Theology and Modern Science: Quest for Coherence

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Integration of Doctrine and Science
Review: This is a wonderfully thoughtful book about key issues science raises for Christians. The first thing I like about the book is that it takes both science and Christian theology very seriously. I like particularly that the evidence for evolution and a very old universe is accepted as established scientific truth, as it is everywhere in science but all too rarely in Christian books about science. Instead of insisting that modern cosmology is false, Wisemen asks what it means for our doctrine of creation. Instead of rejecting evolution, he explores its implications for the doctrines of divine providence and of the human soul. The discussion of animal souls is delightfully rich and anti-Cartesian. I also appreciated his brief discussion of the findings of contemporary neuroscience and neuropsychology, my own field. He has also includes a fascinating discussion of divine action and natural causality. This book is technical philosophically and theologically. It addresses some issues specific to Catholicism. However, as a Protestant layperson, with only moderate training in philosophy, theology, and science, I found this book thought-provoking and enriching. I would especially recommend it to committed theists working in scientific fields.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Integration of Doctrine and Science
Review: This is a wonderfully thoughtful book about key issues science raises for Christians. The first thing I like about the book is that it takes both science and Christian theology very seriously. I like particularly that the evidence for evolution and a very old universe is accepted as established scientific truth, as it is everywhere in science but all too rarely in Christian books about science. Instead of insisting that modern cosmology is false, Wisemen asks what it means for our doctrine of creation. Instead of rejecting evolution, he explores its implications for the doctrines of divine providence and of the human soul. The discussion of animal souls is delightfully rich and anti-Cartesian. I also appreciated his brief discussion of the findings of contemporary neuroscience and neuropsychology, my own field. He has also includes a fascinating discussion of divine action and natural causality. This book is technical philosophically and theologically. It addresses some issues specific to Catholicism. However, as a Protestant layperson, with only moderate training in philosophy, theology, and science, I found this book thought-provoking and enriching. I would especially recommend it to committed theists working in scientific fields.