
point of reference



an astrophysicist’s quest for
authentic christianity and patristic credibility

Dr. Wesley Jacob
Dr. Wesley Jacob’s research stands at the intersection of Astrophysics and Ante-Nicene Patristics, weaving together a blend of scientific inquiry and early Christian thought. His contributions to both fields have cultivated a vantage point from which to explore the philosophical and theological implications of cutting-edge cosmology and early Christian doctrine.
As an astrophysicist, Dr. Jacob draws inspiration from the pioneering minds that have shaped modern cosmology. The universe, as described by Edwin Hubble, is “expanding, like a giant balloon” (1), revealing mysteries that continue to challenge our deepest understanding of the cosmos. Dr. Jacob’s work at CERN, particularly in his research on particle detectors at the Large Hadron Collider, echoes the precision and depth that defined the explorations of Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, whose work on the structure of stars transformed our understanding of stellar evolution (2). Dr. Jacob embraces the vast complexity of the universe, while seeking clarity in the seemingly impenetrable.
The discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have provided profound insights into the origins of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems, further informing Dr. Jacob’s scientific research. The stunning images from JWST reveal structures in the early universe with unprecedented detail, prompting new questions about the birth of galaxies and black holes- a pursuit of Stephen Hawking’s work on singularities and black hole thermodynamics (3). These discoveries drive Dr. Jacob’s ongoing inquiry, bridging the latest developments in astrophysics with age-old theological debates.
Simultaneously, Dr. Jacob’s delves deeply into Ante-Nicene Patristics, with a particular focus on the Christ event within the henotheistic frameworks of Hinduism. This theological endeavor is anchored in the historical and philosophical traditions of early Christianity, engaging with questions about the nature of Christ’s divinity and its resonance with India’s rich religious diversity. As Origen, sought to reconcile Christian faith with Hellenistic philosophy, so we should endeavor to provide a bridge between seemingly disparate traditions, facilitating a nuanced dialogue that seeks mutual understanding (4).
As an educator, Dr. Jacob held faculty positions at the University of Chicago, and served as an Adjunct Professor of Patrology and as a Visiting Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics. His courses span a wide spectrum, from topics in stellar dynamics and cosmology to the historical development of early Christian thought. He is particularly committed to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, regularly leading seminars on Faith and Science, where he challenges the prevailing notion that science and theology are inherently at odds. Echoing Carl Sagan’s sentiment that “science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality” (5), Dr. Jacob advocates for a worldview where both realms enrich and deepen one another.
Beyond his academic responsibilities, Dr. Jacob is a minister within the United Methodist Church. His pastoral leadership is deeply informed by his scientific and theological background, allowing him to engage his congregation in meaningful discussions about the intersection of faith, science, and human purpose. He is a contributor to scholarly journals, a speaker at conferences, and the author of numerous essays and articles that explore these complex subjects.
In his personal life, Dr. Jacob finds solace in reflective writing, often sharing his insights through his blog. He also enjoys playing chess. His journey, marked by a commitment to intellectual rigor and spiritual reflection - continues to inspire both his students and peers, as he navigates the questions of existence at the intersection of faith and the ever-expanding universe.
Footnotes
(1) Edwin Hubble, The Realm of the Nebulae, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1936.
(2) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, An Introduction to the Study of Stellar Structure, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1939.
(3) Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, New York: Bantam Books, 1988.
(4) Origen, On First Principles, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1973.
(5) Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, New York: Random House, 1995.
BOOKS WRITTEN BY DR. WESLEY JACOB
ASTROPHYSICS
WERNER HEISENBERG'S UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
Einstein's theory of special relativity and
Hawking's prediction of Quantum fluctuation
BLACK HOLES AND TIME WARPS
A Guide to Newtonian physics and the Michelson–Morley experiment
CERN'S ANTIPROTON DECELERATOR
Atomic Spectroscopy and Collisions Using Slow Antiprotons
CHRIST AND THE COSMOS: GOD IN AN AGE OF SCIENCE
The Origin of Species revisited:
An Analysis of the Major Tenets of Evolution, Creation and Intelligent Design
ASTROPHYSICS AND FAITH
The Definitive Intersection of Christian Faith and Contemporary Astrophysics
PHILOSOPHY
FROM PLATO TO SPINOZA
Structure and Growth of Philosophic Systems
THE ENLIGHTENMENT: SCIENCE, EPISTEMOLOGY AND METAPHYSICS
René Descartes’ and the Metaphysical Foundation of the Sciences
THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Eighteenth-Century Answers to Twentieth-Century Questions
KERYGMA AND MYTH
Dialectic of the Sacred: An Assessment of Heidegger and Bultmann
POSTMODERNITY
JACQUES DERRIDA: RELIGION AND QUESTIONS OF FAITH
The Resurgence of World Religions in the Advent of Postmodernity
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IN A POSTMODERN ERA
Modern Filiation in a Fragmented Age
EVOLUTION-CREATION
THE EVOLUTION OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
Do Gaps in the Fossil Record disprove Descent with Modification?
SCIENTIFIC CREATIONISM VERSUS EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
A Scientific Basis of Creation
PATRISTICS
THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY
The History of from the End of The Apostolic Age
to the Beginning of The Nicene
THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS
Subaltern Embryonic in Ante-Nicene Patristics
THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS
87 Heart-wrenching Biographies of Martyrs of The Early Church
JUSTIN MARTYR
The Unapologetic Apologist who preferred Truth to Life
MARCUS AURELIUS
Plato's Stoic Philosopher Emperor
COLONIZATION
THE BRITISH IMPERIAL RAJ
The Colonization and Christianization of India
SUBALTERNITY
Challenging the Elitist Reconstruction
of History, Politics, Economics and Sociology
CHURCH HISTORY
INTERPRETING CHURCH HISTORY
An Introduction to the Challenge of the Churches’ Future
UNITED METHODIST POLITY
Building God’s Church in our Contemporary World
A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Rise and Growth of the Church in its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context
BIBLICAL INSIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH
Postmodernism and its Influence in the Church
THEOLOGY
FOUNDATION FOR FAITH
An Introductory Study of Systematic Theology
CHRISTIAN BELIEFS
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
BIBLICAL PREACHING
Rhetorical Argumentation in Postmodern Hermeneutics
RELIGIONS
ISLAM AND WESTERN CIVILIZATION
Rethinking Islam’s place in the Contemporary World
and in the American Public Square
HINDU THEOLOGY
Vedic Rituals and Upanishad Philosophy under a Religio-Cultural Microscope
BUDDHISM
Nirvana and Samsara: Four Stages of Awakening
HINDUISM IN THE WEST
The Intensification of the Influence of Hindu Dharma in the West
BUDDHIST ETHICS
The Sarvāstivāda Path: Attainment through Abandonment
DEVOTIONALS
THE HOUR THAT CHANGES THE WORLD
How the Family Altar can Alter the Family
MUSINGS OF A 21ST CENTURY MYSTIC
A Glimpse of the Oasis:
The Irrevocable Rubicon of Solitary Contemplation
INTO THE DARK WITH GOD
A Christmas Meditation
on the Incarnation for a World searching for Answers
PRAYER: FINDING THE HEART’S TRUE HOME
A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer
SERMONS FROM THE CROSS
A Lenten Devotional for Fellow Pilgrims
DISCOVER GOD. DISCOVER YOURSELF.
The person we are before God
and the person we wish to present to the World
NAMES OF GOD
Know God's Character by Understanding His Names