This is my second reading of this work, after reading the other available biography of Whiston (The Life and Work of William Whiston by Maureen Farrell) and more biographies of Isaac Newton.

Here is my first review, from 2006:

"This book reads like a converted dissertation, and focuses more in Whiston's theologic-scientific theories (rather than biblical chronology or straightforward theology). Force's contention is that, basically, Whiston took Newton's scientific theology to it's logical physical (as in physics) conclusions, and wasn't scared to say it (as Newton was)."

Here are my further comments, from 2023:

It does read like a converted dissertation because it IS a converted dissertation. Force's main contention is that Whiston took Newton's scientific ideals and theological principles and ran with them to their utmost conclusions. Newton and Whiston used their science to prove a clockmaker God against the deists and in support of the Christian Bible. But, Newton worked in the background and from the sidelines. (Thus, he never expressed his anti-Trinitarian Arianism.) Whiston boldly proclaimed Newton's methods and conclusions in print and in speech. (This included advocating anti-Trinitarian Arianism, which lost Whiston his Lucasian Professorship at Cambridge and his standing in society. Newton made sure he never joined the Royal Society.) Whiston, using Newtonain methods and principles, tried to prove God's creation, His Providence (general and special), His use of miracles, His fulfillment of biblical prophecies, etc. This all made Whiston look a loon to more staid divines, the atheists, the deists, and the littérateurs. Thus Force's title: Whiston was the "Honest Newtonian," not the closet Newton of Newton himself. Whiston's work on theology, the text of the Bible, his translation of Josephus, his biblical chronology, his work on the longitude problem, his personal life, etc., are mentioned, but not much, and not expanded upon.

Start with Maureen Farrell's The Life and Work of William Whiston for a great skeleton guide to Whiston, his works, and his thought. Then maybe read Force's William Whiston: Honest Newtonian. A better biography of Whiston could probably be written, but it will probably never be undertaken. His influence on Christian scholars and laypeople, through his translation of Josephus and his biblical chronology, is immense. ( )

This book reads like a converted dissertation, and focuses more in Whiston's theologic-scientific theories (rather than biblical chronology or straightforward theology). Force's contention is that, basically, Whiston took Newton's scientific theology to it's logical physical (as in physics) conclusions, and wasn't scared to say it (as Newton was). ( )