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The beginnings of Dr. John Polkinghorne
Dr. John Polkinghorne started very modestly, coming from a church going family, which back then (and even now) didn't like that science and church would go together. He however, had a great aptitude for mathematics, which would come to play a very big role in his next adventure, College! -
Quantum Mechanics!
Dr. Polkinghorne was such a wiz with mathematics, that he earned his first of two doctorates in the quantum field theory. Quantum Mechanics has to do with the subatomic particles and their relation to relativity and well, everything! Learning about these particles in particular are conducted at places such as CERN, where he spent time studying quantum mechanics, as well as working with his own theories. -
Slection to the Royal Society!
Dr. Polkinghorne's work in quantum mechanics eventually lead to his selection to the Royal Society (Only the oldest national scientific society in the world!). Specifically, it was his creation of mathematical models to calculate the paths of quantum particles that would lead him here! After 5 more years of studying, he concluded his research was done! Not only did he stop, he went into the church! -
The Quark!
The Quark is a funny little named particle that Dr. Polkinghorne and a team working with him found due to their curiosity and looking deeper into the atomic structure. Another amazing discovery by an amazing individual. -
The Templeton Prize
For his work in relating science and religion, specifically, the exploration of the deepest questions of humanity, he was awarded the Templeton Prize. This prize has also been awarded to others such as Mother Teresa and the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso! -
Science and Religion
Dr. Polkinghorne did the unthinkable. He went from being a leading physicist to religion. Not only did he shift careers, he also shifted the thought of the difference between science and religion. As of now, there is a staunch belief that religion and science are so different, that they shouldn't be uttered in the same sentence. His work as a priest and his studies of how physics and religion show similarities lead him to fight against genesis and allow for the big bang to be accepted! -
An Afternoon with Dr. John Polkinghorne (Video)
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References
- Dean Nelson and Carl Giberson, 07 Oct 2011, Quantum Leap: The Life and Legacy of John Polkinghorne. https://biologos.org/articles/quantum-leap-the-life-and-legacy-of-john-polkinghorne
- Dean Nelson, 09 Feb 2011, An Afternoon with John Polkinghorne. https://biologos.org/articles/an-afternoon-with-john-polkinghorne
- Darrell Turner, 2021, John Polkinghorne. https://biologos.org/articles/an-afternoon-with-john-polkinghorne