“Thank God for Michael Dowd! How wonderful that a pastor shows how religious inspiration can be drawn from contemplating evolution and the beauty and diversity of the living world. ”

“Michael, I love your book. Excellent. Really powerful stuff. We're fortunate to have you on our side—the 'our' being humanity. ”

“Michael Dowd’s book, Thank God for Evolution, performs a crucial service for both religion and science. He shows that religion can embrace the scientific account of our origins as its own sacred story without losing any of its spiritual force. At the same time science has nothing to fear from religion, which properly understood, celebrates rather than challenges the unfolding scientific story of the origin of the universe and humanity. I have nothing but praise for this book and the work that Michael and his wife, Connie Barlow, are doing as wandering preachers of the good news of the potential harmony of science and religion. ”

“Thank God for Michael Dowd and his passionate, purposeful integration of evolutionary science with revelation! This book is a tour de force and a welcome contribution to the growing literature that says that God speaks through evolution as clearly as through the events of our personal lives. Separating Science and Religion gave us progress—and what a fabulous 500 years it’s been! Reuniting Science and Religion gives us purpose—and Michael Dowd shows us an evolutionary path forward. ”

“The beauty of the Epic of Evolution is its capacity to anchor and birth a multitude of religious responses. Dowd offers us an impassioned vision that is refreshing, honest, unpretentious, and deep. ”

“Dowd sweeps us into a freshly minted universe, in which both evolution and religion are transformed and enlivened. A truly original book at the near edge of a deeply hopeful future. ”

“If anyone can persuade a monotheist that the science of evolution—biological, geological, or cosmological—can enrich his or her faith, I'm betting on Michael Dowd. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a rare example of an easily readable book, steeped in religious language and religious interests, that consistently celebrates evolution. Anyone interested in non-fundamentalist religious views of evolutionary science should pick up this book; they will find it enjoyable to read and thought-provoking. ”

“Michael, if ever a book could successfully bridge the opposing religious positions, your book should because it so joyously spans not only 14 billion years, but history, science, theology, ‘self help’ and brings alive the interconnectedness and sacredness of all things. It's an inclusive, inspiring, and much needed masterpiece for this time in history that I hope we all inhale deeply. Amazing and Bravo!! I loved it. Thank you! ”

“In Thank God for Evolution Michael Dowd deftly transcends the raging battle between science and religion, while embracing the goodness, truth, and beauty of both worlds. His work is an integral masterstroke that is accessible to everyone--utterly serious and factually rigorous while at the same time lighthearted and uplifting. The poet Rumi said that the soul is here for its own joy, and Michael manages to  evoke this sense while teaching evolutionary dynamics. As an adult educator, I say this is the way learning should be, and I can’t recommend this book enough! ”

“The culture wars between conservative and  liberal religious groups needs healing so that we can all live in peace and without fear. I see this book as a significant contribution to the bridging of such differences. In a sense, Michael Dowd has a foot in both worlds. As such he is uniquely suited to offer us this wonderful perspective on how to live a righteous life. He shows us that the evolutionary perspective can be helpful to any human being seeking to live in integrity. ”

“According to Sir Francis Bacon, 'A little science estranges a man from God; a lot of science brings him back.' Now Michael Dowd has shown us how this is also true of evolution itself. In fact, the story of how the universe has developed and progressed through time is increasingly being recognized as a profound spiritual teaching destined to edify humanity for ages to come. Thank God for Evolution is thus an important work in this growing effort to discover and appreciate the 'revelation of evolution' in its fullness. I recommend it wholeheartedly. ”

“A much-needed bridge between science and spirit, well written, entertaining, and inspiring. Michael Dowd is one Christian Preacher who speaks to this Pagan’s heart! ”

“Like two orphans reunited, spirituality and evolution come face to face in this daring new book by Michael Dowd. Thank God for Evolution invites us to explore new family traditions of knowledge informed by science and mystery inspired by God. As a pastor, I know the temptation may be to continue in a divided houseóevolution versus religion. But Dowd skillfully redefines the terms of the relationship, creating hope and practical ways to awaken to the future of living as part of an integrated family that can tackle the challenges of today. ”

“So many today are starving for a meaningful, timely spirituality. Thank God for Evolution will help you to celebrate that the Creator (however you understand that Mystery) has used an evolutionary mode of creating this magnificent universe, and invites each of us to be ‘co-creators’ at this crucial time in Earth's history! ”

“How did we as humans get to be where we are? Where does humanity go from here? For centuries, answers offered by the Religions and Evolutionary Theory have been deemed to be contradictory. The proverbial "twains" that have yet to meet, causing us to think that they never can or will. Michael Dowd's book Thank God for Evolution demonstrates convincingly that they indeed can and do so. They are the two sides to the same coin of divinity!! I recommend it to the skeptics on both sides. ”

“Michael Dowd's wonderful book inspires and provides realistic hope for the future. In the face of huge challenges, humanity has time and again found ways to cooperate by aligning self-interests with the wellbeing of the whole. Thank God for Evolution is a guidebook for moving into a healthy future, individually, collectively, and globally. ”

“The great scourge of our time is not immorality, drugs or greed. Rather, the greatest threat of our age is that so many of us believe in our hearts that life is without meaning or purpose, and thus our actions reflect this. Michael Dowd has methodically demonstrated in this book that a modern, rational, scientific world view does not lead to nihilism. Rather, a full-embracing of a scientifically based understanding of the world is key to a powerful religious faith that offers us meaning, wonder, joy, and most of all, tremendous hope for solving our most pressing global and human problems. The world has been waiting for this book. God bless you, Michael Dowd! ”

“Michael Dowd and his wife, Connie Barlow, have committed their lives to showing that you can be a true Darwinian and a truly spiritual person. Thank God for ‘em, and thank God for Michael’s new book. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is clear, well-argued, and convincing. Dowd offers an admirable and satisfying solution to the dead-end debates between theists and atheists, and gives even those of us who study evolution for a living, a deep appreciation for how evolutionary theory can inspire our lives. His message is open to all faiths, including those who reject faith, and it is a message that is vital for the 21st century. ”

“A treasure-trove of cogent information, practical application, and inspiration. This is a book I'd recommend not only to members of my own humanist inclined congregation but to my evangelical relatives as well! ”

“Dowd has given us a bridge across one of the major chasms of our times—religion and evolution. Reading his book, one can see that the discourse itself has just evolved to a whole new level! ”

“Michael Dowd's marvelous use of scientific information, religious metaphor, humor, and sheer delight in his subject(s) carries us to new places where evolution and the deep stories of religion converge. His book is a gift for our time. ”

“With the passion of a revival preacher, and with grounding in mainstream evolution, Dowd has written a visionary book. It reveals that spirituality is not only compatible with a science-based worldview; it is integral to it. ”

“Michael’s book—a sacred look at cosmic history and emergent creativity from multiple angles—will ignite a revolution in evolution for any reader. Here is a book that promises to deliver and delivers on its promises! ”

“Few if any religious books quote Richard Dawkins in his own terms, or with approval. That this book does both hints at the breadth of audience it will intrigue. I cannot recommend it too highly. ”

“Michael Dowd has written a book that is at once fun to read and a significant contribution, from which people of all faiths can learn. ”

“For too long, evangelical fervor and the sense that we all called to live a purpose-driven life have been identified as conservative values. The progressive community is good at critique but exceedingly poor in articulating a postive and compelling vision. Michael Dowd's new book is a landmark contribution in this regard. It charts a vision of the infinite calling each one of us to fulfill our desiny. The author's love and grace come through on every page. Thank you, Michael, for moving our planet one step forward in our jounrey to Liberation. ”

“A recovering fundamentalist reveals the profound spiritual power of our evolutionary story. A must for both sides of the debate. ”

“Amidst the quarrels between scientists and fundamentalists, theists and atheists, liberals and conservatives, comes this wonderful book about our common journey and the stupendous story that we all share. Michael Dowd’s worldview is desperately needed if we are to find a future together on this tiny little planet. ”

“Dowd argues that the conflict between evolution and religion is unnecessary and shows how we can recover the virtue of mutual respect, without anyone having to sacrifice deeply held principles. Uplifting! ”

“Thank God for Evolution offers a powerful foundation for a new and inspiring cultural narrative. As it heals the divide between science and religion, it invites us to consider the potential for resolving other tensions in our current collective story. Imagine growing our capacity to transcend the rifts between convervative/progressive, black/white, rich/poor and other divides by revealing a larger vision that encompasses difference. This great story, told by a gifted storyteller, offers that great possibility. What a blessing! ”

“There is so much in this book to admire and to take inspiration from. Michael’s gutsy reframing of Original Sin is especially welcomed. The book is a timely bridge, a reconciliation not only of science and religion but of all that keeps us separate. It is above all, a compassionate and masterful exploration, a prophetic vision of our evolving human nature. Michael delivers the magnificent story of the universe straight to the heart. ”

“'Oh no,' I thought. 'Not another book on evolution and religion.' But this one is simply too full of unexpected and creative ideas to be missed. You may not agree with everything (anyway, where's the fun in that?). But you will, often enough, find yourself thinking 'I wish I had said that!'  Michael's grand theme—that evolution is not only compatible with religious faith, but is positively enriching, is exactly right, and is something that can't be said often enough. Will ‘the marriage of science and religion’ transform our world? I certainly hope so. ”

“Dynamite — almost literally this deceptively low key book will blast your mind open. Although written in a very easy to read, conversational style, the contents are so explosive that I was forced to stop and think deeply every few pages. It definitely tied a lot of things together from my long ago Catholic upbringing to my current celebration of the Universe Story. ”

“Whatever our faith traditions and our ways of explaining the infinite majesty of the universe, this book will help us reach out to bridge some of America’s most profound and most harmful divides. ”

“Michael has illuminated a highly loaded and vitally important topic for our time with piercing intellect, open and compassionate heart, and delightful humor. Thank God for Evolution is a beacon of light destined to become a classic. ”

“The evolutionary integrity practices, especially in Chapter 11, are vitally important. Thanks Michael for helping readers embody the vision! ”

“There is no greater opportunity for effectively saving the planet than to intelligently and openly heal the schism between science and religion. Thank you, Michael! ”

“Michael's book touches something that resonates deep within all of us. For some it will provide new answers where old answers are in question. Others will begin a search to discover their own cosmology much as Michael has done for himself, and shared so beautifully. ”

“With passion and wit, Dowd does what very few before him have been able to accomplish—he demonstrates how it is possible to productively blend spirituality and science. A  book well worth reading and sharing! ”

“Thank God for Evolution does a remarkable job of integrating a valid evolutionary perspective with an authentic religious perspective. People who believe that religion (or spirituality) and biological evolution are necessarily in contradiction with each other are likely to find this book helpful in resolving their confusion. Richard Dawkins' letter to his daughter, included (with permission) as an appendix, shows that the question of meaning is important even to the most ardent advocates of evolution. ”

“Thank Evolution for Michael Dowd! Whether God had anything or not to do with evolution is a matter of belief. Yet as Dowd makes clear, even atheists are left in a glowing state of spirituality once the awe-inspiring wonder of the 'Great Story' is understood. Dowd next shows that we, as a species, are about to make great changes in the near future. Awakened by the sciences of evolution and ecology, the human race is about to evolve again, to a broader level of awareness.  We are literally on the verge of creating a new era, says Dowd, one that corresponds quite nicely with the transcendent future predicted by many different faiths. If true, we are certainly the most privileged generation in history, living witnesses to the great scientific-spiritual transformation that will soon sweep all before it. ”

“Something magical happened to roads in the 1920's - road maps. All of a sudden, short roads from town to town were shown as highways stretching across the nation. Road maps changed the paradigm of travel without adding a single mile of new roads. This book does the same thing for cutting edge science, especially evolution, and spirituality. It joins head and heart, it grounds wonder and mystery in daily experience. Approach this book as if you were 8 years old, early Christmas morning, the presents are under the tree, and you know something wonderful is imminent. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a compelling and daring invitation to explore the great mystery of our common origin and destiny in a fresh and healthy way. Connecting the two ends of the philosophical spectrum, Dowd moves beyond polarization to a new place of possibility and shows us with passion and conviction that science and religion are in fact perfect partners in the dance of discovery. This book is a wonderful tool for making meaning of our past, present and future as a species. ”

“This is a powerful book, a passionate book, a needed book, and a necessary book. The author stands up to both scientific and biblical literalists and goes for the deeper truths of both schools. A great achievement! A great pointer to our way forward as a species! ”

“Thank God For Evolution is a treasure for our time! Here are ten thousand reasons and ways to step out of our little thought boxes, our self-absorbed fears, and enter the grandeur and grit of our true identity. Through Michael Dowd’s gifted writing, information becomes inspiration, and the discoveries of the sciences are the on-going Revelation of a Cosmos which is God’s Self-Expression and Delight, where we and everyone and everything belongs. Michael weaves together the implications of participating in an Evolutionary universe at every level creating a colorful tapestry of practical wisdom: scientific information, story-telling, personal sharing, religious mythology, the hard questions, quotes from elders and wisdom figures of every era. Thank you Michael for this great resource and invitation to evolve! ”

“Michael, your book is a gift to humanity and the Earth...especially at this critical point in human history. Thank you from all of us who will lead better lives and make greater contributions because of your insights. ”

“With Thank God for Evolution, Michael Dowd offers us a lens for observing that our understanding of God necessarily evolves through the public revelation of science. We can now realize and experience that God is here, now, that Creation is ongoing, and that God is greater than the limited knowledge and expression of historic human thought and language. I thank Michael for offering that at the core of religion and spirituality is our aspiration to experience the 'integrity' of Self, Other, and The Whole — and that anything that diminishes that integrity is a 'SIN' (Sensed Integrity Nullification). I hope you, like I am, are inspired by this great work of clarifying the great stories of Creation — and that this book furthers your own great work in the world! ”

“The gap between science and religion is often a frustrating abyss. Through his book, Thank God for Evolution, Michael Dowd provides a deeply grounded and much needed platform from which even the most tentative can view, and indeed embrace, creation with an evolutionary perspective. Thank you, Michael, for this great work! ”

“Thank God for Michael Dowd! Finally a spiritual leader smart enough—and brave enough—to show America why biology and the Bible aren't mutually exclusive. This book will transform your life and your world view. Read it, read it to your children, take it to church and have your preacher read it from the pulpit. Dowd unlocks the secrets of the universe’s most powerful pairing (science and spirituality) and helps you discover your own calling—God’s purpose for your life—in the process. ”

“A stellar articulation of the emerging zeitgeist! I was only a software developer, but I am now an apostle for the The Great Story. Thank God for Evolution... and for the books to follow! They are my guide to the Universe, the true canon. I will read this book over and over again. ”

“At last someone who understands that all of reality is sacred and science is our method of comprehending it. ”

“Read this book! Then gather together a group of people from your church or place of worship and read it with them. Now is the time and here is the book to settle the evolution/religion misunderstandings. Creation is one and we can all celebrate it together. ”

“Michael Dowd's integral vision brings us the good news of our time, one that honors our evolutionary story and our noblest religious impulses. This book is a timely and healing gift to the world and its author is a bridge builder who inspires us to greater compassion and understanding. Read this book and find a new faith in the human. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a rare combination of virtues: it is passionately and deeply spiritual and reveals an amazingly good grasp of what the evolutionary sciences have discovered about our basic human nature. Dowd shows how science can be interpreted in ways that validate cherished religious insights and also how a scientifically updated Christianity can be truly uplifting. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a smart, provocative, and deeply personal book that delights in finding cohesive common ground for many otherwise divergent, even warring, schools of thought. My thinking was stirred. My beliefs were challenged. My point of view was stretched. An inspiringly original vision of our origins! ”

“A radical and astounding book guaranteed to enrich your life and understanding of your place in the universe, whether or not you find God language useful or inspiring. ”

“That evolution is a divine force has not been well appreciated, or articulated, up till now. But through the efforts of this brave book and others inspired by it, this realization is certain to be more widely embraced in the coming decades. ”

“Writing with integrity, reverence, and passion, Michael Dowd recasts the evolutionary history of the Universe as a sacred and ongoing process. With sound science and deeply spiritual theology, Thank God for Evolution offers us an end to science-religion conflict, and even better, a new way of living as part of an integral, planetary, and evolutionary whole. ”

“Michael—you’ve done It!! Your book accesses the entire universe of compassion through honoring evolution as divine creativity. By your magnificent portrayal of our Quadrune Brain, (chapter 9), you opened a door to meeting Jesus’ mandate to 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' This book 'cracks the code' of self deception and honors all of who we are. Suddenly, the enigma of the Human Condition makes sense! ”

“When we change the conversation, we change the future. This powerful and comprehensive book provides the basis for a new conversation about the relationship between reason and faith, science and spirituality. Thank God for Evolution provides a bold and inspiring synthesis that can help us celebrate our differences and shape life-affirming futures, together. Yes! ”

“Evolution is transformation and transformation can be terrifying, for me at least. I held on for dear life to the familiar, then finally in the depths of crisis, let go and prayed hard. I had to fashion a new, higher dream out of the ashes of the old. I had to completely forgive myself and others in order to gather energy from the past to redirect to the future. I had to trust in the mystery of creation while at the same time take full responsibility for deciding what I wanted my future to look and feel like. I had to open my mind and my heart wider than I ever thought possible. This was my personal process and it seems to me to be the evolutionary process Michael is describing in Thank God for Evolution! We are collective presenting ourselves with creative choice -- by remaining unconscious we are creating hell on earth; by becoming conscious we have the opportunity to co-create heaven.  I, for one, am daily choosing to envision what heaven on earth looks and feels like. I am inspired by millions of others awakening to their power to do the same. ”

“Michael Dowd describes two life-transforming conversions in his past: one to fundamentalist Christianity, the other to Darwinism. Many see these views as antithetical. Dowd shows us that religious and scientific worldviews are reconcilable. More important, he shows us that our intellectual and spiritual sanity depends on how we reconcile them.   What follows is a brilliant and captivating description of our sacred evolutionary epic, one that even the most loyal fundamentalist and staunchest atheist will find uplifting. The book is informed by our best scientific lights; but it is also written from a personal commitment to faith. It is essential reading for anyone who thinks that a love of science is irreligious, or that spirituality must remain naive.  ”

“Thank God for Evolution will transform your life from a confusing, directionless struggle into an invigorating, blissful challenge filled with meaning, purpose, and rational understanding. If you miss this chance to learn about the worldview that will bring religious peace, secular cooperation and a truly scientific age to our Earth, then you will learn about it from your children and grandchildren in the coming religious revival. ”

“The re-visioning of world religions to reflect a cosmic evolutionary perspective is part of a great evolutionary event on our planet—the emergence of conscious evolution. To read and to be moved by Michael Dowd’s seminal contribution to that re-visioning is to experience this event’s leading edge. This book oozes evolutionary energy cover to cover. ”

“Sometimes a book is more than a book. In this case it’s also a virtual, transpartisan table—an invitation to dialogue, with open seating, for those across a variety of divides: believers, semi-believers and non-believers of all stripes and lineages, aetheists, agnostics, a range of spiritual devotees and activists, and those in the worlds of science and other ways of knowing. Thank God for Evolution offer an historic opportunity for many Americans who rarely if ever talk to each other to do so. One can imagine Meet Ups of a whole range of folks having a new basis to exchange ideas, beliefs, passions, meanings of life in a way that has never happened before. I see this book making it possible to find new steps to fulfill America’s promise. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a big step toward that ultimate truth in which both religion and science will finally be reconciled. ”

“Faith seeking understanding means, these days, understanding science and its relationship with religion. Michael Dowd writes clearly and forcibly to enlighten the intelligent reader, skeptical of both creationism (and its alter ego Intelligent Design) and scientism. Not 'either-or'; either religion or science, but 'both-and'; both science and religion in mutual respect. A timely, necessary book. ”

“The universe took 13.7 billion years to produce this amazing book. I heartily recommend it. I am often asked how science and religion can co-exist. This is a wonderful answer. ”

“Michael Dowd has produced a thoughtful, timely, challenging—and readable—synthesis of science and spirituality in the spirit of Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin. There is much here for all of us to ponder as we look for solid reasons for ethical aspiration in the 21st Century. ”

“This book is a meditation on five years of conversation with Americans of all religious persuasions on the meaning of revelation in an age of secular inquiry. It acknowledges the many flash points of conflict between some orthodox doctrines and the current state of scientific theory about the origins of the universe and of life. A most helpful bridge between alternative visions of worth, destiny, and salvation. ”

“Dowd shows that when the total evolutionary history of the cosmos is viewed in terms of nested emergence instead of a merely random result of matter in motion it can support a deeply spiritual vision rather than a nihilistic one. Instead of being defensive toward evolutionary thought, Christians can appropriate this vision and be guided by it in re-thinking their heritage. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a voice of sanity and inspiration, revealing a way not only toward a deeper Christianity but a deeper humanity. It inspires faith not that a magical force will save us if we just cling to our old stories but faith in ourselves that if we fully accept the discoveries of science, we can grow as a species, widen our perspective, strengthen ourselves morally for the world we actually live in, and protect our planet and our children’s children. ”

“A publishing event of rare significance, this exhilarating book moves us at last beyond false separations of science and religion. With true evangelical fervor, it liberates both heart and mind in service to the great adventure of our time: the rediscovery of our mutual belonging and our kinship with all life. With breathtaking clarity, Michael Dowd not only treats us to a panoramic vision of our origins, but reveals how this Great Story can grace our lives right now with courage, creativity, and peace of mind. Such gifts are not only our birthright, they are essential now for our survival. ”

“This book will change the minds and even the hearts of people who have been alienated by rhetoric that pits science against faith. ”

“A joy and inspiriation to read, Michael's visionary words lay to rest the tired if not fraudulent argument that there's a conflict between faith and science. I admit I'm at times discouraged, confronting the problems of the world, and wonder if we even have time for this. But story by story I am uplifted. Here is the motivation for doing good with our lives: we are inextricably the creation creating, and if we're not participationg in the healing, we're in the way. ”

“Cutting edge organizational thinking has revealed that focusing on the positive can lead to real change, focusing on problems is lifeless. While pondering the survival of the human species may be a powerful motivator for some, focusing on humanity’s place in an evolving sacred Universe will change our relationship with planet Earth for centuries to come. This is what Michael Dowd does artfully and powerfully. This is a book to read and re-read, but also to share with others and discuss. ”

“Bravo! For too long, science and religion have been missing what the other is truly seeking. Michael Dowd has been seeking what each of them alone has been missing. And he found it: The Great Story. A science-based creation story—a sacred epic with sufficient depth and meaning to quench our hot thirst for a deep remembering of who we truly are. Thank you Michael. ”

“About 18 years ago, Michael Dowd helped us awaken to the fact that we were Cosmic entities, part of a 14 billion year process. It has never been the same since. In his new book, he has integrated and weaved the best understandings and revelations of the dvine in evolution and science into a Deep Spiritual Experience, to be had by all who are seeking and awakening. Don't miss this book!! ”

“Michael Dowd's book Thank God for Evolution is a heroic accomplishment. Not only does it succeed in blazing new trails between the heart and the mind, it does so with the exciting, seemingly dangerous, soulforce of an Old Testament prophet. No idle entertainment here—this book fills you with wonder and changes your life! ”

“Science is handing us an incredible, mind blowing creation story. What do we do with this grand epic? How do we integrate it? What does it mean for who we are? Thank God for Evolution is a book we can tightly hold onto to help us through the 'shattering' and into a whole new world. ”

“Michael Dowd gives us his creative mind and caring heart to offer his insight and wisdom in this innovative new answer to one of the core questions of our time—the meaning of our existence in the modern Universe. Everyone concerned with the deepest questions of science, religion, who we are, and our place in the Universe absolutely should read this book! ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a timely book, giving us dozens of reasons why we need to take evolution seriously. Not only does Dowd describe evolution, perhaps more importantly he shows that to understand ourselves, we need to understand evolution. Dowd explores new terrain by revealing how evolution is relevant to ethics, community building, sexuality, spirituality and a viable future for the Earth community. Thank God for Evolution is a marvellous blend of science and religion, with important insights for a new era of Life on Earth. ”

“Thank God for Michael Dowd!! This book is an energizing, spiraling flow from star dust to human belief systems. Religion and Science now tango together and the reader evolves from being the observer of our cosmic story to being a full participant in the evolution of the Universe. This sobering perspective on life is compassionate and filled with love. When reading this book, transformation can happen!! ”

“Read this book. Then read it again. Then share it with everyone you know. Dowd’s comprehensive synthesis of evolutionary psychology, biology, and theology is a 21st-century operating manual for the consciously evolving human being. Thank God For Evolution is not only a brilliant articulation of the profound interconnections between science and spirituality, it is also a practical guidebook for living an evolutionary, radiant, scientifically-informed and faith-foundationed life. Congratulations, Michael Dowd. May your vision of a humanity illumined by deep knowledge of the Great Story transform our world for the better. ”

“Michael Dowd's book, Thank God for Evolution, is a doorway into a new and glorious transformational moment for the history of religion as it enters into its cosmological phase. ”

“Michael Dowd is a passionate, forceful, intelligent and irenic voice in the all-too-often strident exchanges between creationists and evolutionists. His vision of evolution as 'divine creativity' of which we are always both products and agents has room for—indeed requires—science and faith. Science provides the facts, while faith is needed to understand their meaning. And it is the meaning of evolution that Dowd most wants to convey, as for example in his call for 'evolutionary integrity,' i.e. living out (realizing) the ethical implications of evolution. I expect it is Dowd’s own commitment to such integrity in his writing that accounts for the fact that even when I encountered assumptions or conclusions I did not share, I was not inclined to react but instead was challenged to respond by creatively evolving my own thinking and formulating. That made Thank God for Evolution! a very good read. ”

“Honest students of God should welcome the revelations of science as insights, not fear them as threats. Here is a book in that spirit by a minister who takes evolution to heart, and celebrates it. ”

“With characteristic creativity and enthusiasm, Michael Dowd skillfully presents an ecological theology emerging out of the new cosmology. He makes evolution and complex scientific concepts more understandable. He makes the central tenets of Christianity a little more acceptable and a lot more hopeful. It is a significant contribution to revisioning Christian faith within the Universe Story. ”

“Dowd shows that there are many ways to be a spiritual person, and that all of them are enriched by an understanding of modern science, especially evolution. Many will find their faith revolutionized. ”

“If you don’t want a new perspective on the religion vs. evolution debate, then don’t read this book. Dowd has written a brave, thoughtful, and well-researched piece of work. He has done his homework, and has done an excellent job incorporating the work of others in the fields of religion and evolution and synthesizing the facts. Both academicians and lay persons will appreciate his insights! ”

“No one brings evolution up closer and more personal than Michael Dowd. Convincingly making science itself a gift of God, Dowd shows us a meaningful, living universe. Let every young person read this passionate, engaging plea for understanding not only the Cosmos and our living Earth but each other in all our glorious diversity. It's high time to know our true evolutionary potential as this book shows it and to engage in fulfilling our evolutionary destiny together! ”

“Michael Dowd is a pioneering voice for a deep spirituality that both celebrates the wisdom of science and is juicy with love, intimacy, and aliveness.  With intelligence, enthusiasm, and humor he welcomes us to participate in the unfolding discovery of our own spirituality within the sacred revelation that is our evolving universe. ”

“Dowd belongs to that tradition of religious thinkers, from Thomas Aquinas to Thomas Berry, that illuminates the universe as revelation of the Divine. Aimed straight at the unnecessary split between Christianity and current cosmology, this significant work has revolutionary implications for our collective worldview. Michael Dowd is a voice the world needs. ”

“It is a bold adventure to take on evolution and religion in the same book and Michael Dowd has done so beautifully! As we prepare for community dialogue during the 2008 election, Thank God for Evolution gives us the tools to understand this great debate so that we might have an open and sane conversation. Thank you Michael! ”

“I'm pleased to see more and more people address the patterns of human emergence. Michael has made a significant contribution to understanding this critical aspect of human nature. ”

“This is a work of many brilliant and provocative insights. A timely contribution to an ongoing dialogue so essential to a better quality of human life for the future. ”

“Progressive science and progressive religion must join forces if humanity rather than inhumanity is to prevail in the 21st century. Pioneering evolutionary evangelist Michael Dowd is the indispensable new voice now brilliantly bridging the gap from religion's shore. ”

“I am blown away with the quality of your book! You have done such a masterful piece of evolutionary work here. I love your depth of thinking, passion, research, writing, and profound optimism. This book is a gift that far exceeds the evolution vs. God debate. It is for anyone who wants to feel hopeful that we can and will successfully evolve as a human species. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is an articulate and deeply intelligent book—a much needed bridge between science and religion. It is superbly written, engaging, and a delight to read.  ”

“Dowd transforms the sterile debate between Creationism and Evolutionism into the search for a deeper, more inspiring truth. A courageous and insightful work. ”

“An itinerant preacher who teaches evolution in the evangelical style? I was skeptical at first, but Michael Dowd remains true to both science and the spirit of religion. He understands that what most people need to accept evolution is not more facts, but an appreciation of what evolution means for our value systems and everyday lives. ”

“What better belief can we hold than trusting that 'the Universe conspires on our behalf?!' Michael Dowd creates for us, a 'symbiology'... a beautiful tapestry of symbols and biology to guide us towards an understanding of our true place in the Cosmos and into right relationship with our physical and spiritual lives. This book enlightens with each turn of the page. ”

“The time of ‘flat earth’ religions is over, so too is the era of a flattened science blind to higher dimensions. We are in the midst of a Copernican revolution of immense proportions as the awe inspiring vastness of time and space and truths that Seers have long proclaimed- stand equally revealed. Thank God for Evolution is the gospel (good news) of our times, announcing a radically new relationship between science and spirit. Michael Dowd heralds a wholeness of vision, a cosmology of both height and depth, and an era in which reason and revelation together unfold a greater wonder than each could know alone. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is the most heart-felt love letter to the human race I have ever read. It is the ultimate guide towards the most profound psychological integration in human history—the confluence of the truly cosmic and the truly personal. Upon this reading one is invited into the timeless technicolor of the Great Story, a story that lovingly belongs to and holds all of us...the Alpha and the Omega brought up to date. ”

“The science vs. religion debate is over. A powerful book! A must read for all, including scientists. ”

“Every so often a book comes along with a message so fresh, so timely and so encompassing that it seems it could actually change the world. This us just such a book—demonstrating that the scientifically revealed story of evolution is the most inspiring creation myth of all. ”

“Michael has written a beautiful book that embraces everyone, trumps outdated disagreements, and takes us all to the next level of hope and inspiration. This Great Story can unite us all in a passionate and intellectually satisfying vision of why we are here and how magnificent it all is. Read—and be engaged in the real hero's journey—the journey to the center of everything and to the center of yourself. ”

“Dowd helps us find our place in the grand sweep of the creative, sacred cosmos and shows us how to marry scientific fact and spiritual faith. Thank God for Evolution is a treasure trove of insights fired by inspiration...expressed with a rare passion for truth and integrity...This is a book that could transform your life. ”

“For Catholics who are worried that evolution has nothing to offer them but random Godlessness, this is the book to get. Take courage—and read it! ”

“Thank God for Evolution conveys the awesome grandeur of evolution and the Universe. It's a book about science and religion, rather than science vs. religion, a sorting out that is crucial in these contentious times. ”

“Few subjects today arouse more passion than the culture war between traditional religion and evolutionary science. Dowd’s timely book offers a refreshing third way and introduces us to a promising new field emerging on the edges of contemporary culture—evolutionary spirituality. Integrating breakthrough ideas from evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, physics, and evolutionary biology, Dowd makes a compelling case for why the spiritual and religious impulse is not erased but profoundly enriched by our ever-expanding knowledge of self, nature, and cosmos. With the enthusiasm of an evangelical and the open-mindedness of a scientist, he offers the reader a smorgasbord of fascinating new ideas, and begins a discussion about the theological future of Christianity that is long overdue. ”

“This is a handbook for conscious evolution. Furry L’il Mammal, Lizard Legacy, Monkey Mind — these are just some of the engaging terms that the author has invented to help us understand that evolution is not something confined to museums of natural history, superseded by the invention of civilization by clever human beings, but something that is going on right now within every one of us. TGFE! is a book to help us know who we are, where we've come from, and where we might be going — depending on how conscious we become of evolutionary process itself. Dowd has written a masterpiece of integrated thinking. ”

“Michael Dowd’s new book should be made into a Hollywood film: An Evangelical Christian Preacher (Michael) and an Atheist Evolutionary Naturalist (Connie Barlow) fall in love, marry one another, and give birth to their stunning new vision that promises healing for so many. If you love God, if you love the animals, if you love Jesus, if you love the flowers and Sun and Moon, here’s the book that will help you gather all these loves together. ”

“A fantastic book! You might as well buy ten copies to start with because you won't be able to finish one without giving it away to someone time and again. Be forewarned! Would I lie to you? ”

“When discussing evolution, a dichotomy of beliefs -- either scientific or religious -- tends to inform the debate. Dowd's work shows us that this polarity is no longer necessary. ”

“This is a much needed book, even a Holy Book, a scripture for a spiritual renewal available to all religions as well as people living outside organized religion. Michael writes with verve and courage. He is a true Evangel, bringing a message of wholeness to everyone. His arguments for recognizing the inherent relationship of religion and science as the YinYang of the human experience are compelling. ”

“Thank God for Evolution 'binds us back to origin' which is the root meaning of the word 'religion'. In reading this book we are at once bound back and then propelled forward into true evolutionary integrity. ”

“Thank God for Evolution is a seminal work. It crosses the great divide between science and religion, by offering a new, all inclusive, science-based, spirit-infused way for us to move together as co-evolutionary participants in the process of creation. It is a gift to all of us. I recommend it with all my heart. ”

“Michael Dowd’s unrestrained passionate call for us all to embrace a truly evolutionary world view is as infectious as it is timely. And he’s right! It is nothing less than urgent that we abandon any and all notions of a static universe, or a static god for that matter, so that we will be able to take up the reins of our cosmic inheritance and endeavor boldly and heroically to create the future in the most conscious way possible. ”

“Michael Dowd's Thank God for Evolution opens the space for a true reconciliation of science and spirituality. The deep reflection and conversation it evokes can usher in a collective transformation of consciousness and help us evolve into a wisdom culture. ”

“Emerging from the heart of ultimate mystery is meta-religious movement animated by the Great Story, the epic of evolution. Michael Dowd's Thank God for Evolution is a timely and significant contribution to this new Living Cosmic Bible. ”