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S and the R B
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Russell Stannard
T F P
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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