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Book SynopsisExplores the overlap and shift between theistic and naturalistic science through a parallel study of two major scientific figures: James Clerk Maxwell, a devout Christian physicist, and Thomas Henry Huxley, the iconoclast biologist who coined the word agnostic.Trade Review"An innovative perspective on late nineteenth-century British science. Stanley provides a nuanced, sensitive, and firmly grounded understanding of both Huxley and Maxwell, and one that not only undermines the conflict thesis but also provides the reader with a deeper understanding of the interrelations between science and religion. An impressive achievement!" (Geoffrey Cantor, University of Leeds)"

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Book SynopsisWhen Pope Francis recently answered Who am I to judge? when asked about homosexuality, he ushered in a new era for the Catholic church. A decade ago, it would have been unthinkable for a pope to express tolerance for homosexuality. Yet shifts of this kind are actually common in the history of Christian groups. Within the United States, Christian leaders have regularly revised their teachings to match the beliefs and opinions gaining support among their members and larger society. Mark A. Smith provocatively argues that religion is not nearly the unchanging conservative influence in American politics that we have come to think it is. In fact, in the long run, religion is best understood as responding to changing political and cultural values rather than shaping them. Smith makes his case by charting five contentious issues in America's history: slavery, divorce, homosexuality, abortion, and women's rights. For each, he shows how the political views of even the most conservative Christians evolved in the same direction as the rest of society-perhaps not as swiftly, but always on the same arc. During periods of cultural transition, Christian leaders do resist prevailing values and behaviors, but those same leaders inevitably acquiesce-often by reinterpreting the Bible-if their positions become no longer tenable. Secular ideas and influences thereby shape the ways Christians read and interpret their scriptures. So powerful are the cultural and societal norms surrounding us that Christians in America today hold more in common morally and politically with their atheist neighbors than with the Christians of earlier centuries. In fact, the strongest predictors of people's moral beliefs are not their religious commitments or lack thereof but rather when and where they were born. A thoroughly researched and ultimately hopeful book on the prospects for political harmony, Secular Faith demonstrates how, over the long run, boundaries of secular and religious cultures converge.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA pleasure to read. Buddhadharma Stimulating. Nature An excellent presentation of what can happen when intelligent, open minds sit down together with the goal of mutual understanding and betterment. -- Sameet Kumar PsyCritiquesTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. How Real Are the Elementary Particles? 2. The Emergence of Complexity; and an Interview with Matthieu Ricard 3. Toward the Complexity of Life 4. How Life Unfolds; and an Interview with Richard Gere 5. The Magic of the Human Genome and Its Ethical Problems; and an Interview with His Holiness the Karmapa 6. From Consciousness to Ethics 7. Last Words About the Mind and Life Institute Notes Index

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Book SynopsisNoted ecotheologian and feminist philosopher of religion Catherine Keller reads the feedback loop of political and ecological depredation as secularized apocalypse. She calls for dissolving the opposition between the religious and the secular in favor of a broad planetary movement for social and ecological justice.Trade ReviewHow is a political theology of the earth distinctive? It resists the hegemony of those theologies (and post-theologies) organized around divine omnipotence, absolute sovereignty, and human dominion over the earth. Doing so, it can now mine rich veins in traditions that explore liveliness beyond the human and human entanglements with a multifaceted, morphing earth. In this inspiring book Keller calls upon eco-activists to explore the spiritual affinities between us, as we foment energies needed to respond to the Anthropocene. An indispensable book for today! -- William E. Connolly, author of Facing the Planetary: Entangled Humanism and the Politics of SwarmingIn this brilliant, wonderfully evocative, and beautifully written book, one of the very best theologians in the world today engages seculareligious currents in political theology to remarkable effect. Her theology of divine entanglement counters a political theology of the exception in a thoroughgoing way: anthropic exceptionalism, for example, comes completely undone. Its apophatic dimensions, meanwhile, steer clear of the certainties of optimism or despair to offer a hope without guarantees in the face of climate crisis. No one can question the way social justice and ecological sustainability are inextricably linked after reading Keller’s political theology of the earth. -- Kathryn Tanner, author of Christianity and the New Spirit of CapitalismThe political, the earth, their theology, encapsulated in a meditation mindful of the unmined mind-bending darkness of the deep, a calming call to think, an urgent call to act in the face of the darkness of planetary peril, all in a lyrical, profoundly theological—make that theopoetic—voice. What else is that than a new book by Catherine Keller? What more could we ask for? -- John D. Caputo, coauthor of After the Death of GodInto this contracted spacetime of racist convulsion, ecological disaster, and nuclear machismo, Keller drops a political theology that both introduces and breaks open the field. Framed as a transdisciplinary triptych, Political Theology of the Earth summons an enraged, counter-creative swarm to counter the politics of exception with multifarious practices of inception. -- Mary-Jane Rubenstein, author of Pantheologies: Gods, Worlds, MonstersWith marvelous economy and scholarly brilliance, Catherine Keller offers here the beauty and complexity of her practical wisdom. It is no easy thing to guide others into uncertainty and unsaying as modes of theological and political understanding, let alone an activism that takes seriously the truly vulnerable in and of the earth. This book is an indispensable introduction to political theology, one in which our understanding of divinity can be neither reduced to human politicking nor exempted from the urgent crises of our time. -- Laurel C. Schneider, author of Beyond Monotheism: A Theology of MultiplicityIn Political Theology of the Earth, Catherine Keller, one of the most brilliant and creative theologians alive, opposes the more traditional notion of political theology as dealing with the sovereign exception with her alternative political theology of a messianic ecosocial inception. In doing so, she takes the next step of integrating the important discourses of political theology with the critical ecological situation of the planet. More profoundly, she does this as a theologian, even though most scholars who write about political theology tend to be non-theologians. This is one of the most important works I have read. -- Clayton Crockett, author of Radical Political TheologyPerhaps only Catherine Keller could publish a work of political, theology, process theology, and eco-theology that is also highly readable. Keller is our era’s poet theologian, modeling a way to push through academic jargon and out the other side with prose that pops. For this reason alone, it’s worth picking up this book. . . . Keller makes one of the most compelling cases yet for a progressive theology that doesn’t recede with the overtaking of secularity but is more precisely revealed in the undertaking of it. -- Clint Schnekloth * The Christian Century *Keller's political theology of the Earth is breathtaking in the scope of the resources it draws upon and the depths of its analysis...Just read it, and when you fail, enfold yourself into the cosmic process and read it again. That's certainly what I'm going to do. -- Marian Ronan * National Catholic Reporter *[A] galvanizing new book... -- Marion Ronan, New York Theological Seminary * National Catholic Reporter *Keller argues that there is a way of thinking with the resources of Christianity that allows one to hope. * Reading Religion *Recommended. * Choice *[Political Theology of the Earth] calls upon eco-activists to explore the spiritual affinities between us in order to respond to the emergencies of the Anthropocene. This is surely an evocative and thought-provoking book particularly in the current times when the globe faces threats and ideological warfare of various kinds be it terrorism, racism, casteism and gender violence or popular resistance against tyrannical governments among such others. * Aigne Journal *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsBeginning1. Political: Sovereign Exception or Collective Inception2. Earth: Climate of Closure, Matter of Disclosure3. Theology: “Unknow Better Now”Apophatic AfterwordNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisHow do we resolve conflicts when fundamental sources of knowledge and beliefsuch as science and theologyare involved? In God's Two Books, Kenneth Howell offers a historical analysis of how sixteenth- and seventeenth-century astronomers and theologians in Northern Protestant Europe used science and religion to challenge and support one another. Howell reveals that the cosmological schemes developed during this era remain monumental solutions to the enduring problem of how theological interpretation and empirical investigation interact with one another. Writing history requires a constant shedding of our misconceptions about the past, says Howell. God's Two Books reshapes our understanding of the interaction of cosmological thought and biblical interpretation in the emerging astronomy of the Scientific Revolution by analyzing new texts and offering interpretations that cast old materials in a new light. The central argument of this compelling book is that the use of the Trade Review“This carefully and broadly researched study is a significant contribution, helpful in clearly away false myths concerning the relationship of Christian churches and early modern natural scientific investigations by sensitively assessing how both theologians and scientific writers operated on the terrain of biblical interpretation.” —Wissenchaft“. . . wonderfully nuanced. . . . Howell is adept at describing the rich diversity of biblical interpretation bearing upon cosmological themes that existed long before the Copernican debate, and is especially insightful when illustrating different meanings given to the notion of sensus litteralis. This is a study in subtleties and relationships–the subtleties of scriptural interpretation and the tangled interconnections of astronomy, cosmology, theology, and Scripture. What we carry away is a deeper understanding of the theories and applications of biblical exegesis as they confront and are influenced by the new cosmologies of the early modern era. The book will surely become a standard text in discussions of science and religion and will be much referred to in days to come.” —Catholic Historical Review“Howell’s book offers an useful contribution to our understanding of the relationship between the way sixteenth-century astronomers ‘read’ the book of nature—and especially the heavens—and their reading of the book of the Scriptures.” —Charlotte Methuen, author of Kepler's Tübingen: Stimulus to a Theological Mathematics“[A]n extraordinarily helpful work, both for the novice and for the more advanced scholar.” —Religious Studies Review“Kenneth Howell’s work offers a fresh reading of this famous era, describing the multifarious readings of the Bible at work among the astronomers of the day, as well as some of the unexposed issues that lie embedded in the birth of modern science. Any scholar working in natural science, modern theology, biblical studies, or especially some combination of these fields would benefit greatly from this text.” —Modern Theology“There is a new depth of scholarship in this brilliantly written study, which is bound to change our views of the sixteenth century. It will be read with benefit by theologians and historians of science alike.” —Rom Harré, Linacre College, Oxford and Georgetown University“. . . Howell does a fine job of exploding the caricature of a rational Copernican science on one side of sixteenth century debates and an outdated medieval Biblicism on the other. Howell has written a rewarding and comprehensive introduction to some of the crucial issues at the intersection of astronomy and biblical interpretation during a pivotal period in the histories of science and of theology. His carefully detailed notes and generous bibliography make this an excellent guide not only to its focal topics but to some of the main historigraphical debates of the last quarter century.” —Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences“Howell’s assessment of hermeneutical strategies that cross the Catholic-Protestant divide is a major contribution to both the history of science and the history of theology. His model of convergent realism holds out the promise of gaining a better insight into more recent tensions between science and religion.” —Books & Culture“. . . an exciting book exploring the rise of Copernican cosmology. Howell has made a major contribution to our understanding of the historical interaction of science and religion, particularly in Lutheran and Calvinist circles.” —Calvin Theological Journal

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Book SynopsisGalileo''s trial in 1633 before the Roman Inquisition is one of the most frequently mentioned topics in the history of science. Galileo''s encounter with the Catholic Church was not only a major turning point in the history of western culture; it is the paradigm case of the clash between the institutional authority of religion and the authority of scientific reason, a clash that has helped to define the modern era. Blackwell''s new contribution to the Galileo affair concerns the official theological position against Galileo. The centerpiece of his project is the treatise entitled Tractatus syllepticus, written by Melchior Inchofer, S.J., whose judgment of the orthodoxy of Galileo''s Dialogue had been requested earlier by the Holy Office and was then incorporated into the proceedings of the trial. At the time, Inchofer''s judgment against Galileo''s book was both detailed and harsh. That judgment formed the basis for Inchofer''s subsequent Tractatus, the fTrade Review“Though the conduct of Galileo's trial was probably less sinister than Blackwell has suggested, with these two defenses of the Church's condemnation of Copernicanism we have a new, intriguing glimpse behind the scenes.” —The Renaissance Quarterly"Blackwell exposes details of the infamous trial that are not universally known: Galileo's explanation in the first session that he did not know there was a warning against writing the book that brought him to the Inquisition, his premature admission of guilt in the second session, and the misreporting of court proceedings to the cardinal in terms that would resonate with them. . . . Recommended." —Choice“Richard Blackwell’s latest foray into scholarship on the Galileo affair contains detective history, careful scholarship, theological ruminations, and excellent translation work. The most tantalizing piece is chapter 1, titled ‘The Legal Case at Galileo’s Trial: Impasse and Perfidy,’ which pushes a thesis that involves plea bargains, mysterious saboteur(s), and a miscarriage of justice.” —The Sixteenth Century Journal“If the evidence does not support a plot in Galileo’s sense, Blackwell’s account provides a scenario for a spellbinding novel. The story leaves enough latitude for the reader to draw his own conclusions. Although scholars both acquit and condemn the Church, the underlying issue remains: what constitutes a demonstration?” — The Review of Metaphysics“There are many reasons why this 'Galileo affair' is uniquely important in modern history. One is that it is instructive for understanding the interaction between science and religion. Blackwell adds some nuances to the conflictualist thesis. . . . The main theme of Blackwell's book is that of exploring 'behind the scenes at Galileo's trial.'. . . This trial is one of the best-documented episodes emblematic of modernity . . . this book makes a valuable contribution and provides a model for this type of inquiry.” —Journal of Modern History“It was faith against reason, entrenched religious orthodoxy against radically new scientific fact. Richard J. Blackwell (St. Louis, emeritus) is an expert on philosophy but here he diligently presents the complex religious and scientific details of the matter within the historical context of Galileo’s time.” — Bibliotheque d’Humanisme et Renaissance

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1988, Jon Roberts's book provided the first comprehensive analytical overview of public dialogue among nineteenth-century American Protestant intellectuals who struggled with the theory of organic evolution. Before the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species in 1859, most American Protestant intellectuals valued science, especially natural history, for supplying data that appeared to be invaluable for defending many major tenets of the Christian worldview. Arguments over the scientific merits of Darwin's theory gave way to discussions of its theological implications. Roberts's book reconstructs the course of that conversation from 1875 to 1900.Trade Review"Jon H. Roberts has scrutinized the response of Protestant apologists to this major challenge to their faith in such painstaking and exhaustive detail that his effort will surely stand as the book of record." —The Journal of American History"While many contemporary historians have become captivated with sociocultural interpretations of the past, Roberts demonstrates the continuing viability of intellectual history. . . . this book offers one of the fairest historical expositions of the anti-Darwinists to be found in scholarly literature." —The Christian Century"Awarded the Brewer prize of the American Society of Church History, this book provides the most detailed account to date of the reaction of American theologians to Darwinism. . . . this study is richly suggestive and a gold mine of information. Roberts deserves praise for a first book of such depth and complexity." —The American Historical Review"Professor Roberts’ thesis is neat, closely argued and convincing, and his scholarship is prodigious." —Journal of American Studies"Essential reading for an understanding of the battle lines drawn between Protestant evolutionists and their opponents in the late twentieth as well as the late nineteenth century." —Journal of the American Academy of Religion". . . . a rich resource for students of American history and culture. . . . an impressive scholarly accomplishment upon which much subsequent research shall be built." —The Journal of Religion"For those with an interest in the creation-evolution controversies, Darwin and the Divine in America is an important and helpful book." —Theology Today"This thoroughly researched book establishes a new standard for discussing connections between evolutionary theory and Protestant thought in nineteenth-century America." —Isis“...Roberts’ award-winning Darwinism and the Divine in America remains a well documented and valuable source for understanding the intellectual and religious concerns raised by Darwin’s transmutation theory in the late nineteenth-century US.” —Religious Studies Review

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Book SynopsisThese research papers explore the creative interaction between evolutionary and molecular biology, philosophy and theology. They aim to support the engagement of constructive theology with the natural sciences and explore philosophical and theological elements in ongoing scientific research.Trade Review“The essays in this volume represent the real cutting edge in discussions between Christianity and biology. They provide a careful, sober assessment of biological story in all its complexity. One can only hope that churchpeople will enter into the debate with the care and reasonableness these authors have shown.” —The Christian Century

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Book SynopsisThe Galileo Affair has been the locus of various and opposing appraisals for centuries: some view it as an historical event emblematic of the obscurantism of the Catholic Church, opposed a priori to the progress of science; others consider it a tragic reciprocal misunderstanding between Galileo, an arrogant and troublesome defender of the Copernican theory, and his theologian adversaries, who were prisoners of a narrow interpretation of scripture. In The Case of Galileo: A Closed Question? Annibale Fantoli presents a wide range of scientific, philosophical, and theological factors that played an important role in Galileo's trial, all set within the historical progression of Galileo's writing and personal interactions with his contemporaries. Fantoli traces the growth in Galileo Galilei's thought and actions as he embraced the new worldview presented in On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, the epoch-making work of the great Polish astronomer Nicolaus CoperTrade Review“This book is an excellent account of the trial and condemnation of Galileo by the Inquisition in 1633. It is a simplified and streamlined version adapted from the erudite book on the topic for which Fantoli is well known and highly respected among scholars. But like the erudite book, this one is well balanced with respect to the contrasts of science vs. religion, Galileo vs. the Catholic Church, history vs. philosophy, and factual detail vs. contemporary relevance.” —Maurice A. Finocchiaro, University of Nevada Las Vegas"Annibale Fantoli has justly earned an international reputation as the outstanding expert on the condemnation of Galileo by the Catholic Church for heresy in 1633, after the publication of his work promoting the concept of terrestrial motions. Among the significant factors Fantoli has explored are differences on philosophical, religious, and political issues among factions within the Church. Yet, for centuries the Catholic Church maintained that contradiction of the validity of certain passages in Scripture was unacceptable, if not heretical. However, as Fantoli notes in The Case of Galileo, the Church slowly began to modify its official stance in the centuries after Galileo. The most significant on the issue of the condemnation of Galileo occurred with a speech by Pope John Paul II several decades ago, in which he celebrated Galileo's achievements and acknowledged the need to further study the errors made by the Church. As Fantoli rightly states, that has not yet been done, and issues on relationships between faith and science may continue to remain significant. This book is an important contribution to discussion of those issues." —Wilbur Applebaum, Illinois Institute of Technology“For readers with a desire to uncover more than the familiar, but inaccurate, narrative of the Galileo case as one of science versus faith, Fantoli thoroughly examines the exact issues Galileo, his allies, and his critics confronted.” —U.S. Catholic“George Coyne has beautifully rendered into English Annibale Fantoli’s original Italian text.” —Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly“Using original documents, Annibale Fantoli masterfully reconstructs the events in Italy and Catholic Europe at the beginning of the seventeenth century that led to the confrontation between the church and Galileo, a devout Catholic. . . . His book gives a highly-nuanced reading of the cultural and academic environment of the time, including the interwoven issue of the relationship between theology and the newly emerging modern concept of science as a separate academic discipline.” —New Catholic Books and Media“Fantoli provides a simplified version of his scholarly Galileo: For Copernicanism and for the Church . . . for the general reader. . . . Fantoli’s analysis of the ‘burdensome inheritance of the Galileo affair’ is more extensive than his earlier work and pertinent to the continuing struggle between science and religion. The excellence of the prose is a product of the author’s ideas and the translator’s skill.” —Choice“Fantoli, already well-published on Galileo (1564-1642), traces both the complexities of Galileo’s dealings with and condemnation by the Catholic Church of his day, and the successes and failures of more recent papal efforts to finally move beyond what for most people today remains a notorious case of religion attempting to stifle scientific progress. . . . Though books on the Galileo case are extraordinarily abundant, this volume merits attention both by historians and by anyone concerned with how papal bureaucracy may be functional and/or dysfunctional.” —Theological Studies “Annibale Fantoli is the distinguished author of Galileo: For Copernicanism and for the Church (Notre Dame, 1994), and this new book is a revised and abridged edition for the general public. It is one of the best accounts of the life and achievements of Galileo, and it is excellently translated by George V. Coyne, who played a major role in the rehabilitation of Galileo in recent years.” —The Catholic Historical Review“The Case of Galileo offers an accessible overview of the controversy in its time. Written for a popular audience, and based on a more scholarly earlier book (Galileo For Copernicanism and for the Church), Fantoli’s overview of the evidence here will offer interested readers a useful point of entry into the early modern controversy.” —Comitatus“Fantoli’s account is thorough and suitable for those without specific expertise in the history of science . . . [and] his conclusions offer larger lessons. While the Inquisition no longer exists, the Catholic Church’s intransigence on issues such as birth control, for which its official doctrine runs counter to the practices of millions who consider themselves to be Catholic, suggests, for Fantoli, that the Catholic Church must embark on greater dialogue with the whole of contemporary religious and secular thought in order to avoid the same failings that it created in 1616 and 1633.” —European Historical Quarterly

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Book SynopsisAccording to Robert John Russell, one of the foremost scholars on relating Christian theology and science, the topic of time and eternity is central to the relation between God and the world in two ways. First, it involves the notion of the divine eternity as the supratemporal source of creaturely time. Second, it involves the eternity of the eschatological New Creation beginning with the bodily Resurrection of Jesus in relation to creaturely time. The key to Russell''s engagement with these issues, and the purpose of this book, is to explore Wolfhart Pannenberg's treatment of time and eternity in relation to mathematics, physics, and cosmology.Time in Eternity is the first book-length exposition of Russell's unique method for relating Christian theology and the natural sciences, which he calls creative mutual interaction (CMI). This method first calls for a reformulation of theology in light of science and then for the delineation of possible topics for research in scTrade Review"Using his distinctive method of relating science and theology by 'Creative Mutual Interaction,' Robert Russell explores an immense range of contemporary thought about the Big Bang, relativity, quantum physics, creation, and eschatology, leading to many intriguing suggestions for future research. This will be a model for future writers to emulate." —Ian G. Barbour, author of When Science Meets Religion"Time in Eternity bridges the fields of philosophical theology, systematic theology, and the science-religion debate. It makes a distinctive and original contribution to the field of theology and science, as well as being significant for scholars and students in the other two disciplines. The book not only meets high standards for scholarship in this field; it actually sets new standards for future work." —Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology"Robert Russell is the world's leading scholar on relating issues surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, such as prolepsis and eschatology, to physics and cosmology, and I imagine this book will be well received throughout the science and religion community and beyond. In Time in Eternity, Russell engages more fully with Pannenberg than ever before. He has also expanded his work on the way physical cosmology can be enhanced by engaging theological issues. This is the most important book on Pannenberg, physics, and eschatology to date." —LeRon Shults, University of Agder “This is a solid work of scholarship that provides a creative and important contribution. The amount of learning, understanding, and depth of research in both theology and physics is impressive. Future scholars interested in God, time, and eternity, or looking for a solid example of theology and science in mutual interaction, will want to study it carefully.” —Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith“This book is impressive for its breadth as well as the author’s solid knowledge in both Pannenberg’s theology and science. . . . In illustrating theological concepts with scientific theories, it makes theology seem more sensible and credible in a scientific age.” —Reviews in Religion and Theology“Time in Eternity is the first book-length exposition of Russell’s approach to the ‘creative mutual interaction’ between theology and the natural sciences. This approach first calls for a reformulation of theology in light of science and then for the delineation of possible topics for research in science drawing on this reformulated theology.” —Interpretation: Journal of Bible and Theology

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Book Synopsis Originating from conferences held at the Gregorian University in Rome and at the University of Notre Dame, these essays assess the continuing relevance of Darwin's work across academic fields.Trade Review“This volume presents the best scholarship available on the present and future developments in evolutionary science and its implications for the humanities. It will reward careful study by evolutionary biologists and social scientists, but also philosophers and theologians—or indeed, by any reflective person seeking to be informed about up-to-date analysis of its three main topics: Nature, Humanity, and God. The editors of this volume are to be congratulated for producing a volume that makes available a rich array of voices from a variety of disciplines and schools of thought. It is a must read for anyone who wishes to be informed about the interpretation of Darwin in the twenty-first century.” —Stephen J. Pope, Boston College"Darwin in the Twenty-First Century aims to present 'new reflections that anticipate the future of scientific and philosophical inquiry about evolution,' rather than giving an overview of all issues discussed in the conference or beyond. The volume focuses on present and future developments within evolutionary science and the impact on, and relation to, the humanities. These are central and the most exciting questions, and the volume gives multiple answers to how the discourse could be shaped in the future, both scientifically and from the perspective of the humanities." —Hille Haker, Loyola University Chicago “Of note to Catholic readers is the implicit growth in the magisterium’s understanding of many evolutionary theory embodied in many of these papers. . . . Also worthy of attention here is the explication of the vibrant (unresolved?) tension within Catholic thinking between the two dominant views of evolution.” —Catholic Library World “This collection of 16 essays was gleaned from a 2009 conference at Notre Dame by the same title. . . Scholars interested in controversies surrounding evolution will be interested and will (no doubt) find this book a goldmine.” —Choice “The essays potently assess the continuing relevance of Darwin’s work from the perspectives of biological science, history, philosophy, and theology. I recommend this book for those who are involved in the ever-proceeding science and theology dialogue.” —Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith“The value of this anthology for upper-level and graduate students is its attention to the areas of intersection between the natural sciences and humanities. For example, the anthology as a whole forces readers to abandon their casual use of terms such as ‘randomness’ and ‘causality.’ What terminology may replace such notions is impossible to determine now, and that means that the future of the science-religion debate will continue to fascinate.” —CatholicBooksReview.org“The essays present a vision of Darwin and the scope of his ideas, not only from the standpoint of the traditional historical discourse, but seeks to create a dialogue with contemporary discussions in biology, philosophy, and theology, focusing above all on the future. . . . This volume is a major contribution in interdisciplinary dialogue, given the broadness of its overall proposal, to build innovative bridges between the sciences and humanities.” —The Quarterly Review of Biology"This volume emerges from a 2009 conference at the University of Notre Dame to mark Charles Darwin's bicentennial. An influential 1959 symposium at the University of Chicago marked the centennial of Darwin's On the Origin of Species and solidified a neo-Darwinian theory that has dominated interdisciplinary discourse on evolution since that time. This book evaluates subsequent changes to Darwinism and how they affect the humanities, especially Catholic theology." —Isis

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Book SynopsisVerbs, Bones, and Brains engages in an interdisciplinary conversation about God, creation, evolution, and human nature. Trade Review"This is a landmark volume for those fostering collaboration between the sciences and humanities. It shows the fruitfulness of a mutually respectful and yet rigorous approach to cross-disciplinary engagement. The editors and contributors are to be congratulated, not only for clarifying areas of common and contested ground, within and among the participating disciplines, but also for clearing the ground for future transdisciplinary inquiry on human nature." —William Storrar, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ“Human nature is a difficult topic: it has major relevance to many social debates raging today, and writers in anthropology, psychology, history, and philosophy have long wrestled with it. Each of these fields is represented here. . . . The collection is fascinating, well organized, and well edited, and its interdisciplinary nature led the contributors to define key terms, a benefit to lay readers.” —Choice"Agustín Fuentes and Aku Visala have produced a benchmark collection of essays on the contemporary understanding of human nature. Their work engages very different fields of study, from biology and anthropology to theology and philosophy, yet the authors clearly convey the idea that they are dealing with a shared set of questions while making the case for this transdisciplinary approach to the problem. Engaging and accessible, the volume opens up many opportunities for further exploration." —Robin W. Lovin, Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics emeritus, Southern Methodist University

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Book SynopsisThe Case of Galileo presents the scientific, philosophical, and theological factors that impacted Galileo’s trial, all set within the historical progression of Galileo’s writing and personal interactions with his contemporaries.Trade Review“This book is an excellent account of the trial and condemnation of Galileo by the Inquisition in 1633. It is a simplified and streamlined version adapted from the erudite book on the topic for which Fantoli is well known and highly respected among scholars. But like the erudite book, this one is well balanced with respect to the contrasts of science vs. religion, Galileo vs. the Catholic Church, history vs. philosophy, and factual detail vs. contemporary relevance.” —Maurice A. Finocchiaro, University of Nevada Las Vegas"Annibale Fantoli has justly earned an international reputation as the outstanding expert on the condemnation of Galileo by the Catholic Church for heresy in 1633, after the publication of his work promoting the concept of terrestrial motions. Among the significant factors Fantoli has explored are differences on philosophical, religious, and political issues among factions within the Church. Yet, for centuries the Catholic Church maintained that contradiction of the validity of certain passages in Scripture was unacceptable, if not heretical. However, as Fantoli notes in The Case of Galileo, the Church slowly began to modify its official stance in the centuries after Galileo. The most significant on the issue of the condemnation of Galileo occurred with a speech by Pope John Paul II several decades ago, in which he celebrated Galileo's achievements and acknowledged the need to further study the errors made by the Church. As Fantoli rightly states, that has not yet been done, and issues on relationships between faith and science may continue to remain significant. This book is an important contribution to discussion of those issues." —Wilbur Applebaum, Illinois Institute of Technology“For readers with a desire to uncover more than the familiar, but inaccurate, narrative of the Galileo case as one of science versus faith, Fantoli thoroughly examines the exact issues Galileo, his allies, and his critics confronted.” —U.S. Catholic“George Coyne has beautifully rendered into English Annibale Fantoli’s original Italian text.” —Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly“Using original documents, Annibale Fantoli masterfully reconstructs the events in Italy and Catholic Europe at the beginning of the seventeenth century that led to the confrontation between the church and Galileo, a devout Catholic. . . . His book gives a highly-nuanced reading of the cultural and academic environment of the time, including the interwoven issue of the relationship between theology and the newly emerging modern concept of science as a separate academic discipline.” —New Catholic Books and Media“Fantoli provides a simplified version of his scholarly Galileo: For Copernicanism and for the Church . . . for the general reader. . . . Fantoli’s analysis of the ‘burdensome inheritance of the Galileo affair’ is more extensive than his earlier work and pertinent to the continuing struggle between science and religion. The excellence of the prose is a product of the author’s ideas and the translator’s skill.” —Choice“Fantoli, already well-published on Galileo (1564-1642), traces both the complexities of Galileo’s dealings with and condemnation by the Catholic Church of his day, and the successes and failures of more recent papal efforts to finally move beyond what for most people today remains a notorious case of religion attempting to stifle scientific progress. . . . Though books on the Galileo case are extraordinarily abundant, this volume merits attention both by historians and by anyone concerned with how papal bureaucracy may be functional and/or dysfunctional.” —Theological Studies “Annibale Fantoli is the distinguished author of Galileo: For Copernicanism and for the Church (Notre Dame, 1994), and this new book is a revised and abridged edition for the general public. It is one of the best accounts of the life and achievements of Galileo, and it is excellently translated by George V. Coyne, who played a major role in the rehabilitation of Galileo in recent years.” —The Catholic Historical Review“The Case of Galileo offers an accessible overview of the controversy in its time. Written for a popular audience, and based on a more scholarly earlier book (Galileo For Copernicanism and for the Church), Fantoli’s overview of the evidence here will offer interested readers a useful point of entry into the early modern controversy.” —Comitatus“Fantoli’s account is thorough and suitable for those without specific expertise in the history of science . . . [and] his conclusions offer larger lessons. While the Inquisition no longer exists, the Catholic Church’s intransigence on issues such as birth control, for which its official doctrine runs counter to the practices of millions who consider themselves to be Catholic, suggests, for Fantoli, that the Catholic Church must embark on greater dialogue with the whole of contemporary religious and secular thought in order to avoid the same failings that it created in 1616 and 1633.” —European Historical Quarterly

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book-length exposition of Russell’s unique method for relating Christian theology and the natural sciences, which he calls “creative mutual interaction.”Trade Review"Using his distinctive method of relating science and theology by 'Creative Mutual Interaction,' Robert Russell explores an immense range of contemporary thought about the Big Bang, relativity, quantum physics, creation, and eschatology, leading to many intriguing suggestions for future research. This will be a model for future writers to emulate." —Ian G. Barbour, author of When Science Meets Religion"Time in Eternity bridges the fields of philosophical theology, systematic theology, and the science-religion debate. It makes a distinctive and original contribution to the field of theology and science, as well as being significant for scholars and students in the other two disciplines. The book not only meets high standards for scholarship in this field; it actually sets new standards for future work." —Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology"Robert Russell is the world's leading scholar on relating issues surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, such as prolepsis and eschatology, to physics and cosmology, and I imagine this book will be well received throughout the science and religion community and beyond. In Time in Eternity, Russell engages more fully with Pannenberg than ever before. He has also expanded his work on the way physical cosmology can be enhanced by engaging theological issues. This is the most important book on Pannenberg, physics, and eschatology to date." —LeRon Shults, University of Agder “This is a solid work of scholarship that provides a creative and important contribution. The amount of learning, understanding, and depth of research in both theology and physics is impressive. Future scholars interested in God, time, and eternity, or looking for a solid example of theology and science in mutual interaction, will want to study it carefully.” —Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith“This book is impressive for its breadth as well as the author’s solid knowledge in both Pannenberg’s theology and science. . . . In illustrating theological concepts with scientific theories, it makes theology seem more sensible and credible in a scientific age.” —Reviews in Religion and Theology“Time in Eternity is the first book-length exposition of Russell’s approach to the ‘creative mutual interaction’ between theology and the natural sciences. This approach first calls for a reformulation of theology in light of science and then for the delineation of possible topics for research in science drawing on this reformulated theology.” —Interpretation: Journal of Bible and Theology

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Book SynopsisExplores significant interpretations of the human spirit in Western culture, with sources ranging from the Hebrew Bible and the apostle Paul to the theologians Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin and the natural philosopher and physician William Harvey.Trade Review“A rich, synthetic, and nuanced investigation. This is a highly original piece of work that draws on an astounding array of primary sources as well as the author’s incredible knowledge of rhetoric and philology, archaeology, ornithology, the science of avian flight, ancient crafts of tent-making, Greek earthenware, and metallurgy. This is an erudite tour de force that requires but will also reward patient reading.”—Barbara Pitkin,author of What Pure Eyes Could See: Calvin’s Doctrine of Faith in Its Exegetical Context“As with so many questions, Boyle does not speculate beyond what the texts tell us. But with her close readings she helps us to understand the importance of attitudes toward the human spirit through two and a half millennia.”—Sheila J. Rabin Renaissance Quarterly“This book is so rich that barely a page in my copy does not have one or more passages marked off. . . .[W]ith her close readings she helps us to understand the importance of attitudes toward the human spirit through two and a half millennia.”—Sheila J. Rabin Renaissance Quarterly“The Human Spirit provides a fascinating and sturdy entry point for engaging with the human spirit in the Western theological tradition in general and especially in the texts to which Boyle applies her impressive scholarship.”—Tyler Horton Review of Biblical LiteratureTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I Ancient Realities1. Genesis2. PaulPart II Medieval Thoughts3. Augustine4. AquinasPart III Early Modern Discoveries5. Calvin6. ScienceNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisExamines the works of two Sufi Muslim scholars, Sīdi al-Mukhtār al-Kuntī (d. 1811) and his son Sīdi Muḥammad (d. 1826), focusing on their cosmology and metaphysics of the realm of the unseen, in relation to the history of magical discourses within the Hellenistic and Arabo-Islamic worlds.Trade Review“This work is a substantial contribution to the studies of Sufism, West Africa, the Sahara, and the histories of magic and the occult. It is refreshingly interdisciplinary, is extremely well researched and informed, and draws on impressive manuscript work and textual analysis to make a number of important interventions across several fields.”—Oludamini Ogunnaike,author of Deep Knowledge: Ways of Knowing in Sufism and Ifa, Two West African Intellectual Traditions“From its extensive engagement with a vast, and understudied, corpus of primary sources and the contexts of their production to its thoughtful reflections on the scholar’s position and approach, Sorcery or Science? represents an exciting model for future scholarship across disciplines.”—Beatrice Bottomley Journal of Islamic Studies

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Book SynopsisSorcery or Science? examines how two Sufi Muslim theologians who rose to prominence in the western Sahara Desert in the late eighteenth century, Sidi al-Mukhtar al-Kunti (d. 1811) and his son and successor, Sidi Mu?ammad al-Kunti (d. 1826), decisively influenced the development of Sufi Muslim thought in West Africa. Known as the Kunta scholars, Mukhtar al-Kunti and Mu?ammad al-Kunti were influential teachers who developed a pedagogical network of students across the Sahara. In exploring their understanding of the realm of the unseena vast, invisible world that is both surrounded and interpenetrated by the visible worldAriela Marcus-Sells reveals how these theologians developed a set of practices that depended on knowledge of this unseen world and that allowed practitioners to manipulate the visible and invisible realms. They called these practices the sciences of the unseen. While they acknowledged that some Muslimsparticularly self-identified white Muslim elitesmight consider these Trade Review“This work is a substantial contribution to the studies of Sufism, West Africa, the Sahara, and the histories of magic and the occult. It is refreshingly interdisciplinary, is extremely well researched and informed, and draws on impressive manuscript work and textual analysis to make a number of important interventions across several fields.”—Oludamini Ogunnaike,author of Deep Knowledge: Ways of Knowing in Sufism and Ifa, Two West African Intellectual Traditions“From its extensive engagement with a vast, and understudied, corpus of primary sources and the contexts of their production to its thoughtful reflections on the scholar’s position and approach, Sorcery or Science? represents an exciting model for future scholarship across disciplines.”—Beatrice Bottomley Journal of Islamic Studies

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Book SynopsisIt is hard to think of an area of Christian theology that provides more scope for interdisciplinary conversation than the doctrine of creation. This doctrine not only invites reflection on an intellectual concept: it calls for contemplation of the endlessly complex, dynamic, and fascinating world that human being inhabit. But the possibilities for wide-ranging discussion are such that scholars sometimes end up talking past one another. Productive conversation requires mutual understanding of insights across disciplinary boundaries. Knowing Creation offers an essential resource for helping scholars from a range of fields to appreciate one another''s concerns and perspectives. In so doing, it offers an important step forward in establishing a mutually-enriching dialogue that addresses, amongst others, the following key questions: Who is the God who creates? Why does God create? What is creation? What does it mean to rTrade Review'Andrew Torrance and Thomas McCall have brought together an outstanding group of philosophers, theologians, biblical scholars, and scientists to reflect on the notion of creation. The result is a deep examination from diverse points of view on the relation of religion and science that ought to be required reading for anyone interested in this important topic.' * ELEONORE STUMP, Robert J. Henle SJ Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University *'Editors Torrance and McCall have assembled a first-rate cast of authors writing with unusually sharp insight about God, science, and the created realm. The great achievement of their book is to demonstrate how productive--rather than how contentious--classical Christianity and contemporary scientific investigation can be. The book is accessible, but deeply considered chapters make a stellar contribution.' * MARK NOLL, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, the University of Notre Dame *'Knowing Creation brings together leading Christian thinkers to enrich our understanding of the relationship between Christianity and science. I found myself enlightened and encouraged in my faith and my thinking. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm to a broad readership.' * TREMPER LONGMAN III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies, Westmont College *'Knowing Creation is a rich collection of theologically informed essays. The authors engage an impressive array of conversations partners from Job and Moses, to Plato and Aristotle, from Luther and Calvin, to Derrida and Dawkins. This is a valuable contribution to the science and religion dialogue.' * KARL GIBERSON, professor of science and religion, Stonehill College *'Knowing Creation is a wide-ranging resource for those who want to think more deeply about the complexity and wonder of the created world. We are indebted to the authors of these essays for their stimulating--and often challenging--reflections about our knowledge of God's creation.' * J. RICHARD MIDDLETON, professor of biblical worldview and exegesis, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College *'Knowing Creation moves beyond jaded conflict narratives to innovative, substantive dialogue about creation. By assembling a team of scientifically savvy theologians, philosophers, and biblical scholars in conversation with theologically informed scientists, Knowing Creation breaks new ground in thinking deeply about the astonishing richness of God's creation.' * JEFF HARDIN, Raymond E. Keller Professor of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison *'This volume includes chapters that exemplify awareness of relevant areas of contemporary science and biblical scholarship. Other contributors set the topic firmly within an historical context. The uses of the concept of creation are carefully scrutinised by philosophers determined to identify and expose muddled thinking wherever it occurs. The result is a challenging book which will fully reward careful and critical reading.' * MALCOLM JEEVES, emeritus professor, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St. Andrews University, and past president, the Royal Society of Edinburgh *“Andrew Torrance and Thomas McCall have brought together an outstanding group of philosophers, theologians, biblical scholars, and scientists to reflect on the notion of creation. The result is a deep examination from diverse points of view on the relation of religion and science that ought to be required reading for anyone interested in this important topic.” * ELEONORE STUMP, Robert J. Henle SJ Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University *“Editors Torrance and McCall have assembled a first-rate cast of authors writing with unusually sharp insight about God, science, and the created realm. The great achievement of their book is to demonstrate how productive---rather than how contentious---classical Christianity and contemporary scientific investigation can be. The book is accessible, but deeply considered chapters make a stellar contribution.” * MARK NOLL, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, the University of Notre Dame *“Knowing Creation brings together leading Christian thinkers to enrich our understanding of the relationship between Christianity and science. I found myself enlightened and encouraged in my faith and my thinking. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm to a broad readership.” * TREMPER LONGMAN III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies, Westmont College *“Knowing Creation is a rich collection of theologically informed essays. The authors engage an impressive array of conversations partners from Job and Moses, to Plato and Aristotle, from Luther and Calvin, to Derrida and Dawkins. This is a valuable contribution to the science and religion dialogue.” * KARL GIBERSON, professor of science and religion, Stonehill College *“Knowing Creation is a wide-ranging resource for those who want to think more deeply about the complexity and wonder of the created world. We are indebted to the authors of these essays for their stimulating---and often challenging---reflections about our knowledge of God’s creation.” * J. RICHARD MIDDLETON, professor of biblical worldview and exegesis, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College *“Knowing Creation moves beyond jaded conflict narratives to innovative, substantive dialogue about creation. By assembling a team of scientifically savvy theologians, philosophers, and biblical scholars in conversation with theologically informed scientists, Knowing Creation breaks new ground in thinking deeply about the astonishing richness of God’s creation.” * JEFF HARDIN, Raymond E. Keller Professor of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison *“This volume includes chapters that exemplify awareness of relevant areas of contemporary science and biblical scholarship. Other contributors set the topic firmly within an historical context. The uses of the concept of creation are carefully scrutinised by philosophers determined to identify and expose muddled thinking wherever it occurs. The result is a challenging book which will fully reward careful and critical reading.” * MALCOLM JEEVES, emeritus professor, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St. Andrews University, and past president, the Royal Society of Edinburgh *“Torrance and McCall bring together leading scholars in theology, biblical studies, philosophy, and the sciences to offer intelligent and immensely accessible perspectives on creation. Anyone who cares about the future of Christian theology and its potential to reinvigorate the meaning and purpose of the sciences should read this volume.” * ELAINE HOWARD ECKLUND, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Rice University *Table of ContentsI. Introduction: Knowing Creation (editors) II. Theological Perspectives 1. Christoph Schwöbel (Tubingen), Reading Creation: Creation as God’s Text and the Gift of Human Literacy 2. John Webster (St Andrews), “The Introduction of Being Entirely”: Creation Out of Nothing 3. Simon Oliver (Durham): Creation, Nature and Humanity 4. Randall Zachman (Notre Dame), Why Should Free Scientific Inquiry Matter to Faith? III. Biblical and Historical Perspectives 5. Francis Watson (Durham), How did Genesis become a Problem? On the Hermeneutics of Natural Science 6. John Walton (Wheaton), Origins in Genesis? An Ancient Text in a Modern Scientific World 7. William Brown (Columbia Theological Seminary), 'Knowing Creation in the light of Job and Astrobiology' 8. Susan Eastman (Duke), Knowing and Being Known: Personal Knowledge and the Apostle Paul IV. Philosophical Perspectives 9. C. Stephen Evans (Baylor), Natural Knowledge of God, Darwinian Evolution, and the Sensus Divinitatis 10. John Haldane (St Andrews), Christian Thought and Natural Science: Two Perspectives or Two Worlds? 11. Robert Koons (Texas), Ontological Escalation: A Neo-Aristotelian Alternative to ‘Emergence’ and Non-reductive Materialism 12. Marilyn McCord Adams (Rutgers), Sanctifying Material Creation V. Scientific Perspectives 13. Denis Alexander (Cambridge), Creation, Providence and Evolution 14. Tom McLeish (Durham), The Science-and-Religion Delusion: Towards a Theology of Science 15. William Simpson (St Andrews), Knowing Nature: Beyond the False Dilemma of Dualism and Physicalism 16. Mark Harris (Edinburgh), “The Trees of the Field shall Clap their Hands” (Is. 55:12): Exploring Creation’s Praise of the Creator

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Book SynopsisHow can we reconcile belief in God and Darwinism, divine action and an evolutionary world? The first book of its kind, this Reader represents the diversity of views which surround the interaction of evolutionary theory and the Christian tradition. Ideal for students with no previous knowledge of the field, the book introduces the methodologies of the study of science and religion, and evolutionary biology, and presents the views of influential thinkers from a variety of disciplines, including: the natural sciences history theology philosophy. From current scientific developments to contemporary philosophical perspectives, Darwin to Dawkins, Creationism to Intelligent Design, God and Evolution highlights neglected but important views, such as those of feminist scholars, and contemporary revisionists, as well as some of the best known writers in the field.

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to many facets of Scopes trial - the scientific evidence for evolution, the legal and educational basis for its teaching, and the various religious points of view - as well as a concise history of the evolution-creationism controversy.Table of ContentsFOREWORD:The Unmetabolized Darwin by Niles Eldredge FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION by Judge John E. Jones III PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION: The Pillars of Creationism PART I: Science, Evolution, Religion, and Creationism CHAPTER 1. Science: Truth without Certainty CHAPTER 2. Evolution CHAPTER 3. Beliefs: Religion, Creationism, and Naturalism PART II: A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy CHAPTER 4. Before Darwin to the Twentieth Century CHAPTER 5. Eliminating Evolution, Inventing Creation Science CHAPTER 6. Neocreationism CHAPTER 7. Testing Intelligent Design and Evidence against Evolution in the Courts PART III: Selections from the Literature CHAPTER 8. Cosmology, Astronomy, Geology CHAPTER 9. Patterns and Processes of Biological Evolution CHAPTER 10. Legal Issues CHAPTER 11. Educational Issues CHAPTER 12. Issues Concerning Religion CHAPTER 13. The Nature of Science CHAPTER 14. Evolution and Creationism in the Media and Public Opinion REFERENCES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION NAME INDEX SUBJECT INDEX

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Book SynopsisDebunking myths behind what is known collectively as the new cosmology-a grand, overlapping set of narratives that claim to bring science and spirituality together-Lisa H. Sideris offers a searing critique of the movement's anthropocentric vision of the world. In Consecrating Science, Sideris argues that instead of cultivating an ethic of respect for nature, the new cosmology encourages human arrogance, uncritical reverence for science, and indifference to nonhuman life. Exploring moral sensibilities rooted in experience of the natural world, Sideris shows how a sense of wonder can foster environmental attitudes that will protect our planet from ecological collapse for years to come.Trade Review"Lisa Sideris’s Consecrating Science: Wonder, Knowledge, and the Natural World is a rich and deeply insightful analysis of a family of ambitious historical narratives, each of which is vying to become the new myth everyone lives by. Through careful textual study, Sideris convincingly argues that despite their stated goal of promoting a deep respect and care for the natural world, these narratives may inadvertently undermine development of the environmental ethic they seek to foster." * Reading Religion *"The argument of Consecrating Science is clearly articulated, carefully organized, and impeccably substantiated. Sideris’s analysis is consistently generous, nuanced, level-headed, and good-humored. Perhaps most impressively, the book integrates religious studies, science studies, ethics, and critical naturalism into a methodology that somehow remains coherent even in its multivalence." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *"Consecrating Science is valuable reading for a number of academic audiences. . . . It is an obvious fit for scholars of religion and science, religion and environment, and environmental ethics (particularly environmental virtue ethics, given the book’s focus on the cultivation of attitudes and dispositions). It could also prove useful for higher education administrators thinking through general education curriculum design." * Worldviews *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: The Return of Mythopoeic Science 1. Seeking What Is Good in Wonder 2. The Book of Nature and the Book of Science: Richard Dawkins on Wonder 3. E. O. Wilson’s Ionian Enchantment: A Tale of Two Realities 4. Evolutionary Enchantment and Denatured Religious Naturalism 5. Anthropic and Anthropocene Narratives of the New Cosmology 6. Genesis 2.0: The Epic of Evolution as Religion of Reality 7. Making Sense of Wonder Notes Glossary of Terms References Index

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Book SynopsisWhy are white evangelicals the most skeptical major religious group in America regarding climate change? Previous scholarship has pointed to cognitive factors such as conservative politics, anti-science attitudes, aversion to big government, and theology. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork, The Gospel of Climate Skepticism reveals the extent to which climate skepticism and anti-environmentalism have in fact become embedded in the social world of many conservative evangelicals. Rejecting the common assumption that evangelicals' skepticism is simply a side effect of political or theological conservatism, the book further shows that between 2006 and 2015, leaders and pundits associated with the Christian Right widely promoted skepticism as the biblical position on climate change. The Gospel of Climate Skepticism offers a compelling portrait of how during a critical period of recent history, political and religious interests intersected to prevent evangelicals from offering a unified voice in support of legislative action to address climate change.Trade Review"For those seeking to understand how religion matters to climate change, it is worthwhile to follow Veldman’s lead." * Immanent Frame *"The book nicely caters to diverse audiences by defining social science concepts, providing background on theological debates and religious movements, all while steering clear of jargon and relegating cumbersome references to endnotes. . . . The Gospel of Climate Skepticism will undoubtedly advance scholarship that maps the play of forces within evangelicalism." * Review of Religious Research *

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Book SynopsisCerebral subjectivitythe identification of the individual self with the brainis a belief that has become firmly entrenched in modern science and popular culture. In The Care of the Brain in Early Christianity, Jessica Wright traces its roots to tensions within early Christianity over the brain's role in self-governance and its inherent vulnerability. Examining how early Christians appropriated medical ideas, Wright tracks how they used these ideas for teaching ascetic practices, developing therapeutics for the soul, and finding a path to salvation. Bringing a medical lens to religious discourse, this text demonstrates that rather than rejecting medical traditions, early Christianity developed by creatively integrating them.Trade Review"This book makes two important contributions: it illuminates early Christian engagements with ancient medicine and shows how these medical theories shaped early Christian theological anthropology. Scholars of early Christianity and the history of medicine will find this an engaging read." * CHOICE *"Highly original... [a] beautifully written study of the concept of the brain as a powerful and multi-functional tool." * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *Table of ContentsContents Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Circulation and Performance of Medical Knowledge in Late Antiquity 2. The History of the Brain in Ancient Greek Medicine and Philosophy 3. The Invention of Ventricular Localization 4. The Governing Brain 5. The Rhetoric of Cerebral Vulnerability 6. Insanity, Vainglory, and Phrenitis 7. Humanizing the Brain in Early Christianity Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisWhy do so many evangelicals follow leaders with dubious credentials when they have other options in their own faith? Exploring intellectual authority within evangelicalism, the authors reveal how the concept of anointing—being chosen by God to speak for him—established a conservative evangelical leadership isolated from secular arts and sciences.Trade ReviewStephens and Giberson have produced a stunning and well-documented indictment of the evangelical right wing. Here is a 'must read' for anyone wanting an insight into one of the most powerful religious-political movements in modern American culture. -- Owen Gingerich, author of God's UniverseTwo talented writers join forces to introduce us to some of the most influential religious and cultural leaders in contemporary America--such 'experts' as Ken Ham, David Barton, James Dobson, and Hal Lindsey. I know of no better place to discover how the conservative half of America lives and thinks. -- Ronald L. Numbers, author of The Creationists: From Creation Science to Intelligent DesignThis is an important book on a pressing topic that should be read by everyone concerned with the place of religion in American life today. -- Michael Ruse, author of The Evolution-Creation StruggleThe Anointed demonstrates how questionable 'experts' emerge and flourish within American evangelicalism. Stephens and Giberson function as knowledgeable guides into this intriguing--and troubling--'parallel universe.' -- Randall Balmer, author of The Making of Evangelicalism[Stephens and Giberson] rise triumphantly to the challenge of explaining the leaders and the culture of the religious Right without rancor or condescension. -- Ray Olson * Booklist *The Anointed is one of the best and most important books on religion published this year. It is a well-written, well-argued study that penetrates to the heart of modern evangelical culture. Stephens and Giberson have done an excellent job of critiquing what Mark Noll has called the "scandal of the evangelical mind" (the scandal, wrote Noll, is "that there is not much of an evangelical mind") while empathetically explaining why so many evangelicals are smitten with dubious experts. Evangelicals who take the intellect seriously, as well as outsiders struggling to understand the evangelical sub-culture, will benefit from their hard work and keen insights. -- Matthew Avery Sutton * Christian Century *In The Anointed, Randall J. Stephens and Karl W. Giberson, professors at evangelical Eastern Nazarene College near Boston, draw a fascinating group portrait of today's most popular intellectual leaders among evangelicals and attempt to explain why so many of the faithful buy their arguments...One of the principal virtues of The Anointed is that it represents an effort to demonstrate that the evangelical community is not a monolith of the unthinking. -- Kevin M. Schultz * Wilson Quarterly *Neither an expose nor a screed, The Anointed is the work of educated evangelical Christians who reject the kitsch and anti-intellectualism that outsiders tend to equate with the faith itself...There are evangelicals who reject fundamentalism, find apocalyptic revenge fantasies distasteful, and don't see any reason why God wouldn't bless same-sex unions. The Anointed seems to be written for such readers--to explain the history and internal dynamics of the evangelical subculture, perhaps as a step towards changing it. As a report on the parallel culture of evangelical Christianity, the book is well-researched and intelligently composed. -- Scott McLemee * Inside Higher Ed *The Anointed [is] a field guide to the evangelical experts you haven't heard of--but should...Why would anyone heed ersatz "experts" over trained authorities far more qualified to comment on the origins of life or the worldview of the founding fathers? Drawing on case studies of evangelical gurus, Stephens and Giberson argue that intellectual authority works differently in the "parallel culture" of evangelicalism. In this world of prophecy conferences and home-schooling curriculums, a dash of charisma, a media empire and a firm stance on the right side of the line between "us" and "them" matter more than a fancy degree...The Anointed condemns the current state of evangelical intellectual life, but Stephens and Giberson avoid monolithic stereotypes. They are careful to note that evangelicals disagree wildly among themselves about almost everything. -- Molly Worthen * New York Times *With its coverage of wide-ranging figures and issues, the book reveals important facets of ways evangelicals maintain both their ideology and boundaries in what they perceive as a threatening culture. This insightful work is an important contribution to readers' understanding of the ways evangelicals maintain their self-identity and worldview. -- A. W. Klink * Choice *In their new book, The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age, Randall Stephens and Karl Giberson explain the nature of intellectual insularity of so many in this world, in which "the teachings of dubiously credentialed leaders are favored over the word of secular experts in the arts and sciences."...The authors describe "what amounts to a 'parallel culture,'" where people like alleged "historian" David Barton...proffer[s] phony-baloney history lessons that distort almost everything professional historians know to be true about America's founders. -- Eric Alterman * The Nation *

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Book SynopsisAda Palmer explores how Renaissance poets and philologists, not scientists, rescued Lucretius and his atomism theory. This heterodoxy circulated in the premodern world, not on the conspicuous stage of heresy trials and public debates but in the classrooms, libraries, studies, and bookshops where quiet scholars met transformative ideas.Trade ReviewThe great atomist poet has finally attracted the attention that students of modern culture should have given him long ago. Seeing so much new and innovative work on offer, readers with questions about Lucretius in the Renaissance will take Ada Palmer’s book as the new standard: Reading Lucretius is our best guide to a thinker whose ideas lit the flames of modernity. -- Brian Copenhaver, University of California, Los AngelesThis is a brilliant scholarly work that is deeply relevant to today. In exploring the influence of Lucretius on the Renaissance, Ada Palmer shows how the modern world became open to the ramifications of mechanical science. More broadly, her book is a fascinating look at how ideas ripple and spread. -- Walter Isaacson

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Book SynopsisAn account of modern liberation theory in today's Capitalistic Latin AmericaTable of ContentsForeword by Michael Löwy Prologue Part I: Entelechies and Cathedrals 1. Civilising Paradigms and Colonial Atavisms: Power and Social Sciences 2. The Shopping Mall as the Paradigmatic Figure of Neocolonial Discourse: Racism and Power in Latin America Part II: Utopia and Liberation 3. The Portentous Eclosion of the Principle of Hope: Ernst Bloch and Liberation 4. The Gun Powder of the Dwarf: Unearthly Reflections on Contemporary Political Philosophy 5. Tendencies and Latencies of Liberation Theology in the Twenty-First Century Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn account of modern liberation theory in today's Capitalistic Latin AmericaTable of ContentsForeword by Michael Löwy Prologue Part I: Entelechies and Cathedrals 1. Civilising Paradigms and Colonial Atavisms: Power and Social Sciences 2. The Shopping Mall as the Paradigmatic Figure of Neocolonial Discourse: Racism and Power in Latin America Part II: Utopia and Liberation 3. The Portentous Eclosion of the Principle of Hope: Ernst Bloch and Liberation 4. The Gun Powder of the Dwarf: Unearthly Reflections on Contemporary Political Philosophy 5. Tendencies and Latencies of Liberation Theology in the Twenty-First Century Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFranciscans and the Elixir of Life makes new connections between alchemy, ritual life, apocalypticism, and the particular commitment of the Franciscan Order to the natural world.Trade Review"Zachary A. Matus offers new and important insights gleaned from a full and contextualized view of Franciscan alchemy and religiosity. The personalities in question (Bacon, Rupescissa, the Spirituals) are arguably among the most interesting of the later Middle Ages, and Matus's tales of alchemical quest and apocalyptic disaster are not only fine scholarship but also great reading." * Leah DeVun, Rutgers University *

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Book SynopsisThousands of religious traditions have appeared over the course of human history but only a relative few have survived. Some speak of a myriad of gods, others of only one, and some recognize no gods at all. Volumes have been written attempting to prove the existence or nonexistence of supernatural being(s). So, if religion is not about God, then what is it about?Trade ReviewThis book is an important step toward the naturalistic, hence truly general theory of religion. It harmonizes contemporary scientific understanding of the origin of human nature with a positive view of the centrality of religion in culture. -- Edward O. Wilson * university research professor, emeritus, Harvard University *Loyal Rue has written a bold, scholarly, and gracefully composed discussion of the complex realtions between the concepts of God and religion. I learned a great deal from the rich tapestry of facts that filled the gaps in my understanding of the history of these ideas and believe that readers will enjoy a similar intellectual experience. -- Jerome Kagan * research Professor of Psychology, Harvard University *Table of Contentspt. 1. On human nature. ch. 1. The epic of evolution ch. 2. The evolution of behavior ch. 3. The education of emotion ch. 4. The nature of religion pt. 2. On spiritual traditions. ch. 5. Judaism ch. 6. Christianity ch. 7. Islam ch. 8. Hinduism ch. 9. Buddhism pt. 3. On the future of religion. ch. 10. The crisis of influence ch. 11. Doomsday and beyond

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Book SynopsisLooks at the biblical figure of Babylon as it appears in U.S. culture from 2001-2011 in politics, media, war, and sexual regulation; analyzes allusions to Babylon as part of a larger response to the erosion of national sovereignty within economic globalization.Trade Review"Runions' scholarship is phenomenal. It's stunning that she can sustain her rigor over this variety of cultural and political contexts. That she does is a testament to her breadth as a scholar, and her critical acumen." -- -Jay Twomey University of Cincinnati "The Babylon Complex is unlike anything else in the fields it engages and crosses; its scholarship is unique, top-tier, and challenging, offering much savvier reflections upon biblical heritages and uses than what one often finds in the current theoretical 'turn to religion.' In short, it is both relevant and interdisciplinary, two terms too often used, but seldom as aptly as they are for this truly excellent book." -- -Joseph A. Marchal Ball State University "Erin Runions reveals Babylon to be an ambivalent but perversely indispensable figure for theopolitical discourses girding contemporary biopolitics. Modeling a queerly sublime ethics of reading, The Babylon Complex sets an agenda for a next generation of biblical scholars while demonstrating what cultural studies gains from engagement with biblical studies." -- -Jennifer Glancy Le Moyne College "Theoretically sophisticated and engaging, this remarkable book complicates our understanding of how the Bible affects U.S political ideals and subjectivities." -Reading Religion "With fearless insight and incisive prose, Erin Runions offers a breathtaking tour de force of astute biblical-political-philosophical analysis that persistently reframes the intertwining of biblical interpretation and biopolitics through the figure of Babel/Babylon. As she shows, the pervasive theopolitics of American discourse, right and left, is informed by an eschatological fantasy sanctioned by the twin edifices of bible and law. This engrossing account of biblically inflected defenses of US sovereignty places biblical interpretation at the center of critical theory and critical theory at the center of biblical interpretation. A must read for anyone interested in the current state of theodemocratic exceptionalism, in the unpredictable and shifting meanings of biblical texts, and in the possibility of listening, finally, to an other." -- -Jennifer Knust Boston UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Babylon and the Crisis of Sovereignty 1. From Babel to Biopolitics: Josephus, Theodemocracy, and the Regulation of Pleasure 2. Bellicose Dreams: Babylon and Exception to Law 3. Tolerating Babel: Biopolitics, Film, and Family 4. Revenge on Babylon: Literalist Allegory, Scripture, Torture 5. Who Lives in Babylon? The Gay Antichrist as Political Enemy 6. Babelian Scripture: A Queerly Sublime Ethics of Reading Postlude: Roads to Babel Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisArguing that there are ways to move beyond the limitations of methodological atheism without compromising scientific objectivity, the essays gathered in The Science and Theology of Godly Love explore the potential for collaboration between social science and theology. They do so within the context of the interdisciplinary study of Godly Love, which examines the perceived experience of loving God, being loved by God, and thereby being motivated to engage in selfless service to others. This volume serves as an introduction to and a call for further research in this new field of study, offering ten methodological perspectives on the study of Godly Love written by leading social scientists and theologians.Drawing on the work of Douglas Porpora and others, the contributors contend that agnosticism is the appropriate methodological stance when religious experience is under the microscope. Godly Love does not force a theistic explanation on data, instead these essays show thaTable of ContentsIntroduction Matthew T. Lee, Margaret M. Poloma, and Stephen G. Post Part I—Theology and Godly Love 1. Godly Love: Why We Cannot Endure without It Stephen G. Post 2. Agape, Self-Sacrifice, and Mutuality: An Exploration into the Thought of Jonathan Edwards and the Theme of Godly Love Michael J. McClymond 3. Imago Dei and Kenosis: Contributions of Christology to the Study of Godly Love Peter Althouse 4. Violence and Nonviolence in Conceptualizations of Godly Love Paul Alexander 5. Testing Creaturely Love and God's Causal Role Thomas Jay Oord Part II—Social Science and Godly Love 6. Methodological Agnosticism for the Social Sciences? Lessons from Sorokin's and James's Allusions to Psychoanalysis, Mysticism, and Godly Love Ralph W. Hood Jr. 7. Godly Love from the Perspective of Psychology Julie J. Exline 8. Sociology, Philosophy, and the Empirical Study of Godly Love Margaret M. Poloma 9. Socialization, Empirical Studies, and Godly Love: A Case Study in Survey Research Mark J. Cartledge 10. Toward a Grounded Theory of Godly Love: Latino/a Pentecostals Arlene S\u00e1nchez Walsh Conclusion Amos Yong Contributors Index

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