Surprised by Meaning: Science, Faith, and How We Make Sense of Things

by Alister E. McGrath

We live in an age when the growth of the Internet has made it easier than ever to gain access to information and accumulate knowledge. But information is not the same as meaning, nor is knowledge identical with wisdom. Many people feel engulfed by a tsunami of facts in which they can find no meaning. In thirteen short, accessible chapters McGrath, author of the bestselling The Dawkins Delusion, leads the reader through a nontechnical discussion of science and faith. How do we make sense of the world around us? Are belief in science and the Christian faith compatible? Does the structure of the universe point toward the existence of God? McGrath's goal is to help readers see that science is neither anathema to faith, nor does it supersede faith. Both science and faith help with the overriding human desire to make sense of things. Faith is a complex idea. It is not a blind leap into the dark but a joyful discovery of a bigger picture of wondrous things of which we are all a part.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Christianity, Science, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2010

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

[Larissa]

Livro importante para todo cristão que deseja atuar de forma relevante na ciência, sem deixar sua fé de lado. Seria muito interessante pra todos que estudam as ciências naturais, mas eu consegui aproveitar bastante pra humanas.

[Tom LA]

This is a series of essays by the brilliant author of "The Dawkins delusion". The main topic is our unending search for meaning, and the author's own discoveries along his path of conversion to christianity.

McGrath went to Oxford with Richard Dawkins, and he does spend some time in this book showing how shallow, childish and ridiculously incorrect the New Atheists' philosophy is. Contrary to the hyper-aggressive style adopted by the New Atheists and their legions of internet trolls (or "keyboard bad-asses") it does that in an elegant and succint way.

"Curiously, Dawkins and Dennett remain firmly committed to the outmoded notion that science and religion are permanently in conflict—an idea often referred to as the “warfare” thesis. This is now regarded as quite unacceptable by historians of science, chiefly because it is so difficult to reconcile with the facts of history."

"I turned away from one belief system that tried to deny it was anything of the sort (atheism), and accepted another which was quite open and honest about its status. My conversion was an act of free-thinking. I believed that I had found the best way of making sense of things. And that remains my view today. Although I now appreciate that Christianity has emotional, imaginative, and ethical dimensions that I had yet to discover at that time, I continue to see the “sense-making” dimensions of faith to be profoundly important and significant."

I was a little less interested about the concept of "fine-tuned biology" or the "fine-tuned universe". It seems an attractive theory but again it seems to fall into the massive cauldron of the quarreling between religious and non-religious. That debate somehow doesn't resonate much with me, especially because I find it beyond useless, to the point of being counterproductive. As Joseph Ratzinger once said, God is chiefly about being able to live well with ourselves and with each other, and, in my opinion, not about winning theoretical arguments.

[Judy]

Famous for his response to the New Atheists (Richard Dawkins, et.al) McGrath proposes that atheism is a 'religion' in that we "believe" that is true. He sees no conflict between science and religion. Science is a necessary and ongoing exploration of the universe we live in, a work in progress. Only religion brings meaning and purpose into our lives as we try interpret how the world works. For McGrath, Christianity provides the framework for both. Excellent, but his writing style is a bit muddy.

[Josh Long]

I feel like if there is anyone who is qualified to talk about anything on behalf of the Christian body, it would be Alister McGrath. If you're looking for piece by seasoned author, look no further.

To be honest, I have always sympathised with the attraction of materialism, as the sensible and tangible has a certainty about it that everyone can testify to. But never have I ever felt the same sort of of attraction towards scientism, or as McGrath puts it, an atheistic dogmatism. The one who asserts that the scientific method is the only trustworthy measurement of truth, does not know that they are positing a truth that is not scientifically measurable.

McGrath expounds on this theme well, and thoroughly illustrates how the metaphysical-frameworks that Hitchens and Dawkins affirm actually lack any satisfactory explanatory power. I have to agree.

I fear is that the type of transcendent meaningfulness that McGrath assumes everyone yearns for, is less common than he thinks.

[Harmony Zimmerman]

It reminded me a lot of a science textbook and I didn't like that.

[Paul Bruggink]

This book is based on material originally presented in a number of lectures given by Alister McGrath in 2009 and 2010. Some of the material in this book appeared previously in chapters 7 and 11 of McGrath's book "The Passionate Intellect: Christian Faith and the Discipleship of the Mind".

McGrath describes this short and very readable book as an exploration of "the deep human desire . . . to make sense of things." He examines the need for clues to a deeper level of meaning, the nature of faith, the scientific method, the flaws in the arguments of the New Atheists, the limits of science, and the human desire for more than science can provide. The book also includes brief discussions of the beginning of the universe, the anthropic cosmological principle, fine tuning at the biological level, the implications of developments in the anthropic principle, design/convergence in evolution, and how Christianity makes sense of history, culture, and faith. McGrath points out that the conclusion that we are here by accident is not demanded by evolutionary biology itself, but by adding an aggressive and dogmatic atheism to biology.

While recognizing that there is more to Christianity than trying to make sense of things, McGrath (a former atheist) argues that Christianity involves believing that certain things are true and that Christianity provides a framework which makes more sense of the world than does atheism. Throughout the book McGrath supports his points with excellent illustrations and a relevant selection of quotations from philosophers and others. The book includes 11 pages of Notes and an 8-page Index.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a brief and well written description of the impact of science on Christianity and a critique of the New Atheism.

[Chuck Bonadies]

An outstanding book on the relationship between science and religion. Here's a great line from the book: "The intellectual vitality of the natural sciences lies in their being able to say something without having to say everything."

CB

[Robert Morschel]

McGrath is rapidly becoming one of my favourite contemporary Christian authors, offering in this excellent book a series of well reasoned apologetics to the rants of the so called New Atheism.

[Радостин Марчев]

Нелошо допълнение към Why God won't go away. Доколкото разбирам двете книги не са писани като поредица, но на практика добре се допълват една друга.

[Nelson]

Love me some A-Mac. Reads like a novel, echoes with my soul.

[João Vitor Oliveira da Silva]

Um livro muito bom sobre a relação entre fé cristã e ciência, especialmente sobre questões limite, aquelas que a ciência levanta, mas não consegue responder sozinha pelo método científico convencional. Considero um livro introdutório, principalmente pelo tamanho (180 páginas) e por não entrar em questões muito complexas sobre filosofia da ciência, por exemplo. Uma dica pra quem se aventurar a ler: leia como uma história, se possível em uma sentada. Não se detenha muito para encontrar o argumento, pois ele será bastante repetido pelo autor. Uma leitura muito gostosa, vale a pena. Boa leitura!

[Ann Michael]

Meh. McGrath is not a compelling enough writer to be convincing to me. Not that I didn't learn things from this book, but I guess I am not the audience he's aiming for. If I'm going to read a Christian apologist, I'd prefer one who is a fluid and imaginative writer (Wiman, Lewis, etc).

[George Eraclides]

Science, faith and how we make sense of things. An extended argument for the value and coherence of the Christian POV for making sense of the world, including the scientific world; an argument from 'best explanation' with strong arguments against atheism.

[Lauren O'Neill]

Excellent. My faith was encouraged by this book. He provides a solid apologetic against New Atheism, and eloquently presents an apologetic for the Christian faith to a world that is searching for meaning.

[Telo]

This is a good primer from my faith and science class which was begging for a reread. I really love the last two chapters especially, in which McGrath touches on psychology, myth, purpose, and identity. Very readable for anyone unsure of how to get into this subject area!

[Luke Lindon]

Complex ideas and a comprehensive look at history and Enlightenment reasoning combined with Christian theology. An amazing argument as to why and how faith and science are not in conflict, but supplement one another beautifully.

[Kristine Johnson]

Good book. Quick read.

[Rodrigo Tinoco]

muito bom. interessante.

[Anne]

A very profound and thought provoking book regarding science and Christianity. I have read it several times and each time it reveals something else to me

[Declan Ellis]

A clearly reasoned and poetic defense of the Christian faith; McGrath engages the intellect and the heart.

[Berné Nortier]

A very good jumping-off point for thoughts on why things make sense.

[Levi Wong]

Science has its limits, and faith points to a bigger picture.

Some part of the book can be more concise.

[David Lentz]

I was given this book as a gift from a dear friend with a deeply spiritual soul. As a writer it seems to me that we are seeking to make sense of the absurd dichotemy between what we can reasonably discern and harsh, cruel reality as it so often exists. Essentially, we can undertake two options: 1) try to make sense of our existential condition by the use of our reason and science 2) find a lens that takes us beyond our reason. Atheists seem to prefer Option 1 and denounce as intellectually dishonest Option 2. My personal preference is to follow Option 1 until life makes no sense and then to kick into Option 2 through the use of faith. Having once been an atheist as a younger man, I commonly found it maddening that reason was so limited in the face of life's great mysteries. Isn't it reasonable to assume that as one human being in a vast universe millions of light years in its range that one's reason cannot possibly understand everything. In other words it is the mark of a highly reasonable human being to understand the limits of one's reason. So what does one do about what lies beyond reason? Surely, faith is a reasonable approach to transcend reason when reason hits the wall. Faith is more robust and takes one further than reason when reason reaches its limits. Science and reason alone have never brought me personal meaning. Science can explain the facts of existence but it, too, has a blind faith in itself as a panacea. To find true meaning one needs a lens and faith offers one which enables one to look beyond superficial facts, even complex and elegant discoveries of science, into the real existential questions: 1) Who am I? 2) Do I matter? 3) Why am I here? 4) Can I make a difference? A person using the lens of faith can answer these four existential questions about the meaning of life. If you seek to understand the meaning of life in a way that resonates and will enable you to find happiness, then this book offers a lens that works for me. If you are content with the answers deep within the mucky abyss sponsored by reason and science alone, devoid of faith, then you may well risk superfically treading the surface and put your sanity in jeopardy: a vast ocean of the discovery of real meaning resides beyond reason in a true faith journey. Most of all, in a complex and engimatic universe faith will lead you to an opportunity to find happiness. Take a deeper dive and soar beyond reason: embrace reason as far as it will take you. Then go into overdrive and power your way into a deeper understanding of the realm of meaning through the surprising meaning unlocked by faith. This is a great book.

[ptagi]

Nem volt egyszerű ez az olvasmány – mutatja ezt az is, hogy majd' 1 hónapig tötyörögtem az alig 200 oldalacskán.
De azt kell mondjam, hogy a hiba maximálisan az én készülékemben van. Nemcsak arra gondolok, hogy elég mozgalmas (volt) a január, ezért a minimálisnál is kevesebb időm maradt olvasásra. Olyan olvasásra meg főleg, amilyet ez a könyv kíván: amikor az ember 100% figyelemmel és értelemmel, szellemi kapacitásának teljességével veszi kézbe az olvasnivalót.
Hanem arra is gondolok és gondoltam sokszor az elmúlt hetekben, amit anno dr. Szűcs Ferenc fogalmazott meg, mikor a szerző másik könyvéből vizsgáztam nála: „egy fiúnak erre kettest adnék, de mivel a lányoknak nem erőssége a filozofikus gondolkodás, ezért hármas”. És akkor egyrészt nem tudtam hirtelen, hogy örüljek-e a jegynek, vagy kérjem ki magamnak, hogy milyen szofisztikáltan sikerült lehülyéznie. (az előbbi mellett döntöttem)
Szóval ehhez a könyvhöz is kellene ez a gondolkodási képesség, ami – úgy tűnik, igaza lesz a professzor úrnak – bennem csak nyomokban fellelhető.

Azt mondja a fülszöveg, hogy „Alister McGrath tizenhárom rövid, közérthetően megfogalmazott fejezetben beszél a természettudományok és a keresztyén hit sokrétű kapcsolatáról.” És amúgy tényleg! A probléma abból adódott, hogy nehéz úgy a kapcsolatot vizsgálnom, hogy ebből a két pólusból nekem a hit adatott meg csupán, a természettudományok ismerete meg még annyira se, mint a gondolkodás. Ezért is haladtam nehezen: nem volt mihez kötnöm a sok információt, hivatkozást, mivel nem ismerem azokat az elméleteket és tudományos eredményeket, amelyekre reflektál.

Ezt leszámítva viszont azt gondolom, hogy érdemes elolvasni. Főleg azoknak, akik tőlem sokkal jobban járatosak a világ keletkezéséről szóló elméletekben, az (új) ateizmus „hitvallásaiban”.
Kicsit volt hiányérzetem a tekintetben, hogy keresztyén teológusokra alig hivatkozik. A „mi” térfelünkről legtöbbet C. S. Lewist és Tolkient emlegeti. De érthető, hiszen nem a keresztyénekkel folytat párbeszédet, így olyanokat kellett felsorakoztatnia, akik „nekik” tekintélyek.

…de most egy darabig nincs rá vágyódásom.

[Frank Peters]

This is a really good book, and in my opinion is Alister McGrath at his best. The book is a series of long essays (or short chapters) based on talks that Prof. McGrath had given. This meant that each chapter is very well thought out and concise. This collection of essays/talks fits together brilliantly as a complete book, rather than merely a selection of essays. As the title suggests, the topic is all about how we can make any sense of things. The author explores what contribution has been and can be made by both science and faith. He discusses the limits of both as well as pointing out the philosophically bankrupt rhetoric of those who falsely use science beyond what it is capable of. I will recommend this book in the future.

[Lydia]

I think the best way to summarize is with the books' own summary: "In this book, we have explored the deep human desire to make sense of things, evident in both the natural sciences and in the Christian faith." Part of this exploring is the break down of many scientific theories, getting to their roots and breaking down belief systems to their cores. Lots of good food for thought and some quotes from other thinkers and sources that I loved!

I would say my biggest qualm with this, and the reason it only got three stars, is that in the breaking down part, often Mr. McGrath does not "sound" arguments off of Biblical truth, and at points seems to be in favor of evolutionary thought. (Which is surprising as I did not get that impression from his other book.)

No content issues.

[Josh Webb]

While McGrath presents some fantastic theistic arguments, he largely ignores the fact that the bible is rife with errors. Many parts of the old testament are polytheistic, and Yahweh himself is often overcome with anger. His anger often arises when he becomes surprised at the unfaithful actions of his chosen people... despite being all-knowing.

The idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, loving god is romantic and heart-warming, but that isn't the god of the bible.

I'm not only surprised by meaning, I'm surprised the author of this book is a Christian.

[Subash Mathew]

Answer to our search for meaning

Alister McGrath is able to address the questions raised by an earnest searching mind with answers drawn from his solid foundation in biblical scripture. He can quell the restless search for meaning in life and lead us to be confident in our place in this universe as our Christian doctrine teaches. A loving and caring God has a plan for our life and this universe. Jesus is the answer.

[Bryan Neuschwander]

Superb. Clear, concise chapters reflect substance and depth. McGrath may not convince everyone, but he certainly invites critical engagement and careful consideration. In a way, this was the book I was hoping for in the Passionate Intellect, a well-argued apology for the interpretive power and intellectual coherence of the Christian faith.

[Rick Edwards]

This is a thoughtfully and carefully written book. McGrath takes on the "new atheism" of Dawkins and company, exposing their erroneous foundational assumptions and the shaky structure of their arguments. He writes for the intelligent reader, not for the professional philosopher.