Customer Reviews

The Foundations of Dialogue in Science and Religion

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Intended to the the first in a series of books on the subject, not only is McGrath qualified to write on the Subject (Ph.D. Molecular Bio-Physics and Ph.D. Philosophy), but does it in a way that will both keep the attention of the Scientist, and still be understood by the lay-person. I advise this be read by anyone interested in either subject, but even more-so by any Christian interested in persuing a career in the Sciences.

I eagerly began this book sympathetic to its aim. Alister McGrath is highly knowledgable and provides a whole lot of information about theology and science that almost any reader will learn from. However, finding a foundation for dialog between religion and science is not accomplished between these pages. Instead what is provided over and over are facile similarities between the two - similarities which are more likely to tickle the devout theist qua theist than the devout scientist qua scientist. Again - the information provided is outstanding and the examples McGrath draws from are enlightening, but no bridge or foundation is ever effectively laid. One waits for it at every turn only for the chapter to end and a new one begin.

Another thing which jumped out at me were the countless spelling errors. I know that's usually a hair-splitting objection (and besides, I'm a terrible speller myself) but it truly stood out. A misspelled word every three pages or so it seemed.

I hated giving this book 3 stars when it had the potential for so much more.