Science And The Renewal Of Belief

Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page i Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page ii Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page iii S and the R B ç Russell Stannard T F P Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page iv Templeton Foundation Press 300 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 550 West Conshohocken, PA 19428 www.templetonpress.org © 1982, 2004 by Russell Stannard Original version published in the United Kingdom in 1982 by SCM Press Ltd. 58 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1, UK This edition fully revised and updated in 2004. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Templeton Foundation Press. Templeton Foundation Press helps intellectual leaders and others learn about science research on aspects of realities, invisible and intangible. Spiritual realities include unlimited love, accelerating creativity, worship, and the benefits of purpose in persons and in the cosmos. Designed and typeset by Gopa & Ted2, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stannard, Russell. Science and the renewal of belief / Russell Stannard.— Fully rev. and updated. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 1-59947-054-3 1. Religion and science. I. Title. BL240.3.S73 2004 261.5'5—dc22 2004014192 Printed in the United States of America 04 05 06 07 08 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page v Two rivers loaded beyond belief By gifts of a green thaw Running easily to meet In the same sea’s open arms — O Sea! Libby Houston Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page vi Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page vii ç Contents Preface ix 1 Introduction 3 2 In the Beginning 7 3 On How to Interpret the Bible 13 4 The Message of the Myths 21 5 Adam and Eve in a New Light 25 6 The Emergence of the Human Spirit 34 7 Superhuman Life-Forms? 38 8 Miracles under Scrutiny 47 9 The Touchstone of Christian Belief 68 10 Scientists at Work 81 11 Taking on Trust 85 12 An Experiment with Prayer 88 13 Attempts to Demonstrate God’s Existence 97 14 The Whole Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts 108 15 The Galileo Scandal 117 16 The Significance of the Individual 129 Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page viii viii contents 17 God in and beyond Space and Time 143 18 The Place of Paradox in Science and Belief 161 19 Why Does God Permit Evil? 182 20 Destiny, Chance, and Choice 189 21 Only Wholeness . . . 200 22 In Conclusion 211 References 219 Index 223 Science and Renewal.qxd 6/20/05 5:36 PM Page ix ç Preface I since this book first appeared in the United Kingdom in its original version. Since that time, much has changed. The study of the inter-relationships between science and religion has evolved into one of the fastest-growing academic areas. The most recent edition of Who’s Who in Theology and Science lists over scholars drawn from countries actively researching and publishing in the field. There are currently sixty institutions, organizations, and other more informal