Science is an aspect of modern culture that carries a huge weight of prestige. It operates on a foundation of supporting presuppositions, understandings of reality that people assimilate from infancy. Such presuppositions constitute our worldviews, but we are generally unaware of them. In this book, Graeme Finlay argues that many presuppositions that were essential for the development of science were imbibed from Judeo-Christian faith in the creator God, and they remain vital for the continued vitality of science. Furthermore, theology and science share a feature that points towards their common engagement with reality. New findings catch us by surprise--so much so, that we must conclude that we encounter previously unrecognized realities in genuine experiences of discovery. We don't invent those surprising phenomena. Both theology and science engage with an objective reality that is not of our construction. The subterranean connection between science and theology at the level of presuppositions and their openness to engage with reality indicate the potential for ongoing fruitful and mutually beneficial dialogue between the two disciplines. The author illustrates this potential through examples from the field of ecological economics.
Science is an aspect of modern culture that carries a huge weight of prestige. It operates on a foundation of supporting presuppositions, understandings of reality that people assimilate from infancy. Such presuppositions constitute our worldviews, but we are generally unaware of them. In this book, Graeme Finlay argues that many presuppositions that were essential for the development of science were imbibed from Judeo-Christian faith in the creator God, and they remain vital for the continued vitality of science. Furthermore, theology and science share a feature that points towards their common engagement with reality. New findings catch us by surprise--so much so, that we must conclude that we encounter previously unrecognized realities in genuine experiences of discovery. We don't invent those surprising phenomena. Both theology and science engage with an objective reality that is not of our construction. The subterranean connection between science and theology at the level of presuppositions and their openness to engage with reality indicate the potential for ongoing fruitful and mutually beneficial dialogue between the two disciplines. The author illustrates this potential through examples from the field of ecological economics.
Graeme Finlay (PhD in cellular immunology) has been involved for many years in cancer research and in the teaching of scientific pathology at the University of Auckland. He is the author of Human Evolution: Genes, Genealogies and Phylogenies (2013), The Gospel According to Dawkins (2017), and Evolution and Eschatology: Genetic Science and the Goodness of God (2021).
"This short book provides a fascinating introduction to the
relationship between Christian faith and science, showing how
pursuit of the latter is predicated on an understanding of the
former, an understanding that is neglected by most practicing
scientists today. Graeme Finlay demonstrates that science is a
God-given pursuit, a gift, illuminating the truth about God's
world, but that God's word is necessary to enable us live wisely in
the world in light of scientific advances."
--Meric Srokosz, National Oceanography Centre
"Graeme Finlay makes a lively, engaging, and accessible case for
science as God's gift to humanity. In doing so, he engages with an
impressive range of recent scholarship not only in his own
specialist fields of scientific pathology and cancer research but
also in the history of science, theology, ecology, and the
environmental sciences. I warmly recommend it!"
--John Stenhouse, University of Otago
"Written by a working scientist with deep insights into both the
scientific method and the Christian Scriptures, this is a
fascinating tour through the ways science and the Christian faith
have developed and work together as indispensable allies. It is an
encouragement to scientists and others who seek to make their work
part of their worship of God and who care about the future of this
planet."
--Robert S. White, Cambridge University, emeritus
"It is rare to find such a broad and comprehensible theological
exposition on science. Graeme Finlay provides his strongest
critique of disconnecting science from its source and lawgiver,
warning us against misinformation that seeks to disconnect us from
truth and the ecological disaster that is unfolding as a result.
Readers will be encouraged to be continuously surprised by the
discovery of truth in science and theology. What a gift!"
--Jacob W. Martin, Curtin University
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