If the experience of science teaches anything, it's that the world is very strange and surprising. The many revolutions in science have certainly shown that.
John PolkinghorneRead
The remarkable insights that science affords us into the intelligible workings of the world cry out for an explanation more profound than that which itself can provide. Religion, if it is to take seriously its claim that the world is the creation of god, must be humble enough to learn from science what that world is actually like. The dialogue between them can only be mutually enriching.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Science and religion can enrich each other, with humility and openness from both sides.
In this quote, John Polkinghorne emphasizes the idea that while science provides deep insights into the workings of the world, it is essential for religion to be humble and adaptable in its understanding of creation. He advocates for a dialogue between science and religion that allows both realms to learn from each other, promoting a fuller understanding of existence and spirituality.
Themes
ScienceReligionDialogueHumilityInsights
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the compatibility of science and faith.
More from John Polkinghorne
All quotes →Quantum theory also tells us that the world is not _x000D_ simply objective; somehow it's something more subtle than that. In some _x000D_ sense it is veiled from us, but it has a structure that we can _x000D_ understand.
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However, as the Eastern churches have always maintained, through Christ creation is intended eventually to share in the life of God, the life of divine nature.
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Chance doesn't mean meaningless randomness, but historical contingency. This happens rather than that, and that's the way that novelty, new things, come about.
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Science cannot tell theology how to construct a doctrine of creation, but you can't construct a doctrine of creation without taking account of the age of the universe and the evolutionary character of cosmic history.
John PolkinghorneRead
Evolution, of course, is not something that simply applies to life here on earth; it applies to the whole universe.
John PolkinghorneRead
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