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no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available.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

Now thoroughly updated to reflect the latest debates, this populartextbook introduces readers to the central questions in the fieldof science and religion. Ideally suited to those who have little orno prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerousstudent-friendly features, including maps, summaries, andhistorical references, resulting in the most up-to-dateintroduction to the study of religion and the natural sciencesavailable.* Examines the historical, theological, philosophical andscientific aspects of the interaction between religion andscience* Fully updated to reflect current, cutting-edge debates onscientific atheism and the limits of scientific method, anddiscussions about the relationship between science and religion inmajor world faiths* Includes a historical component to enable readers to orientatethemselves within the subject* Takes a topic based approach which fits into the existingstructure of most courses, and includes explanatory material notfound in other works of this kind, making it highly accessible forthose with little scientific or religious background knowledge* Incorporates illustrations, tables, maps, summaries andquestions for a lively and engaging approach to the subject* Written by world-renowned theologian, Alister McGrath; authorof bestselling books such as Dawkins' God, and anacknowledged expert in the field of science and religion

Preface viiHow To Use This Book ix1 Introducing the Dialogue Between Science and Religion 1Part I History: Three Landmark Debates 72 Why Study History? 93 Debate 1: Copernicus, Galileo, and the Solar System 174 Debate 2: Newton, the Mechanical Universe, and Deism 265 Debate 3: Darwin and the Biological Origins of Humanity 33Part II Science and Religion: General Themes 436 Models of Interaction Between Science and Religion 457 Science, Religion, and the Explanation of Things 518 Science, Religion, and Proofs for God's Existence 599 Verifi cation and Falsifi cation in Science and Religion6710 Realism and its Alternatives in Science and Religion 7611 The Doctrine of Creation and the Natural Sciences 8412 How Does God Act in the World? 9313 The Use of Models in Science and Religion 10214 Natural Science and Natural Theology 11015 Theoretical Anomalies in Science and Religion 12016 The Development of Theory in Science and Religion 12817 The Interaction of Science and Religion in Other Faiths135Part III Science and Religion: Contemporary Debates14318 Richard Dawkins and Scientifi c Atheism: Does Science DenyGod? 14519 Cosmology: Does the Anthropic Principle Mean Anything?15120 Quantum Theory: Complementarity in Science and Religion15721 Evolutionary Biology: Can One Speak of "Design" in Nature?16322 Evolutionary Psychology: The Origins of Religious Belief16923 The Psychology of Religion: Exploring Religious Experience17524 The Cognitive Science of Religion: Is Religion "Natural"?184Part IV Case Studies in Science and Religion 19125 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) 19326 Thomas F. Torrance (1913-2007) 19727 Charles A. Coulson (1910-74) 20128 Ian G. Barbour (born 1923) 20529 Arthur Peacocke (1924-2006) 20930 Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) 21331 John Polkinghorne (born 1930) 21732 Nancey Murphy (born 1951) 22133 Alister E. McGrath (born 1953) 22534 Philip Clayton (born 1956) 229Conclusion 233References 235Index 240