Science and Religion v Spirituality and Health v Character Development v Business and Spirituality
December 2005
Issue 21
Internationally renowned priest-scientist Dr. John Polkinghorne encourages the belief that there is compatibility between the insights of science and the insights of religion. In Science and Providence: God’s Interaction with the World he examines whether a personal, interacting God is a credible concept in today’s scientific age.
Polkinghorne explores how analogies with human action might be used to cast light on divine intervention. He contends that the scientific viewpoint allows for action initiated by human will—which we experience directly, and for action by divine will—which we acknowledge by faith. He sees a world in which we and God have the freedom to act. He explains why it is therefore conceivable to pray for healing, or even perhaps for rain, but inconceivable to pray for the sun to stand still or for winter to become summer.
“God does not fussily intervene to deliver us from all discomfort but neither is he the impotent beholder of cosmic history,” says Polkinghorne. “Patiently, subtly, and with infinite respect for the creation with which he has to deal, he is at work with the flexibility of its process.” There must be a delicate balance between structure and flexibility, between respect for cosmic freedom, respect for human freedom, and respect for divine freedom.
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In The Power of Forgiving, renowned counselor and psychologist Everett L. Worthington Jr. draws on professional experience, his own dramatic personal history, and the wisdom of others to explain and illustrate the paradoxical power of forgiving. Through forgiving, we find inner peace, heal relationships, and we also restore our own health, which often has suffered through relational harms, betrayals, and injustices.
“The quest will not leave us unchanged,” Everett Worthington reminds us. “In fact, if we forgive with a pure heart, we will find the treasures we sought first—health, happiness, peace, and harmony, but the surprising treasure—the virtue that we hadn’t set out to find—is the priceless gift of blessing another person through the power of forgiving.” In healing and restoring relationships, he adds, “we will discover the power of forgiving. And it will change us forever.”
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Astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan recently co-authored a study that identifies what is possibly the youngest-known galaxy within the universe. In his well-received book, The Secret Melody: And Man Created the Universe, Thuan presents his vision of the universe, life, and human consciousness in terms of a musical score.
Thuan describes the many other cosmologies that preceded the Big Bang theory of creation: the magical universe of cavemen, the ancient Chinese concept of the universe, the mathematical universe introduced by Pythagoras, and the heliocentric universe of Copernicus. He then explores the work of Galileo, Tycho Brahe, and other early scientists before moving on to our current understanding of the universe, the ways in which modern astronomers study the universe, the equipment they use, and their major discoveries.
An examination of the origin and nature of the universe inevitably raises philosophical and religious questions. Thuan addresses these issues, presenting a provocative case for the Anthropic Principle and illuminating the place of God in a Big Bang cosmology.
Blending up-to-the-minute descriptions of the forefront of astronomy with thoughtful reflections on science’s possible impact on philosophical and religious belief, this sweeping monograph explores the boundary between science and philosophy, science and art, and science and religion.
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In Possibilities, the listener is challenged to apply the same energy that has been devoted to scientific inquiry to the pursuit of spiritual information. It points out that our spiritual knowledge would also have the capacity to increase dramatically if we were to open our minds to the endless possibilities that await us in terms of our spiritual lives. These include altruistic love for all people, new knowledge of the Divine, and a greater sense of our place in the universe. In order for us as human beings to take advantage of all of the spiritual gifts that we have been given, we need to be open and receptive to our individual spiritual natures, and to open ourselves to the limitless spiritual possibilities available to us.
Wisdom from World Religions is designed to offer people of all ages and all nations an opportunity to learn more about the laws, principles, and teachings of a variety of religions worldwide. It encourages readers to explore the spiritual life through thought-provoking questions, such as: How do we move toward experiencing “heaven on earth” as a way of life? What is the purpose for humans and what is human purpose? How can we be agents of divinity through unlimited love and creativity? Uplifting and instructional, Wisdom from World Religions will be treasured by all.
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For a comprehensive listing of books published in the fields of science and religion, visit the Online Science and Religion Bookstore. Here you will find over 1,000 books published by more than 250 publishers. While you are there you will be able to access the Online Research Library and Calendar of Events, and view the 2005 Books of Distinction.
You can additionally read editorial reviews on featured books such as The Artful Universe: Cosmic Sources of Human Creativity by John D. Barrow and Genetics: Issues of Social Justice by Ted Peters.
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Harold G. Koenig, M.D.
“This is a monumental book. It is a veritable tour-de-force of research related to mental health and faith. . . . It is relevant and readable, personally interesting and virtually confirmatory for anyone working in FBOs. This book is the work of a master scholar; it is destined to rank as the definitive statement on faith and mental health.”
—Richard P; Johnson, Ph.D., PCSG, ALAM Update,
October 2005
Street Saints
Barbara J. Elliott
“The book’s narrative focus widens from individual ‘saints’ to best-practice programs to city-reaching efforts, effectively conveying the breadth of faith-based social ministries without overwhelming the reader. Elliott spreads an inviting banquet of stories and makes it easy for readers to sample according to their ministry interests.”
—Heidi Unruth, PRISM,
September-October 2005
Spiritual Information
Edited by Charles L. Harper Jr.
“The vast knowledge presented in this book requires serious reading time. . . . One need not read the entire book to enjoy many of the essays and thought-provoking ideas. One may also find the information useful fior ‘spirited’ discussions.”
—Post & Courier,
August 2005
Full reviews may be found on our Web site at www.templetonpress.org.
The current best sellers for Templeton Foundation Press are listed below. The statistics are an accumulation of both domestic and foreign sales and are updated monthly.
Books
1. Faith and Mental Health
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=80
2. Hand of God, The
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=1
3. Secret Melody
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=82
4. Power of Forgiving
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=79
5. Science and the Bible
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=81
6. Science and
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=83
Audio Books
1. Wisdom from World Religions
http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp
2. Possibilities
http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp
3. Purpose and Power in Retirement
http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp
4. Spirituality in Patient Care
http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp
E-books
1. Unlimited Love
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=58
2. Spirituality in Patient Care
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=47
3. Research on Altruism and Love
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=59
4. Love That Works
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=70
Templeton Foundation Press is pleased to provide an examination copy of textbooks to qualifying professors. Copies are limited to one copy per title per professor, for possible textbook use only. We reserve the right to refuse an examination copy to any professor who abuses this policy.
For more information or to download the request form, please visit http://www.templetonpress.org/textbookexamination.asp
Books from Templeton Foundation Press are available at better bookstores and through our Web site at www.templetonpress.org. You may also order by calling our distribution center at 800-621-2736. Orders placed through our Web site receive a 20 percent discount.
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