Human Significance in Theology and the Natural Sciences

Human Significance in Theology and the Natural Sciences

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  • Author: Christopher L. Fisher
  • Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
  • ISBN: 1606080539
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 368

The Medieval Worldview that Regarded Human Beings as at the Center of God's plans for His universe has long been regarded as obsolete; its synthesis of Christian theology and Greek philosophy having collapsed under the weight of Copernicus, Galileo, and Darwin. The popular stereotype is that Science, both in the Copernican revolution that dethroned the earth-centered view of the cosmos and in subsequent developments in evolutionary theory and general relativity, has marginalized and trivialized human existence, revealing humanity's "place in the cosmos" to be accidental, peripheral, and ultimately meaningless. However, an investigation into both modern Christian theology and contemporary twenty-first century Science reveals just the opposite, providing solid evidence in the interdisciplinary dialogue concerning the significance of humanity within the universe. In this important study, Christopher Fisher analyzes several modern theologians, including Wolfhart Pannenberg, Karl Rahner, and John Zizioulas, to reveal how contemporary ecumenical theology is deeply and intrinsically committed to a high view of human cosmic significance as a consequence of Christianity's indelible Trinitarian and incarnational faith. Fisher then demonstrates how research in contemporary natural Science confirms this finding in its own way, as recent primate intelligence studies, artificial intelligence research, and even the quest for extra-terrestrial intelligence reveal the wonder of human uniqueness. A contemporary version of the teleological argument also resurfaces in consideration of cosmic evolutionary perspectives on human existence. Even ecological concerns take on a new poignancy with the realization that, among material creatures, only human beings are capable of addressing the world's situation. This interdisciplinary study uncovers the surprising coherence and convergence of Christian Theology and Natural Science on the subject of human existence and significance here at the beginning of the twenty-first century, and it highlights the very unique role of humanity in global and cosmic history. "Through an incisive study of several leading twentieth-century theologians, Chris Fisher explores the ecumenical consensus for a strong reading of human cosmic significance. While acknowledging problems surrounding earlier forms of anthropocentrism, he argues that Christian theology remains wedded to a high understanding of the place of human beings in the economy of creation and salvation. This is a valuable contribution to an important debate in contemporary theology."---David Fergusson, University of Edinburgh "This is a fascinating work on the interface between theology and science... The author's remarkable breadth of knowledge, clarity of thought, and lucid writing style enable him to help the reader to understand the coherence between science and faith. This scholarly work is an irenic and well-informed presentation of the Christian faith and will become one of the primary textbooks in theology, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of science."---Laurence W. Wood, Asbury Theological Seminary


The Human Person in Science and Theology

The Human Person in Science and Theology

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  • Author: Niels Henrik Gregersen
  • Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
  • ISBN:
  • Category : Persons
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 236

The concept of human personhood is central to theology and philosophy. It has also become crucial in interdisciplinary fields like bioethics and theology and science.


Human Person in Science and Theology

Human Person in Science and Theology

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  • Author: Niels Henrik Gregersen
  • Publisher: A&C Black
  • ISBN: 0567086925
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 231

The dialogue between science and theology is no longer confined to discussing theology, physics and biology, but, as these essays make clear, sociology, psychology & neuroscience are now open for discussions between theologians and scientists.


The Territories of Human Reason

The Territories of Human Reason

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  • Author: Alister E. McGrath
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • ISBN: 0192542508
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 288

Our understanding of human rationality has changed significantly since the beginning of the century, with growing emphasis being placed on multiple rationalities, each adapted to the specific tasks of communities of practice. We may think of the world as an ontological unity-but we use a plurality of methods to investigate and represent this world. This development has called into question both the appeal to a universal rationality, characteristic of the Enlightenment, and also the simple 'modern-postmodern' binary. The Territories of Human Reason is the first major study to explore the emergence of multiple situated rationalities. It focuses on the relation of the natural sciences and Christian theology, but its approach can easily be extended to other disciplines. It provides a robust intellectual framework for discussion of transdisciplinarity, which has become a major theme in many parts of the academic world. Alister E. McGrath offers a major reappraisal of what it means to be 'rational' which will have significant impact on older discussions of this theme. He sets out to explore the consequences of the seemingly inexorable move away from the notion of a single universal rationality towards a plurality of cultural and domain-specific methodologies and rationalities. What does this mean for the natural sciences? For the philosophy of science? For Christian theology? And for the interdisciplinary field of science and religion? How can a single individual hold together scientific and religious ideas, when these arise from quite different rational approaches? This groundbreaking volume sets out to engage these questions and will provoke intense discussion and debate.


Science and the Study of God

Science and the Study of God

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  • Author: Alan G. Padgett
  • Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
  • ISBN: 9780802839411
  • Category : God
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 236

For many today, religion and science are seen as enemies battling for human hearts and minds. In this new book Alan Padgett shows that they can and should work together in developing a worldview that is at once spiritually meaningful and scientifically sound. Pursuing a perspective that he calls the "mutuality model," Padgett highlights the contributions that both religion and science make to a full understanding of the world and our place in it. He argues convincingly that the natural sciences and theology can rationally influence each other without giving up their important distinctives and methods. The book explores the nature of informal reason and worldviews, the character of theology as a spiritual and academic discipline, and the question of what counts as natural science. Along the way, Padgett discusses such topics as thermodynamics, time, resurrection, and the historical Jesus as examples of the powerful model that he is developing.


Science & Religion

Science & Religion

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  • Author: Alister E. McGrath
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • ISBN: 1119599881
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 272

The leading introductory textbook on the study of religion and the natural sciences, including new coverage of the latest topics in the field Science and Religion provides students with a thorough introduction to the major themes and landmark debates in the interaction of science and religion. Incorporating history, philosophy, the natural sciences, and theology, this popular textbook examines how science and religion approach central questions and discusses the relationship between the two areas through the centuries. The authoritative and accessible chapters are designed for readers with minimal knowledge of science or theology. Written by one of the world’s leading authorities on the study of religion and science, this fully revised and updated third edition addresses contemporary topics and reflects the latest conceptual developments in the field. New and expanded chapters and case studies discuss Scientism, evolutionary theodicy, the Theory of Relativity, warranted belief in science and religion, the influence of science and religion on human values, and more. The most up-to-date introduction to this exciting and rapidly growing field, this textbook: Offers an engaging, thematically-based approach to the subject Provides historical context for major events in science and religion Explores scientific and religious perspectives on Creation and the existence of God Discusses models, analogies, and issues at the intersection of science and religion Is supported by a series of videos that complement each chapter One of the most respected and widely adopted textbooks in the field, Science and Religion: A New Introduction, 3rd Edition is an ideal resource for college, seminary, and university students in courses in science and religion; church or community courses in the relation of science and faith; and general readers looking for an inclusive overview of the field.


The Apologetic Value of Human Holiness

The Apologetic Value of Human Holiness

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  • Author: Victoria S. Harrison
  • Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
  • ISBN: 9780792366171
  • Category : History
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 262

The Apologetic Value of Human Holiness begins by providing the first comprehensive account of the model of human holiness developed by the leading theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. In so doing, the book also provides the first detailed explication of his Christocentric philosophical anthropology. Part 2 argues that von Balthasar anticipates some key developments in late twentieth-century Anglo-American analytical philosophy, and that certain of these developments - in particular, the `internal realism' of Hilary Putnam - provide powerful support for von Balthasar's theological philosophy. The final part elucidates von Balthasar's core intuition that human holiness is of immense apologetic value for religious faith, and concludes with a new, `internalist' theory of religious pluralism. The Apologetic Value of Human Holiness will be seen as an important and original contribution to both Philosophy of Religion and Theology, and is likely to prove essential reading in upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate courses in both subjects.


Religion and the Human Sciences

Religion and the Human Sciences

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  • Author: Daniel A. Helminiak
  • Publisher: State University of New York Press
  • ISBN: 143840641X
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 356

Proposes a new paradigm for interdisciplinary studies by applying the thought of Bernard Lonergan to define spirituality as the missing link between religion and theology.


God and Nature

God and Nature

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  • Author: David C. Lindberg
  • Publisher: Univ of California Press
  • ISBN: 0520056922
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 528

Since the publication in 1896 of Andrew Dickson White's classic History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom, no comprehensive history of the subject has appeared in the English language. Although many twentieth-century historians have written on the relationship between Christianity and science, and in the process have called into question many of White's conclusions, the image of warfare lingers in the public mind. To provide an up-to-date alternative, based on the best available scholarship and written in nontechnical language, the editors of this volume have assembled an international group of distinguished historians. In eighteen essays prepared especially for this book, these authors cover the period from the early Christian church to the twentieth century, offering fresh appraisals of such encounters as the trial of Galileo, the formulation of the Newtonian worldview, the coming of Darwinism, and the ongoing controversies over “scientific creationism.” They explore not only the impact of religion on science, but also the influence of science and religion. This landmark volume promises not only to silence the persistent rumors of war between Christianity and science, but also serve as the point of departure for new explorations of their relationship, Scholars and general readers alike will find it provocative and readable.


Historicity of Nature

Historicity of Nature

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  • Author: Wolfhart Pannenberg
  • Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press
  • ISBN: 1599471256
  • Category : Religion
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 267

Known as one of the most outstanding theologians of the twentieth century, Wolfhart Pannenberg is also considered a great interdisciplinary thinker. Now, essays and articles on science and theology that are central to understanding Pannenberg's theories have been collected into one volume. Niels Henrik Gregersen, a former student of Pannenberg and now professor of systematic theology at Copenhagen University, has compiled the writings in four sections: Methodology, Creation and Nature's Historicity, Religion and Anthropology, and Meaning and Metaphysics. Included in this volume are: •Translations of Pannenberg's principled argument for the consonance between science and religion, including contingency and laws of nature, field theories and space-time, and divine action •Translations of Pannenberg's theory of theology as a rational hypothetical science, including his discussions with leading British and American scholars such as A. N. Whitehead, John Cobb, and Langdon Gilkey •Previously unpublished articles on the problems between science and theology in the course of modern history, explaining why chance may be more important for theology than design •Translations of seminal articles that articulate Pannenberg's understanding of the role of religion in human nature •One of the few theological articles on aggression as a psychological and social phenomenon With this collection, the essays of this important contemporary theologian and his illuminating views are presented in one convenient volume.