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It's About Time - A Fighter Pilot Thinks Aloud About Religion and Science

by Bill Pearcy, edited with the assistance of Baillie McKenny

122 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0639; ISBN 1-4120-2811-6; US$14.99, C$19.00, EUR12.35, £8.56

Who will put Humpty Dumpty back together again? Are you sick of conflicting arguments between science and religion? Commonality can be found in understanding the nature of time.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts and Review      Catalogue Information

About the Book

This book deals with the interaction between science and religion. Unlike most other books, it starts from the assumption that both science and religion (Christianity) are valid and examines what each has to say to the other.

It sees the key linkage between the two is through a proper understanding of the nature of time. The book explains why there is no such thing as absolute time: how time came into being at the moment of creation/the Big Bang. It explains how God is outside of time and is not carried along by it.

As a result, it shows there is no conflict between the notions of predestination and free will. It gives a scientific explanation for the nature of prophecy. It gives a different understanding of the nature of eternity, and it discusses the likely nature of heaven and hell.

The book is written in simple language that is easy to understand. It should be of interest to anyone who has given some thought to both science and religion.

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About the Author

After graduating from the Royal Australian Air Force College with the Queen's Medal and the Sword of Honour, Bill completed a Science Degree at Melbourne University majoring in physics. He then saw active service in South East Asia flying F-86 (Sabre) aircraft. His later career involved flying Mirage aircraft and work in the Tactical Fighter Force (F/A 18) Project; as well as flying training and staff appointments in materiel, intelligence and security.

He retired early, as a Group Captain, in 1987 to set up the welfare/caring arm of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn (now Anglicare). At that time he was active in the Cursillo movement and became a qualified Prayer Minister (VMTC). Following his retirement from Anglicare he was appointed to the Vocations Advisory Committee for the Dioceses of Canberra and Goulburn, Bathurst, and Riverina. In 2002 he was made an Honorary Lay Canon of St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn. He has been a long time member of St James - Kippax parish in Canberra and is presently a Pastoral Care Visitor at nearby Calvary Hospital.

Bill has had an abiding interest in the practical outworking of science and religion for most of his life.

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Excerpts and Review

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Genesis
• Chapter 2 - The Nature of Time
• Chapter 3 - The Nature of God
• Chapter 4 - The Relationship Between God and Time
• Chapter 5 - Predestination and Free Will
• Chapter 6 - Prophecy
• Chapter 7 - Eternity
• Chapter 8 - Heaven and Hell
• Chapter 9 - Angels and Other Worlds
• Chapter 10 - The Holy Spirit
• Chapter 11 - Jesus, The Anointed One
• Chapter 12 - Exodus

INTRODUCTION

In their search for meaning people want answers to questions about God and science. They read books by Paul Davies, Ian Barbour and others, on science and religion and find a little understanding, but often no answers.

This book, hopefully, provides answers to some of their questions, for example, about the apparent conflict between free will and predestination.

The book is written for moderately well educated people who have either a fair grasp of religion or science, or both. However, those who have read the manuscript (who have no significant background in either science or religion) appear to have no difficulty with the concepts contained in it.

The central notion is that there is no need for conflict between science and religion (specifically Christianity). Both are accepted as valid, and the implications of that assumption are pursued. Consequently, this book differs from nearly all others, which usually set religion against science, or seek to prove/disprove theology through scientific argument.

The nexus between science and religion is seen to lie in a proper understanding of the nature of time. Each chapter begins with a brief summary of its content, to point the way ahead.

The first three chapters set the scene by dealing with relevant aspects of both science and religion. Considerable space is given to a scientific examination of time because it is critical that the reader understand that time can not exist on its own; that it is linked inextricably to matter and space; and is tied to the existence of the universe.

The remaining chapters look at the implications of this connection on some central theological/religious notions, such as heaven and hell. It is assumed that the reader is generally familiar with these concepts, and so the emphasis is on developing them rather than explaining them in detail. Consequently, there is a certain amount of speculation that is not argued through in any great length.

The intention is not to prove to the reader that what is canvassed must be true. Rather it is intended that the reader be led to contemplate various possibilities that seem to have been previously overlooked, or not much explored. Nevertheless, thoughthese possibilities are often only outlined here, they have been thought through and can stand deeper examination.

The final chapter tackles the implications that these ideas might have for each of us in our daily lives.

The book could make a relevant contribution to the considerable popular debate that has been going on for some years now about the relationship between science and religion. Many of the relevant books on the matter are quoted from throughout the text.

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Catalogue Information

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