God, chance, and purpose: can God have it both ways?

Scientific accounts of existence give chance a central role. At the smallest level, quantum theory involves uncertainty and evolution is driven by chance and necessity. These ideas do not fit easily with theology in which chance has been seen as the enemy of purpose. One option is to argue, as propo...

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Bibliographic Details
Subtitles:God, Chance & Purpose
Main Author: Bartholomew, David J. (Author)
Format: Electronic Book
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2008.
In:Year: 2008
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B God / Providence / Chance / Intelligent design
Further subjects:B Intelligent design (Teleology)
B Providence and government of God
B Chance
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Print version: 9780521880855
Description
Summary:Scientific accounts of existence give chance a central role. At the smallest level, quantum theory involves uncertainty and evolution is driven by chance and necessity. These ideas do not fit easily with theology in which chance has been seen as the enemy of purpose. One option is to argue, as proponents of Intelligent Design do, that chance is not real and can be replaced by the work of a Designer. Others adhere to a deterministic theology in which God is in total control. Neither of these views, it is argued, does justice to the complexity of nature or the greatness of God. The thesis of this book is that chance is neither unreal nor non-existent but an integral part of God's creation. This view is expounded, illustrated and defended by drawing on the resources of probability theory and numerous examples from the natural and social worlds.
What is the problem? -- What is chance? -- Order out of chaos -- Chaos out of order -- What is probability? -- What can very small probabilities tell us? -- Can intelligent design be established scientifically? -- Statistical laws -- God's action in the quantum world -- The human use of chance -- God's chance -- The challenge to chance -- Choice and chance -- God and risk
Item Description:Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015)
ISBN:0511807708
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511807701