Two Books

In recent times the interactions between the natural sciences and theology have become a normal and frequent pursuit in academe. Large foundations support such studies with substantial sums of money. Many centers dedicated to such studies have flourished. Innumerable books have been published. One is tempted to say that the field is fashionable. There is also a lingering impression given that the field is a new one and that, except for such passing episodes as those associated with such figures as Galileo Galilei, Giordano Bruno, and Charles Darwin, there is little or no historical continuity to the science-religion dialogue. This book by Olaf Pedersen definitively corrects that impression by tracing with scholarly precision the historical roots from pre-Socratic times to today's pursuit of the interactions between the natural sciences and religion. In doing so it makes a unique and important contribution to the field.