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 PrintableVersion Beyond beliefScience, faith and ethical challengesAt the interface between science and faithBEYOND BELIEF There are several possible models of science/faith interaction. The fires of the warfare model continue to be stoked by the extremes of Dawkins and Atkins versus anti-scientific modes of biblical literalism. However, in Kirsten Birkett's phrase, Science and Christianity are 'unnatural enemies'. Approaches in terms of complementarity and integration are strongly to be preferred, and have been the guiding theistic philosophy of giants of physical science, such as Kepler, Faraday, Clark Maxwell, J.J. Thomson, Schawlow, Isham and Pople. The present volume develops that integrative methodology. The title, Beyond Belief, refers not to what is incredible, but to tasks that lie beyond the onset of faith. The evangelical Christian authors - an immunologist and a geophysicist - are eminent in their specialist fields and also in the science /faith arena. Part I addresses introductory aspects of (a) science and (b) religion - or specifically Christianity. This is helpful, in that it is frequently underestimated how much first principles need articulation and discussion. Too often debaters assume we are all singing from the same hymn-sheet! Yet both these areas of life are currently subject to popular rejection and misunderstanding. Part II tackles 'Hot issues for the 21st Century'. The first is 'Creation and Evolution'. Here, the - in many respects laudable - 'intelligent design (ID) movement' comes in for some criticism. This is not for invoking design, but (to oversimplify) in trying to put a brake on scientific modelling of secondary causes following the affirmation: 'God did it - end of story'. Topic 2 is Genetic Engineering, incorporating biblical perspectives, and with objections considered. GM foods are discussed and the highly contentious issues of genetic screening, therapies and the cloning debate. Topic 3 moves onto 'spaceship earth' - our wonderful but temporary home and its finite resources. Finally, the calling of at least some Christians to work in science is helpfully emphasised. Overall, this is not a book for ostriches or the closed-minded. But its clear explanations are accessible and highly recommended for pre-evangelism and to a wide audience of enquiring Christian minds. Professor David Watts, © Evangelicals Now - October 2004 |
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