Keith Ward, a British Academy fellow, the Regis Professor of Divinity Emeritus of Oxford, an ordained Anglican priest and a member of the Council of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, is interested in comparative theology and the interplay of science and faith. He's written more than 20 books.

After much thought, I decided the best way to present this book is to list the ten chapter titles, which are all dual questions. Ch 1: How Did the Universe Begin? (Is There an Ultimate Explanation for the Universe?). Ch 2: How Will the Universe End? (Does the Universe Have a Goal or Purpose?) Ch 3: Is Evolution Compatible with Creation? (How Can the “Cruelty and Waste” of Evolution Be Reconciled with Creation by a Good God?). Ch 4: Do the Laws of Nature Exclude Miracles? (Are the Laws of Nature Absolute?) Ch 5: What Is the Nature of Space and Time? (In what Sense Can Temporal Actions Be Free?) Ch 6: Is It Still Possible to Speak of the Soul? (Does Science Allow the Possibility of Life After Death?) Ch 7: Is Science the Only Sure Path to Truth? (Can Religious Experience Count as Evidence?) Ch 8: Can Science Provide a Wholly Naturalistic Explanation for Moral and Religious Beliefs? (How Does Morality Relate to Religion?) Ch 9: Has Science Made Belief in God Obsolete? (Are There Any Good Science-based Arguments for God?) Ch 10: Does Science Allow for Revelation and Divine Action? (Does Quantum Physics Put Materialism in Question?)

For each of these dual questions, Keith Ward considered concepts from Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. He also considered answers from cosmologists, physicians, mathematicians, and philosophers. He discusses both pro and con answers and reasons and he did so in depth, never avoiding any difficulties involved for such great questions. His conciseness amazed me, as did his clarity and completeness. I give this book my very highest recommendation. (Think six stars!)