Science & Religion ─ A New Introduction

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no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available.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

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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.

Praise for the previous edition of Science and Religion:
"A first rate introduction to the field." (Network)
"McGrath discusses clearly and methodically the various issues related to the field … Fair and objective." (Choice)
"A useful starting point for those entering the study of science and religion." (Publishers Weekly)
'A wonderfully clear and readable introduction to key issues in science and religion. McGrath is uniquely qualified to write on this topic, and his mastery of the field is apparent on every page of this excellent volume.
—Peter Harrison, Harris Manchester College, Oxford
“Kudos to scientist-theologian Alister McGrath for this accessible and well-informed overview of science-faith dialogue, from yesterday’s Copernican revolution to today’s psychology of religion, and for his vision of a natural theology that helps make sense of what science observes.”
David G. Myers, Hope College

Preface.
How to use this book.
1. Introducing the dialogue between science and religion.
Part I History: Three Landmark Debates.
2. Why does history matter?
3. Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo and the Solar System.
4. Debate 2: Newton, the mechanical universe, and Deism.
5. Debate 3: Darwin and the biological origins of humanity.
Part II Science and religion: general themes.
6. Models of interaction between science and religion.
7. Science, religion, and the explanation of things.
8. Science, religion, and proofs for God’s existence.
9. Verification and falsification in science and religion.
10. Realism and its alternatives in science and religion.
11. The doctrine of creation and the natural sciences.
12. How does God act in the world?
13. The use of models in science and religion.
14. Natural science and natural theology.
15. Theoretical anomalies in science and religion.
16. The development of theory in science and religion.
17. The interaction of science and religion in other faiths.
Part III Science and religion: contemporary debates.
18. Richard Dawkins and scientific atheism: does science deny God?
19. Cosmology: does the anthropic principle mean anything?
20. Quantum theory: complementarily in science and religion.
21. Evolutionary biology: can one speak of "design" in nature?
22. Evolutionary psychology: The origins of religious belief.
23. The psychology of religion: exploring religious experience.
24. The cognitive science of religion: is religion "natural"?
Part IV Case studies in science and religion.
25. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955).
26. Thomas F. Torrance (1913-2007).
27. Charles A. Coulson (1910-74).
28. Ian R. Barbour (born 1923).
29. Arthur Peacocke (1924-2006).
30. Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928).
31. John Polkinghorne (born 1930).
32. Nancey Murphy (born 1951).
33. Alister E. McGrath (born 1953).
34. Philip Clayton (born 1956).
Conclusion.
References.
Index.