Articles
Guest Editorial: Genetically Modified Foods: Why so much Concern?
Derek Burke
Pages: 2-4
Why God Must Exist
Keith Ward
Pages: 5-13
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.
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.
Debate
Scripture and the Human Person: Further Reflections
Joel B. Green
Pages: 51-63
Abstract
Dr. David Booth has sketched a number of important considerations for a ‘biblical’ and ‘scientific understanding’ of human nature, and has thus provided a helpful orientation to what is sure to be one of the pivotal issues for the Christian community in the West in coming decades. However, the case for a unitary account of the human person in Scripture does not rest so fully on problematic word studies but actually goes to the heart of what it means in Scripture to be ‘human.’
Multiple Universes as an Explanation for Fine-Tuning
Rodney D. Holder
Pages: 65-66
Multiple Universe Explanations Are Not Explanations
Phil Dowe
Pages: 67-68
Further Observations on Mîn, ‘Kind’
John W. Olley
Pages: 69-72
Abstract
Recently Seely presented much data demonstrating the flexibility of usage of mîn in the Old Testament. Overlooked was the rarity of occurrences of the word, all occurring in the same syntactical combination which can be understood as ‘of every kind, in all their variety’. The focus is not on biological reproduction but diversity and comprehensiveness.
Book reviews
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
The Biological Universe
Steven J. Dick (John A. Bryant)
Pages: 79-83
Vital Dust: Life as a Cosmic Imperative
Christian de Duve (John A. Bryant)
Pages: 79-79
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