Astrobiology and Christian Doctrine
Astrobiology and Christian Doctrine
In recent decades, powerful telescopes have enabled astrophysicists to uncover startling new worlds and solar systems. An epochal moment came in 1995, when a planet – 51 Pegasi b – was located orbiting a star other than our own sun. Since then, thousands of new planets have followed, and the question of life beyond earth has become one of the principal topics in discussions between science and religion. Attention to this topic has a long history in Christian theology, but has rarely been pursued at any depth. Writing with both passion and precision, Andrew Davison brings his extensive knowledge of Christian thought to bear, drawing particularly on the thought of Thomas Aquinas, as well as his training as a scientist. No book to date better prepares the Christian community for responding to evidence of other life, if it is found. And yet, we do not need to wait for that to have happened before this book shows its worth. In thinking about planets, creatures, and ecosystems beyond our planet, Davison already reinvigorates our theology for the earth.
- Presents discussion of central topics in Christian theology in relation to life beyond Earth that are not covered elsewhere
- Explores topics in such a way that each complements the others, so the reader emerges with a broad and connected perspective
- Applies a scholarly approach - resourcing principally from the work of Thomas Aquinas – and includes detailed references
Reviews & endorsements
‘This innovative and immensely readable work is easily the best introduction currently available to the theological questions raised by the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It offers both a critical analysis of issues such as multiple incarnations and a constructive response to them, deeply rooted in the Christian tradition.’ Alister McGrath, Senior Research Fellow, Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, & Emeritus Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion, University of Oxford
‘If you feel that religion has nothing to tell us about the space-age challenges we face, you may be surprised to learn that theologians have been writing about life beyond Earth for nearly six centuries. Read this book and let Andrew Davison be your guide to the thousands of years of thinking about our place in the universe. From Plato through ‘The Force’, he illuminates the issues and arguments with clarity and humour. This is a must-read.’ William D. Barry, Ph.D., NASA Chief Historian, retired
‘… a very readable, informative, and, indeed, theologically exciting book … a magnificently fair, informative, trustworthy, and mind-expanding work of theology, surely a modern classic in the field.' Canon Kevin Ward, Church Times
‘… I believe that Davison makes a strong case for the multiple incarnation position. [His book] provides us with a mini-systematic theology that addresses God, creation, fall, sin, Christology, and even eschatology … I commend Professor Davison for tackling the implications of astrobiology in this fashion.' Ted Peters, The Heythrop Journal
‘What makes this book worthwhile is the structured way in which the big questions about extraterrestrial life are presented and the surprising insights from the history of thinking about extraterrestrial life.’ M. E. Harmsen, Theologia Reformata
‘This work is outstanding in both breadth and depth and will satisfy the curious layman and expert alike.’ Samuel McKee, Reading Religion
‘… I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it highly. Scientists wanting to write on topics in science-and-theology would do well to understand the theological trade through this volume. More importantly, Christians should not worry about life being found elsewhere in the universe - indeed, such discovery would only reveal further the glory of God.’ Chris Barrigar, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith
Product details
August 2024Paperback
9781009303163
421 pages
216 × 137 × 27 mm
0.57kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Part I. Creation:
- 1. Many worlds
- 2. Angels
- 3. Life
- 4. Emptiness and plenitude
- Part II. Revelation and Theological Knowledge:
- 5. Revelation
- 6. Knowledge of God and the language of the trinity
- Part III. Imago Dei and Uniqueness:
- 7. A Copernican demotion? 8. Uniqueness and sharing the imago dei
- 9. Uniqueness, convergence and embodied cognition
- Part IV. Christology, Salvation and Grace:
- 10. Sin and fall
- 11. Responses to sin: one incarnation
- 12. Multiple incarnations: introduction
- 13. Distinct incarnations: possibility and christological detail
- 14. The word unchanging and unchanged
- 15. Person assuming and natures assumed
- 16. Multiple incarnations: necessity and suitability
- 17. The dealings of God with unfallen creatures
- Part V. Eschatology:
- 18. The final state
- 19. The arrival of the end.
