Dr. Polkinghorne is the recipient of the Templeton Prize for Progress in Science and Religion, was appointed KBE (Knight Commander of the order of the British Empire), and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society; Honorary Professor of Physics at the University of Kent; Fellow, Dean and Chaplain Trinity Hall, Cambridge; Chairman of the Science, Medicine and Technology Committee of the Church of England's Board of Social Responsibility; Chairman of the joint working party on Cloning of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Human Fertlization and Embryology Authority; Member of the General Synod and the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England; Chairman of the Committee on the use of Foetal Material; Chairman of the Nuclear Physics Board; Chairman of the Task Force to Review Services for Drug Misusers; Chairman of the Governors of the Perse School, Cambridge; Co-Founder of the Society of Ordained Scientists; and a Member of the Medical Ethics Committee of the British Medical Association.

His books include Quantum Mechanics: Scientific Perspectives on Divine Action; Science & Theology; The Way the World Is; Models of High Energy Processes; The Analytic S-Matrix; The Particle Play; The Quantum World; World; Science and Creation; Rochester Roundabout: The Story of High Energy Physics; Science and Providence; Review of the Guidance on the Research Use of Fetal Material; Reason and Reality; The Faith of a Physicist (Science and Christian Belief in U.S.); Quarks, Chaos and Christianity; Serious Talk; The Mystery of Salvation; Scientists as Theologians: A Comparison of the writings of Ian Barbour, Arthur Peacocke and John Polkinghorne; A Potent Universe; Beyond Science; Searching for Truth: Lenten Meditations on Science & Faith; Belief in God in an Age of Science; Guide to Genesis (with John Hargreaves): Science and Theology; Faith, Science, and Understanding; The End of the World and the Ends of God: Science and Theology on Eschatology; Traffic in Truth; The Work of Love: Creation as Kenosis; Faith in the Living God: A Dialogue (with Michael Welker); The God of Hope and the End of the World; Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction; Living with Hope; Science and the Trinity; Exploring Reality; Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship; and From Physicist to Priest.

He trained for the Anglican Priesthood at Westcott House, was ordained Deacon, served as Curate in Cambridge (St Andrew's Chesterton) and Bristol (St Michael and All Angels, Bedminster) and was Vicar of Blean (near Canterbury). He has been an Honorary Fellow of St. Chad's College, St Edmund's College, Cambridge, and Trinity Hall; Canon Theologian of Liverpool Cathedral; and Six Preacher, Canterbury Cathedral. He has also received the Von Humboldt Foundation Award and honorary doctoral degrees from University of Kent, University of Durham, University of Exeter, University of Leicester, Marquette University, and Hong Kong Baptist University.