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An exploration of the relationship between scientific and religious understandings of the world, by a leading scientist who is a practising Christian.
Religion has been a major influence on the development of science over the past two millennia. The Truth about Science and Religion tells the story of their interaction, examining fundamental topics such as the origin of the universe, evolutionary processes, Christian beliefs, the history of science, and what being human really means from both a scientific and a religious perspective. The Truth about Science and Religion aims to help explore personal views on science and religion, offering questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. The book provides the historical and scientific background as well as the philosophical insight needed to think through issues of science and religion and their influence on personal beliefs. Metaphors, comparisons and analogies are used to simplify complex topics such that any reader can engage with the thoughts and questions posed. Unlike other books in this field, The Truth about Science and Religion follows a chronological scheme, beginning with the origin of the universe and life itself before discussing matters of the human condition, the life of Jesus, and stories of several great scientists to regain a unified view of science and religion in today's world.
Religion has been a major influence on the development of science over the past two millennia. The Truth about Science and Religion tells the story of their interaction, examining fundamental topics such as the origin of the universe, evolutionary processes, Christian beliefs, the history of science, and what being human really means from both a scientific and a religious perspective. The Truth about Science and Religion aims to help explore personal views on science and religion, offering questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. The book provides the historical and scientific background as well as the philosophical insight needed to think through issues of science and religion and their influence on personal beliefs. Metaphors, comparisons and analogies are used to simplify complex topics such that any reader can engage with the thoughts and questions posed. Unlike other books in this field, The Truth about Science and Religion follows a chronological scheme, beginning with the origin of the universe and life itself before discussing matters of the human condition, the life of Jesus, and stories of several great scientists to regain a unified view of science and religion in today's world.
Price: $29.99
Pages: 240
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: Lutterworth Press
Publication Date:
23 February 2017
Trim Size: 9.02 X 6.02 in
ISBN: 9780718894719
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, Christianity, Theology
Chock full of ideas, explanations, stories and thought stirring questions, Dr Fleming's book will lead readers to reflect deeply about their own faith and their grasp of science. The discussion questions and bibliography alone make this perhaps the 'go-to' book on Christianity and Science for today. Highly recommended.
— Terry Morrison, Emeritus Director of Faculty Ministry, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; Former Professor of Chemistry at Butler University
Fleming delves right into the most vexing questions in the Christianity/science debate, but he isn't throwing bombs - he's asking deep questions. It is refreshing to see a topic that can be so contentious discussed so reasonably and thoroughly.
— Brenton DeBoef, Professor of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island
The book's 'u.s.p.' (unsurprisingly, given its provenance) is the significant attention paid to chemical processes in the opening chapters: too often these have been overlooked by authors coming from backgrounds in physics or the biological sciences.
— Micael Fuller
— Terry Morrison, Emeritus Director of Faculty Ministry, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; Former Professor of Chemistry at Butler University
Fleming delves right into the most vexing questions in the Christianity/science debate, but he isn't throwing bombs - he's asking deep questions. It is refreshing to see a topic that can be so contentious discussed so reasonably and thoroughly.
— Brenton DeBoef, Professor of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island
The book's 'u.s.p.' (unsurprisingly, given its provenance) is the significant attention paid to chemical processes in the opening chapters: too often these have been overlooked by authors coming from backgrounds in physics or the biological sciences.
— Micael Fuller
Foreword by Gary B. Ferngren
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Is There Purpose to Life? Implications from the Big Bang
The Big Bang and the Bible
A Finely-Tuned Universe
Cosmic Recycling
Time before the Big Bang
The Big Bang: Chance or Design?
The Habitable Zone
Complexity and Design
Conclusion
2. The Origin of Life: Who or What Creates Life?
Divine Creation
Understanding Genesis 1
Pre-biotic Evolution
The Water of Life
Prebiotic Evolution on an Early Earth
Life's Building Blocks
Divinely Guided Evolution?
The Origin of Information
Replication
The Beginning of Life
Living Cells
Conclusion
3. Evolution: From Amoeba to Zebra
Cells and Organisms
The First Living Organisms
Extinction and Rebirth
Death, Suffering, and God
Natural Selection
Intelligent Design
Evolution and Creation
Chance and Determinacy
God in the Machine
Conclusion
4. Primates, Hominids, and Humans: What Makes People Human?
Primates and Humans
The Evolution of Hominids
The Emergence of Modern Man
Language
Humans
Human Development and Religion
Natural Evil and Good
Morality
Adam and Eve
Moral Evil
Conclusion
5. Jesus Christ: Prayers, Miracles, the Causal Joint, and the Resurrection
Prayer
Miracles
The Causal Joint
The Resurrection
Conclusion
6. A Brief History of Science: From Prehistory to Particle Science
Egyptian Science
Babylonian Science
Greek Science
Scientific Development in Roman, Islamic, and Indian Cultures
Christian Beliefs that Facilitated Science
Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Conclusion
7. The Real Me: Mind, Brain, Soul, and Spiritual Experience
The Brain as a Computer
Individual Experience of Mind
Emergence: From Chemistry to Cognition
Consciousness: Why Is There Self-Awareness?
Mind-Altering Drugs
Free Will
Near-Death Experiences
The Soul-The Real 'Me'
Religious, Spiritual, and Mystical Experiences
Conclusion
8. Where Science and Religion Meet: Is There Personal Relevance?
The Warfare Model of Science and Religion
The Separate Spheres Approach to Science and Religion
The Integration of Science and Religion
Does Religion Make Any Difference?
Is the Force Really with Us?
Themes and Inferences
Conclusion
9. Epilogue: Does Science Influence Personal Belief?
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Is There Purpose to Life? Implications from the Big Bang
The Big Bang and the Bible
A Finely-Tuned Universe
Cosmic Recycling
Time before the Big Bang
The Big Bang: Chance or Design?
The Habitable Zone
Complexity and Design
Conclusion
2. The Origin of Life: Who or What Creates Life?
Divine Creation
Understanding Genesis 1
Pre-biotic Evolution
The Water of Life
Prebiotic Evolution on an Early Earth
Life's Building Blocks
Divinely Guided Evolution?
The Origin of Information
Replication
The Beginning of Life
Living Cells
Conclusion
3. Evolution: From Amoeba to Zebra
Cells and Organisms
The First Living Organisms
Extinction and Rebirth
Death, Suffering, and God
Natural Selection
Intelligent Design
Evolution and Creation
Chance and Determinacy
God in the Machine
Conclusion
4. Primates, Hominids, and Humans: What Makes People Human?
Primates and Humans
The Evolution of Hominids
The Emergence of Modern Man
Language
Humans
Human Development and Religion
Natural Evil and Good
Morality
Adam and Eve
Moral Evil
Conclusion
5. Jesus Christ: Prayers, Miracles, the Causal Joint, and the Resurrection
Prayer
Miracles
The Causal Joint
The Resurrection
Conclusion
6. A Brief History of Science: From Prehistory to Particle Science
Egyptian Science
Babylonian Science
Greek Science
Scientific Development in Roman, Islamic, and Indian Cultures
Christian Beliefs that Facilitated Science
Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Conclusion
7. The Real Me: Mind, Brain, Soul, and Spiritual Experience
The Brain as a Computer
Individual Experience of Mind
Emergence: From Chemistry to Cognition
Consciousness: Why Is There Self-Awareness?
Mind-Altering Drugs
Free Will
Near-Death Experiences
The Soul-The Real 'Me'
Religious, Spiritual, and Mystical Experiences
Conclusion
8. Where Science and Religion Meet: Is There Personal Relevance?
The Warfare Model of Science and Religion
The Separate Spheres Approach to Science and Religion
The Integration of Science and Religion
Does Religion Make Any Difference?
Is the Force Really with Us?
Themes and Inferences
Conclusion
9. Epilogue: Does Science Influence Personal Belief?
Bibliography
Index