In the midst of global resurgence of interest in religion, and especially religion's relation to scientific knowledge, this book aims to offer an erudite and original perspective on one of mankind's oldest debates.

Preface Introduction PART ONE: THE FORMATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORLDVIEW Chapter One: The End of the Anthropocentric Universe Chapter Two: The Intellectual Beauty of Being Chapter Three: The Life of the Universe Chapter Four: The Evolution of Life on Earth Chapter Five: Freedom, Suffering and Omnipotence Chapter Six: The Veiled World Chapter Seven: The Open Future Chapter Eight: The Implicate Order PART TWO: THE SEARCH FOR ULTIMATE EXPLANATION – THE GOD OF THE SCIENTISTS Chapter Nine: The Limits of Science. Chapter Ten: The Explanation of Everything Chapter Eleven: The Emergence of the Soul Chapter Twelve: The Origins of Culture Chapter Thirteen: Cosmic Ontogenesis PART THREE: THE GOD OF RELIGION Chapter Fourteen: God’s Action in the Universe Chapter Fifteen: Beyond the Powers of Nature? Chapter Sixteen: Immortal Life Chapter Seventeen: The Ultimate Goal

In the midst of global resurgence of interest in religion, and especially religion’s relation to modern scientific knowledge, Pascal’s Fire offers an erudite and original perspective. Many scientists have written about religion; a few theologians have written about science. However, this is the first contemporary volume in which a theologian takes on science in its own territory. Contrary to Nietzsche’s famous assertion, best-selling author Keith Ward argues that God is far from dead. In fact, the rapidly expanding boundaries of scientific discovery, which many attribute to His murder, actually provide persuasive evidence for His existence. By examining how four ground-breaking changes in the history of scientific discourse (the Earth as the center of the universe, the Newtonian revolution, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and quantum physics) affect our conception of God, Ward argues that each individual challenge elicits a new updated concept of God rather than an obituary. Dealing with modern critics, such as Richard Dawkins, Ward claims that the key is not to conceive of God as frequently interventionist, nor as exclusively concerned with the human experience. Rather, His role is as the creator of an exquisite and infinitely beautiful universe that depends upon a number of precise mathematical relationships for its existence. Combining cutting edge science with thought provoking discourses about morality, religion and the meaning of life, Keith Ward provides a fascinating take on the science versus religion debate, offering ‘a third way’ which is guaranteed to spark debate for years to come.

"Ward is a reliable and entertaining tour guide who explains clearly an extensive arena of ideas in a concise, readable and logical manner. Atheists, agnostics and theists alike will find much in this book on which to chew."

"In this marvelous book keith Ward writes with characterisitc flair and intelligence about the age old problem of science and religion." Wentzel van Huyssteen - James I. McCord Professor of Theology and Science. Princeton Theological Sem "Eloquently informed by modern science, Keith Ward's thought-provoking account sequentially explores its implications for the god of the philosophers and the God of religion. Ward writes with both wit and profundity." Professor Owen Gingerich - Senior Astronomer Emeritus the Harvard-Smithsonian center for Astrophysic "...a splendidly thought-provoking book." John Brooke - Andreas Idreos Professor of Science & Religion, University of Oxford.