Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence? (Paperback)

by Henry F. Schaefer III (Author) "I first began teaching freshman chemistry at Berkeley in January of 1984..." (more)
Key Phrases: standard evolutionary model, anthropic constraints, space trilogy, Big Bang, Jesus Christ, Steven Weinberg (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A fascinating read worthy of careful study. He presents his personal convictions and supports them with carefully crafted argument--Dr. Marlan O. Scully, Burgess distinquished Professor, Taxas A & M University and Member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

It is not often I read a book with which I find so much accord--Dr. Phillip Skell, Evan Pugh Emeritus Professor Pennsylvania State University, Member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Dr. Henry Scaefer is arguably among the top twenty living research chemists in the world. He is also a deeply committed Christian--Professor Robert Vergenz, Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of North Florida

Because of the philosophical pronouncements of some scientists and non-scientists, many people today assume that this is conflict between science and Christianity. But the eminent physical chemist and Christian Henry Schaefer shows in Science and Christianity: Conflic and Coherence? that there need be no conflict. This delightful set of essays, arising out of lectures that Professor Schaefer has delivered at hundreds of leading academic institutions around the world, answers many questions that people have about the relationship between science and Christianity and also gives examples of many leading scientist that are Chyristains--Dr. Don Page, Professor of Physics, University of Alberta and long time collaborator with Stephen Hawking

This book is a great testimony to God's power in a scientist's life--Dr. Christopher W. Macosko, Professor of Materials Science, University of Minnesota and Member, National Academy of Engineering

Professor Schaefer makes a lucid and persuasive case for why it is 'natural' for a natural scientist to believe in God--Dr. Robert Kaita, Principal Research Physicist, Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University

These are just the sorts of things that the science and faith discussion most needs. And they go to make up a powerful and helpful book of Christianty apologetic that I can heartily recommend--Professor Ian Hutchinson, Chair, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

--Letters to author

Book of the Week -- ChristianityToday, 2/23/04 On Thursday, March 4, 2004, Professor Schaefer lectures at Princeton University on "The Big bang, Stephen Hawkins, and God." -- Princeton University, The Templeton Lecture, 3/4/04 This is a great book by one of the Christian world's premier thinkers and one of America's eminent scientists -- Charles W. Colson, BreakPoint.org, January 5, 2004 This is a highly recommended read for both Christians and non-Christians. -- Dr. J. Terence Morrison, University Faculty Newsletter, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, October, 2003 This is one of those rare books that combines solid substance with understandable style, spiced with humor. --Dr. David Fisher, Editor, Newsletter of the American Scientific Affliation, September, 2003

On Thursday, March 4, 2004, Professor Schaefer lectures at Princeton University on "The Big bang, Stephen Hawkins, and God." -- Princeton University, The Templeton Lecture, 3/4/04

This is a great book by one of the Christian world's premier thinkers and one of America's eminent scientists -- Charles W. Colson, BreakPoint.org, January 5, 2004

This is a highly recommended read for both Christians and non-Christians. -- Dr. J. Terence Morrison, University Faculty Newsletter, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, October, 2003

This is one of those rare books that combines solid substance with understandable style, spiced with humor. -- Dr. David Fisher, Editor, Newsletter of the American Scientific Affliation, September, 2003

Product Description
Known the world over, Dr. Schaefer's world-renowned university lectures have been expanded into full-length essays. Focusing on explaining how a person can be both a believer in Christ and a follower of science, Dr. Schaefer compares and contrasts the tenets of the two extremes. Thus we have a first-hand account of the lively (and timely) science vs. Christianity discussions by one of the major participants in the topic.

In addition to addressing mind-boggling questions (Does God exist? Is there meaning in Life?), the book also describes how Dr. Schaefer became a Christian as a young professor of chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley, and how this momentous decision affected his career path. Throughout, the book retains the highly personal character of the university lectures and a delightful sense of humor.

An intensely personal account of the lively current dialogue between science and religion.

One of the world's great physical scientists addresses many of the current controversies between science and religion

Does science tell us anything about ultimate questions? What is life? Is there meaning in the universe? Does God exist?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: The Apollos Trust; Fifth printing with additions, May, 2008 edition (December 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097429750X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974297507
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #558,662 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schaefers Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence?, February 11, 2004

By	Dr. Robert Vergenz (Jacksonville, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Department of Chemistry and Physics
University of North Florida

Dr. Henry Schaefer is arguably among the top twenty living research chemists in the world in the influence of his work on chemistry. His research specialty is the same as mine, quantum chemistry. He is also a deeply committed thinking Christian. He is therefore ideally suited to address his subject. This book belies the common misconception that there is a conflict between the revelation of Christianity and the results of science. To be sure, there are sharp exchanges when Christians confuse the roles of religion and science, or when prominent and outspoken scientists pontificate about religion. The book deals with the specific claims of a few prominent scientist critics of Christianity. It also convincingly shows that by and large the people who know science best, those who do it professionally, have "the same range of attitudes about religious matters as does the general public." The book provides a veritable "who's who" of prominent scientists, past and present, who claim Christ as Lord. Dr. Schaefer addresses the most frequent general questions related to belief in God, as seen from the perspective of a scientist. He also addresses specific issues in scientific areas that overlap significantly with his specialized expertise: quantum mechanics, cosmology and the chemistry of the origin of life. Although the book is intellectually satisfying, it is not merely intellectual. Dr. Schaefer ends the book by describing his personal journey discovering Christ in the midst of a meteoric scientific career, and outlines the Christian revelation as it has found a home in his life. Though I do not agree with him in every detail, I recommend this excellent book to anyone interested in science or in Christianity, and who desires to integrate knowledge from these important streams of thought in modern society.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voice Of Truth, January 30, 2004

By	Veritas "Truth Rules" (Rockledge, Florida) - See all my reviews

Dr. Schaefer's book is a well written book that covers many of the questions people have about the supposed conflicts of science with Christianity. Dr. Schaefer's credentials in the scientific community are well known and respected worldwide, making him a heavy-weight within that community. He shows magnificently how science and Christianity both uphold and point to certain truths that can't be denied. For those of the Christian faith, this book will bolster their faith, as Dr. Schaefer points out that many current and famous scientists were sincere, dedicated believers.For those that deny a creator of the universe, recent scientific discoveries mentioned in the book, make that a very hard position to adhere to.
Topics range from the creation of the universe to problems of the Theory of Evolution. His voice of reason also proclaims the truth found only in Jesus Christ.
Dr. Schaefer has spoken at almost every major university in existence today, and is a brilliant and humorous man. The chapters of his book are a culmination of years of personal reflection and experience, coupled with his faith in Christ.
This book is a wonderful voice of truth in a time when truth needs to be heard. Science and Christianity have a rich history together, and there is no conflict. Dr. Schaefer's book was worth every penny and I look forward to his next book, which I hope he writes someday.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Paldus (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). A wonderful book!, February 9, 2004

By	Josef Paldus (Waterloo, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

In "Science and Christianity: Conflict and Coherence?", an internationally
distinguished chemical physicist and one of the principal architects of
modern quantum chemistry, Professor Henry F. Schaefer III, has
accomplished a remarkable feat. The book is based on countless lectures
that he courageously presented all over the world and touches on
everything from the deepest secrets of Creation to postmodernism, while
providing a fascinating and unequalled insight into the scientific mind
that is brought to life by both personal and historical anecdotes,
skillfully and entertainingly woven into the text.
This is a very captivating and personally highly engaging work, bringing
the philosophical and theistic attitudes of various scientists to a
general audience without causing offense to anyone. A very engrossing
piece of work for its breadth, its thought-provoking, witty and whimsical
- yet compelling and highly winsome - narrative, always lucid, very
readable and richly rewarding to an attentive reader. Last but not least,
a marvelous treasure trove of references and of their critical assessment.
A book to treasure, to savor and to re-read.