Templeton Foundation Press Newsletter

PUBLISHER OF FINE BOOKS

Science and Religion v Spirituality and Health v Character Development v Business and Spirituality

April 2006

Issue 22


In this Issue:


New Title Examines the Philosophy of Process Thought

In Christianity and Process Thought: Spirituality for a Changing World, Joseph A. Bracken, S.J., uses the question “Where is God?” as a springboard to introduce the process-relational metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead and other process theologians.  His study, which aims to reconcile the sometimes-conflicting views of traditional Christian doctrines and the modern scientific world, re-works Whitehead’s “model” of the God-world relationship.

His revision of Whitehead’s metaphysical vision in terms of a cosmic community shows how modern views of the world and God can be accepted and kept in balance with the traditional biblical views found in the Christian faith. This balance can help Christians make better choices in a world shaped by both contemporary science and by traditional Christian spirituality.  

Joseph A. Bracken, S.J., is a retired professor of theology and director emeritus of the Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is the author of seven books and editor or co-editor of two other works in the area of philosophical theology. His focus in recent years has been on the God-world relationship both as it figures in the religion and science debate and in inter-religious dialogue.

Please visit our Web site at www.templetonpress.org and click on the Look Inside feature to view a full table of contents.


A Look into Human Nature

Human Nature: Reflections on the Integration of Psychology and Christianity, written by Malcolm Jeeves, explores the intersection of science and faith in defining what it means to be human.

Jeeves examines research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience alongside truths revealed in the Scriptures. He reports on the current interest in the concept of consciousness and the link between mind, brain, and behavior; examines issues such as determinism, indicating the possible relevance of chaos theory to enduring concerns about freedom and responsibility; and considers the extent to which we actually have freedom of choice in our thinking and behaving.

Malcolm Jeeves is emeritus professor at the University of St. Andrews School of Psychology, Scotland. He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992 for his services to science and psychology. He is a leading experimental neuropsychologist, former chairman of the International Neuropsychological Symposium, and the author of several books dealing with the integration of science and faith.

Visit our Web site for more information about this book: http://www.templetonpress.org/


Restoring Mystery to the Universe!

Chaos and Harmony: Perspectives on Scientific Revolutions of the Twentieth Century, by world-renowned astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan, was originally published in France where it became a bestseller. It is now available in a paperback English-language edition.

Focusing on the explosion of scientific knowledge in the twentieth century and the philosophical and theological implications of these discoveries, Thuan’s survey traces the development of ideas that led to a new vision of the world. For three hundred years, scientists had held the Newtonian view of the universe as fragmented and mechanistic. Thuan vividly describes the process through which this constraining, sterile determinism, “with its rigid and dehumanizing reductionism,” was challenged, transformed, and swept aside by “a far more exhilarating and liberating view.”

Thuan draws on the story of the solar system to illustrate the interplay of chance and necessity. Chaos theory, with examples from astrophysics, meteorology, biology, and medicine, “shows how chaos helps nature bring about its potentialities as it fashions reality.” The world of atoms, where quantum indeterminacy predominates, demonstrates symmetry principles that enable us to meld electricity with magnetism, and time with space. He also includes commentary on man’s “unreasonable effectiveness” in grasping the universe.

Capturing the interplay of chance and necessity, Thuan reveals an exciting system of symmetry and chaos and shows how mystery has been restored to the universe.

Visit our Web site for more information about this book: http://www.templetonpress.org/


Four New Audio Books Now Available

Four new audio books are now available from Templeton Audio, the audio book imprint of Templeton Foundation Press. All books are unabridged.

Love That Works: The Art and Science of Giving, by Bruce Brander, is a six CD set that offers advice on making relationships work through understanding the dynamics of love and understanding the types of love that are linked to higher levels of emotional maturity. He explores the reasons so many of us are having a difficult time finding love that lasts. His research provides stepping stones that can help us attain greater emotional health and spiritual maturity and shows how we can not only fall in love, but rise to love.

The Templeton Plan: 21 Steps to Personal Success and Real Happiness is an inspirational four CD set by John Marks Templeton. The “Wizard of Wall Street” shares the secrets of his phenomenal success through twenty-one principles that provide guidelines for prosperity and happiness.  Templeton emphasizes simple ethical and spiritual values, including truthfulness, perseverance, thrift, enthusiasm, humility, and altruism, which can help individuals discover and develop their abilities.

The Power of Forgiving, by Everett L. Worthington Jr., is a single CD that explains the paradoxical power of forgiving:  by forgiving, we find inner peace and heal relationships; we also restore our own health, which often has suffered through relational harms, betrayals, and injustices. 

Thrift and Generosity: The Joy of Giving is a two CD set by John M. Templeton Jr.
With references from the Bible, literature, poetry, and philosophy, as well as examples from daily life, thrift is shown to be more than understanding the bottom line. Indeed, thrift is part of a religious and cultural understanding of how we use our time, our talents, and our resources. When thrift is combined with the virtue of generosity, the potential for good is greatly magnified.  Practicing these virtues together greatly exceeds the sum of their parts and moves us closer to the goal of deep, lasting contentment.

The audio books can be ordered the same way as our other publications: through bookstores, on our Web site, or by calling or faxing our distribution center in Chicago.

For more information or to listen to a sample of our audio books, please visit http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp


Science and Religion Bookstore Continues to Grow

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 more than 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.

A new feature to this site is our posting of reviews of Classic Texts in science and religion. Compiled by Karl Giberson, the reviews give readers a chance to see what has been published in the field and books such as The God Who Acts: Philosophical and Theological Explorations (1994) can be purchased. This volume, edited by Thomas F. Tracey includes essays on particular divine action and universal divine action. Each essay is followed by a critical response and alternative. Although both the format and the topic are daunting, this work can be easily understood by college undergraduates.


All books featured on the Science and Religion Online Bookstore are offered at a 20 percent savings off of the retail price. Visit today at: http://www.scienceandreligionbooks.org/


Recent Reviews

Evolution

The Disguised Friend of Faith?

Arthur Peacocke

“The book is a pleasure to read with its lucid style. Peacocke defines clearly his terminology. The book’s cover is very attractively done; the typeface is large and reader friendly. There are thirteen chapters including the epilogue and an index.”

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith,

December 2005

Science and Providence

God’s Interaction with the World

John C. Polkinghorne

Science and Providence is an eminently readable work profiting both the initiate and seasoned in their search for points of contact between the two disciplines.

Catholic Book Review,

February 2006

Science and the Bible

Evidence-Based Christian Belief

Ted Burge

“Defining science as knowledge of God’s creation, Science & the Bible offers a harmonious way of perceiving physical, geological and biological evolution as well as the teaching of Biblical texts. Written for fellow scientists and lay readers alike, Science & the Bible affirms that faith and research do not need to be at odds, but can support one another toward a more positive understanding of the world as a whole.”

Midwest Book Review,

February 2006

The Templeton Plan

21 Steps to Personal Success and Real Happiness

John Marks Templeton

“The spiritual principles and enthusiastic recommendations in this book have far reaching values.

www.Spirit-Works.net,

February 2006

Full reviews may be found on our Web site at www.templetonpress.org.


Best Sellers

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.   Christianity and Process Thought

      http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=87  

4.   Chaos and Harmony

http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=89

5.   Forgiveness and Reconciliation

http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=39   

6.   Spirituality and Patient Care

      http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=47   

7.   Science and Providence

            http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=83  

8.   Secret Melody

            http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=82

Audio Books

1.   Wisdom from World Religions

      http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp  

2.   The Healing Connection

      http://www.templetonpress.org/audio_books.asp

3.   Words of Gratitude

      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.   Parish Nursing

            http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=46  


Text Adoptions

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.

For more information or to download the request form, please visit http://www.templetonpress.org/textbookexamination.asp


Ordering Information

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.


Contact Information

Templeton Foundation Press

300 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 670

West Conshohocken, PA 19428

Email: tfp@templetonpress.org


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