Science and Christian Belief

by John C. Polkinghorne

An attempt to apply scientific habits of thought to the core of Christian belief, and to examine in turn the central tenets of the creeds in the light of a thoroughly modern world-view. The result is an intellectual presentation of orthodox Christianity.

Genres: Science

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 1994

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

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reflections from a mesmerising intellect. He takes the bottom-up approach to how Christianity is really the true way forward in making sense of reality today and our hope that is to come. The depth of insights are consistently profound and I am intrigued by both his sensitivity to other viable alternatives. At times, I am nodding to his point but of course he is unable to convey completely the argument offered; thus why he refers to another source. But the sense he admirably maintains much of the time. Without a doubt, a gold mine worth of references and readings which will be pursued with relish.

[Tim Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes you through some mental gymnastics to lead you on a path towards reconciling science and religion. John Polkinghorne is a physicist as well as a theologian and he has found a way to square the circle but ultimately I remained unconvinced. Even though I wanted to be...