“Gifted Mind” provides the reader with a
fascinating story of the invention and development of the MRI for non-invasive
and early detection of cancer. It also serves
as an autobiography of Dr. Raymond Damadian and a discussion of the relationship
between Christian faith and science. In
particular, there is a discussion of the increasing realization of competent
scientists that evolution has little scientific support.
I enjoyed reading the book.
I have both a science background and theology background and could
appreciate much of what Dr. Damadian has to say. I could identify with him when
he discovers a ‘truth’ of God’s created order and the resultant praise to God
for allowing him to see it and to pass it on for the benefit of mankind. I very
much appreciated the time he took to explain how difficult it is to overcome
the skepticism of critics over new ideas and the tenacity it takes to continue
to pursue to completion an idea when there are so many obstacles.
A major part of the book discusses how God’s truth is made
known through faith. Much of what he says is true, but he is more of a
scientist than a theologian. Some of his discussion of scripture lacks
theological precision. One example is
his explanation (p.220) of John 8:32 “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.” After explaining
that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, he says that the incarnation of
Jesus “opened the previously inaccessible doorway to His truth and to its
incomparable power – the power made available only by Him.” And yet many non-believers
also have great minds and discover truths about how the created universe works.
This is what theologians call common grace. Romans 1 and Psalm 19:1 are two
passages that make it clear all creation reflects God’s glory and is known by everyone.
The context for the truth referred to in John 8:32 are Pharisees who refuse to
believe Jesus as the son of God. The truth is our bondage to sin, and only in
Christ can we be set free from it.
There is much documentation in the book that serves to make
the point that Dr. Damadian was the originator of the idea to use NMR to do a
full body scan and of the method of detecting cancer using the two time relaxation
parameters, but there was much repetition in this and I think less documentation
might have been less self-serving. At times the book felt more like reading a
personal journal of someone struggling with the world’s lack of recognition for
his ideas and appreciation for the struggles he went through to make them
reality.
Notwithstanding these weaknesses, the book is a worthwhile
read for those interested in reconciling faith and science, which are often
pitted against one another. My hat is
off to you Dr. Damadian!
I received this book
for free from Master Books in exchange for an honest review.
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