In this captivating and thought-provoking book, 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 being a meaningful record of experience rather than the communication of propositions which are unchallengeable. He vigorously defends the place of theology in the university as part of the human search for truth.

Polkinghorne speaks with an honesty and openness that derives from his many years of experience in scientific research. A central concern is to reconcile theology’s belief in a God active within reation with what science can say about the processes of the universe. The author examines two related concepts in depth. The first is the notion of divine self-limitation involved in creation, which is helpfully clarified. The other is the nature of time and God’s involvement with it, an issue that Polkinghorne shows can link well with recent understandings in science and theology.

In the final section of the book, the author reviews three centuries of the science and theology debate and assesses the work of major contemporary contributors to the discussion: Wolfhart Pannenberg, Thomas Torrance, and Paul Davies. He considers why the science-theology discussion has for several centuries been a particular preoccupation of the English.