Is God a delusion? Are science and Christian faith incompatible? Ten scientists tell their stories. There is a popular myth at large in both modern society and in many churches. According to this myth, science and Christianity have been engaged in a long battle over the centuries. For many secularists this means that we must embrace science and reject religion, whilst for some Christians it means the exact opposite. But are science and Christian faith really in conflict? In this book ten respected scientists share their life stories and their reflections on science and faith. What led them to become scientists? Why did they embrace Christianity? And how do they relate their religious beliefs to the science that they do in the lab? The stories that they tell help us to see that when it comes to answering some of "life's big questions" we do well to listen for the insights from both science and faith. Samples and DVD trailer at www.testofaith.com Contributors Dr Francis Collins, Former Director, Human Genome Project Revd Dr Alasdair Coles, Cambridge University and St Andrews Church, Cambridge Dr Jennifer Wiseman, Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Prof. John Bryant, Professor Emeritus of Cell and Molecular Biology, Exeter University Prof. Bill Newsome, Professor of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine Prof. Rosalind Picard, Professor of Media Arts & Sciences, MIT Dr Ard Louis, The Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, Oxford University Revd Dr John Polkinghorne, Former President of Queens' College, Cambridge Dr Deborah B. Haarsma, Associate Professor in Physics & Astronomy, Calvin College Prof. Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Harris Manchester, College, Oxford Dr Ruth Bancewicz, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, St Edmund's College, Cambridge

Is God a delusion? Are science and Christian faith incompatible? This visually stunning, award-winning, three-part documentary uses interviews with top scientists and theologians to introduce some big questions: Part 1: Are science and Christianity in conflict? Has the Big Bang pushed God out of the universe? Part 2: What does 'creation' mean? Is evolution compatible with religious faith? Part 3: Are humans no more than biological machines? What does it mean to be made 'in the image of God'? There are many challenging issues raised by the sciences, but the overall message of thedocumentary is that science is compatible with genuine faith in God. Samples and DVD trailer at www.testofaith.com CONTRIBUTORS: Dr Denis Alexander, Director, The Faraday Institute, Cambridge Prof. Katherine Blundell, Department of Physics, Oxford University Prof. John Bryant, Professor Emeritus of Cell and Molecular Biology, Exeter University Dr Alasdair Coles, Cambridge University and St Andrews Church, Cambridge Dr Francis Collins, Former Director, Human Genome Project Prof. Simon Conway Morris, Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge University Dr William A. Dembski, Research Professor in Philosophy, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Prof. Peter Harrison, Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion, Oxford University Sir John Houghton, Former Chair, Scientific Assessment Working Group, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Dr Ard Louis, The Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, Oxford University Prof. Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Harris Manchester, College, Oxford Prof. Bill Newsome, Professor of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine Dr Cherith Fee Nordling, Assistant Professor of Theology, Wheaton College Revd Dr John Polkinghorne, Former President of Queens' College, Cambridge Paul Taylor, Senior Speaker, Answers in Genesis (UK) Dr David Wilkinson, Lecturer in Science and Theology, Durham University Dr Jennifer Wiseman, Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Articles about research on spirituality and the brain are usually written from the point of view that religious experience can be understood from a purely scientific perspective. Hagerty's (religion correspondent, NPR) book does not have this naturalistic or materialistic tendency. Rather, as both a reporter and a religious person, she seeks insight on spirituality and science while being open to the possibility that spirituality may still have a transcendent component. The book is interesting to read because the author has interviewed many scientists as well as many people who attest to having mystical or near-death experiences. In a way, the reader feels like a participant in Hagerty's own encounter with the various pieces of information and evidence, struggling with her to make sense of it all. Highly recommended.John Jaeger, Dallas Baptist Univ. Lib. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dr Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is one of the world's leading scientists, working at the cutting edge of the study of DNA, the code of life. Yet he is also a man of unshakable faith in God. How does he reconcile the seemingly unreconcilable? In THE LANGUAGE OF GOD he explains his own journey from atheism to faith, and then takes the reader on a stunning tour of modern science to show that physics, chemistry and biology -- indeed, reason itself -- are not incompatible with belief. His book is essential reading for anyone who wonders about the deepest questions of all: why are we here? How did we get here? And what does life mean?

These personal essays by esteemed scientists worldwide describe the spiritual journeys they have taken. Autohirs share their own experiences of learning to blend an understanding of the Divine with scientific perspectives.

This visually stunning, award-winning, three part documentary uses interviews with ten top scientists and theologians to introduce some big questions and address the many challenging issues raised by the sciences. It shows that science is compatible with genuine faith in God. The Test of faith course comes with accompanying resources developed by the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion ideally tailored to unpack the issues raised in the documentary. The book tells the stories of the scientists featured in the video materials as they share their life, stories and reflections on science and faith. The study guide allows small groups to explore science-faith issues by choosing topics and discussing them at a level and pace that suits the group. The Leader's guide supplements the study guide with suggested responses to questions, critical background information and opportunities to go deeper while encouraging an open discussion of a range of views.

Looking at both historical and contemporary contexts, the author argues that religion has played a major role in suppressing scientific pursuit.