Knowing Creation: Perspectives from Theology, Philosophy, and Science

Description

It is hard to think of an area of Christian theology that provides more scope for interdisciplinary conversation than the doctrine of creation. This doctrine not only invites reflection on an intellectual concept: it calls for contemplation of the endlessly complex, dynamic, and fascinating world that human being inhabit. But the possibilities for wide-ranging discussion are such that scholars sometimes end up talking past one another. Productive conversation requires mutual understanding of insights across disciplinary boundaries. Knowing Creation offers an essential resource for helping scholars from a range of fields to appreciate one another's concerns and perspectives. In so doing, it offers an important step forward in establishing a mutually-enriching dialogue that addresses, amongst others, the following key questions: Who is the God who creates Why does God create What is "creation" What does it mean to recognize that a theology of creation speaks of a natural world that is subject to the observation of the natural sciences What does it mean to talk about both a "natural" order and a "created" order What are the major tensions that have arisen between the natural sciences and Christian thinking historically, and why How can we move beyond such tensions to a positive and constructive conversation, while also avoiding facile notions such as a "god of the gaps" Is it feasible for a natural scientist to maintain a belief in God's continuing creative activity In what ways might a naturalistic understanding of the natural world be said to be limited How can biblical studies, theology, philosophy, history, and science talk better together about these questions At a time when the doctrine of creation - and even a mention of "creation" - has been disparaged due to its supposed associations with anti-scientific dogma, and theological offerings sometimes risk appearing a little more than reactionary exercises in naive apologetics, ill-informed by science or distinctly wary of engagement with it, it is more important than ever to offer a cross-disciplinary resource that can voice a positive account of a Christian theology of creation, and do so as a genuinely broad-ranging conversation about science and faith. Contributors to Knowing Creation include Marilyn McCord Adams, Denis Alexander, Susan Eastman, C. Stephen Evans, Peter van Inwagen, Christoph Schwobel, John H. Walton, Francis Watson, and more.

Andrew B. Torrance (PhD, University of Otago) is a Research Fellow at St. Mary's College, the School of Divinity of the University of St. Andrews, Scotland and the project leader for Scientists in Congregations Scotland (www.sicscotland.org). He is author of The Freedom to Become a Christian: A Kierkegaardian Account of Human Transformation in Relationship with God (T & T Clark, 2016) and has published a number of articles in related areas. Thomas H. McCall (PhD, Calvin Seminary) is professor of biblical and systematic theology and director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is the author of Which Trinity? Whose Monotheism? Philosophical and Systematic Theologians on the Metaphysics of Trinitarian Theology; Forsaken: The Trinity and the Cross, and Why It Matters; An Invitation to Analytic Christian Theology and coeditor (with Michael C. Rea) of Philosophical and Theological Essays on the Trinity.

'Editors Torrance and McCall have assembled a first-rate cast of authors writing with unusually sharp insight about God, science, and the created realm. The great achievement of their book is to demonstrate how productive--rather than how contentious--classical Christianity and contemporary scientific investigation can be. The book is accessible, but deeply considered chapters make a stellar contribution.' * MARK NOLL, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, the University of Notre Dame * 'Andrew Torrance and Thomas McCall have brought together an outstanding group of philosophers, theologians, biblical scholars, and scientists to reflect on the notion of creation. The result is a deep examination from diverse points of view on the relation of religion and science that ought to be required reading for anyone interested in this important topic.' * ELEONORE STUMP, Robert J. Henle SJ Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University * 'Knowing Creation brings together leading Christian thinkers to enrich our understanding of the relationship between Christianity and science. I found myself enlightened and encouraged in my faith and my thinking. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm to a broad readership.' * TREMPER LONGMAN III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies, Westmont College * 'This volume includes chapters that exemplify awareness of relevant areas of contemporary science and biblical scholarship. Other contributors set the topic firmly within an historical context. The uses of the concept of creation are carefully scrutinised by philosophers determined to identify and expose muddled thinking wherever it occurs. The result is a challenging book which will fully reward careful and critical reading.' * MALCOLM JEEVES, emeritus professor, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St. Andrews University, and past president, the Royal Society of Edinburgh * 'Knowing Creation is a rich collection of theologically informed essays. The authors engage an impressive array of conversations partners from Job and Moses, to Plato and Aristotle, from Luther and Calvin, to Derrida and Dawkins. This is a valuable contribution to the science and religion dialogue.' * KARL GIBERSON, professor of science and religion, Stonehill College * 'Knowing Creation moves beyond jaded conflict narratives to innovative, substantive dialogue about creation. By assembling a team of scientifically savvy theologians, philosophers, and biblical scholars in conversation with theologically informed scientists, Knowing Creation breaks new ground in thinking deeply about the astonishing richness of God's creation.' * JEFF HARDIN, Raymond E. Keller Professor of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison * 'Knowing Creation is a wide-ranging resource for those who want to think more deeply about the complexity and wonder of the created world. We are indebted to the authors of these essays for their stimulating--and often challenging--reflections about our knowledge of God's creation.' * J. RICHARD MIDDLETON, professor of biblical worldview and exegesis, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College * "Editors Torrance and McCall have assembled a first-rate cast of authors writing with unusually sharp insight about God, science, and the created realm. The great achievement of their book is to demonstrate how productive---rather than how contentious---classical Christianity and contemporary scientific investigation can be. The book is accessible, but deeply considered chapters make a stellar contribution." * MARK NOLL, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, the University of Notre Dame * "Andrew Torrance and Thomas McCall have brought together an outstanding group of philosophers, theologians, biblical scholars, and scientists to reflect on the notion of creation. The result is a deep examination from diverse points of view on the relation of religion and science that ought to be required reading for anyone interested in this important topic." * ELEONORE STUMP, Robert J. Henle SJ Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University * "Torrance and McCall bring together leading scholars in theology, biblical studies, philosophy, and the sciences to offer intelligent and immensely accessible perspectives on creation. Anyone who cares about the future of Christian theology and its potential to reinvigorate the meaning and purpose of the sciences should read this volume." * ELAINE HOWARD ECKLUND, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Rice University * "Knowing Creation brings together leading Christian thinkers to enrich our understanding of the relationship between Christianity and science. I found myself enlightened and encouraged in my faith and my thinking. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm to a broad readership." * TREMPER LONGMAN III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies, Westmont College * "This volume includes chapters that exemplify awareness of relevant areas of contemporary science and biblical scholarship. Other contributors set the topic firmly within an historical context. The uses of the concept of creation are carefully scrutinised by philosophers determined to identify and expose muddled thinking wherever it occurs. The result is a challenging book which will fully reward careful and critical reading." * MALCOLM JEEVES, emeritus professor, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St. Andrews University, and past president, the Royal Society of Edinburgh * "Knowing Creation is a rich collection of theologically informed essays. The authors engage an impressive array of conversations partners from Job and Moses, to Plato and Aristotle, from Luther and Calvin, to Derrida and Dawkins. This is a valuable contribution to the science and religion dialogue." * KARL GIBERSON, professor of science and religion, Stonehill College * "Knowing Creation moves beyond jaded conflict narratives to innovative, substantive dialogue about creation. By assembling a team of scientifically savvy theologians, philosophers, and biblical scholars in conversation with theologically informed scientists, Knowing Creation breaks new ground in thinking deeply about the astonishing richness of God's creation." * JEFF HARDIN, Raymond E. Keller Professor of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison * "Knowing Creation is a wide-ranging resource for those who want to think more deeply about the complexity and wonder of the created world. We are indebted to the authors of these essays for their stimulating---and often challenging---reflections about our knowledge of God's creation." * J. RICHARD MIDDLETON, professor of biblical worldview and exegesis, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College *