Read more
Presents an introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences. This title examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between these two areas, offering a comprehensive coverage.
List of contents
Preface. How to use this book. 1. Introducing the dialogue between science and religion. Part I History: Three Landmark Debates. 2. Why does history matter? 3. Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo and the Solar System. 4. Debate 2: Newton, the mechanical universe, and Deism. 5. Debate 3: Darwin and the biological origins of humanity. Part II Science and religion: general themes. 6. Models of interaction between science and religion. 7. Science, religion, and the explanation of things. 8. Science, religion, and proofs for God's existence. 9. Verification and falsification in science and religion. 10. Realism and its alternatives in science and religion. 11. The doctrine of creation and the natural sciences. 12. How does God act in the world? 13. The use of models in science and religion. 14. Natural science and natural theology. 15. Theoretical anomalies in science and religion. 16. The development of theory in science and religion. 17. The interaction of science and religion in other faiths. Part III Science and religion: contemporary debates. 18. Richard Dawkins and scientific atheism: does science deny God? 19. Cosmology: does the anthropic principle mean anything? 20. Quantum theory: complementarily in science and religion. 21. Evolutionary biology: can one speak of "design" in nature? 22. Evolutionary psychology: The origins of religious belief. 23. The psychology of religion: exploring religious experience. 24. The cognitive science of religion: is religion "natural"? Part IV Case studies in science and religion. 25. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955). 26. Thomas F. Torrance (1913-2007). 27. Charles A. Coulson (1910-74). 28. Ian R. Barbour (born 1923). 29. Arthur Peacocke (1924-2006). 30. Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928). 31. John Polkinghorne (born 1930). 32. Nancey Murphy (born 1951). 33. Alister E. McGrath (born 1953). 34. Philip Clayton (born 1956). Conclusion. References. Index.
About the author
Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College, London. He is the author of numerous bestselling titles, including Dawkins' God (2004), Theology: The Basics (2004), Christianity: An Introduction, 2nd edition (2006), Christian Theology, 4th edition (2007) and The Christian Theology Reader, 3rd edition (2007), all published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Summary
Science and Religion, 2 nd edition is the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences. It examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between these two areas, offering a uniquely comprehensive coverage.
