How did the universe begin? Can God's existence be proven? Do humans matter more than animals? For many years people have sent the scientist-turned-priest John Polkinghorne these and other questions about science and belief. In question-and-answer format, Polkinghorne and his collaborator Nicholas Beale offer their highly informed opinions about some of the most frequently asked of these questions. Readers can follow their own paths through the book, selecting questions that interest them and looking at the additional material if they choose. This unique book will help Christians clarify their beliefs regarding difficult issues and better face challenges--from within and from others--to their faith.
Questions of Truth
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This book grew out of questions generated at a Web site that management consultant Beale organized to communicate the ideas of Polkinghorne ("Faith, Science, and Understanding"), a physicist and Anglican priest, who maintains that science and religion are complementary modes of thought. It organizes selected questions under seven topics. Each questionis followed by the responses of Beale and Polkinghorne, sometimes as a single answer and sometimes by the authors individually. Its three appendixes (Anthropic Fine-Tuning, Brain and Consciousness and Evolution) are substantial, constituting a third of the book, although they repeat
About the Author
John Polkinghorneis one of the world's leading experts on Science and Religion. A world-class physics Professor at Cambridge who became a priest, Founding President of the ISSR and winner of the Templeton Prize, Polkinghorne's publications include Exploring Reality, Quantum Physics and Theology, Quarks, Chaos and Christianity, Science and the Trinity, Living with Hope, and Belief in God in an Age of Science. Nicholas Beale is a strategist and social philosopher and a longtime collaborator of John Polkinghorne. He is author of Constructive Engagementand coauthor, with Colin Howson, of Sense and Nonsense about God and Science.
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4 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brief Introduction to Looking at Science and Christianity Side-by-Side
July 21 2009
Format:Paperback
"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." -- John 4:24
If you are like me, it's often frustrating to read what pastors have to say about science because they may not know much about science. The potshots that atheists take at Christianity are often based at least in part on scientific-seeming comments. Wouldn't it be nice to read what a scientist has to say about science and Christianity?
Questions of Truth takes you to the doorway through which you can begin to learn about how science and Christianity stack up, side-by-side. John Polkinghorne is a former professor of physics who often writes about Christianity and science. Nicholas Beale is a management consultant who speaks eloquently in defense of Christianity. Both write from a faith-based perspective that will seem familiar to many Christians.
The book opens with about 100 pages of questions and brief answers. In a few cases, the answers are elaborated on in appendices concerning the extreme delicacy of the universe that allows for us to live, the mind and the brain, and evolution. All sections of the book generously refer to more detailed arguments in other sources through commentaries, footnotes, and a bibliography. In many cases, you won't find what you are really looking for until you get into those more detailed treatments.
This book, rather, mimics the Web site that Nicholas Beale maintains to publicize John Polkinghorne's views about Christianity. As such, it's brief and to the point: That the book's strength.
The authors separate respond to each question so you get at least two perspectives in each case. Here are a few of the key points that the book makes:
1. Science is about "how" things work and Christianity is about "why" they work. The two perspectives can exist side-by-side because they are looking at different questions.
2. The unknowns about the physical world exceed the knowns. As a result, it's premature to say that science can prove much of anything about Christianity in many cases. The seemingly quirky characteristics of quantum physics suggest a world made to permit and encourage free will and loving cooperation.
3. Many of the atheistic arguments made by Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion don't look so good when you quantify the points.
4. In many areas concerning Christianity and science, you can't prove or disprove key beliefs and theories.
Whimsical arguments sometimes take off in good humor which lends the book some lighthearted moments, such in as the section about how Christian believers live longer and produce more children than atheists suggesting that "natural selection" favors Christian belief.
Although your time would probably be better spent in reading the Bible or in prayer than reading this book, I think you'll find Questions of Truth will increase your appreciation of the truths that the Bible relates.
If you are like me, it's often frustrating to read what pastors have to say about science because they may not know much about science. The potshots that atheists take at Christianity are often based at least in part on scientific-seeming comments. Wouldn't it be nice to read what a scientist has to say about science and Christianity?
Questions of Truth takes you to the doorway through which you can begin to learn about how science and Christianity stack up, side-by-side. John Polkinghorne is a former professor of physics who often writes about Christianity and science. Nicholas Beale is a management consultant who speaks eloquently in defense of Christianity. Both write from a faith-based perspective that will seem familiar to many Christians.
The book opens with about 100 pages of questions and brief answers. In a few cases, the answers are elaborated on in appendices concerning the extreme delicacy of the universe that allows for us to live, the mind and the brain, and evolution. All sections of the book generously refer to more detailed arguments in other sources through commentaries, footnotes, and a bibliography. In many cases, you won't find what you are really looking for until you get into those more detailed treatments.
This book, rather, mimics the Web site that Nicholas Beale maintains to publicize John Polkinghorne's views about Christianity. As such, it's brief and to the point: That the book's strength.
The authors separate respond to each question so you get at least two perspectives in each case. Here are a few of the key points that the book makes:
1. Science is about "how" things work and Christianity is about "why" they work. The two perspectives can exist side-by-side because they are looking at different questions.
2. The unknowns about the physical world exceed the knowns. As a result, it's premature to say that science can prove much of anything about Christianity in many cases. The seemingly quirky characteristics of quantum physics suggest a world made to permit and encourage free will and loving cooperation.
3. Many of the atheistic arguments made by Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion don't look so good when you quantify the points.
4. In many areas concerning Christianity and science, you can't prove or disprove key beliefs and theories.
Whimsical arguments sometimes take off in good humor which lends the book some lighthearted moments, such in as the section about how Christian believers live longer and produce more children than atheists suggesting that "natural selection" favors Christian belief.
Although your time would probably be better spent in reading the Bible or in prayer than reading this book, I think you'll find Questions of Truth will increase your appreciation of the truths that the Bible relates.
1 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Ronald W. Maron
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
First let me compliment the author on his knowlege of quantum physics and the mechanism of neural functioning. So often we are led to read books where the author claims to know his topic but then fails miserably in its delivery. The author, however, has a strong tedency to overestimate the knowlege of his audience. If I were not well versed in physics I would have become easily lost in the undefined technical jargon. This is not a book for someone without a moderate scientific background.
Secondly, I picked up this book because of its subtitle....." Responses to Questions about God, Science and Belief." The subtitle however, should have read....."From a Christian Viewpoint". The author takes the same, old predictable stance that the Bible is the unerrant word of God and attempts to explain scientific principles on this highly questionable premise. If an initial premise cannot shown to be true, no reliable conslusions can be drawn from it no matter how strongly you wish that they could. Because of that, very few of his conclusions can be taken with a high degree of ethical certainty. There are two initial sequences in early Genesis not because God wishes to teach us two different lessons but because one of them is obviusly wrong (if not both of them)! What then is the purpose of this book other than to be one of the many publications that claim to be based on 'truth' when it is actually based on 'religious faith'? As long as we have religionists who refuse to admit to any level of error in their manner of religious thought we will continue to have the gap between science and spirituality grow, and not lessen, in size.
Secondly, I picked up this book because of its subtitle....." Responses to Questions about God, Science and Belief." The subtitle however, should have read....."From a Christian Viewpoint". The author takes the same, old predictable stance that the Bible is the unerrant word of God and attempts to explain scientific principles on this highly questionable premise. If an initial premise cannot shown to be true, no reliable conslusions can be drawn from it no matter how strongly you wish that they could. Because of that, very few of his conclusions can be taken with a high degree of ethical certainty. There are two initial sequences in early Genesis not because God wishes to teach us two different lessons but because one of them is obviusly wrong (if not both of them)! What then is the purpose of this book other than to be one of the many publications that claim to be based on 'truth' when it is actually based on 'religious faith'? As long as we have religionists who refuse to admit to any level of error in their manner of religious thought we will continue to have the gap between science and spirituality grow, and not lessen, in size.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Introduction to Polkinghorne's Wisdom with Humility
July 28 2009
By rowley32256
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
John Polkinghorne is a unique individual; an accomplished particle physicist, he decided to change careers about 30 years ago to become a minister of the Anglican church. A Templeton prize winner, his writing style is lucid and accessible. Questions of Truth is a departure from classics such as Exploring Reality and The Faith of a Physicist in that it is a collaboration between Polkinghorne and his associate Nicholas Beale, who helps with the deluge of e-mail that Polkinghorne receives.
This book, while quite short, covers a great deal of ground and effectively signposts the reader to other books by Polkinghorne that deal with specific subjects in greater depth. (page 81) "Every so often in the history of the universe something intrinsically new emerges from within the deep potentiality with which creation has been endowed. This happened with the coming-to-be of life and again with the dawning of animal consciousness. I believe it also happened in the genus Homo with the emergence of human self-consciousness." (page 68) "At some point in hominid evolution, self-consciousness - a deep self-awareness and the power to project our thought far into the future - dawned on our ancestors. At the same time, I believe that a new form of God-consciousness also dawned for them. The fall was the process by which they turned away from God into the self, an error of which we are all the heirs." I am an avid fan of Polkinghorne; he understands the flaws in the quasi-scientific arguments often advanced against faith, but even when he is dealing with crass abuse of logic or science he always tempers his great wisdom with humility and congeniality.
This book, while quite short, covers a great deal of ground and effectively signposts the reader to other books by Polkinghorne that deal with specific subjects in greater depth. (page 81) "Every so often in the history of the universe something intrinsically new emerges from within the deep potentiality with which creation has been endowed. This happened with the coming-to-be of life and again with the dawning of animal consciousness. I believe it also happened in the genus Homo with the emergence of human self-consciousness." (page 68) "At some point in hominid evolution, self-consciousness - a deep self-awareness and the power to project our thought far into the future - dawned on our ancestors. At the same time, I believe that a new form of God-consciousness also dawned for them. The fall was the process by which they turned away from God into the self, an error of which we are all the heirs." I am an avid fan of Polkinghorne; he understands the flaws in the quasi-scientific arguments often advanced against faith, but even when he is dealing with crass abuse of logic or science he always tempers his great wisdom with humility and congeniality.
36 of 44 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lucid and Insightful, Nice Compilation
Mar 14 2009
By D. G. Frank
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I was also at the AAAS launch of this book, and purchased my own (autographed) copy. It was also a pleasure to meet and speak in person with the authors in the exposition booth. When I asked a question during the formal launch session, Dr. Polkinghorne gave an insightful answer. What a great way to launch a book. Kudos!
Regarding the content, I have found many of the ideas and opinions to be stimulating and insightful, and the prose lucid. It is clear that that the authors have subjected each chapter to multiple editing passes, the product being concise prose and clear metaphors. And in a book like this, I find that it is less important whether or not one agrees with the author(s), and more important that the ideas and rationale are clearly stated.
I admit that I was a bit disappointed by the discussion of Intelligent Design. The authors seem to have accepted and reiterated the caricature promoted by its critics. The other sections seem to reflect more time in original thought.
On the whole, for a scientist and Christian in the middle of my life journey, it is a pleasure for me to consider the careful opinions and conclusions of individuals who have tread so much of the ground I enjoy trekking.
Regarding the content, I have found many of the ideas and opinions to be stimulating and insightful, and the prose lucid. It is clear that that the authors have subjected each chapter to multiple editing passes, the product being concise prose and clear metaphors. And in a book like this, I find that it is less important whether or not one agrees with the author(s), and more important that the ideas and rationale are clearly stated.
I admit that I was a bit disappointed by the discussion of Intelligent Design. The authors seem to have accepted and reiterated the caricature promoted by its critics. The other sections seem to reflect more time in original thought.
On the whole, for a scientist and Christian in the middle of my life journey, it is a pleasure for me to consider the careful opinions and conclusions of individuals who have tread so much of the ground I enjoy trekking.
30 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Book Richard Dawkins Doesn't Want You To Read....
Mar 9 2009
By Reviewer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
and refuses to read. Too often, the media tries to create a polarized conflict between of religion and science. Thus, scientists like Polkinhorne are 'inconvenient truths' - a man with solid scientific credentials, yet devoutly religious (Polkinghorne is an ordained Anglican minister and in no way a "Bishop Spong"). The other author, I was not as familiar with, but runs the 'star course' website- a site devoted to learning about the relation between science and religon.
This book is a great q@a of many "typical" questions such as:
1. Leading Questions 5
1. Science and Religion 5
2. Human Nature 9
3. The Existence of God 11
4. Creation and Evolution 15
5. Evil and Suffering 16
6. Divine Action 17
7. Jesus Christ 20
8. Final Destiny 22
9. Atheism 25
2. The Concept and Existence of God 27
10. Can God's Existence Be Proved? 27
11. Is God a Delusion? 28
12. How Can God Inhabit Eternity? 32
13. Does God Know Everything? 33
14. Is Everything Divinely Predestined? 35
15. Is God the Source of All Morality? 36
16. What about the Trinity?
..................................
Will atheists be converted? Will Creationists give up the 'false God' of creationism? Probably not, but this is refreshing nuanced DISCUSSION which is so absent from the media. Personally, it (and Polkinhorne's other works) have helped me understand how science and religion are not only not in conflict, but in many ways, in harmony and when both studied correctly enhance our understanding of the universe and human condition.
I think its a great 'jumping off point' for questions that probably people who believe in God, and might even raise enough 'doubt' in atheists that they could a least consider the possibility of God.
This book is a great q@a of many "typical" questions such as:
1. Leading Questions 5
1. Science and Religion 5
2. Human Nature 9
3. The Existence of God 11
4. Creation and Evolution 15
5. Evil and Suffering 16
6. Divine Action 17
7. Jesus Christ 20
8. Final Destiny 22
9. Atheism 25
2. The Concept and Existence of God 27
10. Can God's Existence Be Proved? 27
11. Is God a Delusion? 28
12. How Can God Inhabit Eternity? 32
13. Does God Know Everything? 33
14. Is Everything Divinely Predestined? 35
15. Is God the Source of All Morality? 36
16. What about the Trinity?
..................................
Will atheists be converted? Will Creationists give up the 'false God' of creationism? Probably not, but this is refreshing nuanced DISCUSSION which is so absent from the media. Personally, it (and Polkinhorne's other works) have helped me understand how science and religion are not only not in conflict, but in many ways, in harmony and when both studied correctly enhance our understanding of the universe and human condition.
I think its a great 'jumping off point' for questions that probably people who believe in God, and might even raise enough 'doubt' in atheists that they could a least consider the possibility of God.
›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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