New Directions in Theology and Science: Beyond Dialogue

Description

This book sets out a new agenda for science-theology interactions and offers examples of what that agenda might look like when implemented. It explores, in innovative ways, what follows for science-theology discussions from recent developments in the history of science. The contributions take seriously the historically conditioned nature of the categories ‘science’ and ‘religion’ and consider the ways in which these categories are reinforced in the public sphere. Reflecting on the balance of power between theology and the sciences, the authors demonstrate a commitment to moving beyond traditional models of one-sided dialogue and seek to give theology a more active role in determining the interdisciplinary agenda. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Contributors Introduction Notes References Part I: Theology and the sciences 1. More history, more theology, more philosophy, more science: the state of theological engagement with science Credibility and content Some recent history Prospects: more history, science, theology, partners, philosophy Notes References 2. Theology and science in the field An Anglican climate change observatory in the Solomon Islands: harvesting community-embedded knowledge through church-coordinated hardware The potentials and dangers of scientist-priests Radically pragmatic techniques for working together according to a method typical of fools Finally, what does the "and" stand for? Notes References 3. Religion and the science of climate destabilisation: the case for (re)entanglement Notes References 4. The inflation of nature and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis A worry about reductionism The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis Phenotypic plasticity Genetic accommodation Niche construction The return of the organism An Aristotelian interpretation of the EES The inflation of nature Science and religion after an inflation of nature Notes References Part II: 'Science' and 'religion' in the public sphere 5. Pop science and pop theology: new ways of exploring an old dialogue Introduction Moving beyond the conflict model A new priesthood New narratives of science and religion Conclusion Notes References 6. An unfortunate communicatio idiomatum: on the curious spectacle of two modern inventions morphing into one another in the public square A debate with pre-arranged conclusions "I believe in Science" Literal readings: an unorthodox projection? An unfortunate communicatio idiomatum—and the discreet charm of scientism There is no such a thing as religion Pluralism as the imposition of a doctrine A case study of scientism as the norm and science as the exception: on the secular techno-religion of Yuval Noah Harari Problems addressed in the debate A Eucharistic and dialogical way out? Notes References 7. Is science the theology of modernity? But what if a fully imminent metaphysics undermines meaningful knowledge? To conclude Notes References Part III: Theologies of science 8. Why do scientific research in the twenty-first century? Notes References 9. After an apologetics of conflict: Biblical exegesis for a creation theology of science Creation in Colossians The Christian doctrine of creation is a reason for worship and hope The Christian doctrine of creation has Christ at the centre The Christian doctrine of creation affirms that God is the sole creator of the universe through wisdom The Christian doctrine of creation needs to be seen in the light of the reality of new creation The Christian doctrine of creation sees being human as the gift of intimate relationship with God and with the natural world Creator, creation, chaos, and the human: the Book of Job The dialogues and Yahweh's answer possess a materialistic focus The hymn to wisdom endows humankind with a unique vision into creation The Lord's Answer is an answer A relational human-divine theology of creation in Job-Colossians Notes References 10. Creation as deconstruction in Cusanus, Luther, and Hamann Cusanus and the realism of unknowability Luther on the goodness of creation and the ambiguity of the world Hamann and the rejection of pure reason The common emphases and their actual relevance Conclusion Notes References Afterword: The bigger picture: science, religion, and historical change 11. Divine pedagogy—speculations about "science" and "religion" after the next great breakthrough Origins Axial compromises Our secular age Glaube als option Disenchantment 1 and 2 The immanent frame Bundling and unbundling What has driven these unbundlings? The end of Christendom Bracketing the spiritual Notes References Index