This is the fifth year of the book prize of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR). Three prizes are awarded, for the best books in the field of science and religion. The following prize-winners are announced.
In the academic category, the prize goes to Peter N. Jordan for Naturalism in the Christian Imagination. Providence and Causality in Early Modern England. Cambridge University Press, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009211970
It is intriguing that the expansion of naturalism in 17th century England arose within the Christian doctrine of providence, not in opposition to it. In this highly informative book, Peter Jordan shows how theologians and natural philosophers of this period wove naturalistic explanations into their Christian understanding of God’s activity in the world. The 17th century discussion of providential naturalism is highly relevant to debates about religious naturalism in our own time
In the category of books for a general readership the prize goes to Philip Goff, for Why? The Purpose of the Universe. Oxford University Press, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198883760.001.0001
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/why-the-purpose-of-the-universe-9780198883760?cc=gb&lang=en&
In this highly readable book, Philip Goff explores the purpose of the universe, starting from its remarkable find-tuning. He argues for a close association between purpose and consciousness, and is dissatisfied with regarding fine-tuning as a brute fact. He argues against both traditional theism and various other non-traditional designers, and espouses a teleological cosmopsychism. Regardless of whether readers agree with that conclusion, this is a rigorous and brilliant examination of what can and can’t be concluded from the fine-tuning of the universe.
In the category of books for professionals and educators, the prize goes to Nicholas Spencer for Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science & Religion. OneWorld, 2023.
https://oneworld-publications.com/contributor/nicholas-spencer/
Spencer provides us with an impressive and sweeping overview of the complex historical relationship between science and religion in four parts: their early relationship up to 1600; how science developed within the framework of religion in the 17th century; how it broke away from its religious parent in the 19th century; and how science and religion have continued to be endlessly and fascinatingly entangled ever since This book has been widely praised as one of the best overviews of the history of science and religion to be published for many years.
The ISSR book prize aims to be a catalyst that transforms careers and sparks innovation through identifying what are considered to be the best new books on science and religion, showing that they can be written on a range of topics, and by a wide diversity of authors. The 2024 prize demonstrates the vitality of the field, and the innovation and diversity that is increasingly apparent. We salute the achievements of the prize-winning authors, and many others who have written outstanding books. Judging of books was undertaken by a panel appointed by the International Society for Science and Religion. Funding was gratefully received from the Templeton World Charity Foundation.
