The Science of Theology

Reviewed Book: Evans, Gillian R. The Science of Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986. History of Christian Theology; 1

Theology and the culture of the sciences

This is a PDF version of an article published in New Blackfriars© 2000. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.This article discusses the relationship between religion and science. It focuses on facts and values, encultured science, exploring elements of scientific culture, theology and scientism, and theology and the future of science

Difference within Theology of Nature: The Strategies of Intelligibility and Credibility

This author examines and augments a particular aspect of Ian Barbour's well-known fourfold typology for relating religion and science (conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration) in order to clarify two options available for theology as it develops a robust view of creation in conversation with modern science. Within integration, Barbour identifies several subtypes, including "theology of nature." The Gifford Lectures of Arthur Peacocke and John Polkinghorne provide important examples of theology of nature, yet differences between their approaches remain unexplained within Barbour's typology. An explanation is offered here, showing that Peacocke and Polkinghorne employ two distinct strategies to construct a theology of nature: the strategy of intelligibility and the strategy of credibility. After characterizing these strategies, the author suggests that at present the relationship between them takes the form of a dilemma

Simone Weil\u27s Spiritual Critique of Modern Science: An Historical-Critical Assessment

This paper evaluates Simone Weil\u27s philosophy and theology of science from the perspective of an historical phenomenology of science

Theology of Creation and Natural Science

The author advocates for the mediating role of philosophy in the dialogues between science and theology, in particular, the dialogues to clarify that the creation of biblical faith is the same entity as the cosmos of scientific study. He points out that most current scientific concepts, such as \'field,\' have a prior history of usage in philosophical discourse, before being modified for usage in scientific contexts. This example, together with associated concepts, holds special promise for developing a contemporary theology of divine presence and action

Communication, cultural form and theology

This essay explores some relationships between the areas of communication science and theology, beginning with a brief examination of what is called the \u27cultural studies\u27 model of communication and the institutional roles of communication in contemporary society. The second section presents a look at some models of communication interacting with theology in an earlier historical era, while the third reviews some contemporary models of communication within theology. The last section also examines the contemporary period but focusses on more specific projects

The Advancement of New Theology Using New Science: The Three Key Concepts of Thomas Torrance

The author begins with a selective outline of historical understandings of the concepts of space and time, in order to demonstrate their import for and engagement with theology. She then procedes to organize the three key concepts in Torrance\'s thought that are the most significant to the advancement of contemporary theology using insights from \"new science.\

The Use of Science in Theology: Case Studies of Thomas F. Torrance and Langdon B. Gilkey

Problem . The purpose of this dissertation is to address the problem of the use of science in theology in the writings of Thomas F. Torrance and Langdon B. Gilkey. Chapter 1 introduces the problem in terms ofdefinitions of science and theology, and thehistory of the use of science in theology. Attention is given to definitions of science as exclusive or inclusive of theology; and to definitions of theology as the study of God and/or the study of divine revelation. Thehistorical background to the problem is surveyed in terms of premodern, modern, and postmodern shifts in science and in the use of scientific theory and method in theology. Methodology . Chapters 2 and 3 analytically describe Torrance\u27s and Gilkey\u27s models for the use of science in theology. The following questions are addressed. Who are Torranceand Gilkey? Do they propose models for the use of science in theology? Are their models responsive to the postmodern shift in science, theology, and the use of science in theology? Are their models Christocentric, bibliocentric, or cosmocentric? Is a dialogical or dialectic/correlational model indicated intheir references to the uses and the limits of the use of science in theology? Are thepostmodern, dialogical, and dialectical elements of their models controlled by theChristocentric and cosmocentric structure oftheir models? Chapter 4 compares and contrasts their models. Chapter 5 summarizes the dissertation, its conclusions, and recommendations for further study. Conclusions . In response to the postmodern shift, Torrance proposes a Christocentric-dialogical model for the use of science in theology while Gilkey proposes a cosmocentric-dialectical model. There is comparison and contrast between the models in each area evaluated in this study. From each other\u27s perspectives, contrasting elements and elements of comparison may indicate non-viability or viability of parts oftheir models. Another perspective would result from the use of a comprehensively revelational model based on biblical revelation. Such a model could provide a biblical interpretation of divine revelation inChrist and the cosmos and also be responsive to the postmodern shift in the use of science in theology

Cog and the Creativity of God

The construction of a humanoid robot may be within reach. The science of artificial intelligence (AI) offers new understandings to contemporary Christian theology. First of all, the emerging field of embodied intelligence discloses the wholeness of the human being, correcting the tendency in Christian theology toward an anthropological dualism of body and soul. Secondly, artificial intelligence offers fresh understandings of the human mind, with implications for how human creativity reflects the creativity of God

Natural Religion

IS NATURE ENOUGH? TRUTH AND MEANING IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE by JOHN F. HAUGHT Cambridge University Press, 232 pages, $19.99 JOHN HAUGHT ASKS, "IS nature enough?"--which naturally elicits the question, "Enough for what?" Indeed, one way to understand the age-old debate between science and religion is to see it as an argument as to whether there is something about nature that nature is not enough to explain. Among contemporary theologians, Haught is one of the few scientifically serious enough to come up with a case that scientists could take seriously--even if only as a philosophical proposal. The Landegger Distinguished Research Professor of Theology at Georgetown University, Haught addresses them by continuing the long career he has made of advocating engagement between theology and modern science (as opposed to the easier and more popular options of "conflict" and "separation"). .