Synopses & Reviews
Review
"[A]n excellent introduction."—Choice
Review
"Polkinghorne is the unquestioned leader in the growing field of science and religion, and by a considerable margin, is its most intellectually credible thinker…Volumes like his from respected academic presses are increasingly important as the rhetoric of the New Atheists grows steadily louder and more confident with no associated increase in the intellectual sophistication of their arguments."—Karl Giberson, co-author of The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age
Review
"I found this survey of science and theology to be readable, scholarly, well-organized, and insightful as always…this is a fine introductory survey that will be helpful to a wide variety of readers."—John Haught, author of Making Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and the Drama of Life
Synopsis
John Polkinghorne, an international figure known both for his contributions to the field of theoretical elementary particle physics and for his work as a theologian, has over the years filled a bookshelf with writings devoted to specific topics in science and religion. In this new book, he undertakes for the first time a survey of all the major issues at the intersection of science and religion, concentrating on what he considers the essential insights for each. Clearly and without assuming prior knowledge, he addresses causality, cosmology, evolution, consciousness, natural theology, divine providence, revelation, and scripture. Each chapter also provides references to his other books in which more detailed treatments of specific issues can be found.
For those who are new to what Polkinghorne calls "one of the most significant interdisciplinary interactions of our time," this volume serves as an excellent introduction. For readers already familiar with John Polkinghorne's books, this latest is a welcome reminder of the breadth of his thought and the subtlety of his approach in the quest for truthful understanding.
Synopsis
From the vantage point of eighty years, a highly regarded scientist and theologian surveys the full spectrum of critical issues between science and theology
John Polkinghorne, an international figure known both for his contributions to the field of theoretical elementary particle physics and for his work as a theologian, has over the years filled a bookshelf with writings devoted to specific topics in science and religion. In this new book, he undertakes for the first time a survey of all the major issues at the intersection of science and religion, concentrating on what he considers the essential insights for each. Clearly and without assuming prior knowledge, he addresses causality, cosmology, evolution, consciousness, natural theology, divine providence, revelation, and scripture. Each chapter also provides references to his other books in which more detailed treatments of specific issues can be found.
For those who are new to what Polkinghorne calls "one of the most significant interdisciplinary interactions of our time," this volume serves as an excellent introduction. For readers already familiar with John Polkinghorne's books, this latest is a welcome reminder of the breadth of his thought and the subtlety of his approach in the quest for truthful understanding.
About the Author
John Polkinghorne is a scientist and an Anglican priest, fellow and former president of Queens' College, Cambridge, and winner of the 2002 Templeton Prize among many other awards and honors. He lives in Cambridge, UK.