Customer Reviews

God, Humanity and the Cosmos: A Textbook in Science and Religion

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Having had the privilege of studying the course behind this publication first-hand at Exeter, I would recommend the book to any student who seeks a thorough and well-rounded survey of the contemporary debate between science and religion.

Or is it a debate? The authors posit several models of dialogue between these two - usually separated - spheres, and this forms a core feature of this textbook: the opportunity to explore ways in which the two complement and enrich one another.

Therefore as well as being competently yet simply introduced to complex scientific questions (the Big Bang, the origin of life, quantum theory - to name a few), the author allows scope for the reader to see - for himself, and through the eyes of great thinkers, more and less famous - how it is possible to construct a working hypothesis of the inter-relation between God, humanity and the cosmos.

In the later chapters, which are a particularly unique and enjoyable section, we are introduced to the scientifically-influenced theologies of Jay McDaniel's "pelican heaven", Sallie McFague's "embodied God" and Ruth Page's "Web of Life". The reader can enjoy these models, whilst exercising a critical eye, sensitive to the scientific perceptions and phenomena so effectively outlined towards the beginning of the book.

On top of this, other views are outlined, including a section on Islamic theology and creation.

This is a great book for students and all those interested in understanding more of the world about them. It is refreshing to find a theology book which is so world-affirming, without resorting to religious dogmatism: not just a dry textbook, but a competent handbook AND a "choose you own adventure!"

Are your interested in the issue of relating science and religion, but do you have a hard time finding your way in the complex material? Then this is definitely the book for you! I already loved the first edition, but the second, revised and expanded edition, will be a classic...

Summarizing this book is simply impossible, because this is not a monograph on a particular subject, but a text book aiming at giving a broad overview of the field and providing the necessary instruments for further study. The book deals not only with matters of method (e.g. modelf of relating science and religion) and history (e.g. historical examples of tensions between science and theology), but also extensively with theory. The new physics (Newtonian physics, cosmology, anthropic principles), evolutionary biology (Darwinism, human evolution, reductionism), psychology, ecology, science and education, religious diversity, tecnology, and biotechnology are dealt with in detail. Also divine action is given a fairly thorough treatment.

All in all, this book covers most of the contemporary field of science and theology. Having studied this book, you should be able to find your way in science & theology. Truly excellent!

I found this book to be very insightful and thought-provoking. I would recommend this book to anyone due to its cross-discipline penning.