James B. Stump

_Science and Christianity_ is an accessible, engaging introduction to topics at the intersection of science and Christian theology. A philosophically orientated treatment that introduces the relationship of science to Christianity and explores to what extent the findings of science affect traditional Christian theology Addresses important theological topics in light of contemporary science, including divine action, the problem of natural evil, and eschatology Historically oriented chapters and chapters covering methodological principles for both science and theology provide the reader with a strong foundational understanding of the issues Includes feature boxes highlighting quotations, biographies of major scientists and theologians, key terms, and other helpful information Issues are presented as fairly and objectively as possible, with strengths and weaknesses of particular interpretations fully discussed.

The term “science” is a common noun that is used to designate a whole range of activities. If Reeves is right—and I think he is—that there is no essence to these activities that allows them to be objectively identified and demarcated from nonscience, then what qualifies as science is determined by communities. It becomes much more difficult on this antiessentialism position to identify and dismiss pseudo‐science. I suggest we might find a way forward, though, by engaging a philosophical tradition that has largely been neglected in English‐speaking science and religion studies, and by articulating a theory of consensus along the lines of Oreskes (2019).

This dissertation examines the relationship between metaphysics and the interpretation of physical theories. It is argued that the interpreters of physical theory rely on accepted metaphysical theories for justification and inspiration; and that reciprocally, the acceptance of metaphysical theories is dependent upon the authority of a successful physical theory. Furthermore, this reciprocal influence---or dialectic---can be seen as a systematic occurrence throughout the development of physical theory. ;In Part One, the thesis is developed through a charitable reading and careful critique of the principal works of four twentieth century thinkers who have given attention to the relationship between metaphysics and physical science: Pierre Duhem, Emile Meyerson, E. A. Burtt, and Alexandre Koyre. A separate chapter is devoted to each thinker with the aim of determining how their interpretations are similar to and different from the theory being proposed. ;Part Two is devoted to a historical substantiation of the dialectic thesis. From roughly 1600 to 1850, the dialectic between metaphysics and the interpretation of physical theory is charted through seven stages under chapter headings of Matter, Force, and Energy. These stages include discussions of the reemergence of corpuscular ontology, Newton's Principia, force as basic ontology, equations of the conservation of force, the idea of the unity of nature as manifested in the conversion of natural forces, and the conservation of energy. Throughout these discussions, the influence of scientific developments on certain facets of the concepts of substance and causality is noted in the work of philosophers like Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, Kant, and Hegel. ;It is not maintained that the metaphysics of one stage was alone sufficient for the development of the interpretation of the physical theory of the next---or vice versa. Instead, the metaphysics and/or physical theory of a stage are constraining or regulating factors which govern but do not determine further development. Furthermore, the dialectic takes place within a context of other beliefs which further influences it. In conclusion, the perspectival character of rationality which emerges from the dialectic thesis is discussed

A cutting-edge survey of contemporary thought at the intersection of science and Christianity. Provides a cutting-edge survey of the central ideas at play at the intersection of science and Christianity through 54 original articles by world-leading scholars and rising stars in the discipline Focuses on Christianity's interaction with Science to offer a fine-grained analysis of issues such as multiverse theories in cosmology, convergence in evolution, Intelligent Design, natural theology, human consciousness, artificial intelligence, free will, miracles, and the Trinity, amongst many others Addresses major historical developments in the relationship between science and Christianity, including Christian patristics, the scientific revolution, the reception of Darwin, and twentieth century fundamentalism Divided into 9 Parts: Historical Episodes; Methodology; Natural Theology; Cosmology & Physics; Evolution; The Human Sciences; Christian Bioethics; Metaphysical Implications; The Mind; Theology; and Significant Figures of the 20 th Century Includes diverse perspectives and broadens the conversation from the Anglocentric tradition.