Product Description
Despite the differences of their subject matter, science and theology have a cousinly relationship, John Polkinghorne contends in his latest thought-provoking book. From his unique perspective as both theoretical physicist and Anglican priest, Polkinghorne considers aspects of quantum physics and theology and demonstrates that the two truth-seeking enterprises are engaged in analogous rational techniques of inquiry. His exploration of the deep connections between science and theology shows with new clarity a common kinship in the search for truth. The author identifies and explores key similarities in quantum physics and Christology. Among the many parallels he identifies are patterns of historical development in quantum physics and in Christology; wrestling with perplexities such as quantum interpretation and the problem of evil; and the drive for an overarching view in the Grand Unified Theories of physics and in Trinitarian theology. Both theology and science are propelled by a desire to understand the world through experienced reality, and Polkinghorne explains that their viewpoints are by no means mutually exclusive.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 11 reviews)

Outstanding by bookscdsdvdsandcoolstuff (USA)

5 Stars
November 12, 2009
What a wonderful little book! This short little book is not the easiest read, but it is certainly manageable for anyone who has a basic familiarity with theology or science so long as they are willing to read slowly and carefully. The book juxtaposes two systems of inquiry designed to lead to a truthful description of reality. That theology is a discipline with rigorous controls and review and rules for inquiry seems to surprise many materialists, but it is a fact. I have spent some time here at amazon and in the world dialoging with those who hold a materialistic view of the universe, and I am shocked at the level of disdain given to the disciplines of philosophy and theology. As the author of this book points out, the word "theological" is often used pejoratively to denote an unexamined or untested bias or belief. I too take umbrage with this usage, and I find myself wondering if the decline of traditional liberal education in the West marks the end of literate and competent discourse and debate in our society. I am impressed by this book's economy, even while I was challenged by some of the vocabulary and concepts. I was relatively unfamiliar with the history of quantum physics, and I found this book very edifying as a result. The sections on Christology, the historicity of the resurrection, and the parallels between scientific and theological inquiry were concise, challenging, and largely convincing. One point the author could have hit a little harder, in my opinion, is the history and philosophy of science, and why scientific inquiry of a high level is largely a product of Western Civilization. A belief in a God of love and reason who cannot, by His nature, be a deceiver, led Western man to engage in scientific inquiry, because their God was not capricious and made creation in a way that was understandable and knowable. When the University was founded in the Middle Ages, natural philosophy as a discipline was a natural outgrowth of this belief about God's nature, and is what led to the development of modern scientific method. The author does point this out, but briefly, and a history of scientific inquiry in those early universities is far more rich than the author has time to allow for in this short book. However I think inclusion of the history of science during the middle ages and the Church's role in essentially inventing the university would have strengthened the author's thesis. Still, this was a very powerful book, well reasoned and well argued. I could not recommend it more highly.

Authentic science and authentic theology juxtaposed by rowley32256 (Jacksonville USA)

5 Stars
August 18, 2009
John Polkinghorne has written many books combining ideas from his two areas of expertise: science and religion. In this small volume, he juxtaposes ideas from up to date quantum physics with some of the aspects of Christianity that seem baffling to many scientists. In doing so, he achieves his purpose of showing how critical realism can bridge these two seemingly opposed disciplines. But he also recommends a deeper study: "Perhaps this proferred hors d'oeuvre might encourage some to sit down to a more substantial meal." With his characteristic precision, Polkinghorne sets out the difference between scientific and other types of inquiry: [the natural sciences] "enjoy possession of the secret weapon of experiment, the ability to put matters to the test, if necessary through repeated investigation of essentially the same set of impersonal circumstances. This enables science thoroughly to investigate a physical regime defined by a definite scale ... and to make an accurate map of it. ... By way of contrast, in all forms of subjective experience - whether aesthetic enjoyment, acts of moral decision, loving human relationships, or the transpersonal encounter with the sacred reality of God - events are unique and unrepeatable, and their valid interpretation depends ultimately upon a trusting acceptance rather than a testing analysis." Polkinghorne uses a technique he calls "comparative heuristics" - basically the comparison of similarly constructed models as opposed to direct analogies. This enables the rationale to be evaluated regardless of the validity of a priori assumptions; thus Polkinghorne is able to address such a controversial topic as "miracles" without partisanship. "It does not make theological sense to suppose that God is a kind of show-off celestial conjurer, capriciously using divine power today to do something God did not think of doing yesterday and won't be bothered to do tomorrow. There must be a deep underlying consistency in divine action, but that requirement does not condemn the deity never to do anything radically new and unexpected." While miracles are the bête noir of science, the same could be said of materialist dogma to a believer; the author gently illustrates this by reference to the way that novel thinking by Maxwell, Born and Schrödinger contributed to an innovative understanding of the "potentialities present in the unpicturable quantum state associated with the electron." I commend this book to any scientist who thinks his discipline incompatible with theology and any believer who is interested in learning how the latest developments in physics fit alongside spirituality. My only reservation is that Polkinghorne's combination of wisdom with humility is addictive - a reader will be unable to stop at this book.

New Physics & Old Fashioned Theology by P. J. Young

3 Stars
July 16, 2009
John Polkinghorne explains things well and this book has inspired me to read another book of his about quantum physics (without the theology). But the juxtaposition of physics and theology in this particular book made for an awkward read. Polkinghorne's theology is pretty old fashioned. His belief in a literal resurrection and other "miracles" is pretty disconcerting. I can understand arguments that make the case that the potentiality of quantum reality alludes to a general sense of the Divine. But shoehorning biblical scripture and traditional Christology into the mix simply doesn't work in my view.

Of Course ! by Larry Wagner (Northridge, California, USA)

2 Stars
March 07, 2009
Quantum Physics and Theology have to go together. Quantum Physics says that everything exists as vibrational energy probabilities, and allows prediction of where subatomic particles will be and how they will behave. So all of God's creation that we see, through the eye, a microscope, or telescope is in constant probability of change at all instants of time. Yet nearly all remains constant at all times. What has life, changes. What does not have life is subject to change. We witness God's Creation in every moment simply by understanding deep science. The universe is in flux, yet is unchanging. Francis Collins' book "The Language of God" discusses how DNA is God's language for life, and reveals how scientists who are Christian appreciate and find connection to the exploration of science as a means to come closer to appreciating the incredible knowledge and power of God that he created a self-sustaining universe through various constants which man can discover. It all humbling, and utterly convincing. The more we know, the more amazing God's creation proves to be. To deny science is to play God for a fool. To deny God is to play oneself for a fool. Free will gives one a choice. Add reading in Swedenborg to learn of one of the first scientists who writes on theology and his experiences with the divine. Helen Keller's "Light In My Darkness" explains how a person deaf and blind can learn and marvel at the greatness of God, and appreciate her own dark and silent life in this world, as just being a transitional challenge on the way to Heaven. She was a great student and inspirational individual throughout a very long and full life.

Interesting and palatable analogies by Wm M. Morgan (Texas USA)

4 Stars
February 01, 2009
A cogent presentation aligning axiomatic postulates of nuclear physics beside correlated entities of the Trinity. An enlightening exposure attributing light features with Light features lending theological application to the "theory of everything" both physical and spiritual.

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