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Work in Physics
By 1968, John Polkinghorne had already earned two doctorates and was promoted to full time professor at Cambridge. He had gone on to work with and influence the works of several key figures in the field of physics. His work in physics hit a high point when he assisted in the discovery of the quark with Murray Gell-Mann and George Zweig. For all of his accolades, Polkinghorne was selected as a fellow in the Royal Society, the oldest national scientific society in the world. -
Transition in to the Priesthood
Polkinghorne resigned his professorship at Cambridge in 1979 to pursue theological studies. Once ordained in 1982, he served in various positions within the priesthood. After serving as a vicar, he was appointed as Chaplain of Trinity Hall at Cambridge. In 1989, he transitioned to Queens College as president where he remained until his retirement in 1996. -
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Major Works
Though he resigned from academia to pursue theology, John Polkinghorne spent the majority of his life after ordainment attempting to marry the concepts of physics and religion, or at least finding a way for the ideas to coexist. He has published will over thirty books translated in to multiple languages. His themes generally remain consistent when speaking on science and religion. Polkinghorne believes that science and the Bible should have a "compllimentary relationship". -
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Recognition
In 1997, John Polkinghorne was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his "distinguished service to science, religion, learning and medical ethics". For his contribution to theology, Polkinghorne was awarded the Templeton Prize in 2002. "Since then [1979], his extensive writings and lectures have consistently applied scientific habits to Christianity, resulting in a modern and compelling, new exploration of the faith."