Summary of Beyond A Shadow

This book takes the reader on a journey of exploration and challenge. He is offered numerous reasons to question his belief system, with the understanding that it could be wrong. He is encouraged to embrace the premise that his beliefs do not determine what is true and that he is merely fortunate if what he believes happens to align with truth, either through wisdom or just plain luck. In other words, believing that he can fly doesn't necessarily make it so and he will find out the hard truth if he attempts to soar from the top of a building.

Philosophy is examined as a means of discovering truth, and is recognized as a good compass. But it is demonstrated that philosophy alone cannot determine absolute moral truth without revelation from a transcendent power. The inner self is simply insufficient as a source of moral truth.

Science is also examined as a means of determining metaphysical truth. Science is seen as a tremendous boon to humanity, but because it is a discpline practiced by men, it is fallible, as men are.

But science is shown to be a great source of evidence in determining the existence of God. Particularly, scientific discoveries in cosmology and biology are examined. The big bang, the anthropic principal, information theory and bio-chemistry are all shown to be scientific areas of knowledge indicating the probable existence of a supernatural realm. Naturalism is severely questioned, specifically by dissecting Darwinism in light of modern discoveries like the Cambrian explosion. 

Religion is finally examined as a source of metaphysical truth because science and philosophy can only point to the existence of God but can’t determine who or what God might be or what God’s nature might be.

We could only know these things about God if He chose to reveal Himself.

Natural theology has limitations, however, so it is a revelation we must seek. Of all the religious scriptures it is decided that the Bible should receive the greatest scrutiny because of its dramatic claim that God incarnated Himself as a man and conquered death, mankind’s most feared enemy, and offered us relief from our suffering and salvation for our souls through the earthly ministry of this man, Jesus Christ.

If that is true, why look further? We have obviously found what we are searching for. 

The Bible is viewed and critiqued from many perspectives. It is viewed historically through archaeology and textual criticism. It is examined from a prophetic standpoint with particular emphasis on the nation of Israel and the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament, who turns out to be none other than Jesus Christ. Its subjective attributes are examined such as its life changing ability, its unique moral message and its impact on human history. The verdict is that the Bible is an authentic revelation from the Creator of the universe.

In light of this, the reader is encouraged to accept its warnings and its offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. At the end of the book, common objections to the Christian message are examined and answered.