Science and Theology: An Introduction

by John C. Polkinghorne, Polkinghor

In this short masterpiece, eminent scientist and theologian John Polkinghorne offers an accessible, yet authoritative, introduction to the stimulating field of science and theology. After surveying their volatile historical relationship, he leads the reader through the whole array of questions at the nexus of the scientific and religious quests. A lucid and lively writer, Polkinghorne provides a marvelously clear overview of the major elements of current science (including quantum theory, chaos theory, time, and cosmology). He then offers a concise outline of the character of religion and shows the joint potential of science of religion to illumine some of the thorniest issues in theology today: creation, the nature of knowledge, human and divine identity and agency. Polkinghorne aptly demonstrates that a sturdy faith has nothing to fear and much to gain from an intellectually honest appraisal of the new horizons of contemporary science.

Genres: Theology, Science, Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Christianity

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

John Charlton Polkinghorne is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer and Anglican priest. A prominent and leading voice explaining the relationship between science and religion, he was professor of Mathematical physics at the University of Cambridge from 1968 to 1979, when he resigned his chair to study for the priesthood, becoming an ordained Anglican priest in 1982. He served as the president of Queens' College, Cambridge from 1988 until 1996.

Reviews

[Vince Eccles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good examination of the merging of science and religion. John Polkinghorne is an excellent physicist and faithful Christian. I would say that his book is a survey of thoughts on merging science and theology, but does not complete a system of thought. Thomas of Aquinas and Immanuel Kant have more complete thought systems, but Aquinas could be updated and Kant is too unaccommodating towards God. The efforts of Pierre Teihard de Chardin in the early 20th century are too poetic and have no rigor. Polkinghorne sets up a beginning for someone to think beyond the edges of physics.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PROPOSED "SCIENCE AND RELIGION" TEXTBOOK, BY A SCIENTIST/THEOLOGIAN

Rev. Dr. John Charlton Polkinghorne (born 1930) is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer, and Anglican priest; he has written many other books, such as 'Questions of Truth: Fifty-one Responses to Questions About God, Science, and Belief', 'Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible,' 'Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship,' etc.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1998 book, "many courses on science of religion have been inaugurated in colleges and universities... in my view, there has not been a textbook available. By that I mean a single book that attempts the humble but useful task of surveying the whole intellectual scene in an even-handed manner..."

Concerning the condemnation of Galileo, he notes that "the illumination afforded by hindsight should not result in our painting the scene in stark black and white. There were scientific difficulties in the case presented by Galileo. One was the absence of stellar parallax---the shift in the apparent position of the stars expected to result from their being viewed from different perspectives if the Earth were moving round an orbit in the course of the year. (We now know that this was not observable with seventeenth-century resources because the stars are so very distant from us.) Galileo placed great emphasis on the claimed confirmatory value of his explanation of the tides. We now know that he was completely in error about this matter..." (Pg. 6)

He suggests that "Another important lesson to be drawn from quantum theory is that there is no universal epistemology. The quantum world must be known as it is, within the limits imposed by the uncertainty principle and not with the clarity of a Newtonian epistemology." (Pg. 33)

He observes that natural theology has been discounted in recent decades, and the century's greatest theologian, Karl Barth, suggested that the "primacy of revelation makes natural theology an exercise that is unnecessary, dangerous and illegitimate. Nevertheless, a contemporary revival of natural theology is taking place..." (Pg. 70-71) He notes that metaphysical questions such as the intelligibility of the universe "does not lend itself to knock-down answers of a logically coercive kind. The most we can require is an interpretation that is coherent and persuasive. Theism provides just such a response to the metaquestion of intelligibility." (Pg. 73)

Polkinghorne is one of those rare individuals who can illumine more than one field of endeavor; his book makes stimulating reading.

[Madhupriya Senapati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this author's work has been absolutely mind-bending as John Polkinghorne is both a theoretical physicist and theologian.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its thought provoking ideas, the highlighted research topics in both the fields and the attempt to draw synergy between two topics that are otherwise considered to be disparate.

[Jo Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good read with many thought provoking ideas

[Christina “6 word reviewer” Lake]

Polkinghorne’s orthodoxy is an invaluable gift.

[Judge Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the lower score is based on my limits of understanding and not the authors exposition

[Eppursimuov3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir John Polkinghorne attempts to give a short survey of some of the recent advances in both fields in this book. He brings us up to date on the frontiers of science in areas such as quantum mechanics, cosmology, evolutionary biology and the neurosciences. On the theological side, he investigates current issues in thinking about subjects such as creation, eschatology, Christology and divine agency. This book will be a good guide to help us understand the things that are going on at the forefront of research in both fields, as well as what is required to attempt a reasonable dialogue between them. Like all his other books, it is a dense and difficult read, but hugely rewarding if enough effort is put into it. One has to be very familiar with many of the terms used.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, but not great.

I found this book helpful at times in explaining different scientific themes, but I don’t think the author was very clear on the relationship between science and theology. I also think the author assumes way to much when it comes to whether or not there was a historical Fall or whether or not Christians think people in other religions will experience salvation. His presuppositions became apparent throughout, but it would have been helpful if he had been a bit more forth right about them.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polkinghorn has some really good things to say about the merging of the fields of science and Theology. He does however favor/emphasize science over the the central doctrines of Christian Theology one example being infallibility of scripture. Polkinghorn allows for mystery when needed (Christology, Trinity) and seeks a realistic hybrid between these two important fields of study. The question remains, does he go to far?

[amwhoam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"first is Polkinghorne's science and theology. though a little dated by now, it is still a useful text to begin considering science and theology, where they interact, where they scuffle, and what it means to approach life's greatest questions critically and humanely."

[Larry Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

essential for understanding science and faith