In popular culture, science and theology have often been portrayed as antagonistic. Some writers have described the history of the debate in terms of a surrender by theology, a retreat from the field of engagement: theology has abandoned the public arena, leaving all creation to science, and has opted instead for the safer ground of ethics, morality and personal or private belief. Science and Theology advocates a constructive dialogue between the two subjects and suggests the topics where they might meet. The essays in this volume were commissioned from leading figures around the world - experts in their own disciplines, but enthusiasts for debate at the science and theology interface. They include Norma Emerton, Owen Gingerich, Nancey Murphy, John Polkinghorne, John Puddefoot and Carver T. Yu. They discuss natural theology, the methodologies of science and theology, and theology in the light of scientific discovery. Their themes cover scientism, divine action in the world, the problem of evil, freedom and determinism, reductionism and humanity, the limits of knowledge, and chaos theory. Together, these essays offer a significant and positive contribution to one of the most exciting areas of modern thought.

PrefaceIntroduction Stephen May1. Is there a role for natural theology today? Owen Gingerich, Stephen May and Nancey Murphy2. Arguments for the existence of God from nature and science Norma Emerton, John Stenhouse and John Polkinghorne3. What has theology to learn from scientific methodology? Nancey Murphy, Grant Gillett and John Puddefoot4. The relationship of natural order to divine truth and will John Puddefoot, John Honner and Owen Gingerich5. The principle of relativity as a conceptual tool in theology Carver T. Yu, Lloyd Geering and Norma Emerton6. Theological notions of creation and divine causality John Polkinghorne, Jack Dodd and Carver T. YuIndex