The aim of the collection as a whole is not to break new ground, but to pull together for the reader's education and enlightenment the most recent work in the evolutionary sciences, theology and biblical studies, offering in toto a model of an intelligent faith while honoring Darwins's revolutionary work. In that respect I think they have largely succeeded. And I hope, along with Smith, that their efforts will help to stem the tide of creationist assaults on the teaching of evolution in Britain. ~ Robert K Schneider, Reports of the National Center for Science and Education
Intelligent Faith offers a mature way of understanding our origins and our faith. A series of essays by 19 well-qualified contributors, a mixture of scientists and theologians, explores every aspect of the issues that were once so controversial. It is to be hoped that those who still cling to a fundamentalist interpretation of Genesis, and have doubts about the validity and propriety of evolutionary theory, will have the courage to read this book, and discover that they may have been creating unnecessary problems for themselves....
Likewise, those who doubt Darwinian evolutionary theory, or look for help in variants such as the theory of Intelligent Design, will be steered away from these distractions, and helped to appreciate God’s loving respect for this creation, by letting it be. This is a rich, scholarly, complex,and comprehensive exploration of a profoundly important interaction between science and Christian faith,with an impressive list of authors....
There is no way of summarising it,except by saying that it is authoritative, for the most part not too technical, and generally sensitive towards the anxieties of those Christians for whom this is unfamiliar territory....
Readers should be warned, though, that this is not a book for the intellectually faint-hearted. It is a serious, scholarly exploration of a hugely important and technically complex subject. It should be welcomed as a godsend by those, of whom I hope there are many, who want to know their place in God's world, as we now understand it, by an exercise of intelligent faith. ~ The Rt Revd John Habgood, former Archbishop of York, Church of England, Church Times
An informed and topical body of work investigating what is for some an oxymoron, 'rationality and faith, revolution and scientific evidence', and as such it has resonance today. Some essays are stronger than others, inevitably. The work is stronger for including a variety of viewpoints, including agnostic ones. Valuable, too, is the general advice that both faith/non-faith and science have their extremists and each undermines not only rational debate but also the freedoms we enjoy in a liberal democracy. ~ Stuart Hannabuss, Catholic Women's Network
The purpose of this book is to present a theological point of view in which Darwinian ideas are accepted so that religion and science are not seen to be in conflict, and to confront specifically the fundamentalism in Christianity that - the editors claim - brings about the hostility between religion and science. In summary it is a bit of a mixture, interesting but not likely to lead to revolution. ~ David Williams, Faith and Freedom
It is specially important and welcome that the ideas discussed in this book should be aired during the Darwin anniversary year. ~ Professor Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and Lord Rees of Ludlow
One of the more depressing features of the current relationship between science and religion is the assumption, shared by many scientists and religious believers, that Darwinism undermines religious faith. This is a travesty of the truth about both, and I warmly welcome this attempt to set the record straight. ~ The Most Reverend Lord Habgood, retired Archbishop of York
This timely collection of Essays will give encouragement to all those who profess a rational faith and who want to embrace Darwin as an ally in the quest for truth and meaning. ~ The Right Reverend Dr John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln and President of the Modern Churchpeoples' union.
The publication of Intelligent Faith brings together a wide ranging collection of essays that make an important contribution to the debate around Darwinian Evolution in the 150th year since the publication of the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.
In this collection of essays the creative and positive relationship of the Christian faith and science is fully explored in the light of current scholarship. The reader will gain much from the authors, not the least of which is affirmation of the truth that creativity lies in an understanding of the two disciplines. ~ The Right Reverend Thomas Butler, Bishop of Southwark
Creationism and Intelligent Design are often equated with the 'norm' of religious grammar. This is simplistic. While an undergraduate, Darwin became familiar with the ideas of 'natural theology', and was charmed by the long line of argumentation of William Paley, his predecessor at Christ's. He later came to doubt Paley's premises, but this example illustrates the potential for constructive interchange in the field of this book. ~ Professor Frank Kelly, FRS, Master of Christ's College, Cambridge
These papers wonderfully illustrate that science and religion are not in opposition (as is commonly supposed),but mutually supportive, and they expose something of the excitement and reward that comes from seeing them alongside each other. ~ Sir John Houghton, FRS, CBE, Former Head of the Met Office and Head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Scientific Working Group