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Polkinghorne's Birth
Born on October 16, 1930 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, John Polkinghorne would later become an English physicist and priest who will be a prominent advocate for the integration of scientific findings with religious beliefs -
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Education
While attending Trinity College, Cambridge, he got his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1952, his master's degree in 1955, and his doctorate in quantum field theory in 1956. In 1956, the University of Edinburgh hired him to teach mathematical physics. In 1974, Polkinghorne got a second PhD. from Trinity College in theoretical elementary particle physics. -
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Scientific Contributions & Important Decisions
He returned to his Alma mater as a professor, where he continued to work on particle physics theory and was instrumental in the discovery of the quark. Realizing that his time of greatest scientific impact had passed, he instead focused his energies on his second great passion in life, Christianity, and in 1981 he was consecrated as a deacon -
Religious Milestones
In 1982, Polkinghorne made the move from the scientific community to the religious community by being ordained as a priest in the Church of England. Both of these spheres influenced his thinking,as seen by his many works published after his death -
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Making the Connection
Polkinghorne's 1983 The Way the World Is covered intellectual Christians. He wrote Faith, Science, and Understanding in 2000 and The Faith of a Physicist: Reflections of a Bottom-Up Thinker in 1994. Polkinghorne believes science and religion are needed to grasp our complex reality. Science answers "how" about our reality, while religion answers "why" questions about meaning, value, and purpose. He believes religion's"why" must equal science's "how" -
Sir Polkinghorne
Among other accomplishments, Polkinghorne received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contributions to the fields of science, religion, scholarship, and medical ethics -
Death of a Scientific Legend
At the age of 90, Sir John Polkinghorne passed away in Cambridge -
His Legacy
John Polkinghorne inspired those of us who were Christians and scientists working in academia,and, in particular through his many books, he provided us with new tools for engaging with others about the intersection of science and the Christian faith in discussions, conversations, and other settings. -
Fun Facts :))
Other organizations where he served include the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (1999-2002), the Science Research Council (1975), and the Church of England's Doctrine Commission (1989-1995).These organizations were just a few of many that Polkinghorne was a part of -
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