Divine Action and Modern Science / Edition 1

by Nicholas Saunders

Overview

Considering the relationship between the natural sciences and the concept of God acting in the world, this study examines the Biblical motivations for asserting a continuing belief in divine action. It is a radical critique of current attempts to reconcile special divine action with quantum theory, chaos theory and quantum chaos. The book concludes that a satisfactory account of how God might act in a manner that agrees with modern science is still lacking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521524162
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/31/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nicholas Saunders is Honorary Associate of the Ian Ramsey Centre at the University of Oxford.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Motivations; 2. Theological approaches to divine action; 3. The laws of nature and miracles; 4. Determinism and SDA; 5. Divine action and quantum theory; 6. Does God cheat at dice?; 7. Chaos theory and divine action; 8. Whole-part models of SDA; 9. Is SDA really tenable?; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This is an important book. Without presupposing technical training in physics, it introduces the reader to enough of the scientific details that he or she can evaluate claims to special divine action in light of science. Saunders, who understands both the physical theories and the theological literature, manages to bring the discussion to a new level. His argument has already provoked controversy in the field; the book's appearance is certain to extend it." —Philip Clayton, Harvard University

"...a well-informed and important study..." Religious Studies Review

"This is an important book. Without presupposing technical training in physics, it introduces the reader to enough of the scientific details that he or she can evaluate claims to special divine action in light of science. Saunders, who understands both the physical theories and the theological literature, manages to bring the discussion to a new level. His argument has already provoked controversy in the field; the book's appearance is certain to extend it." —Philip Clayton, Harvard University

"In this reflective and well-researched book by scholar-scientist Saunders, readers will find the essence of current controversies on divine actions, both special and general, illuminated by the writings of scientifically inclined theologians and theologically inclined scientists. Recommended." Choice

From the Publisher