Practicing to Aim at Truth

Beginning with her award-winning book Theology in the Age of Scientific Reasoning (1990), Nancey Murphy has used philosophy of science as a way into, and catalyst for, fresh thinking in cosmology, divine action, epistemology, cognitive neuroscience, theological anthropology, philosophy of mind, and Christian virtue ethics. The essays in this book, written by her students and colleagues, creatively honor Murphy by extending a number of her core insights within their respective disciplines. An introduction provides both an account of Murphy's unique location (an Anabaptist teaching at an evangelical graduate institution) and a summary of her contributions to theology as a philosopher of science whose corpus more than any other epitomizes the paradigm shift in philosophy sometimes called ""Anglo-American postmodernity."" Subsequently, fourteen essays provide unique engagements with Murphy on subjects including divine action, the interaction between science and theology, epistemology, the nature of humanity, and political theology. In its entirety, Practicing to Aim at Truth provides the first in-depth interaction with and extension of Nancey Murphy's unique school of thought, providing a resource both for those wishing to extend her research program as well as those wishing to understand it charitably in order to critique it. ""Thoughtful and inspiring, this volume is a fitting tribute to the enduring academic accomplishment of Professor Nancey Murphy--a leading Christian voice in postmodern Anglo-American philosophy and non-foundational theology. The collection of illuminating essays evinces a thorough engagement with the rich legacy of Murphy's creative scholarship in all its breadth and complexity. The book is a compelling affirmation of the lasting importance of Murphy's stimulating contributions to the contemporary development of philosophical theology."" --Parush R. Parushev, Vice-Rector of the International Baptist Theological Study Centre, Amsterdam ""Newson and Kallenberg are to be congratulated for putting together this stimulating collection of essays, brimming with philosophical and theological insights that expand on numerous significant conversations we've come to associate with Nancey Murphy's creative work. This is a most fitting tribute!"" --Joel B. Green, Dean of the School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary ""Perhaps no scholar has contributed more to the formation of religion/science as a disciplined field than Nancey Murphy. This beautifully structured collection offers the best introduction to her life's work, stretching from the methodology of science and religion to theological anthropology, and from cosmology and Christian theology to the ethical and political implications of her thought. The essays demonstrate the encyclopedic nature of Murphy's scholarship and the enduring significance of her thought."" --Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology Ryan Andrew Newson (PhD) teaches in the department of religion and philosophy at Campbell University in North Carolina. He is the coeditor of The Collected Works of James Wm. McClendon, Jr. (2014) and author of several scholarly articles. Brad J. Kallenberg is Professor of Theology at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He is the author of Ethics as Grammar (2001), Live to Tell (2002), God and Gadgets (2011), By Design (2013), and numerous scholarly articles.

Ryan Andrew Newson (PhD) teaches in the department of religion and philosophy at Campbell University in North Carolina. He is the coeditor of The Collected Works of James Wm. McClendon, Jr. (2014) and author of several scholarly articles.


Brad J. Kallenberg is Professor of Theology at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He is author of Ethics as Grammar (2001), Live to Tell (2002), God and Gadgets (2011), and numerous scholarly articles.