Resting on the Future: Catholic Theology for an Unfinished Universe

Description

Science has now demonstrated without a doubt that we live in an “unfinished universe.” Discoveries in geology, biology, cosmology and other fields of scientific inquiry have shown that the cosmos has a narrative character and that the story is far from over. The sense of a universe that is still coming into being provides a fertile new framework for thinking about the relationship of faith to science. John F. Haught argues that if we take seriously the fact that the universe is a drama still unfolding, we can think new thoughts about God, and indeed about all the perennial themes of theology. Science’s recent realization that the universe is dramatic, however, has yet to penetrate deeply into either spiritual or intellectual life. Most Christian thought and spirituality still presuppose an essentially static universe while influential academic and intellectual culture remains stuck in a stagnant materialist naturalism and cosmic pessimism. Resting on the Future asks about the meaning of an unfinished universe from the point of view of both Christian theology and contemporary intellectual life. Each chapter covers a distinct aspect of what Haught takes to be an essential transition to a new age in Catholic life and thought. Biology, cosmology, and other fields of science now provide the setting for a wholesome transformation of Catholic thought Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction A word about science and theology Chapter 1 Nature: From Sacrament to Promise Chapter 2 God: From Governor to Goal Alternatives to hope The world rests on the future Chapter 3 Doctrine: From Deposit to Development No official condemnation Bernard Lonergan and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Summary Chapter 4 Spirituality: From Contemplation to Anticipation Vatican II Teilhard’s “Analysis and Synthesis” Chapter 5 Life: From Design to Drama Dramatic patience Three ways of looking at the cosmos and evolution Interpreting life Chapter 6 Evolution: From Outcomes to Opportunities A contemporary Catholic theology of nature Evolution as opportunity The suffering of sentient life Chapter 7 Suffering: From Expiation to Expectation Order and expiation Providence and pain: From expiation to expectation The unfinished universe and the end of expiation Summary Chapter 8 Dignity: From Static to Dramatic Contemporary cosmology and personal dignity Chapter 9 Destiny: From Individual to Cosmic Ancient precedents Chapter 10 Mind: From Afterthought to Axis The significance of Bernard Lonergan Implications for cosmology and theology Chapter 11 Morality: From Perfectionism to Process What is going on? Beyond perfectionism Chapter 12 Ecology: From Preservation to Preparation The archaeological approach The analogical approach The anticipatory approach Chapter 13 Humanity: From Term to Transition Three options A proposal Chapter 14 Meaning: From Order to Information Information and meaning Noise, redundancy, and revelation Information and emergence Notes Bibliography Index