Enriching Our Vision of Reality
Overview
In this exceptional volume, Alister McGrath writes for scientists with an interest in theology, and Christians and theologians who are aware of the importance of the natural sciences. A scene-setting chapter explores the importance of the human quest for intelligibility. The focus then moves to three leading figures who have stimulated discussion about the relationship between science and theology in recent years: Charles Coulson, an Oxford professor of theoretical chemistry who was also a prominent Methodist lay preacher; Thomas F. Torrance, perhaps the finest British theologian of the twentieth century; and John Polkinghorne, a theoretical physicist, theologian and Anglican priest.
The latter part of the book features six parallel ‘conversations’ between science and theology, which lay the groundwork for the kind of enriched vision of reality the author hopes to encourage. Here, we are inspired to enjoy individual aspects of nature while seeking to interpret them in the light of deeper revelations about our gloriously strange universe.
- Explores the relationship between Christian theology and the natural sciences
- Examines three people important in the discussion of science and theology
- Discusses six parallels between science and theology and their relationship
- Part 1: Setting the Scene
- Intelligibility and coherence: the Christian vision of reality
- Part 2: Science and Theology: Three Practitioners
- Charles A. Coulson
- Thomas F. Torrance
- John Polkinghorne
- Part 3: Theology and Science: Some Parallel Conversations
- Theories and Doctrines: Ways of Seeing Reality
- The Legitimacy of Faith: Proof, Justification and Intelligibility
- Analogies, Models and Mystery: Representing a Complex Reality
- Religious and Scientific Faith: The Case of Charles Darwin
- Human Identity: Scientific and Theological Perspectives
- Natural Theology: the Interface of Science and Theology
Alister McGrath
(DPhil, DD, Oxford University) is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. He previously held the chair of theology, ministry and education and was head of the Centre for Theology, Religion Culture at King's College, London. He is in constant demand as a speaker at conferences throughout the world and is the author of many books including The Dawkins Delusion? and Christianity's Dangerous Idea.
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