Knowledge and Understanding : Themes in the Study of Science and Theology

In this work, one of the most highly regarded scientist-theologians of our time explores the interaction of science and theology. John Polkinghorne discusses the role of revelation in religion as a legitimate record of experience and not the communication of unchallengeable propositions. A central concern is to reconcile theology's belief in a God active within creation with what science can say about the processes of the universe. The author examines two related concepts in depth. The first is the idea of divine self-limitation in creation, which leads to an important reappraisal. The other is the nature of time and God's involvement with it, an issue that Polkinghorne shows can closely link recent developments in science and theology. In the final section of the book, the author provides a brief overview of the science and theology debate and assesses the work of major contemporary contributors to the discussion: Wolfhart Pannenberg, Thomas Torrance, and Paul Davies.