The Way the World Is: The Christian Perspective of a Scientist [Paperback]

J. C. Polkinghorne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1984

In this brief and highly accessible book for general readers, distinguished physicist-turned-theologian John Polkinghorne presents a reasoned account of the Christian view of the world as seen by the one of the world's leading interpreters of the interface between science and religion. Drawing from his experiences as a scientist and a theologian, Polkinghorne argues that Christianity presents a credible and compelling worldview that can be taken seriously even while fully understanding the importance of science.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Polkinghorneis one of the world's leading experts on Science and Religion. A world-class physics Professor at Cambridge who became a priest, Founding President of the ISSR and winner of the Templeton Prize, Polkinghorne's publications include Exploring Reality, Quantum Physics and Theology, Quarks, Chaos and Christianity, Science and the Trinity, Living with Hope, and Belief in God in an Age of Science. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (March 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802819958
• ISBN-13: 978-0802819956
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,871,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than "Mere Christianity"?, October 18, 2008

By 

William T. Barto (Fairfax, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way The World Is : The Christian Perspective of a Scientist (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book a great deal, and was, quite frankly, surprised by my enjoyment! I expected another effort to reconcile science, reason, and religious faith, but this book is a great deal more than that. In addition to chapters discussing the scientific, personal, and religious views of the world, the author also engages in an extended apologetic discussion of Christianity spanning several chapters. These chapters delve into the New Testament evidence, Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the Christian view of the world. I was repeatedly tempted to compare his discussion of these issues with that of C.S. Lewis in his classic, "Mere Christianity," and when I gave into that temptation, I could not help concluding that Polkinghorne compared quite favorably to Lewis in terms of his ability to communicate the basics of Christianity in an understandable and persuasive way. That being said, this work might not be for everyone. I purchased this book second-hand, and the person who had annotated it before me had obviously experienced no small displeasure to learn that the author (now an Anglican priest) was at least open to the historical-critical perspective on the Bible. I think that the author was remarkably even-handed in his approach to contrasting world-views and scholarship concerning the Bible itself, but it is possible not all would agree. Another aspect of the book that might jar is the references to scientific theories, discoveries, and personalities; not all those mentioned are among those that would be known by the typical non-scientist, and the author does not always fully elaborate as to why a particular reference is relevant to the discussion at hand. But, in my humble opinion, these are slight flaws in an otherwise outstanding book that was highly successful in its stated task of giving "a reasoned account of the Christian view of the world." Highly recommended for anyone interested in the topic (even those who might have read "Mere Christianity" a time or two!).

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reprint of an 1983 Apologetic Work, October 22, 2007

By 

David Ross "Cook, Chemist, Nurse" (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way The World Is : The Christian Perspective of a Scientist (Paperback)

This is an 1983 work (second edition in 1992) and reprinted again in 2007. Polkinghorne describes this as his explanation of his Christian faith as he would express it in an extended lunch with a friend or colleague. This book stems from the time when he was making the tranistion from physicist to priest. It is an apologetic or explanatory work describing how Polkinghorne as an accomplished particle physicist is also a Christian believer. Recommended as an apologetic rather than a more deeply theological work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars science student/learner must-read, September 6, 2008

By 

Kate H. Young "arteacher" (lakeland, fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way the World Is: The Christian Perspective of a Scientist (Paperback)

Good book for those who wish to understand how to reconcile what they know of science with what they know of God. Are the two exclusive? Polkinghorne, a product of 'Oxbridge', addresses this popularly assumed duality in his books.