God's Action in the World: A New Philosophical Analysis

Description

The problem of God's action in the world is at the heart of debates today on the relationship between science and religion. By analysing the issue through the lens of analytic philosophy, Marek Slomka reveals how philosophy can successfully bridge science and theology to bring greater clarity to divine action. This book identifies essential aspects from various branches of theism, starting with traditional Thomistic approaches, through to their modified forms such as Molinism and contemporary varieties such as free-will theism and probabilistic theism. Analysing crucial elements of God's nature including omnipotence, omniscience, his relation to time and the tension between immanence and transcendence, Slomka reveals the difficulties in proposing a single conception of God through one theistic tradition. Instead of simplistically juxtaposing particular theistic trends, he highlights the value of pluralistic insights that also draw on important scientific theories, including Darwin's evolution, quantum mechanics and cosmology. By taking a renewed stance on theism that takes into account modern scientific knowledge, Slomka argues for a new presentation of the problem of God's action in the world.

Marek Slomka is Associate Professor in the Philosophy of Religion Department at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.

This book answers an urgent need in the discussion of divine action by providing historical background and insightful analysis for key philosophical concepts and issues. * Michael J. Dodds, OP, Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, USA * One of the richest and clearest presentations of issues in contemporary philosophy of religion that I have read recently. Not only is it up to date in its interpretation of American and British literature on the topic, but it also introduces readers to the rich and largely neglected Polish resources of relevance to interpretations of the question of divine action and other themes in the philosophy of theistic religion. A valuable resource for years to come. * John F Haught, Distinguished Research Professor, Georgetown University, USA *