A Theory of Everything (that Matters): A Short Guide to Einstein, Relativity and the Future of Faith

by Alister E. McGrath

On 29th May 1919, British astronomers tested Einstein's theory of relativity by measuring the path of the stars travelling near the sun during an eclipse. On 7th November 1919, the results of that experiment were announced in London, proving Einstein's theory of relativity. A Theory of Everything (that Matters) has been written in celebration of this 100th anniversary. With the confirmation of Einstein's theories at the beginning of the twentieth century, our understanding of the universe became much more complex. What does this mean for religious belief, and specifically Christianity? Does it mean, as so many people assume, the death of God? In A Theory of Everything (that Matters) Alister McGrath - Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University - explores these questions, giving an overview of Einstein's thought and scientific theories, including his nuanced thinking on the difference between the scientific enterprise and beliefs outside its realm. This groundbreaking book is for anyone intrigued by Einstein as one of the twentieth century's most iconic figures, who wants to know what his theories mean for religion, and who is interested in the conversation between science and religions more broadly.

Genres: Science

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2019

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Paul Sanders]

'The Theory of Everything (That Matters)' provides a useful starting point from which to go on to consider the 'meaning' of life. Alister McGrath makes it clear that to do this, careful consideration is needed of both science and religion.

[Colin]

McGrath has made Einstein's scientific theories easy to understand!! He has put them into the context of the history of science to explain how Einstein's theories were building on the observations of previous scientists and trying to resolve the inconsistencies between the existing theories and observation.

[Casey Derringer]

While there were parts of this I really enjoyed and overall it's a solid book, I do believe it was a bit disjointed and unbalanced. There are great ideas, the execution just could've been a bit better. I would still absolutely recommend it to people though.

I'm a bit conflicted on this one, 3.5 stars

[JV]

I think this is really two books. The first is a summary of Einstein's life and the second...I am not sure.
It was about faith and how the two are connected but it was not nearly as cohesive as the first part.

So the first half is 5 stars and the second is 2 stars. I rounded up.

[Jennifer Johnson]

An excellent primer on Einstein, his achievements and his big picture way at looking at things. Recommended for highschooler homeschoolers and to grow one's faith.

[Jakub Lupták]

Initial account of einsteins work was nice and concise, the part on how what his philosophy and take on religion was got a bit rambly

[Michael Wu]

Excellent intro to Einstein's history, ideas, and reflections on the big questions of life. An easy and stimulating reading.