April 1999
volume 11 (1)

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Articles

Guest Editorial: Genetically Modified Foods: Why so much Concern?

Derek Burke
Pages: 2-4

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Why God Must Exist

Keith Ward
Pages: 5-13

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Cosmic Endgame: Theological Reflections on Recent Scientific Speculations on the Ultimate Fate of the Universe

John J. Davis
Pages: 15-27

Abstract

This article interacts with scientific scenarios concerning the ultimate fate of the universe developed by the physicists Freeman Dyson, Frank Barrow, and John Tipler. The history of ‘thermodynamic pessimism’ dating from the 19th century is briefly reviewed, and it is argued that these scenarios do not succeed in escaping this pessimism. It is concluded that any ultimate hope for humanity can not be found on the basis of known laws of physics alone, but must be derived from the standpoint of divine revelation.

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This Cursed Earth: Is ‘the Fall’

R.J. Berry
Pages: 29-49

Abstract

The bible story of the Fall in Genesis 3 is commonly referred to as a ‘myth’ but this does not help us to understand what reality there may be behind the biblical account. The interpretation suggested here is that: a. Adam could be an historical individual if God’s image, which distinguishes humans from other animals, is regarded as a divine act somehow linked to in-breathing (without genetic connotations) at some point in history; b. If Adam was created during history, there is no problem in assuming that he also rebelled against (disobeyed) his creator (i.e. sinned) at a time within history; the primary effect of this would be alienation from God, the source of his life, i.e. that he died. Since animal and plant death pre-dated Adam, the key to this human death is that it is specifically spiritual death, i.e. separation from God; c. God’s first commands to the newly created humans were to care for and pastor the rest of creation, acting as God’s vicegerents; the consequence of separation from God is that our first parents failed to steward creation for God, producing disorder. Our continuing failures are due to un (or self) directed disorderliness not the result of an innate defect. d. Christ has enabled us to resume our intended role through his reconciling work. But creation will continue to ‘groan’ until we accept the responsibilities which are part of the privileges of becoming a ‘new creation’ in Christ.

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Book reviews

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The Cambridge History of Seventeenth Century Philosophy

Daniel Garber and Michael Ayers (eds) (Charles Webster)
Pages: 73-74


Between Copernicus and Galileo: Christopher Clavius and the Collapse of Ptolemaic Cosmology

James M. Lattis (John Hedley Brooke)
Pages: 74-75


Science Meets Faith: Theology and Science in Conversation

Fraser Watts (ed.) (Christopher Southgate)
Pages: 75-76


Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues

Ian Barbour (Adrian Brown)
Pages: 77-78


Spiritual Evolution: Scientists Discuss Their Beliefs

J.M. Templeton & K.S. Giniger (eds.) (Ernest C. Lucas)
Pages: 78-79


Vital Dust: Life as a Cosmic Imperative

Christian de Duve (John A. Bryant)
Pages: 79-79


The Biological Universe

Steven J. Dick (John A. Bryant)
Pages: 79-83


Nature’s Imagination: The Frontiers of Scientific Vision

John Cornwell (editor) (Jonathan Doye)
Pages: 83-84


The Cambridge Companion to Jung

Polly Eisendrath-Young and Terence Dawson (eds) (Dr. Sara B. Savage)
Pages: 84-85


Evolving the Mind: On the Nature of Matter and the Origin of Consciousness

A.G. Cairns-Smith (Fraser Watts)
Pages: 85-86


Animals on the Agenda: Questions about Animals for Theology and Ethics

Andrew Linzey and Dorothy Yamamoto (eds) (Brent Waters)
Pages: 86-87


Beyond Science

John Polkinghorne (Denis Alexander)
Pages: 87-88


Metaphysics and the Origin of Species

Michael T. Ghiselin (Arthur Jones)
Pages: 88-89


Principles of Geology

Charles Lyell (Michael Roberts)
Pages: 89-90


The Faber Book of Science

John Carey (editor) (William K. Kay)
Pages: 90-91


Improving Nature? The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering

Michael J. Reiss and Roger Straughan (R.J. Berry)
Pages: 91-92


Faith and Uncertainty

John Habgood (Peter Fulljames)
Pages: 92-93


A Walk Through Time – From Stardust to Us: The Evolution of Life on Earth

Sidney Liebes, Elisabet Sahtouris and Brian Swimme (Hazel C. Lucas)
Pages: 93-94


Scientists as Theologians: A Comparison of the Writings of Ian Barbour, Arthur Peacocke and John Polkinghorne

John Polkinghorne (John Jefferson Davis)
Pages: 94-95


Frankenstein’s Footsteps. Science, Genetics and Popular Culture

Jon Turney (John Eldridge)
Pages: 95-96


Unnatural Enemies: An Introduction to Science and Christianity

Kirsten Birkett (Steve Bishop)
Pages: 96-96