When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers, or Partners?

by Ian G. Barbour

Book Overview

The Definitive Introduction To

The Relationship Between

Religion And Science

∗ In The Beginning: Why Did the Big Bang Occur?

∗ Quantum Physics: A Challenge to Our Assumptions About Reality?

∗ Darwin And Genesis: Is Evolution God′s Way of Creating?

∗ Human Nature: Are We Determined by Our Genes?

∗ God And Nature: Can God Act in a Law-Bound World?

Over the centuries...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006060381X
• ISBN13: 9780060603816
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An Accessible Overview of Key Issues

When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers, or Partners?, involves what Holmes Rolston, III, fittingly describes as a distillation of "a lifetime of thinking about how science and religion relate." As dean of and senior statesman for the science and religion discussion, Barbour draws together, in a user-friendly way, a variety of critical issues in that conversation. The book is "intended as an introduction to the field," says the author, and the book is "briefer and more accessible than my early writings." That Barbour is capable of pulling off a project of this magnitude will come as no surprise to those acquainted with his work. Barbour, the Winifred and Atherton Bean Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology and Society at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, launched the current era in the dialogue between science and religion thirty-five years ago with his groundbreaking book, Issues in Science and Religion. Since the release of that publication, Barbour's works have become standard texts for those both inside and outside the interdisciplinary science and religion discussion. In 1999, this physicist and theologian won the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. What makes When Science Meets Religion different from Barbour's previous books is the innovative method he uses to explore the pertinent material, most of which has been addressed in earlier writing. In the book's opening chapter, Barbour explains varying way that science and religion are considered to be related using his now classic four-fold typology (conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration). He then applies this typology in subsequent chapters to discuss (1) astronomy and creation, (2) quantum physics, (3) evolution and continuing creation, (4) genetics, neuroscience, and human nature, and (5) God's action in nature. While the majority of the book's space is devoted to summaries and explanations, Barbour's novel use of his typology results in a book more apologetic in tone than books he has previously authored. In particular, Barbour gives reasons for disagreeing with the "conflict" thesis type, and, although pointing out valid themes in the independence type, he also does not accept the "independence" conclusions. The proposals he does appreciate fit appropriately in the "dialogue" and "integrationist" types. Barbour believes, then, that the preferred answer to the book's subtitle "Enemies, Strangers, or Partners?" is that science and religion are best understood as capable of a mutually enriching partnership. Barbour calls his own theory for how science and religion best "meet" a "theology of nature." "Proponents of a theology of nature," he explains, "draw extensively from a historic tradition and a worshipping community, but they are willing to modify some traditional assertions in response to the findings of science." He cautiously uses notions from process philosophy, among other integrationist theories, to construct this theology of

The Long Awaited Meeting Has Been Finally Conducted!

This book is simply one of the best (if not the best) books that address this controversial issue: Science and Religion. I had to summarize the whole book (each chapter) for my religious studies class. It was like an amazing fantastic adventure that the author takes you through when you read this one-of-a-kind book.The fourfold typology that the author has used is amazingly adequate to present any highly controversial issue, and lets you explore and master most (if not all) different views and positions of different scientists, scholars, experts, and theologians.Any serious researcher or student MUST use this book as one of his MAIN tools of research and study. But if you just need a book for enjoyment, then this is it. It's a nice book to read in conjunction with any of Stephen Hawking's books, especially the brand new one: The Universe In A Nutshell.Highly Recommended. A Must Read!

The best book on its topic I have read.

This book is by far the best book on its topic I have read. As I noted in my 12/29/2000 review of Phillip E. Johnson's >, books like Professor Johnson's and like Richard Dawkins' (which both insist upon a conflict between natural science and Christian beliefs, albeit from opposite points of view) all fit very nicely into the framework that Professor Barbour outlines in <<When Science Meets Religion>>. <p>Within this framework, religious and scientific communities can choose themselves to be in conflict with one another, independent of one another, willing to talk civilly with one another, and/or willing to explore ways in which their views of life might be integrated into a composite view. Professor Barbour also presents his own personal preference from this spectrum, but carefully avoids pushing that preference onto the reader.<p>As Michael Sympson demonstrates in his 1/5/2001 review of this book, there are many who believe that conflict is the only way for these communities to relate to one another. I welcome his review, which actually demonstrates the great value of Professor Barbour's analysis. Like those of Phillip Johnson and Richard Dawkins, Michael Sympson's views on the subject fit very neatly into the framework outlined in this book. While Ian Barbour's own preferences lean toward the "dialog" and "integration" end of the spectrum of responses, those of Messrs Sympson, Johnson and Dawkins all lean toward the "unavoidable conflict" end of its spectrum. They have every right to hold that opinion, and they have every right to continue to express it. <p>But--as Professor Barbour shows so well in this book--conflict <<doesn't>> have to be inevitable, and we do have other options open to us. <p>I also recommend Chara M. Curtis' delightful children's story, <<No One Walks on My Father's Moon>>. Sometimes we can see new options more clearly when we view the tension between competing authorities in the context of someone else's religious community.

Concise, engaging, and informative.

It's not easy to write a clear and compelling book relating science and religion; after all, it requires versatility in two separate fields, each of which tries to grapple with enormous questions. Barbour is able to give the reader just enough background to follow his arguments in such diverse areas as cosmology, neuroscience, and quantum physics. The book is incredibly well organized and commendably brief. The fourfold classification scheme for relating religion and science (conflict, independence, complementarity, integration) is catchy and effective. The one limitation is that (for reasons the author explains) this book does not explore Eastern religions. At no point did I find myself involved in the heavy slog required to work through other books that address similar topics. A wonderfully accessible work by a world class scholar.

A whirlwind tour of Ian Barbour's thought

To my mind, Ian Barbour writes more clearly about the relationship between Christianity and science than any other published author I'm acquainted with. He is fully aware that Christianity is not the only path to God and salvation, but he is most comfortable talking within the framework of his own Christian background, so this book is really about the relationship between Christianity and science, not religion in general and science. But that is okay, because he allows that other religious traditions can also be paths to God. It's just that to give the book more focus and relevance to its English-speaking audience, he discusses the Christian encounter with science. Barbour presents a remarkably well thought out survey of this topic, always making it clear where he personally stands on the issues, and why.Barbour treats his subject matter in two-dimensional matrix format, with one axis portraying the degrees of cooperation between science and religion and the other axis the various branches of science. Barbour identifies four fundamental ways in which his topic is treated by interested parties. These are Conflict, Independence, Dialog, and Integration. He then outlines the major positions in each of these categories across the major branches of science: astronomy, particle physics, evolution by natural selection, neuroscience, and finally the natural world in general (as described by science).Biblical literalists and scientific materialists are in irreconcilable conflict on the issues of science and religion. Barbour thinks we can do much better than that, and makes quick work of both sides of the issues dealt with at the Conflict level. Neither is Barbour much impressed by the next level, Independence. In virtually every one of his analyses, treating religion and science as if they are independent categories of being that do not bear on each other is seen to be intellectually, spiritually, and scientifically bankrupt.Barbour perks up when he comes to discussing the ideas of scientists and Christians who are interested in constructive dialog and even better, integration. Dialog and integration blend into each other, as Barbour repeatedly shows. When both sides have open minds and are not dogmatic about their religious beliefs, it is apparently not that difficult to find many promising possibilities for integration. If the basis of religion is real (the experience of the divine), then it should not be surprising at all if the Ground of Being turns out to be thoroughly saturated and mixed up in the universe revealed by science. So why shouldn't it be a fertile area for thought that merits careful consideration?Barbour seems to place himself close to the process theologians, who believe that there is awareness at all levels of organized complexity, and that there is a freedom inherent in this complexity that is outside of the powers of God to interfere with. The one theme however that kept coming up (because o