John Polkinghorne is a distinguished Theoretical Physicist (FRS) who is now an ordained Anglican Clergyman. His books are always worth reading and this is no exception. As both a scientist and a Christian his quest is for truth. He believes he has found the ultimate Origin of all things and Ground of all rationality  in the Word made flesh, so that Christianity gives a coherent insight into 'the way the world is'. 

In the early part of  the book he takes us quickly through the familiar territory of the scientist's 'standard model' of the universe, namely: Big Bang to the development of human life on this planet. ('Creationists' of course reject this model). Polkinghorne is particularly impressed by (a) the rational structure and therefore intelligibility of nature, (b) the interplay between chance and necessity in the universe's development, and (c) the extraordinarily highly tuned make up of the universe which was necessary for its development at every stage. All this he sees as pointing to 'design' and 'purpose'. In his exposition of these themes he gives the reader a simple insight into the world of quantum physics with its inherent indeterminism which challenges the materialistic assumptions of earlier science. He goes on to argue persuasively that such realities as our experiences of, beauty and morality, in principle cannot be reduced to physics and biology.

The chapters which follow briefly but helpfully  consider: the reliability of the New Testament, the Divinity of Jesus, the death of Jesus, the evidence for and significance of the bodily resurrection, the Trinity, the Church, and other religions. For those familiar with N.T. Introductions as well as the writings of C.S. Lewis and others, there is (apart from his occasional use of an illustration from science) little that is new in these chapters. However he makes his points persuasively and for the audience he is targeting they are well worth making. Although he steers a middle course between the conservative evangelical and the sceptical liberal, the burden of his argument is to gently counter liberal scepticism. Even those familiar with the kind of points he makes would do well to read what he has to say.

Before his good index, he ends with a very useful Glossary of both scientific and theological terms.

The book is addressed to honest enquirers especially those who were his colleagues in science. As such its engaging style makes it a very useful evangelistic tool. I think, though, that he has perhaps been too kind to the sceptic. In the early section of the book, after giving very compelling reasons for belief in God, he goes on to tell us that he still respects the scepticism of his unbelieving colleagues. In the later sections of the book in spite of his good arguments for orthodox faith, he gives greater credence to some so-called New Testament scholarship than I think it deserves. I am not saying he should not have written in such a gentle style but I do think there is a place for a far more hard hitting book challenging the irrational scepticism which does so much harm to the Church and society.

Even with this minor quibble I very warmly recommend this book.