Description
Book SynopsisOn 29th May 1919, British astronomers tested Einstein's theory of relativity by measuring the path of the stars travelling near the sun during an eclipse. On 7th November 1919, the results of that experiment were announced in London, proving Einstein's theory of relativity. A Theory of Everything (that Matters) has been written in celebration of this 100th anniversary.
With the confirmation of Einstein's theories at the beginning of the twentieth century, our understanding of the universe became much more complex. What does this mean for religious belief, and specifically Christianity? Does it mean, as so many people assume, the death of God? In A Theory of Everything (that Matters) Alister McGrath - Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University - explores these questions, giving an overview of Einstein's thought and scientific theories, including his nuanced thinking on the difference between the scientific enterprise and beliefs outside its realm.
This groundbreaking book is for anyone intrigued by Einstein as one of the twentieth century's most iconic figures, who wants to know what his theories mean for religion, and who is interested in the conversation between science and religions more broadly.
'An excellent study of Einstein's theories in relation to his beliefs about God' - starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Trade ReviewAlbert Einstein was, without doubt, the most iconic scientist of the last century. In this lucid little book, Alister McGrath provides an accessible introduction to Einstein's great scientific discoveries, as well as a careful analysis of his views on the relationship between science and religion. Einstein was a nuanced thinker on the big questions of life, and who better than McGrath to guide us on an exploration of this aspect of Einstein's legacy. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fuller picture of Albert Einstein's life and thought. * Ard Louis, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford *
McGrath
, professor of science and religion at Oxford University, provides an excellent study of Einstein's theories in relation to his beliefs about God. McGrath explains the scientific achievements of Isaac Newton that dominated the world of physics while Einstein was working as an assistant in a Swiss patent shop in 1905. That year, Einstein published an article that would "overthrow" Newtonian ideas, in which he proposed that light was composed of particles and that each particle's energy could be measured by the frequency of its electromagnetic radiation. McGrath then lays out Einstein's subsequent work, article-by-article, establishing his theory of special relativity. Though Einstein revolutionized physics, he failed in his quest to discover a "grand theory of everything," a problem he wrestled with until his death. While Einstein did not believe in a personal God, McGrath writes, he was driven by a "cosmic religious feeling" that became his "strongest and noblest motive for scientific research." McGrath, a Christian, encourages other Christians to consider Einstein's teachings as a mechanism for thinking about their own ideas regarding the relationship between science, religion, and the "meaning of everything." This analysis of Einstein's ideas will appeal to any Christian reader looking to contemplate connections between God and the unresolved mysteries of scientific discovery. -- Starred Review * Publishers Weekly *
