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From Physicist to Priest

By: John C. Polkinghorne
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: SPCK Publishing
ISBN: 0281059152
ISBN-13: 9780281059157
Released: 01 Sep 2007
RRP: £15.99
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Customer Reviews

Autobiography of a Remarkable yet "Ordinary" Life - By: David Ross, 04 Feb 2008
Author, theologian & scientist John Polkinghorne describes his life as "ordinary". This is true only to the extent that an author of 30 books, Cambridge college president, honored physicist & theologian can be described as ordinary. As a warning, Polkinghorne's autobiography lacks drama & is more plainly & humbly written than the best of his science-theology work. It was difficult to get a sense of the intellectual passions & motivations that clearly make him more than ordinary. It is perhaps his own humility that prevents him from seeing this. While comfortable with great ideas he is largely unwilling to claim any greatness for himself. In contrast to his personal lack of glamor as he portrays it, are his honors as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1997 & recipient of the 2002 Templeton Prize (for Progress Toward Research or Discoveries about Spiritual Realities). These show a man who is anything but ordinary in his willingness to embark on a great intellectual adventure. In a sense, I was disappointed by the lack of a clear statement of what motivated Polkinghorne to become such a prolific author. On consideration I realized that it is simply due to his quiet passion for writing, teaching & ideas.

While this is an honest & accessible book it will be of interest mostly to those who are already familiar with or deeply interested in Polkinghorne's theological writings. In particular the chapter "Theological Writing" is an important guide in sorting out his many books for interested readers. Some of his more accessible recent works such as "Belief in God in an Age of Science" or "Quantum Physics & Theology: An Unexpected Kinship" are actuallly more engaging & among the better places to start for most readers.

Polkinghorne's decision to transition from academic physicist to priest (starting seminary at age 49 in 1979) is described in simple terms of prayerfully & thoughtfully pursuing a career that he felt would be a source of "deep satisfaction" to him as a Christian believer. Most interesting to me is that the question of the interaction of science & religion was apparently not of particular importance to his decision to enter the priesthood. Also remarkably, his wife Ruth returned to school at the same time at age 48 to train as a nurse. After serving enjoyable though relatively brief stints as a curate & parish priest in local parishes Polkinghorne returned to an academic setting to serve as Dean of Chapel at Trinity Halll. He subsequently served as President of Queens' college until his retirement in 1996. His years as priest & academic alllowed him the time to write a series of more than 20 well regarded books on the intersection of science & religion.