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no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available.Examines the historical, theological, philosophical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 scienceFully 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 faithsIncludes a historical component to enable readers to orientate themselves within the subjectTakes 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 knowledgeIncorporates illustrations, tables, maps, summaries and questions for a lively and engaging approach to the subjectWritten by world-renowned theologian, Alister McGrath; author of bestselling books such asDawkins God, and an acknowledged expert in the field of science and religion

Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at Kings College, London. He is the author of numerous bestselling titles, includingDawkins God (2004),Theology: The Basics (2004),Christianity: An Introduction, 2nd edition (2006),Christian Theology, 4th edition (2007) andThe Christian Theology Reader,3rd edition (2007), all published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Preface vii

How To Use This Book ix

1 Introducing the Dialogue Between Science and Religion 1

Part I History: Three Landmark Debates 7

2 Why Study History? 9

3 Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo, and the Solar System 17

4 Debate 2: Newton, the Mechanical Universe, and Deism 26

5 Debate 3: Darwin and the Biological Origins of Humanity 33

Part II Science and Religion: General Themes 43

6 Models of Interaction Between Science and Religion 45

7 Science, Religion, and the Explanation of Things 51

8 Science, Religion, and Proofs for Gods Existence 59

9 Verifi cation and Falsifi cation in Science and Religion 67

10 Realism and its Alternatives in Science and Religion 76

11 The Doctrine of Creation and the Natural Sciences 84

12 How Does God Act in the World? 93

13 The Use of Models in Science and Religion 102

14 Natural Science and Natural Theology 110

15 Theoretical Anomalies in Science and Religion 120

16 The Development of Theory in Science and Religion 128

17 The Interaction of Science and Religion in Other Faiths 135

Part III Science and Religion: Contemporary Debates 143

18 Richard Dawkins and Scientifi c Atheism: Does Science Deny God? 145

19 Cosmology: Does the Anthropic Principle Mean Anything? 151

20 Quantum Theory: Complementarity in Science and Religion 157

21 Evolutionary Biology: Can One Speak of "Design" in Nature? 163

22 Evolutionary Psychology: The Origins of Religious Belief 169

23 The Psychology of Religion: Exploring Religious Experience 175

24 The Cognitive Science of Religion: Is Religion "Natural"? 184

Part IV Case Studies in Science and Religion 191

25 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (18811955) 193

26 Thomas F. Torrance (19132007) 197

27 Charles A. Coulson (191074) 201

28 Ian G. Barbour (born 1923) 205

29 Arthur Peacocke (19242006) 209

30 Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) 213

31 John Polkinghorne (born 1930) 217

32 Nancey Murphy (born 1951) 221

33 Alister E. McGrath (born 1953) 225

34 Philip Clayton (born 1956) 229

Conclusion 233

References 235

Index 240