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Exploring Reality
Reality is multi-layered, asserts the Reverend John Polkinghorne, and in this insightful book he explores various dimensions of the human encounter with reality. Through a well-reasoned and logical process, Polkinghorne argues that reality consists not only of the scientific processes of the natural world but also the personal dimension of human nature and its significance. He offers an integrated view of reality, encompassing a range of insights deriving from physics’ account of causal structure, evolutionary understanding of human nature, the unique significance of Jesus of Nazareth, and the human encounter with God.The author devotes further chapters to specific problems and questions raised by the Christian account of divine reality. He discusses, for example, the nature of time and God’s relation to it, the interrelationship of the world’s faiths, the problem of evil, and practical ethical issues relating to genetic advances, including stem cell research. Continuing in his pursuit of a dialogue between science and theology that accords equal weight to the insights of each, Polkinghorne expands our understanding of the nature of reality and our appreciation of its complexity.
181 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2005
13 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
John C. Polkinghorne
63 books123 followersJohn 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 29, 2013
I have to remember to finish the last few chapters...
Had some neat parallels between scientific inquiry and theology. We do seem to be at a point in culture when people are much more willing to accept apparently irreconcilable findings in science than in theology. In science, it's a mystery to be cracked; in theology, it's proof that faith is stupid...
Had some neat parallels between scientific inquiry and theology. We do seem to be at a point in culture when people are much more willing to accept apparently irreconcilable findings in science than in theology. In science, it's a mystery to be cracked; in theology, it's proof that faith is stupid...
July 4, 2021
I just finished "Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion," by John Polkinghorne.
For those who don't know, for Polkinghorne's mid life crisis he quit his job as a quantum physicist and got ordained in the Anglican Church. All of his works I have seen come from this intersection via a process view.
Ch 2 is highly scientific and I am intimidated. The road that was my academic years is littered with potholes, DUIs, wrecked cars like the ones of Mad Max, and every now and then a long overdue win (given by a reluctant professor who took issue with my semi-pelagianism). But this is quantum theory. I don't science (or math) well at all.
Polkinghorne questions Darwinian evolution sans a higher power. Consciousness along with learning from yesterday to not make that same mistake in the present can not be chalked up just to evolution.
His next ch on the historical Jesus, the type of literature the gospels are and the differences between the synoptics and John is really good, less scientific. This breaks down the gospels into the category of literature they are--faith Narrative--and speaks to the teachings of Christ from that perspective. For instance: how dietary law was killed by Jesus and then addressed by the Apostles in Acts. If Jesus would have addressed this issue then it would be clear cut and no counsel would have been called over it.
Dealing with the Trinity Polkinghorne suggests a new kind of logic. Using the law of the excluded middle (A V -A) he says that quantum theory doesn't really care about either because a quark can be here and there at the same time. The trinitarian comparison he draws here is just as light is particle and wave so is God single yet multiple. Before we knew light were both particle and wave we would have laughed at that possibility; now we give it room.
Polkinghorne dealing with time is a superb chapter he clarifies the distinction between the experience of time in reference to one's location. To all who believe that there is a river of time on the back 40 of heaven into which God can jump and run fore or aft in this is a must read.
Oddly, so it seems, for a process theologian, Polkinghorne affirms the positive existence of evil and his language points at the demonic. I think his knowledge and use of quantum theory assists him here. I'm very sympathetic to this application.
"The Christian God is the Crucified God, not a compassionate spectator from the outside but truly a fellow sufferer who understands creatures' pain from the inside. Only at this most profound level can theology begin truly to engage with the problem of evil and suffering of this world," p 146. Very Moltmann.
Good book especially if you science and Theology well.
#ExploringReality #JohnPolkinghorne #Polkinghorne #ProcessTheology #Physics
For those who don't know, for Polkinghorne's mid life crisis he quit his job as a quantum physicist and got ordained in the Anglican Church. All of his works I have seen come from this intersection via a process view.
Ch 2 is highly scientific and I am intimidated. The road that was my academic years is littered with potholes, DUIs, wrecked cars like the ones of Mad Max, and every now and then a long overdue win (given by a reluctant professor who took issue with my semi-pelagianism). But this is quantum theory. I don't science (or math) well at all.
Polkinghorne questions Darwinian evolution sans a higher power. Consciousness along with learning from yesterday to not make that same mistake in the present can not be chalked up just to evolution.
His next ch on the historical Jesus, the type of literature the gospels are and the differences between the synoptics and John is really good, less scientific. This breaks down the gospels into the category of literature they are--faith Narrative--and speaks to the teachings of Christ from that perspective. For instance: how dietary law was killed by Jesus and then addressed by the Apostles in Acts. If Jesus would have addressed this issue then it would be clear cut and no counsel would have been called over it.
Dealing with the Trinity Polkinghorne suggests a new kind of logic. Using the law of the excluded middle (A V -A) he says that quantum theory doesn't really care about either because a quark can be here and there at the same time. The trinitarian comparison he draws here is just as light is particle and wave so is God single yet multiple. Before we knew light were both particle and wave we would have laughed at that possibility; now we give it room.
Polkinghorne dealing with time is a superb chapter he clarifies the distinction between the experience of time in reference to one's location. To all who believe that there is a river of time on the back 40 of heaven into which God can jump and run fore or aft in this is a must read.
Oddly, so it seems, for a process theologian, Polkinghorne affirms the positive existence of evil and his language points at the demonic. I think his knowledge and use of quantum theory assists him here. I'm very sympathetic to this application.
"The Christian God is the Crucified God, not a compassionate spectator from the outside but truly a fellow sufferer who understands creatures' pain from the inside. Only at this most profound level can theology begin truly to engage with the problem of evil and suffering of this world," p 146. Very Moltmann.
Good book especially if you science and Theology well.
#ExploringReality #JohnPolkinghorne #Polkinghorne #ProcessTheology #Physics
February 20, 2023
Chapter 1: An understanding of reality requires an account from multiple avenues of human experience. Reality is unexpected, wonderful, and extensive.
Chapter 2: Reductionism and emergence. “It is clear that science has not demonstrated the causal closure of the world.”
Chapter 3: Human evolution describes human origins, not human nature. Evolution can account for many features of human life, but not all. The development of he ability to recognize truth, goodness, and beauty is not the same thing as the development of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Chapter 4: The historical Jesus. The gospels bear evidence of having a single mind behind them.
Chapter 5: The trinity. Compares the work of a theologian to that of a scientist. Both are surprised by the data they find and are forced to come up with new ways of thinking.
Chapter 6: Time.
Chapter 7: Other religions.
Chapter 8: The problem of evil.
Chapter 9: Ethics in genetics.
Chapter 10: Speculations. Eschatology. How will we experience Jesus in the resurrection? What does it take for Jesus to save aliens?
Chapter 2: Reductionism and emergence. “It is clear that science has not demonstrated the causal closure of the world.”
Chapter 3: Human evolution describes human origins, not human nature. Evolution can account for many features of human life, but not all. The development of he ability to recognize truth, goodness, and beauty is not the same thing as the development of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Chapter 4: The historical Jesus. The gospels bear evidence of having a single mind behind them.
Chapter 5: The trinity. Compares the work of a theologian to that of a scientist. Both are surprised by the data they find and are forced to come up with new ways of thinking.
Chapter 6: Time.
Chapter 7: Other religions.
Chapter 8: The problem of evil.
Chapter 9: Ethics in genetics.
Chapter 10: Speculations. Eschatology. How will we experience Jesus in the resurrection? What does it take for Jesus to save aliens?
March 16, 2019
A quaint exploration of current theological concerns that Christians deal with. This includes quantum reality, evolution, theodicy, genetic manipulation, trinity... These are all current concerns and well framed for those to pursue further readings if needed. He starts a conversation well and it is a book that does just that! A solid primer on Christian concerns about our interface with knowledge and reality.
Want to read
January 3, 2024Bought in Harrisburg Dec. 2023
January 3, 2017
Overall this was an interesting and well-written defense of Christian faith in the modern world, and particularly in light of modern science. The chapters on the nature of reality and the "causal nexus of the world" were particularly interesting to me, and I would like to further explore Polkinghorne's writings on these subjects. However, I sincerely doubt that the arguments outlined in the book are likely to convince anyone who is not already somewhat receptive to them.
I found the sections on theology to be overly technical and somewhat dissatisfying. It seems that Polkinghorne's audience here is other theologians, so maybe I should not be too harsh. However, I found the chapter on Trinitarian theology to be particularly obtuse and not especially interesting or useful. Also, the chapter discussing the 'problem' of other, apparently sincere, but ultimately incompatible faiths in the world was frustrating because Polkinghorne seems to believe that there probably are no real solutions other than dialogue aimed at tolerance. I suppose that I can't blame him for being firm in his own convictions, though.
Polkinghorne admits up front that this book is largely a summary of previous ideas that he has published elsewhere, and as such I think it serves as good starting point to his work. However, as a result it left me unfulfilled, and I guess I will have to read some of his other works to fill in the gaps.
I found the sections on theology to be overly technical and somewhat dissatisfying. It seems that Polkinghorne's audience here is other theologians, so maybe I should not be too harsh. However, I found the chapter on Trinitarian theology to be particularly obtuse and not especially interesting or useful. Also, the chapter discussing the 'problem' of other, apparently sincere, but ultimately incompatible faiths in the world was frustrating because Polkinghorne seems to believe that there probably are no real solutions other than dialogue aimed at tolerance. I suppose that I can't blame him for being firm in his own convictions, though.
Polkinghorne admits up front that this book is largely a summary of previous ideas that he has published elsewhere, and as such I think it serves as good starting point to his work. However, as a result it left me unfulfilled, and I guess I will have to read some of his other works to fill in the gaps.
November 4, 2012
Polkinghorne combines physics and theology and offers us a thoughtful investigation into the nature of reality.
The first section of the book is an explanation of reality from a physics and mathematics point of view. These chapters are rich with insights, but can prove to be a bit challenging for the uninitiated reader.
John follows his scientific inquires with his theological musings. Here is where Polkinghorne's effort weakens. While his theology is not brittle by any means, it just does not hold up to the robust, scientific exploration of reality put forth in earlier chapters. There were aspects of his theology that I did find innovative (especially where John discusses theodicy), and Polkinghorne flirts with Process Theology quite a bit, but never dives all the way in.
Overall, I enjoyed Polikinghorne's effort in exploring reality - and I will always commend any serious effort to wed theology with our scientific understanding of the universe.
The first section of the book is an explanation of reality from a physics and mathematics point of view. These chapters are rich with insights, but can prove to be a bit challenging for the uninitiated reader.
John follows his scientific inquires with his theological musings. Here is where Polkinghorne's effort weakens. While his theology is not brittle by any means, it just does not hold up to the robust, scientific exploration of reality put forth in earlier chapters. There were aspects of his theology that I did find innovative (especially where John discusses theodicy), and Polkinghorne flirts with Process Theology quite a bit, but never dives all the way in.
Overall, I enjoyed Polikinghorne's effort in exploring reality - and I will always commend any serious effort to wed theology with our scientific understanding of the universe.
December 1, 2008
Interesting thinker but this was a poor choice for a first read. Most of the really interesting ideas are glossed over with references to prior works of his for a more detailed treatment. The new ideas that appear to be explored for the first time here by P are either esoteric, e.g. trinitarian ontology, or tangential to my central interests here, e.g. biomedical ethics. This work is a little all over the map, and reads more like a collection of broadly thematically linked essays than a coherent unified text. Still there are enough interesting ideas here to make me want to go back and read further works by the author - this time taking greater care to chose those works more wisely.
October 3, 2015
I enjoyed his discussion of what separates humans from other animals in Chapter 3:
- self-conscious beings
- language
- rational skills
- creative powers
- moral beings
- god consciousness
- sin
"The fact that we share 98.4 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees shows the fallacy of genetic reductionism, rather than proving that we are only apes who are slightly different. After all, I share 99.9 percent of my DNA with Johann Sebastian Bach, but that fact carries no implication of a close correspondence between our musical abilities."
- self-conscious beings
- language
- rational skills
- creative powers
- moral beings
- god consciousness
- sin
"The fact that we share 98.4 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees shows the fallacy of genetic reductionism, rather than proving that we are only apes who are slightly different. After all, I share 99.9 percent of my DNA with Johann Sebastian Bach, but that fact carries no implication of a close correspondence between our musical abilities."
April 25, 2008
Polkinghorne is a good scientist who in this book, write mediocre theology. Giving epistemological priority to a scientific reality, Polkinghorne first dazzles the reader with some nifty physics before clumsily stumbling into a theology that plays a mirror position (through a glass, darkly) for the remainder of the text.
October 24, 2007
John Polkinghorne was professor of mathematical physics at Cambridge University, then became an Anglican priest. He is now president of Queen's College, Cambridge. He believes in evolution as the means by which God created the universe, the world and mankind.
June 2, 2008
this is really good, but i've shelved it for now... a bit more theoretical than this hour calls for...
July 14, 2008
I'm exploring the ties between religion and science. These are hard books to read, but fascinating.
February 2, 2009
Very interesting stuff.
December 12, 2008
Again, Polkinhorne at his best...if his works are not popular it must be due to the subject matter is all I can figure
Read
January 11, 2020Not bad.
June 3, 2013
Some good discussion here on science. However, when he deals with theodicy, things go downhill.
Want to read
June 1, 2009Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion by John Polkinghorne (2007)
July 25, 2016
Pretty academic writing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews