The Open Secret

Contents

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First published 2008 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd

2 2008

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McGrath, Alister E., 1953–

The open secret: a new vision for natural theology/Alister E.

McGrath.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4051-2692-2 (hardcover: alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-4051-2691-5

(pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Theism. 2. Natural theology. 3. Nature—Religious aspects—Christianity. I. Title.

BL200.M35 2008

211′.3—dc22

2007041410

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I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.

Isaac Newton (1643–1727)

The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way... To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion – all in one.

John Ruskin (1819–1900)

Additional praise for The Open Secret

“For much of the twentieth century natural theology was regarded as intellectually moribund and theologically suspect. In this splendid new book, bestselling author and distinguished theologian Alister McGrath issues a vigorous challenge to the old prejudices. Building on the foundation of the classical triad of truth, beauty, and goodness, he constructs an impressive case for a new and revitalized natural theology. This is a well-conceived, timely, and thoughtprovoking volume.”

Peter Harrison, Harris Manchester College, Oxford

Acknowledgments

It is a pleasure to be able to acknowledge those who have contributed to the writing of this volume. My greatest debt by far is to Joanna Collicutt, who was my research assistant on this project, and is now lecturer in the psychology of religion at Heythrop College, London University. Her research for this work focused on John Ruskin, John Dewey, and the biblical material, particularly the call of Samuel, the parables of Jesus, and the Johannine “I am” sayings. She provided expert advice on the psychology of religion, and authored chapter 5, dealing with the cognitive neuropsychology of perception, and some portions of other chapters. She also proposed the title of this work.

I also acknowledge financial support from the John Templeton Foundation, without which this work could never have been written. The argument and approach of this book have been shaped, in part, through significant conversations with Justin Barrett, John Barrow, John Hedley Brooke, Simon Conway Morris, Paul Davies, Daniel Dennett, Robert McCauley, and Thomas F. Torrance. While these scholars may not agree with the approach I have taken in this work, it is appropriate to acknowledge their kindness in discussing some key issues relating to natural theology, and the significance of their views in shaping my analysis of critical questions. I remain completely responsible for errors of fact or judgment in this work.

This work represents a substantially expanded version of the 2008 Riddell Memorial Lectures at Newcastle University, England. It also includes material originally delivered as the 2005 Mulligan Sermon at Gray’s Inn, and the 2006 Warburton Lecture at Lincoln’s Inn. I am grateful to both these ancient London Inns of Court for their invitations to speak on the theme of theology and the law, and their kind hospitality. My thanks also to Michelle Edmonds, who suggested the cover illustration for the book; to Jenny Roberts, for her skill as a copyeditor; and to Rebecca Harkin of Blackwell Publishing, for her encouragement and patience as this work gradually took shape.

Alister McGrath

Oxford, June 2007