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Early Life / Childhood
John Polkinghorne was born on October 16, 1930 in England to Dorothy Charlton and George Polkinghorne. John was the middle of three children. One of which, his sister Ann passed away when she was just six. John Polkinghorne started his education at a local primary school but was later taught by a family friend at home. Ultimately John ended up at a quaker school. When he was 11, he attended Elmhurst Grammar School. Then, after his father received a promotion, he went to the Purse School. -
Education / Beginning of Career
John Polkinghorne received a vast education. He first received his bachelor's degree in mathematics. then, he went on to receive a master's and a doctorate degree in quantum field theory from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1956. The same year, he accepted a position as a lecturer of mathematical physics at the Univ. of Edinburgh. Some years after, in 1968 he became a professor of mathematics at Cambridge. -
Furthering Education / Recognition
In 1974, Polkinghorne again finished a doctorate degree in theoretical elementary particle physics from Trinity College. In the same year, John received his first real recognition for his work by which he had created mathematical models to calculate the paths of quantum particles. In doing so, Polkinghorne was selected as a fellow of the Royal Society for his achievements. Five years later, to the surprise of many, he announced conclusion of his research and left to pursue theological studies. -
First Published Work
John Polkinghorne published his first major work in 1983 titled "The Way the World Is".In this book, he attempted to explain his beliefs on how a thinking, logical person can be a christian. John's contributions to the world lie in how he made sense of a relationship between science and religion.He wanted to bridge the gap he felt had arisen in the world between those who turned to science for an answer, and those who trusted in faith alone, accepting that anything was possible through Christ. -
Recognition Continued
In 1986, John Polkinghorne helped to found the Society of Ordained Scientists and was also a founding president for the International Society for science and religion. He was a member of numerous other groups and councils that worked to build a connection between science and religion. In fact, John was knighted in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth II for his distinguished service to science, religion, learning, and medical ethics. -
Ordainment / Retirement
John Polkinghorne attended the Westcott House in Cambridge for his theological studies and was subsequently ordained in 1982. He was initially assigned to a parish in South Bristol but then became a vicar of a parish in Blean in 1984. However, two years later Polkinghorne was appointed fellow, dean, and chaplain of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. In 1989, he accepted an appointment as president of Queen's College in Cambridge from which he retired in 1996. -
Relationship of Religion and Science
In basic terms, John Polkinghorne saw science and religion as two things that were symbiotic of each other. In his view, God was the first reason that there was anything to begin with, but that science then took hold in terms of evolution and progression of species, especially the human race. His view was that the theism makes more sense once it has been applied to human kind due to the fact that were are capable of moralistic thinking that guides how we live our lives. -
Another Major Work
In 2000, Pokinghorne published another major work titled "Faith, Science, and Understanding". In this book, John again attempts to foster the connection that he believes should exist between science and religion. In this work, he gives some examples of his opinions and debated "evidence", such as scripture, as a means of furthering his viewpoint on why theology and science only work together, but not apart. -
Respect in the Scientific Community
John Polkinghorne tends to be, through most accounts, one of the more resected theologians in the scientific community based on his beliefs. The aspect where most scientists draw their ire is by debating on another dimension, or being that controls the world and its inhabitants. Polkinghorne is usually given the credit for being an educated scientist, but nonetheless is put to the test when attempting to connect religion to scientific theories that have been accepted on the universe. -
Major Works Cited
Polkinghorne, J. C. Faith, Science, and Understanding. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000. Print. Polkinghorne, J. C. Quantum Physics and Theology an Unexpected Kinship . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007. Print. Polkinghorne, J. C. Belief in God in an Age of Science. New Haven, Conn: Yale University Press, 1998. Print. -
Major Works Cited Continued
Polkinghorne, John, and Polkinghorne, John. “Thoughts of a Rationalist.” Nature 416.6881 (2002): 583–584. Web. The Way the World Is: Christian Perspective of a Scientist (2nd ed.). Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 1992. Print. -
Illustration on Polkinghorne
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Illustration on Polkinghorne Cont.
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Youtube Video
A link to a speech by John Polkinghorne on Evolution: Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KlJ7Bt3oxE
