A Scientific Theology

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A Scientific Theology is a 3-volume work by Alister McGrath

Written by one of world's best-known theologians, these volumes together represent the most extended and systematic exploration of the relation between Christian theology and the natural sciences yet produced. Thoroughly ecumenical, this will be a significant work for Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and evangelical readers. The work is marked throughout by a sustained and critical engagement with the history and philosophy of the natural sciences, and a passionate commitment to the legitimacy of theology as an academic discipline. Nature sets out a vision for a "scientific theology", in which the working assumptions of the natural sciences are critically appropriated as a theological resource. It then moves on to deal at considerable length with the crucially important question of the status of nature, which has rarely been given the serious consideration that it deserves. Responding sympathetically to the growing consensus that "nature" is a socially mediated concept, McGrath sets out an approach to nature that establishes it as a theologically legitimate notion, and explores its positive and constructive role within a scientific theology.^[1]

His companion book The Science of God provides a short summary

1 Outline of the three volumes
2 Reviews and Criticism
3 Notes and References

[edit] Outline of the three volumes

The chapters are numbered continuously to emphasise that the work needs to be read as a whole.

[edit] 1: Nature

Part 1. Prolegomena

1. The Legitimacy of a Scientific Theology

2. The Approach to be Adopted

Part 2 Nature

3. The Construction of Nature

4. The Christian Doctrine of Creation

5. Implications of a Christian Doctrine of Creation

6. The Purpose and Place of Natural Theology

Continuum International Publishing Group - T & T C; New Ed edition (1 Nov 2006) ISBN-13: 978-0567031228

[edit] 2: Reality

This second volume in the series provides a detailed and thorough examination and defence of theological realism. Engaging critically with writers such as George Lindbeck and John Millbank, McGrath offers a sparkling and sophisticated affirmation of theological realism against its modern and postmodern critics. His refutation of the claim that the rise of philosophical nonfoundationalism entails the abandoning of any form of realism is of particular importance, as is his application of the highly influential form of 'critical realism' developed by Roy Bhaskar.

7. Rationality and Knowledge in Theology and the Natural Sciences

8. Natural Theology and the Trans-Traditional Rationality of the Christian Tradition

9. The Foundations of Realism in the Natural Sciences

10. Critical Realism: Engaging with a Stratified Reality

11. The Encounter with Reality: The Contours of a Scientific Theology

ISBN-13: 978-0567031235

[edit] 3: Theory

Noting the important parallels between scientific theory and Christian doctrine, McGrath offers a sustained defence of the necessity of doctrine within Christian theology against those who argue for a "non-dogmatic" Christianity. The approach developed within this volume builds on the work of writers such as Heidegger and Habermas, and argues that theory is to be conceived in terms of the communal beholding of reality. The many theoretical issues to be addressed in this volume include the manner in which closure is secured in theological theorizing, the implications of the stratification of reality for its representation, the place of metaphysics in Christian theology, and the nature of revelation itself. Viewed as a whole, "Theory" represents a fresh evaluation of the origins and place of theory in Christian theology.

12. The Legitimacy of Theory within a Scientific Theology

13. The Representation of Reality in a Scientific Theology

14. The Place of Explanation in a Scientific Theology

15. The Place of Metaphysics in a Scientific Theology

ISBN-13: 978-0567031242

[edit] Reviews and Criticism

Gregory Snyder in the Anglican Theological Review considered Volume 1 "a magisterial historical, philosophical, theological, and biblical treatise on "nature." By its end, I felt as if I had completed a seminary course in natural theology. It is well written, erudite, at times even provocative, and humorous. However, it is not a book for the faint of heart. It is a book to consume slowly and savor in one's study, notepad in hand."^[2]

McGrath responded to a critical review of his general approach (especially as exemplified by the predecessor work The Foundations of Dialogue in Science and Religion.)^[3] by the Australian Physicist Ross McKenzie in an extensive article^[4].