Inventing the Universe: Why we can't stop talking about science, faith and God - Hardcover

Alister E. McGrath

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1444798456 ISBN 13: 9781444798456

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2015

Synopsis

Does profound disagreement on the 'big questions' of origins, proof, the meaning of life and our place in the universe mean that faith and science must be constantly at war? Here Oxford University's Professor of Science and Religion argues that both worldviews can coexist peacefully and shares his personal journey to a faith enriched by scientific understanding; identifies errors in atheists' criticism of religion; and suggests that even apparently irreconcilable views about Darwinism can be mutually enriching.

About this title

About the Author

Alister McGrath is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, and Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford. After initial academic work in the natural sciences, Alister turned to the study of theology and intellectual history, while also engaging in broader cultural debates about the rationality and relevance of the Christian faith. He is the author of many academic and theological works, as well as the bestselling The Dawkins Delusion and his acclaimed C. S. Lewis - A Life.

Review

Alister McGrath has written a fascinating hymn to the transcendence of human knowing over empirical verification. * Faith Magazine * The fruit of decades listening to the conversation between science and faith, it is a book to do away forever with the idea that they are enemies. * Reform Magazine * The Belfast-born atheist-turned-cleric is in global demand...Challenging the greyscale dogmatism of new atheism. * The War Cry * Alister McGrath's aim in his new book is not to defend either Christianity or science but to try to let them speak to each other quietly and respectfully ... the book offers profound insights in language that is easy to read. * The Church Newspaper * McGrath, a crackling storyteller, chronicles his childhood fascination with science and his university study of chemistry. During his university days of reading around in other disciplines, he realizes that scientific knowledge does not provide the only authentic knowledge and that nature can be interpreted in many ways. * Publisher's Weekly * Alister wrote an article entitled: 'Science and Faith: Exploring an Intellectual Frontier'. * ABC Net * The book was Number 1 in the Church Times' 'Top Ten Religious Books' feature. * The Church Times * This is an intelligent, balanced and scholarly book, covering the subject in a rigorous and logical manner...well written and very read- able. If one sticks with it, it leaves you feeling better informed, more confident and further equipped to counteract the arguments from the more vocal and aggressive atheists. * Methodist Recorder * The book was featured in their new titles feature. * The Church Times * An author always worth reading... The chapters on human nature and the quest for meaning are, for me, the most engaging of all in this very enjoyable book * The Church Times * Physicist and radio presenter Jim Al-Khalili is the president of the British Humanist Association. Jim interacts with Alister on whether science excludes God, whether theism makes most sense of the nature of our universe and what it would take for him to abandon his atheism and believe. You can hear the show at the link below: * Premier Christian Radio * It explores all of life's big questions. * Jumoke Fashola - BBC Radio London * Alister spoke about INVENTING THE UNIVERSE and the death of New Atheism on Radio 4. * BBC Radio 4 * McGrath's style is scholarly yet accessible and engaging, and he presents a convincing case for replacing the old "narrative of conflict"... Anyone with an interest in the science-religion debate, whatever their level of expertise, will welcome this balanced and thoughtful contribution. -- Adrian Read * The Independent * It would be nice to think that this elegant, wide-ranging and superbly balanced and intelligent book might put an end to the phoney war between faith and science; but we should probably not hold our breath, given the investment of energy that still prevails in the marketing and parroting of fashionable myths about their enmity. But it will provide a deeply useful guide for any believer in search of facts and arguments to counter this mythology - and also, we can hope, a salutary shock to anyone who has simply taken for granted the received unwisdom on this subject. Another splendid contribution from Alister McGrath to the intellectual and imaginative treasury of belief. * Rowan Williams *

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1444798456
• ISBN 13: 9781444798456
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256