Believing Scientist: Essays on Science and Religion

by Stephen M. Barr

Both an accomplished theoretical physicist and a faithful Catholic, Stephen Barr in this book addresses a wide range of questions about the relationship between science and religion, providing a beautiful picture of how they can coexist in harmony. In his first essay, "Retelling the Story of Science," Barr challenges the widely held idea that there is an inherent conflict between science and religion. He goes on to analyze such topics as the quantum creation of universes from nothing, the multiverse, the Intelligent Design movement, and the implications of neuroscience for the reality of the soul. Including reviews of highly influential books by such figures as Edward O. Wilson, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Jay Gould, Francis S. Collins, Michael Behe, and Thomas Nagel, The Believing Scientist helpfully engages pressing questions that often vex religious believers who wish to engage with the world of science.

Genres: Science, Religion, Theology, Essays, Faith, Nonfiction, Philosophy

232 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2016

About the author

Stephen M. Barr is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Delaware. His physics research interests include theoretical particle physics. His particular areas of expertise are grand unified theories, theories of CP violation, theories of neutrino masses and mixing, and particle cosmology, especially theories of baryogenesis and dark matter.

He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2011 "for original contributions to grand unified theories, CP violation, and baryogenesis".

Dr. Barr has also written and lectured extensively on the relation of science and religion. He is a believing and practicing Catholic, and was elected to the Academy of Catholic Theology in 2010. He is a member of the editorial Advisory Council of First Things magazine.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many arguments surrounding the existence of God and science. Some have argued that our knowledge of the universe, especially as related to physics, disproves the existence of a creator. Science has yet to do such and Stephen Barr's book lays out the foundations of both arguments in explicit detail as related to science. Many dismiss the teleological argument or the fact that science has yet to uncover the secrets of our conscious mind. It's more a matter of philosophy to answer many of the questions related religion and creation. We can make up our own minds on our beliefs (or can we?).

[Khayyam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reconciliation of science and metaphyics. Sometimes begs the question or is just arguing against Dawkins

[Caroline Ludden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up bc I am nice. Pretty good, light on biology and heavy on physics. Physics is okay, just not my favorite scientific field. About 1/2 the essays were book reviews and I would have appreciated that if they were labeled as book reviews.

I'd feel comfortable recommending this to an atheist, especially a New Atheist, wanting to understand how religion and science could be reconciled. I would not feel comfortable recommending to staunch supporter of Young Earth Creationism just because he insults that theory and would probably close off and offend people who don't believe in evolution.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of essays and book reviews on the relationship between faith and science. Dr. Barr has a gift for explaining things in ways that are clear and accessible for the non-scientist. A good read for sure.

[Sveta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative, thoughtful, and engaging, if not wholly convincing.