: the nature of mathematics, the influence of mathematics, and faith perspectives in mathematics. Within these sections, the authors address many serious questions about the discipline:

• How do the claims of modernism and postmodernism correlate to the discipline of mathematics?
• As mathematics has had a tremendous influence on the modern age, what exactly will be the implications of a postmodern age on the mathematical community?
• What is the relationship between faith and reason and how does mathematics enter into this dialogue?
• How will the current axiomatic structure of mathematics fare under the new thought of postmodernism?
• What is the nature of mathematical objects? Do these objects exist independent of human thought, possibly in the mind of God, or are they just creations of the human intellect?
• What influence has mathematics had on human cultures and what are the ethical implications that emerge from this influence?
• Is there a best model for educating our children in mathematics and what is our responsibility in this regard?
• Does mathematics have values and presuppositions or is it a “presuppositionless science” as claimed in the early twentieth century by the famous mathematician David Hilbert?

According to the editors, the authors have “signed off” on the final version, but even they are not in complete agreement with every idea presented in the book. Obviously the questions above are complex and can not be fully addressed in any one work. Even so, the journey through the various chapters is rewarding, requiring the reader to give serious reflection to integrative issues of mathematics and Christianity.