Ruminating on Ruse: Key Themes in the Evolutionary Naturalism of Michael Ruse

Philosopher of biology Michael Ruse (1940-2024) was a leading voice in the "science and religion" debates of our times. While himself a "nonbeliever," he contended that an informed and intelligent person can be perfectly "religious," even in this age of science. He argued for a "middle" position with regard to matters of faith and science, particularly with respect to evolutionary biology. Ruse sought a more peaceful or irenic resolution to tensions between biology and religion than those offered by intelligent design. Moreover, he became a highly productive theorist of spirituality and values prior to his untimely death. In this volume leading academics enter into critical but appreciative engagement with different areas of Ruse's scholarly work. This is a perfect companion volume to Reading Ruse, which it is designed to fit alongside.

Dr. Bradford L. McCall holds a B.S. in Biology (2000), four Master's in Religion or Philosophy (2005)-M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary; 2011-MA in Church History and Doctrine from Regent University [Thesis: Charles Sanders Peirce, Theology, & Teleology: A (Late-)Modern Synthesis]; 2017-MA in Systematic Philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary [Thesis: A Modern Relation of Science & Theology Assisted by the Evolutionary Developmental Philosophy of Peirce]; 2020-MA in Religious Studies from Claremont School of Theology [awarded on the successful passage of the Comprehensive Exams Areas delineated below]), and a PhD in Comparative Theology from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, CA, wherein his interdisciplinary dissertation was entitled Contingency and Divine Activity: Toward A Contemporary Conception of Divine Involvement in an Evolutionary World, which was successfully defended 22 September, 2021. His Doktor vater & dissertation chair was the distinguished Dr. Philip Clayton (Claremont School of Theology). The other members of his committee were similarly distinguished in their areas of expertise: Dr. Ingolf U. Dalferth (Claremont Graduate University) and Dr. Roland Faber (Claremont School of Theology). McCall has written nearly 40 peer-reviewed Journal Articles and has written or is in the process of writing nearly a dozen books, including: A Modern Relation of Theology and Science Assisted by Emergence and Kenosis (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2018); as ed. God and Gravity: A Philip Clayton Reader on Science and Theology with an Autobiographical Chapter by Philip Clayton (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2018); Evolution: Secular or Sacred? (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2020); The God of Chance & Purpose: Divine Involvement in a Secular Evolutionary World (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2022); Macroevolution, Contingency and Divine Activity: Divine Involvement Through Uncontrolling, Amorepotent Love in an Evolutionary World (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2023); as ed., Reading Ruse: Michael Ruse on Darwinism, Science, & Faith, with an Autobiographical Chapter by Michael Ruse (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 10/2024); Theological Briefs: Triangulating Religion, Belief, & Faith in the 21st Century (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024); Theological Briefs: The Advent of Grace (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2025); and as ed., Ruminating on Ruse: Key Themes in the Evolutionary Naturalism of Michael Ruse (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2025); Theological Briefs: A Christian Natural Theology of Chance & Contingency--Towards An Evolutionary Telos for Late-Modern Theology (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2025): Under Review; as ed., The Peacocke's Tale: An Arthur R. Peacocke Reader on Science & Faith, with a Foreword by Philip Clayton (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2026): Under Review.

Anthony O'Hear is professor of philosophy at the University of Buckingham, UK. He was director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and editor of its journal Philosophy for twenty-five years. In 2018 he was appointed OBE for his services to education.