Enriching Our Vision of Reality: Theology and the Natural Sciences in Dialogue

In this exceptional volume, Alister McGrath writes for scientists with an interest in theology, and Christians and theologians who are aware of the importance of the natural sciences. A scene-setting chapter explores the importance of the human quest for intelligibility. The focus then moves to three leading figures who have stimulated discussion about the relation of science and theology in recent years: Charles Coulson, an Oxford professor of theoretical chemistry who was also a prominent Methodist lay preacher; Ian Ramsey, sometime Bishop of Durham; and John Polkinghorne, theoretical physicist, theologian and Anglican priest. The latter part of the book features six parallel conversations between science and theology, which lay the groundwork for the kind of enriched vision of reality the author hopes to encourage. Here, we are inspired to enjoy individual aspects of nature while seeking to interpret these in the light of deeper revelations about our gloriously strange universe.