Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery

FREE Returns

FREE delivery Monday, May 29

Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 25. Order within 11 hrs 36 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

[{"displayPrice":"$35.00","priceAmount":35.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"35","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"wVuzajoPxLIdOHctAGDnN7JkBHI53zRw2LR7QZprJi%2BHFQQo8v4vYuFBlfds7v5uuvaxE8rqDIrAbx6agGZ6ZBROLaam3Bvvcok6KY4u2eyg2iUkRcWgdAujFS73MdgDeU8XE1RWt5E%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$17.86","priceAmount":17.86,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"17","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"86","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"wVuzajoPxLIdOHctAGDnN7JkBHI53zRwYEtgfs758V%2FutJv2UXe8vdexRyk%2FQkNmxqRLeH7dTFSdPFi227CdSDhy2%2FdMGcCr2pL2WLcXDA4i41gs%2FNejrlVznbyE8NjthK1Pc%2BXdrNzJfESWMLAk9Q8XG8ceNBXHVgcU5MwRPgCOpKJ484akAQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$35.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Monday, May 29 on orders shipped by Amazon over $25

Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 25. Order within 11 hrs 36 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Supersonic Books

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$29.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: Goodwill Industries of SWFL

Added

Not added

$29.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: SuperBookDeals---

Added

Not added

$33.99
& FREE Shipping. Details

Sold by: Trust Market LLC

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

Follow the Author

Stephen M. Barr

Modern Physics and Ancient Faith Paperback – Download: Adobe Reader, February 28, 2003

by Stephen M. Barr (Author)

4.7 146 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$20.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$89.97

$69.99

$4.38

Paperback, Download: Adobe Reader

"Please retry"

$35.00

$29.99

$10.28

Kindle
$20.99 Read with Our Free App
Audiobook
$0.00 Free with your Audible trial
Hardcover
$89.97

40 Used from $4.38 3 New from $69.99
Paperback
$35.00

27 Used from $10.28 17 New from $29.99

Purchase options and add-ons

A considerable amount of public debate and media print has been devoted to the “war between science and religion.” In his accessible and eminently readable new book, Stephen M. Barr demonstrates that what is really at war with religion is not science itself, but a philosophy called scientific materialism. Modern Physics and Ancient Faith argues that the great discoveries of modern physics are more compatible with the central teachings of Christianity and Judaism about God, the cosmos, and the human soul than with the atheistic viewpoint of scientific materialism. Scientific materialism grew out of scientific discoveries made from the time of Copernicus up to the beginning of the twentieth century. These discoveries led many thoughtful people to the conclusion that the universe has no cause or purpose, that the human race is an accidental by-product of blind material forces, and that the ultimate reality is matter itself. Barr contends that the revolutionary discoveries of the twentieth century run counter to this line of thought. He uses five of these discoveries―the Big Bang theory, unified field theories, anthropic coincidences, Gödel’s Theorem in mathematics, and quantum theory―to cast serious doubt on the materialist’s view of the world and to give greater credence to Judeo-Christian claims about God and the universe. Written in clear language, Barr’s rigorous and fair text explains modern physics to general readers without oversimplification. Using the insights of modern physics, he reveals that modern scientific discoveries and religious faith are deeply consonant. Anyone with an interest in science and religion will find Modern Physics and Ancient Faith invaluable.

Print length

312 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of Notre Dame Press
Publication date

February 28, 2003
Dimensions

9.2 x 6.42 x 1.03 inches
ISBN-10

0268021988
ISBN-13

978-0268021986
See all details

Bought Together

Frequently bought together

$33.99

Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 30

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by Trust Market LLC and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

+

Believing Scientist: Essays on Science and Religion

$26.99

Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 30

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

In the Beginning…': A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall (Ressourcement: Retrieval and Renewal in C

$14.99

Get it as soon as Monday, May 29

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Most purchased | Lowest Pricein this set of products
PhD, Michael Guillen,
782
Paperback
$12.97
Highest ratedin this set of products
Jacques Maritain
34
Paperback
$19.95
This item:
Stephen M. Barr
146
Paperback
$33.99
Stephen M. Barr
39
Paperback
$26.99
Stanley L. Jaki
23
Paperback
5 offers from $23.40
Stephen M. Barr
29
Paperback
33 offers from $1.18
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
34
Paperback
$17.95
Edward Feser
451
Paperback
$19.00
Gerard M. Verschuuren
32
Paperback
$18.95
Thomas Dubay
102
Paperback
$16.99

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Written from the viewpoint of an accomplished physicist, this book is an invaluable contribution to the growing interest in the relationship between science and religion. The arguments are rigorously logical and the documentation is excellent.”

About the Author

Stephen M. Barr is professor of physics and director of the Bartol Research Institute, University of Delaware.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Notre Dame Press (February 28, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0268021988
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0268021986
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.02 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.2 x 6.42 x 1.03 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #355,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #420 in Science & Religion (Books)
- #488 in Religion & Philosophy (Books)
- #1,093 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 146 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Stephen M. Barr

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Stephen M. Barr (born 1953) is a professor of Particle Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware, and a member of its Bartol Research Institute. He does research on grand unified theories, the origin of quark and lepton masses, and the cosmology of the early universe. He has authored over 140 physics research papers and the article on Grand Unified Theories for the Encyclopedia of Physics. He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the citation reading "for original contributions to grand unified theories, CP violation, and baryogenesis."

He earned his Bachelors degree from Columbia University in 1974, and Ph. D. in physics from Princeton University in 1978. He went on to do research at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington, and Brookhaven National Laboratory, before joining the faculty of the University of Delaware in 1987. He was elected the Director of the Bartol Research Institute of the University of Delaware in 2011.

Barr writes and lectures frequently on the relation of science and religion. Since 2000, he has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the religious intellectual journal First Things, in which many of his articles and book reviews have appeared. His writing has also appeared in National Review, The Weekly Standard, Modern Age, The Public Interest, and Commonweal. In 2007, he was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2010, he was elected a member of the Academy of Catholic Theology.

There are other authors with the name Stephen M. Barr who have written books on religious subjects. The physicist Stephen M. Barr is the author only of the following books: "Modern Physics and Ancient Faith"; "A Student's Guide to Natural Science"; and "Science and Religion, The Myth of Conflict".

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

146 global ratings

5 star		82%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		3%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Jane Smith

eye opening.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 14, 2023

just amazing

One of the best and most impartial "anti-atheist" books

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 18, 2018

Verified Purchase

I found this book a refreshing change from the general run of anti-atheist books that accuse atheists of being intellectual lightweights who deny God for moral rather than rational reasons (to be fair, many “new atheist” books commit the same crime in reverse). Barr thinks that scientific materialists are wrong, but doesn’t condescend to them, and avoids polemic for the most part. He also seems to know his science, although I will take issue with him on a few points (see below). In addition to providing philosophical food for thought, the book made me want to read more about some of its subtopics (quantum theory, philosophy of mind, etc.). It is very well-written, and I found it both more readable and more interesting than other books of this type that I have read.

Some other reviewers have criticized Barr for starting out with a “typical” (rather than an actual) quote from an imaginary scientific materialist, and then refuting it in strawman fashion. Although it’s certainly true that not all atheists take such an extreme view (I am one who doesn’t), I personally know many who would agree with everything in Barr’s “quote”, and it would not be at all out of place in Alex Rosenberg’s “Atheist Guide to Reality”. If anything, Rosenberg is even more extreme.

However, I do have some quibbles. First of all, Barr cites Michael Behe and his “irreducible complexities” as potential evidence for his position that the universe was “designed”. However, to the best of my knowledge, Behe was thoroughly discredited at the Kitzmiller vs. Dover Area School District trial in 2005 (to be fair, Barr’s book was originally published in 2003), and is not taken seriously by the general scientific community. But this may only show that a physicist (like Barr) is not necessarily an expert in biology (just as scientists like Dawkins and Hawking (and Barr as well!) need to be taken with a grain of salt when they start talking philosophy/theology).

More seriously, he seems to think that “anthropic coincidences” are strong evidence of intelligent design, and that only an infinity of actual universes would constitute a serious objection. I think he (like many others) badly misunderstands this argument, and I contend that we need only consider “possible” universes. Suppose, on one hand, that the particular laws of physics and the values of the various physical constants that we have in our universe are the only ones possible. In this case, there is no “coincidence” and no “choice” (these are among several loaded words – “special” is another one -- that Barr likes to use). Suppose, on the other hand, that the potential laws and constants are unconstrained, and could take any values whatsoever, and that consequently there are an infinity of possible universes. Given the existence of any universe at all (and why there is any universe at all might be a more interesting question, but one that is not addressed in this book), it had to have some configuration of physical laws and constants. Why this particular one? Well, why not this particular one? It’s no more unlikely and no more “special” than any of the others! It’s the one we happen to have, and if it were otherwise, we wouldn’t be here to discuss it. So what? We only consider it “special” because we’re biased. This whole argument reminds me of the atheist “parable” about the puddle of water marveling at the amazing coincidence that “This hole in the road is just the right size and shape for me!” You can’t apply probability after the fact. Improbable things happen all the time (to take just one example, you’re basically throwing money away if you buy a lottery ticket, and yet, every week or two, someone actually does win the lottery). It doesn’t matter how improbable our universe is, or that life originated. It happened, and as soon as it did, the probability “collapsed” to 100%.

So I think Barr’s case is not nearly as strong as he thinks it is. But neither is the case of the materialist side, and he does a good job of demonstrating that. I remain an agnostic atheist who doesn’t think the existence of God can be either proven or disproven. This book didn’t change my beliefs, but it did give me a lot of food for thought.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

matt

Modern Science supports Theism

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

One only need give a casual skim through Time or Newsweek or watch a few hours of cable news and invariably an editorial or two, masquerading as anything but an op ed, will be about how (rational) science is superior to (irrational) religion. And of course they will trot out the (supposedly) rational scientists, who are often not scientists, but atheists materialists. It's quite common. But it is a myth in need of a funeral, and Barr's outstanding book could easily serve as the sermon to this funeral.

If you tend to think of religion as blind and irrational belief in the spaghetti monster, this book is certainly worth your consideration. If you tend to think that your religious beliefs are true, but unfounded, this book is for you. If you just want to explore the topic without irrational name-calling and false proofs, this book is also for you. Barr is no amateur. He tackles every objection that is propped up as scientific evidence against theism. He also is no jerk. He knows that it is a very good and human activity to question both tradition and religion and that anyone who follows religious dogma or "scientific" dogma blindly is not applying the gifts of either science or religion. He also knows that reason is only reasonable within a system that is not materialist. This is covered thoroughly in the section on free will and epistemology (how you know what you know).

A renowned physicist, Barr is no stranger to rational thought and discourse, and he is also a devout Christian. As shacking as that may be for some to hear, it's quite possible and also quite logical. He claims, and demonstrates time and again, that contrary to so much hot air and spilled ink claiming otherwise, belief in a God who designed the universe makes much more logical sense than materialism, which is the belief that only matter exists- no God, no gods, no souls, no afterlife. Barr shows how science actually supports the Judeo-Christian understanding of reason, free will, design, the nature of nature and man's place in nature, time and what is now termed the Big Bang.

I am not scientist, although I do read widely in the philosophy of science (and have played a scientist on stage). That said, I was able to follow all of Barr's discussion of quantum physics, the Big Bang, the anthropic coincidences, neurology, mind, entropy, Gödel's theorem and more. And it wasn't drudgery. I learned a great deal.

Other books of interest may include: The Significance of Free Will , the masterful The Mind of the Universe: Understanding Science and Religion (which is perhaps THE book on the subject), the compact yet powerfully erudite The Restitution of Man: C. S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism , A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature , God and the Philosophers: The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason (Oxford Paperbacks) , The Recalcitrant Imago Dei: Human Persons and the Failure of Naturalism (Veritas) , God and the New Atheism: A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens , Answering the New Atheism: Dismantling Dawkins' Case Against God , and the ever-insghtful, ever-readable masterpiece against naturalism, C.S. Lewis' Miracles .

Enjoy! Life is so amazing considering the atoms that make you who you are have come together just this once in just this way. Mr Rogers was right: you are special! Think about that next time you get stuck in traffic with all those other atomic amalgamations.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Shop

Food for thought

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

I purchased this book because it was recommended by RC. Sproul. It deals with materialism as being self-aware. Philosophical spins on past bad ideas both scientific and religious. Ideas that today mistaken as factual among the scientific community, that have been disproven or debunked. I saw two formulas in the book, that's it. I was surprised to find out Maxwell was deep in the Catholic church, yes todays Mr. Capacitor. The pope apparently used points from this book to defend the Catholic church against being called Science haters.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Darren Pereira

Excellent book on faith and science

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 8, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very accessible, thorough, and enjoyable! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to see how modern physics doesn't undermine monotheistic religious belief, but instead supports it.

One person found this helpful

Trevor

Interesting

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

Very good so far

BW

Super!!

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on September 11, 2013

Verified Purchase

Alles so wire es sein soll!! Immer wieder gerne!!! Alles beschriebene traft auch genau so zu. Ist eine Empfehlung wert!

Translate review to English

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Amazon Prime includes:

Buy new: $35.00$35.00 FREE delivery: Monday, May 29 Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used: $17.86

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Author

Modern Physics and Ancient Faith Paperback – Download: Adobe Reader, February 28, 2003

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

What do customers buy after viewing this item?

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Stephen M. Barr

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$35.00

FREE delivery: Monday, May 29

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used:

$17.86