Can Christians take seriously the claims of modern science without compromising their theological integrity? Can theology contribute to our understanding of the natural world without reducing the doctrine of creation to a few flashpoint issues? While there is no shortage of works that treat the intersection between science and religion, little attention has been paid to the theological reception of developments of modern science. Yet a deeper look at the history of Christian thought offers a wealth of insight from theological giants for navigating this complex terrain.
Science and the Doctrine of Creation examines how influential modern theologians―from the turn of the nineteenth century through the present―have engaged the scientific developments of their times in light of the doctrine of creation. In each chapter a leading Christian thinker introduces readers to the unique contributions of a key theologian in responding to the assumptions,claims, and methods of science. Chapters include
- Kevin J. Vanhoozer on T. F. Torrance
- Katherine Sonderegger on Karl Barth
- Craig G. Bartholomew on Abraham Kuyper
- Christoph Schwöbel on Wolfhart Pannenberg
Edited by Geoffrey Fulkerson and Joel Chopp of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, this book grows out of the Henry Center's Creation Project, which promotes biblically faithful and scientifically engaged dialogue around the doctrine of creation. From Warfield's critical appraisal of Darwinian evolution to Pannenberg's pneumatological reflections on field theory, these studies explore how Christians can think more carefully about the issues at stake using the theological resources of their traditions.
Alister McGrath is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at Oxford, and (from 2015 to 2018) Gresham Professor of Divinity. His previous posts include Professor of Theology and Education at King’s College, London, and Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University. Alister gained first class honours from Oxford University in Chemistry (1975) and first class honours in Theology (1978).He holds an Oxford DPhil (1978) for his research in molecular biology, a DD from Oxford University’s Faculty of Theology for his work in historical and systematic theology (2001), and a DLitt from Oxford University’s Division of Humanities for his research in science and religion (2013). He was elected FRSA in 2005, in recognition of his work as a public intellectual.
Geoffrey H. Fulkerson (PhD, TEDS) is director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is founder and editor-in-chief of HCTU's periodical, Sapientia.
Joel Thomas Chopp (PhD candidate, University of Toronto) is project and communications manager for the Henry Center's Creation Project. He also serves as associate editor of Sapientia.
