--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the scientific community, the…" description: "\"“In the scientific community, the adjective ‘theological’ is some- times used pejoratively to refer to a vague or ill-formulated belief. I believe this..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/john-polkinghorne-14266_faith_in-the-scientific-community-the-adjectiv_995109.jpg" --- # In the scientific community, the adjective ‘theological’… ![“In the scientific community, the adjective ‘theological’ is some- times used pejoratively to refer to a vague or ill-formulated belief. I believe this usage to be very far from the truth. It sad- dens me that some of my colleagues remain unaware of the truth-seeking intent and rational…” quote by John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/john-polkinghorne-14266_faith_in-the-scientific-community-the-adjectiv_995109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/john-polkinghorne-14266_faith_in-the-scientific-community-the-adjectiv_995109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/john-polkinghorne-14266_faith_in-the-scientific-community-the-adjectiv_995109.jpg) > ““In the scientific community, the adjective ‘theological’ is some- times used pejoratively to refer to a vague or ill-formulated belief. I believe this usage to be very far from the truth. It sad- dens me that some of my colleagues remain unaware of the truth-seeking intent and rational scrupulosity that character- ise theological discourse at its best.”” [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Theologians are often mischaracterized; true theological work seeks truth with rigorous rationality. **In simple terms:** Theology can be rigorous. Key Takeaway Respect theological scholarship. Themes science theology misconception Mood inquisitive respectful Type academic interdisciplinary When to use this quote - academic seminars - interfaith discussions - educational curricula Key Concepts epistemology faith interdisciplinary dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How can dialogue improve mutual understanding? - What standards should theology meet to be taken seriously? 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It is therefore to be carefully distinguished from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/heresy-is-usually-quite-sophisticated-actually-has-a-meaning-and-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Book of Job and the 19th Psalm, which even the Church admits to be more ancient than the chronological order in which they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-book-of-job-and-the-19th-psalm-which-even-the-church-admits-to-be/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More by John Polkinghorne > [It is the faithfulness of God that allows epistemology to model ontology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/it-is-the-faithfulness-of-god-that-allows-epistemology-to-model/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [However, as the Eastern churches have always maintained, through Christ creation is intended eventually to share in the life of God, the life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/however-as-the-eastern-churches-have-always-maintained-through-christ/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [I think it's very important to maintain the classical Christian distinction between the Creator and creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/i-think-it-s-very-important-to-maintain-the-classical-christian/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [Science cannot tell theology how to construct a doctrine of creation, but you can't construct a doctrine of creation without taking account of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/science-cannot-tell-theology-how-to-construct-a-doctrine-of-creation/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [I'm a very passionate believer in the unity of knowledge. 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