Should a Christian Adopt Methodological Naturalism?
It has become standard practice for scientists to avoid the possibility of references to God by adopting methodological naturalism (MN), a method that assumes that the reality of the universe, as it can be accessed by empirical enquiry, is to be explained solely with recourse to natural phenomena. I...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
[2017]
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| In: |
Zygon
Year: 2017, Volume: 52, Issue: 3, Pages: 691-725 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Natural scientist
/ Christian
/ Naturalism (Philosophy)
/ Theological cognition theory
|
| IxTheo Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality CF Christianity and Science FA Theology |
| Further subjects: | B
Theology
B Holy Spirit B Creation B Dietrich Bonhoeffer B Alvin Plantinga B Faith B Christianity B Naturalism B Jesus Christ B Methodological Naturalism |
| Online Access: |
Presumably Free Access Volltext (Publisher) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | It has become standard practice for scientists to avoid the possibility of references to God by adopting methodological naturalism (MN), a method that assumes that the reality of the universe, as it can be accessed by empirical enquiry, is to be explained solely with recourse to natural phenomena. In this essay, I critique the Christian practice of this method, arguing that a Christian's practices should always reflect her belief that the universe is created and sustained by the triune God. This leads me to contend that the Christian should adopt a theologically humble approach to the sciences (instead of MN), with which she humbly acknowledges that special divine action is not discernible by empirical science. To further my critique, I consider three ways in which the practice of MN can be particularly problematic for Christianity. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-9744 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Zygon
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1111/zygo.12363 |
