Books of Distinction

Belief in God in an Age of Science collects a series of lectures exploring the compatibility of science and theology. Polkinghorne’s most interesting argument is that the two disciplines, which he calls “intellectual cousins,” exhibit “a common concern with the attainment of understanding through the search for motivated belief.” He describes this common concern by comparing the scientific investigation into the nature of light that led to the quantum theory with the theological investigation of the nature of Christ’s being that led to the Chalcedonian Creed. Polkinghorne’s prose is lucid throughout, and his broadminded rigor persuades readers that “if reality is generously and adequately construed, then knowledge will be seen to be one; if rationality is generously and adequately construed, then science and theology will be seen as partners in a common quest for understanding.”

The book begins with a discussion of what belief in God can mean in our times. Polkinghorne explores a new natural theology and emphasizes the importance of moral and aesthetic experience and the human intuition of value and hope. In other chapters, he compares science’s struggle to understand the nature of light with Christian theology’s struggle to understand the nature of Christ. He addresses the question, “Does God act in the physical world?” as well as extending ideas about the role of chaos theory, surveying the prospects for future dialogue between scientific and theological thinkers, and defending a critical realist understanding of the activities of both disciplines. Polkinghorne concludes with a consideration of the nature of mathematical truths and the links between the complementary realities of physical and mental experience.

Book of Distinction: 2004
Publication Date: April 2003
ISBN: 9780300099492 (0300099495), $9.95, Paperback
Illustrations: no
Publisher: Yale University Press

Author Info

Rev. John C. Polkinghorne, Ph.D., is President Emeritus of Queen’s College, Cambridge, is a member of the Church of England Doctrine Committee and General Synod. Former Professor of Applied Physics at Cambridge, he has published many papers on theoretical elementary particle physics. Among his science and religion books are Science and Creation and Reason and Reality. Rev. Polkinghorne was the recipient of the 2002 Templeton Prize.

Editorial Reviews



	Belief in God in an Age of Science Polkinghorne, John C. List Price: $9.95 Available at the Publisher's website Book Information / Details Author Info Editorial Reviews Press Release Belief in God in an Age of Science collects a series of lectures exploring the compatibility of science and theology. Polkinghorne’s most interesting argument is that the two disciplines, which he calls “intellectual cousins,” exhibit “a common concern with the attainment of understanding through the search for motivated belief.” He describes this common concern by comparing the scientific investigation into the nature of light that led to the quantum theory with the theological investigation of the nature of Christ’s being that led to the Chalcedonian Creed. Polkinghorne’s prose is lucid throughout, and his broadminded rigor persuades readers that “if reality is generously and adequately construed, then knowledge will be seen to be one; if rationality is generously and adequately construed, then science and theology will be seen as partners in a common quest for understanding.” The book begins with a discussion of what belief in God can mean in our times. Polkinghorne explores a new natural theology and emphasizes the importance of moral and aesthetic experience and the human intuition of value and hope. In other chapters, he compares science’s struggle to understand the nature of light with Christian theology’s struggle to understand the nature of Christ. He addresses the question, “Does God act in the physical world?” as well as extending ideas about the role of chaos theory, surveying the prospects for future dialogue between scientific and theological thinkers, and defending a critical realist understanding of the activities of both disciplines. Polkinghorne concludes with a consideration of the nature of mathematical truths and the links between the complementary realities of physical and mental experience. Book of Distinction: 2004 Publication Date: April 2003 ISBN: 9780300099492 (0300099495), $9.95, Paperback Illustrations: no Publisher: Yale University Press Author Info Rev. John C. Polkinghorne, Ph.D., is President Emeritus of Queen’s College, Cambridge, is a member of the Church of England Doctrine Committee and General Synod. Former Professor of Applied Physics at Cambridge, he has published many papers on theoretical elementary particle physics. Among his science and religion books are Science and Creation and Reason and Reality. Rev. Polkinghorne was the recipient of the 2002 Templeton Prize. Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Booklist Booklist Kirkus Reviews Library Journal Publishers Weekly Press Release no press releases for this title
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