Sir John Polkinghorne

The Rev Dr. John Polkinghorne is one of the most respected living writers and thinkers on science and religion.  A former particle physicist at Cambridge University, Polkinghorne is an Anglican priest whose  books include "Science and Creation," Science and Providence," and his Gifford Lectures, "The Faith of a Physicist."  In 2002 he won the prestigious Templeton Prize which is awarded to those who, “particularly through scientific research, serve to supplement the wonderful ancient scriptures and traditions of all the world's religions.”  He is traveling from England to Queens University of Charlotte to present events for Queens’ Center for Ethics and Religion and the Witherspoon Lecture.

Dr. Polkinghorne is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the scientific academy of the United Kingdom which is dedicated to promoting excellence in science.   The former President of Queens'  College, Cambridge, he was appointed KBE (Knight Commander of the order of the British Empire) in 1997.

Polkinghorne believes that science and theology are "intellectual cousins" in that they both exhibit "a common concern with the attainment of understanding through the search for motivated belief."  Quantum theory and theology are akin in that they both strive to understand the nature of reality.  This stance leads him to ask how divine agency can be seen as respecting the scientific account of the processes of the physical world and it leads him to consider issues such as being a person of both faith and science, the importance of divine revelation, faith and science in the field of biology, and the theory of evolution.

On April 26, 2007, 7:00 pm Polkinghorne will present the William and Margaret Witherspoon Lecture, an annual lecture which addresses the religious and moral implications of developments in the sciences.   Dr. Polkinghorne’s topic is "Divine Action and Providence (‘Can a Scientist Pray?’)."  Dr. Polkinghorne will also hold small group discussions with invited guests and with the Queens community.

  For more on Polkinghorne click on the following links:

Counter Balance
An online interview and discussion of Pohlkinghorne's biography and work.

CrossCurrents.org
Transcript of an interview with Lyndon F. Harris.

Speaking of Faith
"Quarks and Creation" an extended audio interview ready for dowload.