From Physicist to Priest: An Autobiography

by John C. Polkinghorne

'I am a scientist-theologian, someone who is both a physicist and a priest - a statement that sometimes arouses the kind of curiosity or suspicion that might follow the claim to be a vegetarian butcher.' Cambridge don, curate in a working-class area of a big city, vicar of a country parish in Kent, contributor to governmental committees, prize-winning author of more than thirty-five books, KBE and much more, John Polkinghorne tells his remarkable life story in a direct and modest yet profound narrative. He looks back on his journeys into both disciplines from a human angle, including the formative experiences and key relationships he experienced as a child, an undergraduate, graduate and beyond into university teaching, family life, priesthood and writing. He describes his developing thoughts and understanding of the value and interdependence of each of the major disciplines and, by so doing, brings a down-to-earth touch to the big questions that each approach raises.

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

John Charlton Polkinghorne is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer and Anglican priest. A prominent and leading voice explaining the relationship between science and religion, he was professor of Mathematical physics at the University of Cambridge from 1968 to 1979, when he resigned his chair to study for the priesthood, becoming an ordained Anglican priest in 1982. He served as the president of Queens' College, Cambridge from 1988 until 1996.

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading several of John Polkinghorne's books, I looked forward to reading his autobiography and was not disappointed. He is an amazing individual, having achieved fame as a theoretical quantum physicist (one of his teachers was Dirac himself), being elected Fellow of the Royal Society, designated Knight of the British Empire, president of Queen's college, ..., and let's not forget: an Anglican priest.

There are a few of Polkinghorne's 30 some-odd books that I haven't yet read, so I have ordered and received them and have started reading them. When I lost my faith after my wife died (13 years ago), Polkinghorne's books were the only books that really convinced me that the Christian faith can make sense, and I read a literal ton of books on theology. His wording and his background, and his deep knowledge of science and theology, were very convincing to me. While I still lean toward agnosticism, most of the time, I decided after reading Polkinghorne's autobiography to give faith "another chance."

I had also hoped to see what motivated Polkinghorne to become a priest at midlife, since that is a decision I considered myself five or six years ago.

Reading a biography about such a learned and dedicated individual can be very inspiring, and this autobiography certainly has been.

[Winn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Polkinhorne, and there was some fabulous lines in this book. I'm glad he wrote it. However, it lacked the kind of storytelling or biographical heft I would need to give it more than a nod. If you appreciate Polkinghorne, as I do, it's a must read. If you're simply looking for good autobiography, you'll probably want to keep hunting.