Religious scientists

[SusanDoris]

there's a Methodist minister names David Wilkinson whose name has come up in discussion elsewhere. I would like to know if he has attempted to justify having a totally faith belief while being an astro-physicist. If anyone has a few minutes and would be able to find a link for me, I would be most grateful; it would take me a week doing just about nothing else to track down something like that, but obviously I'm asking a favour and understand if it can't be done.

[ekim]

This might help:   http://www.testoffaith.com/resources/resources.aspx?resource=true&catid=13&id=166
and this is him speaking on Youtube:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyZ1CN6rOc8

[SusanDoris]

This might help:   http://www.testoffaith.com/resources/resources.aspx?resource=true&catid=13&id=166
and this is him speaking on Youtube:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyZ1CN6rOc8

Many thanks for your help. I think it is quite telling that he encountered Christian belief at the age of 17 rather than being brought up in it. Perhaps if the latter had been the case, he would have a more realistic view of it. Ah, well.
I shake my head sadly when I read that he does not think faith belief should be proved. I meant to highlight and copy the phrase used, but it was a very weak one and a get-out excuse that should be challenged.

I realise |I've heard the voice on TFTD - that is, when I haven't managed to turn off in time to silence that slot! It is a voice that has the particular quality of those i.e. who preach in a 'god-loves-you tone of voice.  It always sounds false to me.

I would imagine he does not have time to work on anything new in astro-physics nowadays - and I thinkthat is probably just as well. He must be on the very fringes of the central core of people such as Prof Brian cox et al!

[Harrowby Hall]

I would imagine he does not have time to work on anything new in astro-physics nowadays - and I think that is probably just as well. He must be on the very fringes of the central core of people such as Prof Brian cox et al!

This is his present job:

Revd Professor David Wilkinson, BSc, PhD, MA, PhD, FRAS
Professor and Principal of St. John's College in the Department of Theology and Religion

I see that he has TWO PhDs

His first:

I was a scientist and then a Methodist minister in inner city Liverpool. My background is research in theoretical astrophysics, where my PhD was in the study of star formation, the chemical evolution of galaxies and terrestrial mass extinctions such as the event which wiped out the dinosaurs. I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and have published a wide range of papers on these subjects.

Current research interests and second PhD:

My current work involves the relationship of the Christian theology to contemporary culture, from science to pop culture. I have had a long interest in the dialogue of science and religion, especially as it impacts the physical sciences. God, Time and Stephen Hawking (Monarch, 2001) and Christian Eschatology and the Physical Universe (T&T Clark 2010) are examples of that work.  This work forms some of the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching that I do in the department where I teach modules in science and theology. My PhD is in Systematic Theology and explored Christian eschatology.

Does that help?

[SusanDoris]

This is his present job:

Revd Professor David Wilkinson, BSc, PhD, MA, PhD, FRAS
Professor and Principal of St. John's College in the Department of Theology and Religion

I see that he has TWO PhDs

His first:


Current research interests and second PhD:

Does that help?

Yes, thank you. However, it does not improve my opinion of him! Having watched a short you tube of him talking about himself, and using that particularly irritating (to me, anyway), sort of precious, intended as sincere, tone of voice, with the added note of condescension used in addressing those who lack God in their lives - wel, I think that's more than enough description of the voice!! - I also wonder how many people get a rational answer from him as to how he justifies rationally a God for which there is zero objective evidence. It is probably very useful to him that he has the scientific qualifications to quote at those who might challenge him, but that's the way of the world  I suppose, and he isn't the only one I'll bet. It's clutching at straws, though.
On the positive side, the proportion of scientists who are theists is, I am assuming, going down rapidly!

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Yes, thank you. However, it does not improve my opinion of him! Having watched a short you tube of him talking about himself, and using that particularly irritating (to me, anyway), sort of precious, intended as sincere, tone of voice, with the added note of condescension used in addressing those who lack God in their lives - wel, I think that's more than enough description of the voice!! - I also wonder how many people get a rational answer from him as to how he justifies rationally a God for which there is zero objective evidence.

That would be a rational analysis of experience and philosophical argument no doubt.


How do you justify rationally your scientism?