Science and Religion: A New Introduction

Front Cover
John Wiley & Sons, Sep 23, 2011 - Religion - 264 pages
Now thoroughly updated to reflect the latest debates, this popular textbook introduces readers to the central questions in the field of science and religion. Ideally suited to those who have little or no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available.
  • Examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between religion and science
  • Fully updated to reflect current, cutting-edge debates on scientific atheism and the limits of scientific method, and discussions about the relationship between science and religion in major world faiths
  • Includes a historical component to enable readers to orientate themselves within the subject
  • Takes a topic based approach which fits into the existing structure of most courses, and includes explanatory material not found in other works of this kind, making it highly accessible for those with little scientific or religious background knowledge
  • Incorporates illustrations, tables, maps, summaries and questions for a lively and engaging approach to the subject
  • Written by world-renowned theologian, Alister McGrath; author of bestselling books such as Dawkins’ God, and an acknowledged expert in the field of science and religion
 

Contents

Introducing the Dialogue Between Science and Religion
1
Three Landmark Debates
7
Why Study History?
9
Copernicus Galileo and the Solar System
17
Newton the Mechanical Universe and Deism
26
Darwin and the Biological Origins of Humanity
33
General Themes
43
Models of Interaction Between Science and Religion
45
Science Religion and Proofs for Gods Existence
59
Verification and Falsification in Science and Religion
67
Realism and its Alternatives in Science and Religion
76
The Doctrine of Creation and the Natural Sciences
84
How Does God Act in the World?
93
The Use of Models in Science and Religion
102
Natural Science and Natural Theology
110
Contents
120

Science Religion and the Explanation of Things
51

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About the author (2011)

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.

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