Thesis (Th. M.)--Calvin Theological Seminary, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-122).

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, IL, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-152).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / The purpose of this dissertation is to expound and evaluate the natural theology of Gerald Heard in relation to the philosophy of Henri Bergson, and to determine the reason for the relative neglect of Heard's thought in theological and philosophical circles. Gerald Heard is a contemporary thinker who has written widely on the relations among science, philosophy and religion. He has not, however, gained the recognition which the range and number of his books might lead one to expect. The procedure consists in (1) a characterization of the basic philosophy of Henri Bergson as a point of reference for consideration of Heard, (2) a systematic analysis of Heard's thought, noting similarities and differences with regard to Bergson, (3) an evaluation of Heard's thought, and conclusions. [TRUNCATED]

Following Russell Re Manning, I acknowledge the diversity and persistence of natural theology. Going further than Re Manning, however, I propose a 5-type taxonomy stretching from natural theology as natural religion to natural theology as theology of nature. Having met this descriptive responsibility, I then turn in a second chapter to prescriptive possibility in dialogue with the Anglican theologian Howard E. Root (1926–2007). An early advocate of natural theology and the arts, Root called in his 1962 essay, “Beginning All Over Again,” for awareness (i.e., of the arts) rather than formal argument. Critiqued by E.L. Mascall and others, Root responded in his 1972 Bampton Lectures, “The Limits of Radicalism.” Never published, I discovered these lectures in an uncatalogued box at Lambeth Palace Library, London. Drawing upon these lectures, as well as other archival materials, I consider Root's contribution to a natural theology of the arts. That said, Root's work requires further development, and so in an effort to recover Root I have supplemented his contribution with the more recent work of David Brown, his unacknowledged theological heir. In an effort to recover Root more fully I turn in a third chapter to consider the philosopher William Desmond, the result of which is a metaxologically reformulated Root-Brown hybrid. In a fourth and final chapter, I consider the American contemporary artist Jonathan Borofsky and several others in order to see how this theoretical frame might be applied in practice as a metaxological natural theology of the arts.

This study brings Christian theology and Christian analytic philosophy into dialogue through an examination of the compatibility and complementarity of Karl Barth’s theology of revelation, and Alvin Plantinga’s epistemology of Christian belief. The first two chapters are aimed at elucidating the central features of Karl Barth’s theology of revelation and clarifying his attitude toward the place of philosophy in theology. We establish that, for Barth, human knowledge of God is objective, personal, cognitive knowing, enabled by the Spirit’s transforming gift of participation in revelation. We dispel the notion that Barth is hostile to philosophy per se and chart the boundaries he gives for its interface with theology. In chapters 3 and 4, we focus on Alvin Plantinga’s Christian epistemology of warranted belief, and its relationship to Barth’s theology of revelation. A general alignment emerges in their shared inductive approach and agreed rejection of the necessity and sufficiency of human arguments for warranted Christian belief. Their contributions are complementary, with Barth providing what Plantinga lacks in theological depth, and Plantinga providing what Barth lacks in philosophical clarity and defense. Despite their general compatibility, two areas of significant potential incompatibility are flagged for closer analysis in the final two chapters. In chapter 5, we consider their views on natural theology. We extend our thesis of complementarity with respect to negative apologetics, and argue for a harmonizing interpretation of their views with respect to a potential positive contribution from natural theology. The final chapter addresses the role of faith and the constitution of a genuine human knowledge of God. We conclude that Barth and Plantinga do not disagree about the personal and propositional character of revelation, but may disagree about the possibility of a generically theistic de re knowledge of God independent of the Spirit’s gift of faith.

The current project attempts to construct a modest version of natural theology with the aid of Confucian axiology and American Pragmatism. Its main thrust is to map out several levels of integrative valuation moving from nature and society into the innermost part of the human core. It envisions a Confucian axiological cosmos where values are scattered ubiquitously in the universe and its myriad presences. The pragmatic theories of Charles S. Peirce and William James are employed to construct methodological mechanisms by which natural values are to be recognized, semioticized, transferred and integrated into the human equilibrium as valutional core. Nature, society and the human valutional core are envisioned as three major value hubs that are intricately intertwined and mutually reciprocal. The levels of integrative valuation consist of a series of evaluative steps spread along the history of Confucianism. Beginning with an objective observation of Investigation of Things, it reaches the semiotic stage of Rectifying the Name, which followed by physical participation in the Unity of Knowledge and Action, and eventually arrives at the grand stage of Ritual Appropriateness. The Protestant churches with Chinese cultural background are considered as the communal basis of this project. The rival coexistence of both naturalistic and anti-naturalistic tendencies makes them an apt sample for this axiological project of reconfiguring a natural theology. If accomplished successfully, this project will establish an axiological type of natural theology by means of integrating resources from Confucianism, American Pragmatism and Christian Theology. It will demonstrate a way of engaging nature alternative to those of logical positivist, materialistic or even ecological approaches. This project may help conservative Protestant Christians redress their obsession concerning special, direct, salvific grace by redirecting them towards natural values that are profoundly rich and nourishing by reconciling the cultural and religious dimensions of their lives.

Livros de divulgação nos permitem olhar de modo peculiar para a ciência de um período, e a percepção de padrões nessas obras pode dar indícios de como certa área de pesquisa era apresentada ao público não especializado. Nesta pesquisa investigamos textos introdutórios à química publicados na Inglaterra durante a primeira metade do século XIX, que para muitos autores representa o período de maior popularidade já experimentado por esta ciência. Sob a luz da contemporânea historiografia da ciência, valorizamos o acesso a registros originais e a reconstrução de contextos, buscando critérios contemporâneos que nos permitam analisar: Qual contexto motivava a produção e o consumo desses livros de divulgação? Quais obras tiveram maior relevância no período? Qual era a visão da química comunicada pela divulgação? No âmbito do ensino, buscamos viabilizar material historiográfico que explicite o caráter dinâmico da química, além dos seus vínculos com questões sociais, econômicas, políticas e religiosas, pontuando reflexões sobre aspectos da natureza da ciência com foco na formação de professores. Nossos resultados revelam um amplo contexto de valorização das ciências naturais como ferramentas do progresso social. Dentre as obras de destaque, resenhas e críticas dos periódicos locais apontam para The Chemical Catechism, de Samuel Parkes, e Conversations on Chemistry, de Jane Marcet. Ambas foram publicadas originalmente no ano de 1806 e receberam várias reedições e traduções, sendo também adaptadas e plagiadas por outros autores. Embora apresentem estilos bem diferentes, esses textos sugerem uma visão comum da química, tratada como uma ciência: de caráter utilitário e que se aplica diretamente na resolução de problemas de interesse econômico e social; que fundamenta a construção do seu entendimento sobre a matéria nos processos de síntese e decomposição; que desperta o interesse comum pelo forte apelo sensorial dos seus experimentos; e que desvela a sabedoria divina escondida nas leis que regem os fenômenos naturais. Esta última característica revela o convívio entre os discursos da ciência e da religião nos textos de divulgação do período. Esta tese busca um diálogo com a formação de professores de química na atualidade, pontuando como um olhar histórico sobre a ciência pode propiciar reflexões de interesse no âmbito do ensino. / Popularization books provide a particular way of accessing science within specific historical contexts by allowing one to glimpse how a certain field of knowledge was addressed to the lay public. The present research focus on early nineteenth-century introductory books on chemistry published in England as objects of study. For many authors, chemistry experienced its greatest popularity period at that time. Methodological framework was based on current historiography of science, taking into account a careful consideration of the historical context and the search for primary sources. Research questions included: What context motivated the production and the consumption of popular chemistry books? Which amongst these books achieved the greatest relevance? What was the image of chemistry communicated by popularization initiatives? Seeking a contribution for science teaching, this thesis provides historiographical material that makes explicit the dynamic character of chemistry as a science that deals with social, economic, political and religious issues. Such influences are highlighted in order to encourage reflections on aspects of the nature of science with a focus on teachers training. Results reveal a broader context connecting the development of natural philosophy with social progress. Contemporary periodical reviews point to the books entitled The Chemical Catechism, by Samuel Parkes, and Conversations on Chemistry, by Jane Marcet, among the most successful in their genre. Both were first published in 1806 with several further editions and reprints, also being translated into several languages and even plagiarized by other authors. Despite their very different styles, both texts suggest a common image of chemistry, which included: a practical appeal by its direct application in solving problems of economic and social interest; the processes of synthesis and decomposition as means for understanding matter in general; a strong sensory appeal provided by experiments; and the capacity to unveil divine wisdom hidden in the laws governing natural phenomena. This last feature reveals the interaction between the discourses of science and religion in popularization texts of the period. This thesis also proposes a dialogue with current training of chemistry teachers, by suggesting how a historical look at science may give rise to useful reflections for chemistry educators.

Livros de divulgação nos permitem olhar de modo peculiar para a ciência de um período, e a percepção de padrões nessas obras pode dar indícios de como certa área de pesquisa era apresentada ao público não especializado. Nesta pesquisa investigamos textos introdutórios à química publicados na Inglaterra durante a primeira metade do século XIX, que para muitos autores representa o período de maior popularidade já experimentado por esta ciência. Sob a luz da contemporânea historiografia da ciência, valorizamos o acesso a registros originais e a reconstrução de contextos, buscando critérios contemporâneos que nos permitam analisar: Qual contexto motivava a produção e o consumo desses livros de divulgação? Quais obras tiveram maior relevância no período? Qual era a visão da química comunicada pela divulgação? No âmbito do ensino, buscamos viabilizar material historiográfico que explicite o caráter dinâmico da química, além dos seus vínculos com questões sociais, econômicas, políticas e religiosas, pontuando reflexões sobre aspectos da natureza da ciência com foco na formação de professores. Nossos resultados revelam um amplo contexto de valorização das ciências naturais como ferramentas do progresso social. Dentre as obras de destaque, resenhas e críticas dos periódicos locais apontam para The Chemical Catechism, de Samuel Parkes, e Conversations on Chemistry, de Jane Marcet. Ambas foram publicadas originalmente no ano de 1806 e receberam várias reedições e traduções, sendo também adaptadas e plagiadas por outros autores. Embora apresentem estilos bem diferentes, esses textos sugerem uma visão comum da química, tratada como uma ciência: de caráter utilitário e que se aplica diretamente na resolução de problemas de interesse econômico e social; que fundamenta a construção do seu entendimento sobre a matéria nos processos de síntese e decomposição; que desperta o interesse comum pelo forte apelo sensorial dos seus experimentos; e que desvela a sabedoria divina escondida nas leis que regem os fenômenos naturais. Esta última característica revela o convívio entre os discursos da ciência e da religião nos textos de divulgação do período. Esta tese busca um diálogo com a formação de professores de química na atualidade, pontuando como um olhar histórico sobre a ciência pode propiciar reflexões de interesse no âmbito do ensino. / Popularization books provide a particular way of accessing science within specific historical contexts by allowing one to glimpse how a certain field of knowledge was addressed to the lay public. The present research focus on early nineteenth-century introductory books on chemistry published in England as objects of study. For many authors, chemistry experienced its greatest popularity period at that time. Methodological framework was based on current historiography of science, taking into account a careful consideration of the historical context and the search for primary sources. Research questions included: What context motivated the production and the consumption of popular chemistry books? Which amongst these books achieved the greatest relevance? What was the image of chemistry communicated by popularization initiatives? Seeking a contribution for science teaching, this thesis provides historiographical material that makes explicit the dynamic character of chemistry as a science that deals with social, economic, political and religious issues. Such influences are highlighted in order to encourage reflections on aspects of the nature of science with a focus on teachers training. Results reveal a broader context connecting the development of natural philosophy with social progress. Contemporary periodical reviews point to the books entitled The Chemical Catechism, by Samuel Parkes, and Conversations on Chemistry, by Jane Marcet, among the most successful in their genre. Both were first published in 1806 with several further editions and reprints, also being translated into several languages and even plagiarized by other authors. Despite their very different styles, both texts suggest a common image of chemistry, which included: a practical appeal by its direct application in solving problems of economic and social interest; the processes of synthesis and decomposition as means for understanding matter in general; a strong sensory appeal provided by experiments; and the capacity to unveil divine wisdom hidden in the laws governing natural phenomena. This last feature reveals the interaction between the discourses of science and religion in popularization texts of the period. This thesis also proposes a dialogue with current training of chemistry teachers, by suggesting how a historical look at science may give rise to useful reflections for chemistry educators.

This thesis defends two arguments. First, it is argued that new atheism and Protestant fundamentalism in Britain and America share a common historical root in the English Reformation and its aftermath. This common historical root gave rise to two presuppositions instrumental in their genesis: a literal, univocal, and perspicuous understanding of Scripture, and a disruptive and substitutionary conception of divine activity in nature. Second, it is argued that these two presuppositions continue to structure both forms of thought, and support a range of shared biblical, hermeneutical, and theological beliefs. In advancing these arguments, a number of substantive conclusions regarding atheism, Protestant fundamentalism, and the lineage of Protestant thought in Britain and America are reached. First, it is argued that, while lacking detail, popular comparisons between new atheism and Protestant fundamentalism are cogent. Second, it is argued that atheism in Britain and America grew out of intellectual and social problems within Protestantism. Third, it is argued that Protestant fundamentalism was itself a response to the same train of problems that gave rise to atheism. Fourth, it is argued that new atheism is not an areligious movement but an atheological one, which finds it necessary to engage in the task of theology in order to reject the existence of God and the truth of the Christian faith. Fifth, this study casts doubt on the self-understanding of both Protestant fundamentalism and new atheism, showing that Protestant fundamentalism is not truly biblical, nor new atheism scientific, but that both are indebted to presuppositions that neither can properly justify, and which render both self-contradictory.

The presence of metaphorical language in Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species has been the source of much debate, particularly in the interaction between Darwin's theory and the Christian faith. The metaphorical language used to describe "nature," "evolution," "natural theology," and "natural selection" is examined?within Christianity prior to Darwin, in Darwin's writing of the Origin, and in the responses of three Victorian Christian critics of science. "Natural selection" and "evolution" had metaphorical meanings prior to Darwin's use of these terms. "Nature" was a highly metaphysical concept, described by the metaphor of natural theology. "Evolution" was associated with epic understandings of human progress. The metaphor of natural theology was particularly important to the faith of Western Christians by the time of Darwin. In order to better understand the role of natural theology, the theories of metaphor developed by Kenneth Burke in "Four Master Tropes" and by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in Metaphors We Live By are compared. This comparison results in the development of an expansion of Lakoff and Johnson's metaphor theory, a model termed experienced metaphor. This model is used to explain Victorian Christians' emotional adherence to natural theology. Many of the interpreters of Darwin's work, both secular and Christian, saw natural selection as a rival to natural theology. The works of three prominent Victorians who attempted to defend natural theology against the apparent onslaughts of science are evaluated for additional metaphorical language regarding nature and evolution. Philip Gosse, G. K. Chesterton, and Charles Spurgeon each produced counter-metaphors to defend natural theology?metaphors of awe/wonder and of sin/destruction. The rhetorical effects of these counter-metaphors promote the rejection of Darwin's theory of evolution. The counter-metaphors identified are still in circulation within the debate over Darwin and Christianity today. The presence of metaphor in this debate deserves greater attention, in order to understand how metaphor affects the thinking of both Christian and secular audiences regarding Darwinian evolution.