Skyler Gilreath
CRST 290-001
Book Analysis: The Quest by Todd Charles Wood
Summary
The Quest by Todd Charles Wood is a book that explores creations hardest problems. Dr.
Wood is a “scientist and a Christian and a young age creationist” (Wood p. 7). Early in the
prologue Dr. Wood conveys that his goal is to understand God and His creation. He
acknowledges that he will never finish this “quest” and yet it still brings him joy (Wood p. 9).
The “quest” is a way of thinking, or even a worldview of a sort that Dr. Wood believes in.
The main discussion or argument in the book is this conflict between creationism and evolution.
It takes the reader on a quest themselves from the basic conflicts, reconciliation, different
perspectives, and just how Dr. Wood approaches this age-old conflict. It's stated in multiple
passages throughout the book that there is heavy criticism on his point of view and his way of
thinking and yet it doesn't discourage him. He talks about having faith in one hand and science in
the other and instead of pitting them against each other or choosing one above the other he
chooses to learn more about both and questions science and questions interpretations of the
Bible. This doesn't make him a bad Christian and it also does not make him an agnostic. He
defines the Bible and science as more intertwined and relational then individual. Throughout the
book he illustrates how his own personal experiences and research has shaped these perspectives
that he has and the effect that it should have on the relationship with God as a Christian. The goal
is to understand God and the creation. The structure of the book is also very important to the
overall comprehension of what Dr. Wood wants the readers to get out of it. In between every
chapter there are pauses labeled “Adoremus”. These are worship interludes that Dr. Wood has
added to “remind ourselves of the awe and wonder of the creator” (Wood p. 9). Dr. Wood was
Skyler Gilreath
CRST 290-001
Notable Quotes
“This isn't a fight between knowledge of science and experience of religion. It's a
confusion between two witnesses that we think are reliable but don't seem to make
sense.” (Wood p. 17)
oI believe that this quote is one of the first in the book that really gives a broad
thesis statement to the rest of the narrative of this book. It introduces this basic
conflict and confusion that us Christians feel when we pursue something in the
scientific realm of study.
“The quest is science in one hand and the Bible in the other, seeking to understand them
both.” (Wood p. 17)
oSimilarly, to the previous quote, this one gives an explicit definition of a
reoccurring theme throughout the book. This provides the reader with a very basic
also specific with the layout of his story, making it feel like the readers are on a quest while
reading. Starting with basic conflicts, to different ways that people respond to it, how his
personal experiences has affected it, and then finally the moral dimensions and the conclusion to
this story.
Throughout the book he defines strategies and ways he himself has attempted to do this,
but he ends this book with a quote that says “Love God, love your neighbor, and love your
enemy. If we say love God and hate our brothers and sisters, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us” (Wood p. 122). The conclusion means that this “quest” that he has discussed the
entire book is completely meaningless without the love of God and how we show that to others.
Skyler Gilreath
CRST 290-001
understanding of where this book is going to lead them and is what Dr. Wood
builds upon.
“We live here in a vast universe, larger than we can even begin to imagine, all set in place
by a creator who lavishes us with his loving kindness... Every living thing shines with the
beauty of his wisdom and power. And we understand only a tiny fraction.” (Wood p. 36)
oI think that this quote is very important in the fact that it shows our limitations as
humans. We can never expect to reach a complete understanding or a conclusion
to all these questions regarding creation because we are a fallen, tainted image of
a perfect God. It's a perfect quote to illustrate how humans have a lesser
understanding which is a reoccurring argument presented by Dr. Wood.
“I don't want mistakes and falsehoods to dictate how I spend the time I have here on this
earth. I just want to leave the errors behind and push forward towards God's truth.”
(Wood p. 37)
oI found this quote to be very encouraging and something that many Christian
scientists forget. I don't think that becoming discouraged and falling behind when
we reach a problem in our argument is how we will ever further our beliefs and
deepen our understanding, so I think this is a very important quote.
“It's not the end of the world. Why should I let questions about the Nephilim cause me to
doubt the power of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ?” (Wood p. 60)
oAgain, very similar to the previous quote, this is a healthy perspective that Dr.
Wood presents and is once again very encouraging. We are human, we are going
to make mistakes, this doesn't mean that we should be so discouraged that we
Skyler Gilreath
CRST 290-001
doubt our beliefs and our faith. This quote also reiterates how you should not let
your confusion lead to doubts of a perfect and infinite God.
Reflection
Something that stood out to me in Dr. Woods’ book was how I viewed conflict or
disagreement within science and the Bible. When Dr. Wood discussed how his personal
experiences and relationship with the Lord influence his worldview and perspective regarding
science it gave me a lot of confidence in myself because personal experiences are usually just
chopped up to bias and are looked down upon in science. He really encouraged me to look
deeper into scripture and to be transformed. As part of a younger generation, I think that it's very
easy to be afraid to speak up for the Bible and to conform. But we are, as Christians, encouraged
to actively and explicitly avoid conforming to the world. At the end of the day, you are never
going to fully understand everything and have everybody agree with what you say. It's more
about the discipline that we have and that you create while you go through this very difficult
route of Christianity and science. Something that really inspired me was the encouragement to
seek a better and deeper understanding of scripture and science and to be very careful not to
exclude anything. To exclude something is to hinder your own understanding and therefore
hinder your ability to share what you believe with others.
