Science and Faith

"Actuality and potentiality, substantial form and prime matter, efficient causality and teleology are among the fundamental concepts of Aristotelian philosophy of nature. Aristotle's Revenge argues that these concepts are not only compatible with modern science, but are implicitly presupposed by modern science. Among the many topics covered are the metaphysical presuppositions of scientific method; the status of scientific realism; the metaphysics of space and time; the metaphysics of quantum mechanics; reductionism in chemistry and biology; the metaphysics of evolution; and neuroscientific reductionism. The book interacts heavily with the literature on these issues in contemporary analytic metaphysics and philosophy of science, so as to bring contemporary philosophy and science into dialogue with the Aristotelian tradition."

"The relationship between science and religion (SR) has often been portrayed as bellicose. Yet some scholars view the disciplines as allies that complement and buttress each other. Other scholars consider them to be entirely discrete entities. Without a doubt, the interface of the two disciplines is complex and nuanced, and each has much to learn from the other. Heidi Campbell and Heather Looy assembled A Science and Religion Primer to guide a respectful, intelligent conversation. This landmark work is simultaneously an encyclopedia, an annotated bibliography, and a survey. Further, the stalwart advisory board for this singular project is made up of : Celia Deane-Drummond (University of Chester); Nancey Murphy (Fuller Theological Seminary); George F. R. Ellis (University of Cape Town); Peter Harrison (Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford); Holmes Rolston III (Colorado State University); Craig A. Boyd (Azusa Pacific University). Four substantive introductory essays--from Peter Harrison ("History of the Science/Religion Dialogue"), Nancey Murphy ("The Role of Philosophy in the Science/Religion Dialogue"), Celia Deane-Drummond ("Theology's Intersection with the Science/Religion Dialogue"), and Holmes Rolston III ("Science and Technology in Light of Religion")--set the book's background. The second, and primary, section of the book provides an A-Z listing of entries dealing with a variety of philosophical, historical, scientific, and theological concepts, individuals, or events related to the SR dialogue. Each entry is divided into three parts: a brief summary/definition of the concept, a key-points and challenges section that identifies significant issues, and a "discussion partners" section that lists key related readings. A Science and Religion Primer is an indispensable source in its own right and a springboard for more in-depth research." -- Provided by publisher.

"John Polkinghorne is a major figure in today’s debates over the compatibility of science and religion. Internationally known as both a theoretical physicist and a theologian—the only ordained member of the Royal Society—Polkinghorne brings unique qualifications to his inquiry into the possibilities of believing in God in an age of science. In this thought-provoking book, the author focuses on the collegiality between science and theology, contending that these "intellectual cousins" are both concerned with interpreted experience and with the quest for truth about reality. He argues eloquently that scientific and theological inquiries are parallel. 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? And he extends his ideas about the role of chaos theory, surveys the prospects for future dialogue between scientific and theological thinkers, and defends 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."

One of the first evangelical works on this subject written by a prominent Baptist evangelical theologian. Contents: pt. 1: The imperative necessity of a harmony of Christianity and science: -- The present status of Christianity and science -- The approach that creates disharmony -- The approach that creates harmony -- The importance of the Bible and science -- pt. 2: An analysis of the conflict between theology and science: -- Introduction -- The specific tasks of science and theology -- Why theologians and scientist have conflicts.
pt. 3: The fundamental problems of Christianity and science: -- The language of the Bible in reference to natural things -- The biblical view of nature -- Biblical cosmology -- A Christian philosophy of nature -- pt. 4: Anticipation of science in scripture -- Introduction -- An examination of specific passages -- Summary -- pt. 5: Astronomy: -- General survey -- Creation -- The long day of Joshua -- The dial of Ahaz.
The star of Bethlehem -- pt. 6: Geology: -- Introduction -- Creation: the six days -- The flood -- pt. 7: Biology: -- Toward a philosophy of biology -- The origin of life -- Evolution -- Theistic evolution -- The virgin birth -- Jonah -- pt. 8: Anthropology: -- Introduction -- The unity of the human race -- The antiquity of the human race -- The origin of the human race -- Paradise, the fall, the curse -- The origin of races and languages -- The antediluvians.

The late John Polkinghorne was a Christian with advanced degrees in physics and theology and was one of the prominent voices in discussing the relationship between science and faith. This book includes the following: The nature of science -- The nature of the physical world -- Human nature -- Nature of reality -- Brief history of science and religion -- Science and religion as cousins -- The work of love -- Nature of theology -- Deity -- Natural theology -- Creation -- Providence -- Prayer and miracle -- Time -- Evil -- Scripture -- Historical Jesus -- The Resurrection -- Trinitarian theology -- Eucharist -- Eschatology -- World faiths.

Creationism : an inerrant Bible & effective science / Wayne Frair & Gary D. Patterson -- Independence : mutual humility in the relationship between science & Christian theology / Jean Pond -- Qualified agreement : modern science & the return of the "God hypothesis" / Stephen C. Meyer -- Partnership : science & Christian theology as partners in theorizing / Howard J. Van Till.

"Science and Christianity is an accessible, engaging introduction to topics at the intersection of science and Christian theology.-A philosophically orientated treatment that introduces the relationship of science to Christianity and explores to what extent the findings of science affect traditional Christian theology -Addresses important theological topics in light of contemporary science, including divine action, the problem of natural evil, and eschatology -Historically oriented chapters and chapters covering methodological principles for both science and theology provide the reader with a strong foundational understanding of the issues -Includes feature boxes highlighting quotations, biographies of major scientists and theologians, key terms, and other helpful information -Issues are presented as fairly and objectively as possible, with strengths and weaknesses of particular interpretations fully discussed."

Introducing the dialogue between science and religion -- History : three landmark debates -- Why does history matter? -- Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo and the solar system -- Debate 2: Newton, the mechanical universe, and deism -- Debate 3: Darwin and the biological origins of humanity -- Science and religion : general themes -- Models of interaction between science and religion -- Science, religion, and the explanation of things -- Science, religion, and proofs for God's existence -- Verification and falsification in science and religion -- Realism and its alternatives in science and religion -- The doctrine of creation and the natural sciences -- How does god act in the world? -- The use of models in science and religion -- Natural science and natural theology -- Theoretical anomalies in science and religion -- The development of theory in science and religion -- The interaction of science and religion in other faiths -- Science and religion : contemporary debates -- Richard Dawkins and scientific atheism : does science deny God? -- Cosmology : does the anthropic principle mean anything? -- Quantum theory : complementarity in science and religion -- Evolutionary biology : can one speak of design in nature? -- Evolutionary psychology : the origins of religious belief -- The psychology of religion : exploring religious experience -- The cognitive science of religion : is religion natural? -- Case studies in science and religion -- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) -- Thomas F. Torrance (1913-2007) -- Charles A. Coulson (1910-74) -- Ian R. Barbour (born 1923) -- Arthur Peacocke (1924-2006) -- Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) -- John Polkinghorne (born 1930) -- Nancey Murphy (born 1951) -- Alister E. McGrath (born 1953) -- Philip Clayton (born 1956).

"The debate between science and religion is never out of the news: emotions run high, fueled by polemical bestsellers like The God Delusion and, at the other end of the spectrum, high-profile campaigns to teach 'Intelligent Design' in schools. Yet there is much more to the debate than the clash of these extremes. As Thomas Dixon shows in this balanced and thought-provoking introduction, many have seen harmony rather than conflict between faith and science. He explores not only the key philosophical questions that underlie the debate, but also the social, political, and ethical contexts that have made 'science and religion' such a fraught and interesting topic in the modern world, offering perspectives from non-Christian religions and examples from across the physical, biological, and social sciences. Along the way, he examines landmark historical episodes such as the trial of Galileo by the Inquisition in 1633, and the famous debate between 'Darwin's bulldog' Thomas Huxley and Bishop Wilberforce in Oxford in 1860. The Scopes 'Monkey Trial' in Tennessee in 1925 and the Dover Area School Board case of 2005 are explained with reference to the interaction between religion, law, and education in modern America."--Publisher's description.

"From the heliocentric controversy and evolution, to debates on biotechnology and the environment, this book offers a balanced introduction to the key issues in science and religion.:.; A balanced, introductory textbook which fully spans the interface between science and religion, and includes illustrations of scientific concepts throughout.; Explores key historical issues, including the heliocentric controversy, and evolution, but also topics of current importance, such as biotechnology and environmental issues.; Appendices include a wide range of biblical readings; excerpts from early philosophy."

"This volume contains the most important contributions to the recent debate on the philosophy of science. The contributors crystallize the often-heated arguments of the last two decades, assessing the skeptical attitudes within philosophy of science and the counterchallenges of the scientific realists."

"When it comes to relating Christianity to modern Western culture, perhaps no topic is more controversial than the relationship between Christianity and science. Outside the church, the myth of an age-old conflict between science and Christianity is nearly ubiquitous in popular culture and can poison the well before a fruitful dialogue can begin. Within the church, opposing viewpoints on the relation between Christianity and science often lead to division and rancor. Three Views on Christianity and Science addresses both types of conflict. Featuring leading evangelical representatives, it presents three primary options for the compatibility of Christianity and science and models constructive dialogue on the surrounding controversial issues. By engaging with the viewpoints of the contributors, readers will come away with a deeper understanding of the compatibility of science and Christianity, as well as of the positions of those who disagree with them."