Chaos, Complexity, and God: Divine Action and Scientism

Erscheinungsjahr 2004
ISBN: 978-90-429-1521-3
Verlag: PEETERS PUB

Buch, Englisch, Band 26, 288 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 242 mm, Gewicht: 476 g

Reihe: Studies in Philosophical Theol

In Christian theology, the belief that God is actively involved in earthly affairs is fundamental. Yet it is challenged by the contemporary scientific worldview. The author of this study argues that the current problems with divine action are a consequence of a culturally embedded and tacit scientism according to which science is authoritative in many areas of everyday life, including theology.

This study focuses on theological models that use chaos theory (John Polkinghorne) and theories of self-organizing systems (Arthur Peacocke) to speak about divine action. These models are analyzed and critically assessed. The author concludes that they are problematic, since they do not take sufficiently into account that there is a difference between scientific and religious language. Speaking about divine action in scientific terms rests on a category mistake resulting from scientistic presuppositions. The author also points to alternative possibilities of talking about divine action that take serious the logic of religious language.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Smedes, Ta

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religion & Wissenschaft
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Christliche Theologie und die Wissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Christliche Philosophie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Religion & Wissenschaft
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie