Science & Religion is an important topic, that frequently comes in conversation.

Who is the Author?

McGrath is an erudite Scholar, a Chemist, turned into Theologian. He holds Science and Religion Chair at England. I'd leave details for the reader to figure out.

What does McGrath say in this work?

In this work, McGrath doesn't bring anything original in this area. McGrath, rather gives an outline of what has been said.

Anyone who has explored the field, Philosophy of Religion might be aware of this work.

Why care about Philosophy of Religion?

If you care about big questions of life.

These questions shape fundamental value of your being, your life.

Socrates said, "An Unexamined life is not worth living."

What is Philosophy of Religion?

It's an academic field, where leading academics discuss, put forward their best ideas, their best work on Religion.

Recently, there's an explosion in field of Philosophy of Religion. Theists have been contributing massive literature to the field.

With that, comes a challenge from Naturalism, the view that there is only Nature, nothing else. Both have been fruitful, respectful in contributing.

Surprisingly, the conversation in Philosophy of Religion at cutting edge level goes on for years.
Because, big questions of life is difficult, hard, complex.

This is due to the amount of intellectual thought, understanding, challenges on this topic.

What others are saying in Science and Religion?

McGrath in his interviews says, it's helped him to do Science better. He says being part of a religious tradition, helps him to see reality in new ways. Late, Professor John Polkinghorne took similar view.

There's many others who's worked on this area of interest. I can name few, T.F Torrance, Ian Barbour, Arthur Peacocke, famous Computer Scientist, Charles Babbage.

So --How does one view reality?

It's a tough question, and therefore, many researchers, scientists come up with new ways to reach truth. The best ideas stay relevant, others get discarded.

Certainly, a complex question - a physicist, a chemist, a biologist, a mathematician, all would describe reality in unique ways.

Since knowledge became specialized, i.e Natural Philosophy got divided into parts of its own.

I know, many lost the art of bringing them all together.

So How, you may ask, How do you view reality, I'd say, many miss seeing the --Big Picture.

In 17th century, writers from School of Salamanca, a Spanish school saw problem with specialization.

Unfortunately, modern world has lost seeing Big Picture of Knowledge. It became too specialized.

Why is this important?

Historically --For human flourishing, both, Science & Religion, have helped each other.

From Aristotle to Contemporary Scientists, Researchers, Professors.

All have engaged on this topic at some point in their life.

This would be a good gentle introduction work in Science & Religion.

Please Check, Religion and Science, Special Divine Action Project by Oxford University

Deus Vult,
Gottfried ( )