Faith, Science and Understanding [Hardcover]

John Polkinghorne F.R.S. K.B.E. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2000

In this captivating book, one of the most highly-regarded scientist- theologians of our time offers a thought-provoking exploration of the interaction between science and theology. John Polkinghorne defends the place of theology in the university, discusses the role of revelation in religion, and focuses closely on reconciling what science can say about the processes of the universe with theology's belief in a God active within creation.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Faith, Science & Understanding is a brief, erudite collection of writings by John Polkinghorne, a fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, and one of the world's leading experts on science and theology. Polkinghorne begins this book by exploring the place of theology in the university, the role of revelation in religion, and the particular relations that have formed between theology and various disciplines within the sciences. Building on these foundations, Part II of the book considers the question that dominated theology-and-science debates during the 1990s: "How we may conceive of divine agency in a way that respects the integrity of the scientific account of the process of the physical world and which also does justice to the religious intuition and experience of God's providential interaction within history?" Finally, Part III provides Polkinghorne's assessment of the entire English tradition of thinking about theology and science as well as his opinions regarding the work of his eminent colleagues in the field. Polkinghorne's lapidary English prose polishes his insights to a fine luster; this is not the kind of plain talking you'll find in Richard Feynmann. But the reader's patience is rewarded. Faith, Science & Understanding is a short book that expertly surveys a long history--an excellent orientation to a complex and important set of questions. --Michael Joseph Gross

From Booklist

Theologian and physicist Polkinghorne is eminently qualified to write on theology and science. This book consists of "further thoughts" on issues raised in four earlier books. Polkinghorne strongly argues theology's place in the postmodern university, drawing attention to its methodological affinity with the natural sciences. In both, he insists on a "bottom up" approach--that is, more pragmatic than systematic--in which biblical material and creation are read as evidence, not simply as revelation. Later, he locates himself in a group of scientist-theologians that includes Ian Barbour and Arthur Peacocke; readers will find this self-location, which includes delineation of parallels and divergences, most helpful. He also critically reviews Wolfhart Pannenberg and Thomas Torrance, two theologians who have ventured to address science. The concluding chapter is a concise history of science and theology in England that corrects popular distortions connected with the reception and continuing influence of Darwin. In all, the book is an engaging discussion of an important, little understood disciplinary intersection as well as a congenial point of entry into Polkinghorne's influential work. Steven Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300083726
• ISBN-13: 978-0300083729
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,763,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Meditations on Religion and Science, February 12, 2006

By 

B. Jantz "Warrior-Poet" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faith, Science and Understanding (Paperback)

John Polkinghorne, a theoretical physicist and an Anglican priest, has written a series of well-thought-out essays on the connection between science and religion. By avoiding the extremes of complete philosophical isolation and total integration, he provides us with not so much a conclusion as an understanding of an on-going dialogue. He takes an explicitly Christian approach to the subject, though he acknowledges that other faiths might come to different conclusions (and that the question of the existence of many different faiths deserves its own separate discussion.) Some key topics include:

Historical relations between science and religion in universities.
Being a person of both faith and science.
The importance of divine revelation.
Faith and science in the field of biology.
Scientific theories and theological concepts of current interest.
How God works in the universe.
Discussion of other important workers in the science and religion field.

All in all, this was a very worthwhile read. If you want to learn more about the connection between science and religion while avoiding the seemingly endless (and circular) discussions of "intelligent design," you will find that Polkinghorne has a very refreshing approach to the subject.

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for students of science and theology., January 4, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faith, Science and Understanding (Hardcover)

How can science be reconciled with a belief in a God active in creation, not evolution? Faith, Science & Understanding explores different aspects of science and theology, defending the place of theology in the scientific world and discussing how religious ideas and can still coexist within the scientific framework. Recommended for any interested in the science/theology debate.