[.uk] One World: The Interaction of Science and Theology (ISBN 1599471116)

Book Description:
John C. Polkinghorne's renowned trilogy on the compatibility of religion and science is back in print. One World (originally published in 1986) introduces issues in science and religion that Dr. Polkinghorne subsequently continued in Science and Providence and Science and Creation. The books have been widely acclaimed individually and as a series. In the new preface to One World, Dr. Polkinghorne assesses his original writing of this book, pointing to themes that have remained important to his thinking and topics that have been expanded and modified through recent scientific discoveries. In fact, he contends, in today's postmodern culture "the issue of what we can know and how we can gain knowledge is one of even greater criticality than it was in 1986." Both science and religion explore aspects of reality, providing "a basis for their mutual interaction as they present their different perspectives onto the one world of existent reality," Polkinghorne argues. In One World he develops his thesis through an examination of the nature of science, the nature of the physical world, the character of theology, and the modes of thought in science and theology. He identifies "points of interaction" and points of potential conflict between science and religion. Along the way, he discusses creation, determinism, prayer, miracles, and future life, and he explains his rejection of scientific reductionism and his defense of natural theology. Science does not have an absolute superiority over other forms of knowledge, nor does religion have all the answers. Both are searching for "the truth." Both explore the universe as it is and submit to the evidence before them. And both must be open to continual correction.We live in one world. Polkinghorne's insights continue to illuminate it as a world in which science and religion can stimulate and benefit each other. "Why do I regard this book as so important? Primarily because it makes sense of the scientific enterprise and the pursuit of theology, and in doing so it makes sense of the universe. . . . For arguing this so persuasively and with clarity and caution we owe him grateful thanks."—The Expository Times

A serious-minded quest for truth, highly recommended.:
Written by Anglican priest and former professor of mathematical physics John C. Polkinghorne, One World: The Interaction of Science and Theology is the first book in a trilogy written to examine reality through the dual perspectives of science and religion. Chapters offer a historical reassessment of the scientific method, a defense of natural theology as a discipline, the concept of sacrament as the point of connection between scientific and theological understanding, discussions of creationism, determinism, prayer, miracles, and future life, and much more. "Theology differs from science in many respects because of its very different subject matter, a personal God who cannot be put to the test in the way that the impersonal physical world can be subjected to experimental enquiry. Yet science and theology have this in common, that each can be, and should be, defended as being investigations of what is, the search for verisimilitude in our understanding of reality." A serious-minded quest for truth, highly recommended.

Scholarship meets humility:
Had it up to here with pompous "Christian" dismissals of scientific endeavor? Ready to throw all Christians into that category? Polkinghorn offers a refreshingly different and humble perspective as he explores ways in which the methodologies of science and of Christian theology are surprisingly consonant. He also suggests some intriguing possibilities for how these disciplines can inform each other. A breath of fresh air in a room where so-called "scientific creationism" has made breathing difficult.

Brief but Fascinating View of Science and Theology:
John Polkinghorne in a sense stands between two worlds. On one hand, he was a noted scientist who specialized in mathematical physics. On the other he became a Anglican priest. In "One World", Polkinghorne gives readers a brief but very readable view of some of his opinions on science and theology. He shows what he feels are differences in mindsets and similarities as well. I don't agree with all of Polkinghorne's opinions (I am a Christian so it is specific points rather than his whole system that I disagree with), but I confess that he has the ability to make a person think outside the box. I recommend this book.