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Stephen L. Gibson's new novel, "A Secret of the Universe: A Story of Love, Loss, and the Discovery of an Eternal Truth," presents a groundbreaking look at the clashing beliefs of science and religion in America's heartland. The novel argues that intolerance and ignorance hide the deepest truths of religion.
Novel Uses Science and Religion to Explore Faith and Belief Stephen L. Gibson's new novel, A Secret of the Universe: A Story of Love, Loss, and the Discovery of an Eternal Truth, presents a groundbreaking look at clashing beliefs in America's heartland. The book is scheduled for release on October 11.
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Stephen L. Gibson "In an era of tribal conflict, culture wars, terrorism and a constant drum beat of scientific discoveries that challenge our worldviews and beliefs, it should come as no surprise that there is conflict in the world," Gibson says. "But is there a path out of the angst and violence that plague us? Can there be a brighter day?"
Gibson's plain-spoken novel suggests that there is indeed a way out. Ironically, according to the book, the solution was originally known to the world's major religions, but has been lost to a compulsive need to turn mythological truth into divisive, literalist dogma.
A Secret of the Universe: A Story of Love, Loss, and the Discovery of an Eternal Truth is the story of two high school pals from the Midwest, for whom a personal tragedy sets in motion a journey of inquiry that spans a lifetime of cruel and glorious twists, culminating in an astonishing discovery.
The protagonist, Ian, wants answers his faith can't provide, so he abandons traditional religion with its magic, mysticism and supernaturalism, and turns to science and reason. Bill's path has become that of a devoted Christian who sees the bountiful harvest that can be achieved through spirituality and faith. When profound revelations lead each friend to uncover shocking historical "secrets" in support of his own view of science and religion, their odyssey plays out on a global stage, with tragic consequences. Only by embracing the inherent mystery and pain of their quest do Ian and Bill make a profound discovery -- a secret of the universe that one reviewer has called "the most important secret the world could discover." This emotional allegory straddles a line between the heretical and articulating the merits and virtues of faith.
ForeWord Magazine reviewer Carol Lynn Stewart sums it up this way: "Gibson takes the hard questions head-on and weaves multiple points of view, including the omniscient storyteller, allowing the reader enough distance to step out of the story and dig into the references in the back of the book. In fact, several characters are actual researchers and theologians, set in fiction. … Readers who delight in a well-researched cautionary tale might find themselves dog-earing pages and taking notes as they enjoy the story."
font size="2">Stephen L. Gibson, 40, drew on his own life and inquiry into the belief systems of science and religion for his novel. He has been a successful entrepreneur, corporate pilot, consultant, elected official and community volunteer. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, however, his nascent fascination with the origins of human belief and knowledge -- known to scholars as epistemology -- grew into a journey of introspection and questioning that has been both invigorating and deeply troubling. Wondering if he was alone, Gibson began to share his struggles. He now reaches many thousands of people with his candid writings, DVDs and podcasts.
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