A Science-Theology Rapprochement: Pannenberg, Peirce, and Lonergan in Conversation

This timely and fascinating work addresses questions of ultimate concerns for Christian believers by clarifying what religious believers’ statement God creates means in relation to the mechanistic determinism of science enthusiasts and the New Atheist Movement. Drawing from the methodological works of C.S. Peirce, Bernard Lonergan, and Wolfhart Pannenberg, the book creatively shows how the old science-theology conflict, or warfare , can be turned into one of collaboration or rapprochement. Using the works of these three thinkers, it departs from the common practice of treating the field of science-theology as an abstract mainstream theology. The book takes a stand on contextual theology, treating the problem posed by Richard Dawkins and his fellow New Atheists as one in need of a creative solution. It also suggests that the dialogue between science and theology must take seriously the experiences and challenges from different social and cultural contexts. The text shows how these experiences can lead to the kind of creative theological thinking we see in the works of Pannenberg and Lonergan, who both explicate, not only how an understanding of an evolutionary universe is compatible with the Christian doctrine of creation, but also how a methodological comparison of science and theology reveals a common concern for human understanding and openness to divine agency.