John Polkinghorne (1930)

By Simon_Thurston

  • The Beginning

    On October the 16th 1930, in the cold seaside town of Weston England; John Charlton Polkinghorne was birthed into this world to parents Dorothy Charlton and George Polkinghorne.

  • Onwards and Upwards

    Following his early studies at various institutions; he eventually transferred to the Perse school in Cambridge.

  • Graduated Trinity College Cambridge

    Here he would prove to his proclivity towards numbers and equations when he attained his Bachelors Degree in the field of Mathematics.

  • Betterment of Mind, at Trinity College

    Polkinghorne's continued his studies and education, eventually earning a Masters Degree in Quantum Field Theory in the year 1955.

  • Marriage Ruth Martin

    Also member of Christian Union and a Mathematics student

  • Home Sweet, Cambridge

    Polkinghorne's hard work and devotion to his work eventually granted him his Doctorate Degree in Quantum Field Theory; respectively so, from the very same Trinity College that it all began.

  • Movin' on Up

    His creation of mathematical models, were used to calculate the paths of quantum particles. The impressive work was formally recognized by the Royal Society in 1974.

  • Doctorate in Theoretical Elementary Partical Physics

    In 1974 Polkinghorne received yet another Doctorate Degree. This time pertaining to the fundamental laws of Physics.

  • Physics to Theology

    1979 marked his retirement from conventional physics research. He began studying theology at Wescott House in Cambridge; and by the year 1982 became a fully ordained minister.

  • Published "The Way the World Is"

    Polkinghorne Published his first book in 1983. Aptly titled "The Way the World Is".

  • Paradigm Shifts

    John Polkinghorne portrayed in his book, that quantum mechanics and Christian theology are two examples of a paradigm shift. The paradigm shift is a theory brought to the public’s eye by acclaimed philosopher, Thomas Kuhn

  • Awarded honorary doctorate by University of Durham

  • "Opening Windows onto Reality"

    John Polkinghorne penned an article tackling topics such as life after death and the Big Bang. All the while binding together the collective knowledge he holds in both physics and theology. Polkinghorne, John. "Opening Windows onto Reality." Theology Today, July 2001, pp. 145-54, doi:10.1177/004057360105800202.

  • Polkinghorne Claims Templeton Prize

    This prestigious award was bestowed upon John Polkinghorne for his research on the relation of science and Religion.

  • Published Once Again

    In his book "Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship" published 2007: He breaks down the relationship of science and religion; as well as the values shared between them.

  • John Polkinghorne "Why is the Quantum so Mysterious"

    https://www.closertotruth.com/series/why-the-quantum-so-mysterios

  • Works Cited

    Turner, Darrel, J. "John Polkinghorne" Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. Oct 12, 2018. URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Polkinghorne