Synopses & Reviews
Now thoroughly updated to reflect the latest debates, this popular textbook introduces readers to the central questions in the field of science and religion. Ideally suited to those who have little or no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available.
- Examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between religion and science
- Fully updated to reflect current, cutting-edge debates on scientific atheism and the limits of scientific method, and discussions about the relationship between science and religion in major world faiths
- Includes a historical component to enable readers to orientate themselves within the subject
- Takes a topic based approach which fits into the existing structure of most courses, and includes explanatory material not found in other works of this kind, making it highly accessible for those with little scientific or religious background knowledge
- Incorporates illustrations, tables, maps, summaries and questions for a lively and engaging approach to the subject
- Written by world-renowned theologian, Alister McGrath; author of bestselling books such as Dawkins’ God, and an acknowledged expert in the field of science and religion
Review
Praise for the previous edition of Science and Religion: "A first rate introduction to the field." (Network)
"McGrath discusses clearly and methodically the various issues related to the field … Fair and objective." (Choice)
"A useful starting point for those entering the study of science and religion." (Publishers Weekly)
Review
'A wonderfully clear and readable introduction to key issues in science and religion. McGrath is uniquely qualified to write on this topic, and his mastery of the field is apparent on every page of this excellent volume.
—Peter Harrison, Harris Manchester College, Oxford
“Kudos to scientist-theologian Alister McGrath for this accessible and well-informed overview of science-faith dialogue, from yesterday’s Copernican revolution to today’s psychology of religion, and for his vision of a natural theology that helps make sense of what science observes.”
David G. Myers, Hope College
Synopsis
Science and Religion, 2nd edition is the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences. Now thoroughly revised, this popular textbook introduces readers to the central questions in the field of science and religion. It examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between these two areas, offering a uniquely comprehensive coverage.
The second edition has been fully updated to reflect current, cutting-edge debates concerning scientific atheism and the limits of scientific method, and also incorporates discussion about the relationship between science and religion in major world faiths. The book is specifically designed for students with no prior knowledge of science or religion. A historical component enables readers to orientate themselves within the subject, and along with numerous illustrations, tables, maps, summaries and questions, creates a user-friendly and engaging approach to the field.
Alister E. McGrath is ideally placed to write this book. He is a world-renowned theologian and author, praised for his clear and precise writing, and an acknowledged expert on the relationship between science and religion.
About the Author
Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King’s College, London. He is the author of numerous bestselling titles, including Dawkins’ God (2004), Theology: The Basics (2004), Christianity: An Introduction, 2nd edition (2006), Christian Theology, 4th edition (2007) and The Christian Theology Reader, 3rd edition (2007), all published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Table of Contents
Preface vii
How To Use This Book ix
1 Introducing the Dialogue Between Science and Religion 1
Part I History: Three Landmark Debates 7
2 Why Study History? 9
3 Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo, and the Solar System 17
4 Debate 2: Newton, the Mechanical Universe, and Deism 26
5 Debate 3: Darwin and the Biological Origins of Humanity 33
Part II Science and Religion: General Themes 43
6 Models of Interaction Between Science and Religion 45
7 Science, Religion, and the Explanation of Things 51
8 Science, Religion, and Proofs for God’s Existence 59
9 Verifi cation and Falsifi cation in Science and Religion 67
10 Realism and its Alternatives in Science and Religion 76
11 The Doctrine of Creation and the Natural Sciences 84
12 How Does God Act in the World? 93
13 The Use of Models in Science and Religion 102
14 Natural Science and Natural Theology 110
15 Theoretical Anomalies in Science and Religion 120
16 The Development of Theory in Science and Religion 128
17 The Interaction of Science and Religion in Other Faiths 135
Part III Science and Religion: Contemporary Debates 143
18 Richard Dawkins and Scientifi c Atheism: Does Science Deny God? 145
19 Cosmology: Does the Anthropic Principle Mean Anything? 151
20 Quantum Theory: Complementarity in Science and Religion 157
21 Evolutionary Biology: Can One Speak of "Design" in Nature? 163
22 Evolutionary Psychology: The Origins of Religious Belief 169
23 The Psychology of Religion: Exploring Religious Experience 175
24 The Cognitive Science of Religion: Is Religion "Natural"? 184
Part IV Case Studies in Science and Religion 191
25 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) 193
26 Thomas F. Torrance (1913–2007) 197
27 Charles A. Coulson (1910–74) 201
28 Ian G. Barbour (born 1923) 205
29 Arthur Peacocke (1924–2006) 209
30 Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) 213
31 John Polkinghorne (born 1930) 217
32 Nancey Murphy (born 1951) 221
33 Alister E. McGrath (born 1953) 225
34 Philip Clayton (born 1956) 229
Conclusion 233
References 235
Index 240