Dancing with the Sacred: Evolution, Ecology, And God - Softcover

Peters, Karl

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563383934 ISBN 13: 9781563383939

Publisher: Trinity Press International, 2002

Synopsis

Karl Peters, culminating a lifetime of leadership in the science and religion dialogue, offers a rare combination of both theory and practice, the learned and the existential. Here is an exemplary role model of participating in the creative process -- what Peters metaphorically calls 'dancing with the sacred.' -- Holmes Rolston, University Distinguished Professor, Colorado State University

About this title

About the Author

Karl E. Peters is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, and President of the Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science.

Reviews

Although the title of his book seems to suggest otherwise, it is the dance itself that is sacred in the naturalistic theism that Peters develops: the sacred isn't a dance partner; the sacred is the dance of life. Readers unfamiliar with naturalistic theism will find Peters' accessible style a good medium for becoming acquainted with it, particularly if they are interested in ways of thinking about the sacred that don't require personal images of God. Many may also find Peters' treatment of Darwin and evolutionary psychology helpful for thinking about relationships between religion and science. In developing his image of the sacred dance, Peters briefly introduces the thought of American philosopher C. S. Peirce and pursues process thought and Taoism at greater length. An excellent popular work on its subject, suitable to a broad range of readers. Steven Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

If modern science, and evolution in particular, leads you to conclude that no personal God governs the universe, does that make you an atheist? No, replies Zygon editor Peters (philosophy and religion, emeritus, Rollins Coll.). In lieu of a personal God, he describes a "naturalistic theism, in which the sacred or divine is thought of as a system of nonpersonal processes within the natural world." In other words, the divine character of reality is expressed in the very forces of cosmic and biological evolution. Variations arise, and through the processes of nature some of these variations spawn new aspects of existence: reality is both designless and bubbling with creativity. God is not one with whom we dance; God is the dance itself. Whether this qualifies as theism is a matter of definition. There is little that is new here theologians such as John Cobb, Arthur Peacock, and Ted Peters have addressed the religious implications of science in more detail. Nonetheless, Peters's vibrant optimism and joy of life comes ringing forth from his science-based spirituality. Recommended for all libraries. Steve Young, McHenry Cty. Coll., Crystal Lake, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Trinity Press International
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563383934
• ISBN 13: 9781563383939
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 182