Hawaii has the most diverse population in the United States, and this volume begins with Chilton Pearce's lectures in that state. He writes about acceptance of diversity through unity and unity through diversity. His is a comprehensive worldview. Pearce draws on art, religion, and science to explain the state of Western society.
Alienated from traditional Christian practices and beliefs, Pearce finds many religions perpetuating themselves rather than unfolding the immense possibilities for relationships with creation.
Pearce describes the corruption and dysfunction of society in terms of diminished brain function. He cites hospital childbirth, day care, television, premature attempts at formal education, and synthetic growth hormones as society's route to becoming a mass of incapacitated humanity. Weaving in neurological science, Pearce offers a convincing thesis that today's children are ruined for maximizing their full potential. He demonstrates society's stifling of exploration and creativity as well as analytic and critical thought.
Pearce writes, however, from an evolutionist' s secular viewpoint. He neglects Christ as essential to the pursuit of human potential. He also speaks of specifications of brain function as if they were all scientifically tested which is not the case.
At the same time, one cannot help being inspired by the thought of enhancing intelligence that leads us closer to God's creation. Otherwise, growth ceases and relationship with God deteriorates as society falls apart.
An increasingly diverse population demands a state of constant alertness in order to cope. Pastors will find in Pearce's treatise ideas on how to survive in today' s society and a storehouse of quotable material, documented and cross referenced.
