Local author melds science and spirituality in novel trilogy

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Local author melds science and spirituality in novel trilogy
August 1, 2012
By Amy Bentley
SWRNN.com

f you’re a Christian and a strong believer in science as well, you should like local author and physician John Pascal’s novels.

John Pascal, a retired dermatologist from Fallbrook, recently released his second book, “Domes,” part of his trilogy of science fiction novels that take spirituality into the scientific realm. (Courtesy photo)

Pascal, a retired dermatologist from Fallbrook, recently released his second book, “Domes,” part of his trilogy of science fiction novels that take spirituality into the scientific realm. His first book, “The Bee,” was published last year by Xulon Press, a Christian self-publishing company.

“The overall inspiration I had for this is the compatibility of both science and spirituality as not fighting with one another,” said Pascal, a born-again Christian.

“Science doesn’t stand in the way of God and God doesn’t mind anything we discover scientifically,” said Pascal.

Pascal will appear at a book signing at 4:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 11 at the Robin’s Nest coffee shop on Mercedes and Fifth Streets in Old Town Temecula.

“The Bee” is about a future world controlled by a deified dictator. The protagonist, physics instructor Joe Main, escapes in a time machine and goes back to prehistoric times on Mars.

His friend is Spero, an escapee from the future Earth. Tempted by fantastic travels to anywhere in time and space, Joe and Spero find themselves evading capture and death. Two strong women come to their defense, and together they battle the dictator who crushes freedom, worship of “the unseen God,” and who might be the last Antichrist.

In “Domes,” it’s the year 2247. The last Antichrist, Aten, is on a murderous spree, hunting those who worship the “unseen God.” The main character, Justin, would rather find a peaceful solution and pursue the woman he loves but must lead the revolution.

Pascal said he hopes his books will appeal to people of science and faith alike. He encourages followers of science and those in the faith community to “search for truth.”

“If there are things bothering either side (in his books) then I know I am doing a good job. I want them to think. I want to jog their beliefs.”

When asked how he believes Christians will regard his books, Pascal said he expects mixed reviews. “Some will not say, ‘It’s just not Biblical.’ Much of it is, really.”

Pascal said he was influenced to write his stories after reading, “The End of Time: The Next Revolution in Our Understanding of the Universe,” a 1999 science book in which author Julian Barbour argues that time exists merely as an illusion.

Pascal’s books are available online from Amazon.com and Google Books and are sold at Treasures from Heaven, a Christian bookstore in Fallbrook. They also can be downloaded for the Kindle or Nook, and should be available at public libraries in Riverside County. The book cover art for “Domes” was created by Vista resident Connie Parkinson and depicts the author’s vision of the Antichrist.