Canon Arthur Peacocke; Biochemist-theologian
Hyfler/Rosner
Biochemist-theologian who was a leading contributor to the
dialogue between science and religion
The Independent
John Polkinghorne
06 November 2006
Arthur Peacocke was internationally recognised as one of the
leading figures in the vigorous dialogue taking place today
between science and religion. Attracted to Christianity in
his youth, he became detached from the Church while an
undergraduate chemist, but a sermon by Archbishop William
Temple that he heard delivered in Oxford showed him that
religious belief could be approached in a style of
intellectual openness and scrupulosity. The resulting return
to the faith was to bear much fruit over many years.
From Watford Grammar School, he had gone up to Exeter
College, Oxford, in 1942, subsequently researching for a
DPhil under the guidance of the Nobel laureate Sir Cyril
Hinshelwood. Later Peacocke was to take the Oxford degrees
of DSc and DD, an unusual and distinguished combination. He
gave an account of his personal explorations in both science
and theology in an autobiographical chapter in his book From
DNA to Dean (1996).
Peacocke's scientific career flourished as he concentrated
on problems in physical biochemistry. These included the
study of properties of DNA, just at the time that its
structure was being elucidated by Francis Crick and James
Watson. Later, Peacocke's interests turned to the
irreversible nature of biological processes, resulting in
the publication of An Introduction to the Physical Chemistry
of Biological Organisation (1983). It was a summation of his
lifelong interest in thermodynamical problems. After 10
years lecturing at Birmingham University (1948-59), he
returned to Oxford as Lecturer in Biochemistry and a Fellow
of St Peter's College, positions he held from 1959 to 1973.
While at Birmingham, Peacocke had been encouraged by the
Professor of Theology, Geoffrey Lampe, to continue his
intellectual exploration of Christian thinking by taking a
theological degree. At the same time, he had become a
Licensed Lay Reader in the Church of England. The
sacramental principle had been of great importance to
Peacocke in his own spiritual life and he began to long to
exercise a full sacramental ministry as a priest.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1971 in Christ Church
Cathedral, by Kenneth Woolcombe, then Bishop of Oxford. Two
years later he was invited to become Fellow and Dean of
Clare College, Cambridge. Peacocke tells us that the
decision to leave Oxford and go to Cambridge was "not easy",
but it proved a successful move and he remained at Clare for
11 years. During this time he taught in both the theological
and science faculties. In 1984, the call came to return to
Oxford as Director of the newly established Ian Ramsey
Centre. After retirement, Peacocke remained in Oxford,
becoming an Honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral.
Arthur Peacocke received many invitations to deliver named
lectures on issues in science and religion. Among the most
significant of these were his Bampton Lectures in 1979 and
the Gifford Lectures at St Andrews in 1993. The first of
these resulted in the widely influential book Creation and
the World of Science (1979) and the second produced what
most would consider his most important work, Theology for a
Scientific Age (1993).
As a biologist, Peacocke was able to give a positive
theological interpretation of evolution, emphasising that
God is no cosmic despot keeping tight control of creation;
rather, the history of the world is to be understood
theologically as an unfolding exploration and unending
improvisation of great and continuing fruitfulness, in which
creator and creatures both participate. He delighted to
illustrate these insights with metaphors drawn from music,
which meant so much to him in his personal life.
Although Peacocke quite often spoke in a revisionary mode
about the need for modifications in theological discourse,
he also had respect for the insights of the past, taking
with great seriousness the importance of the New Testament
witness and expressing his admiration for the truth-seeking
stance taken by thinkers such as Origen, Augustine and
Anselm.
He was robustly critical of scientistic reductionism, often
remarking that "atoms and molecules are not more real than
cells, or populations of cells, or human communities, or
human persons". Like many scientist-theologians, he took a
critical realist view of the nature of human knowledge, both
in relation to science and to theology, a position that he
defended in Intimations of Reality (1984).
In addition to his many personal contributions to the
dialogue between science and religion, Peacocke also played
an important role in founding a number of organisations that
have played important parts in facilitating that dialogue.
In the early 1970s he was a leader in the discussions that
led to the formation of the Science and Religion Forum in
the United Kingdom, whose annual discussion meetings have
proved a very successful enterprise. Peacocke was the
forum's first chairman. Later he was active in the founding
of the European Society for the Study of Science and
Theology.
Perhaps his most imaginative and fruitful achievement in
this field was the conception and foundation in 1987 of the
Society of Ordained Scientists, a kind of "dispersed
religious community", prayerfully linking together clergy
with serious scientific concerns. Peacocke was SOSc's first
Warden.
Peacocke received much international recognition of his
achievements, including honorary degrees and the award of
the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2001.
His marriage to Rosemary Mann, one of HM Inspectors of
Schools, was obviously one of great happiness and mutual
support. They had two children, a son who is a professor of
philosophy and a daughter who is an Anglican priest.
Arthur Peacocke bore his last illness with great fortitude
and faith, in a way that was an inspiration to his many
friends.
John Polkinghorne
Arthur Robert Peacocke, biochemist and priest: born Watford,
Hertfordshire 29 November 1924; Assistant Lecturer, then
Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer in Biophysical Chemistry,
Birmingham University 1948-59; Lecturer in Biochemistry,
Oxford University 1959-73; Fellow and Tutor in Chemistry,
subsequently in Biochemistry, St Peter's College, Oxford
1959-73; Lecturer in Chemistry, Mansfield College, Oxford
1964-73; ordained deacon 1971, priest 1971; Dean and Fellow,
Clare College, Cambridge 1973-84; Director, Ian Ramsey
Centre, Oxford 1985-88, 1995-99; Fellow, St Cross College,
Oxford 1985-88; Honorary Chaplain, Christ Church Cathedral
1988-96, 2001-04, Honorary Canon, Oxford 1995-2004
(Emeritus); MBE 1993; Templeton Prize for Progress in
Religion 2001; married 1948 Rosemary Mann (one son, one
daughter); died Oxford 21 October 2006.