Professor Alister McGrath
Andreos Idreos Professor of Science and Religion
Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, Gresham Professor of Divinity, 2015-18
Research Interests:
Science and religion; natural theology as a legitimate field of theological reflection, and as a framework for furthering the dialogue between science, religion, and literature; critical realism in science and theology; the theological utility of scientific philosophies of explanation; theological models of engagement with the natural sciences, especially those of T. F. Torrance and Emil Brunner; the application of biological models of evolution to cultural contexts, especially the development of Christian doctrine; the “New Atheism”; “two cultures” issues, especially defending the value of humanities in a scientific culture.
Select Publications
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The Owl of Minerva: Reflections on the Theological Significance of Mary Midgley
MCGRATH, AJuly 2020|Journal article|Heythrop Journal: a Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology -
An Undivided Mind: John Habgood on Science and Religion
MCGRATH, AJune 2020|Journal article|Journal of Anglican Studies -
Erzähltes Evangelium – Erzählende Kirche? Zur Aufgabe und zum Wesen narrativer Apologetik
MCGRATH, ALISTERMay 2019|Journal article|Theologische BeiträgeThis article sets out the case for a narrative apologetics, understood not simply as an approach to theology which opportunistically uses stories, but one which is grounded in the fundamentally narrative nature of the Christian faith. The essay draws especially on C. S. Lewis in both making the case for the use of narratives in Christian apologetics, and also considering some ways in which a narrative apologetics might be developed further. In particular, it highlights the importance of showing that a Christian narrative has an imaginative and rational appeal that exceeds that of its secular alternatives. -
The Territories of Human Reason Science and Theology in an Age of Multiple Rationalities
McGrath, AEJanuary 2019|BookThis ground-breaking volume sets out to engage these questions and will provoke intense discussion and debate.Religion -
Narratives of Significance: Reflections on the Engagement of Anthropology and Christian Theology.
MCGRATH, AEdited by:Lemons, DJanuary 2018|Chapter|Theologically Engaged Anthropology: Social Anthropology and Theology in Conversation -
A Proposal for an Inclusive Scientific Theory
Mcgrath, AEDecember 2017|Journal article|Scripta Theologica -
Natürliche Theologie: Ein Plädoyer für eine neue Definition und Bedeutungserweiterung
McGrath, ANovember 2017|Journal article|Neue Zeitschrift für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie -
Emil Brunner: A Theologian for the Academy and Church Today.
Mcgrath, AEMay 2017|Journal article|Theologische Zeitschrift -
The Great Mystery Science, God and the Human Quest for Meaning
Mcgrath, AApril 2017|BookAlister McGrath, bestselling author and Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, explores the question of human nature from both scientific and religious perspectives, and weaves together the results to open up ... -
Enriching Our Vision of Reality Theology and the Natural Sciences in Dialogue
Alister McGrath, DDDOctober 2016|Book