Electromagnetism and the Sacred

Subtitled 'At the Frontier of Spirit and Matter', this is a fascinating book about light or more specifically electromagnetic interaction (EMI) as an analogue of Divine Presence or Immanence in the world. Part 1 looks at electromagnetism in the natural world, situating it both historically and within the current scientific and technological understanding. The second part considers the spiritual dimension starting with a chapter on light in religious cosmologies and spiritual experiences, drawing on a number of historical figures. The next chapter – indwelling – looks at immanence in nature (including a discussion of Whitehead and Teilhard) but, oddly enough, does not quote experiences of what Stace calls extravertive mysticism where the natural world is lit up from the inside. Fagg is careful to stress that his argument is that of a physical analogue, and does not lose sight of the transcendent aspect of the divine beyond any natural theology. He makes a carefully thought-through case that deserves serious attention.