Book Review -- Psalm 104 -- In Wisdom you made them all by Krista Kay Bontrager with Fazale Rana

Introduction: In her booklet, Bontrager presents a believable depiction of the connection between Psalm 104 and Genesis 1. She admits it is not often connected, but it is in the same literary family as other creation documents. This book review summarizes and discusses strengths, weaknesses, implications, and how to apply the booklet to my ministry.  

Concise Summary: This readable booklet is designed to engage readers from start to finish. The reader is provided with an NIV translation of Psalm 104. A brief but effective hermeneutics lesson follows. She includes a helpful table showing the connection between Psalm 104 and Genesis 1. Since the author of Psalm 104 is not named, she makes a good case for the author being the same as that of Psalm 103. They share the same theme, and some scholars view them as a unified whole. Psalm 103 praises the Redeemer King; Psalm 104 magnifies the Creator King (Bontrager, 23). She explains each Psalm unit by unit, adding science integration throughout the rest of the book. She mentions middle school scientific terms, such as the water cycle, the food chain (including predation), layers of the atmosphere, and extinction/repopulation, hinting at a birth-death-rebirth cycle. Her appendix offers more information on how to study the Psalms and includes a list of creation-related biblical passages. 

Strengths: The length, structure, and content were the strongest qualities of this booklet. It was concise, thorough, and presented multiple perspectives. Including instructions on interpreting Hebrew poetry at the start and in the appendix was also a strength. This made the reading process quick and easy to understand. This book can be used to help evangelize non-believers and teach believers. How many believers realize how many passages in the Bible refer to creation? 

Weaknesses: The mention of Psalm 104 and the hymn to Aten was a weakness because it contributed nothing to the connection between Science and the Bible. Many would rather believe a myth than accept God's authenticity and authority. The section should have been omitted. 

Implications: At the end of Bontrager’s booklet, she uses a half-page to explain what the book means. I agree that creation is impressive and evidence of intelligent design. Almighty God’s creation is incredible, and the book highlights this in detail. It also reveals a physical vision of the birth-death-rebirth cycles governed by the omnipotent. "Omnipotent" (all-powerful), "omniscient" (all-knowing), and "omnipresent" (present everywhere). Creation is not a mistake. God created man in his image and placed him in a universe on a planet designed to support life. After reading the booklet, you cannot deny the connections between Genesis, other creation documents, and Science with Psalm 104.

Conclusion: During my pastoral interview, my pastor admitted that he never planned events specifically to reach or attract atheists. I recognize that my gospel sharing was intended for those who need God. The downtrodden, the disenfranchised, the depressed, the oppressed, the addict, and the homeless were the focus of our missionary and evangelistic efforts. An event can be designed using Bontrager’s booklet to attract other thinkers. After reading the book, I came to understand its significance. Every man needs God!

Over the next few weeks, I will discuss this book chapter by chapter.  I encourage you to purchase the book.  

Also, check out another book from Reason to Believe: