Articles
Editorial
Paul Ewart
Pages: 5-6
Apparent conflict between the Pentateuch and modern science: The early Church’s solution, the solution’s biblical origin, and ancient Christian approval of evidence-based reasoning
Philip J. Senter
Pages: 7-28
Abstract
Modern scholars often accept the view that the narratives within the Pentateuch are not records of actual events. That is because, when taken literally, they are at odds with the findings of the modern sciences of archaeology, palaeontology, geology, and biology. Such a view is not unique to modern scholarship but is also endorsed in the Old Testament, Jewish writings from the late centuries BC, the New Testament and several ancient Christian authors of the first few centuries. Such writings continue a longstanding tradition that sees the Pentateuch not as history but as m?sh?l and ?îdot (categories of writing with a double meaning).
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Immunity as unity in community: theology in immunology
Graeme Finlay
Pages: 29-49
Abstract
The immune system consists of innate and adaptive arms. Recent findings have shown that immune function has developed over phylogenetic time by mutations (exemplified herein by genome-modifying retroviruses and transposable elements) followed by selection of those mutations that are life sustaining. In our lifetimes, conventionally inherited genes underlie innate immunity, but inherited genes underlie only the potential capacities of adaptive immunity, which requires extensive education before it can engage specifically with the innumerable molecules arising from the environment. For example, in B cells, three antibody genes generate an uncountable diversity of protective antibodies. This paradox arises from the fact that in each developing B cell, antibody genes are randomised, and potentially useful ones selected. This system demonstrates both the power of Darwinian mechanisms of natural selection, and the fallacy of genetic determinism (the fatalistic notion that we passively submit to our autonomous genes), because antibodies (and their genes) develop only by engagement with an unspecifiable diversity of molecules originating beyond our bodies. The unity-in-diversity of immune cells provides a metaphor of the collaborating members who constitute the body of Christ. The immune system is a health/non-health discriminator and furnishes a metaphor of the church’s commission to bring wholeness to the world.
Walton lecture: Thinking Machines? A Christian Perspective
Stephen N. Williams
Pages: 50-63
Correspondence
Response to Jonathan W. Chappell
David Trapnell
Pages: 64-64
Response to David Trapnell
Jonathan W. Chappell
Pages: 65-67
Book reviews
Origins: The Ancient Impact and Modern Implications of Genesis 1-11
Paul Copan and Douglas Jacoby (Graeme Finlay)
Pages: 68-69
What’s with Free Will?
Philip Clayton and James W. Waters (eds.) (Roger Trigg)
Pages: 69-70
Multiverse Theories: A Philosophical Perspective
Simon Friederich (Rodney Holder)
Pages: 71-71
Science in Theology: Encounters between Science and the Christian Tradition
Neil Messer (Cherryl Hunt)
Pages: 72-73
From the Big Bang to Biology: where is God?
Graham Swinerd and John Bryant (Andrew Halestrap)
Pages: 74-75
The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith
Sy Garte (John Duff)
Pages: 76-77
Through Dangerous Terrain: A Guide For Trauma-sensitive Pastoral Leadership in Times of Threat
Jennifer Baldwin (Roger Abbott)
Pages: 78-78
Modifying Our Genes: Theology, Science and Playing God
Alexander Massmann and Keith R. Fox (Simon Kolstoe)
Pages: 79-80
Seeing God Through Science: Exploring the Science Narrative to Strengthen and Deepen Faith in the Creator
Barry David Schoub (David A. Vosburg)
Pages: 81-81
Science and the Christian Faith: A Guide for the Perplexed
Christopher C. Knight (Keith Fox)
Pages: 82-83
Positive Psychology in Christian Perspective: Foundations, Concepts, and Applications
Charles Hackney (Peter Hampson)
Pages: 84-84
The War that never was; Evolution and Christian Theology
Kenneth W. Kemp (Michael Roberts)
Pages: 85-86
Are We Slaves To Our Genes?
Denis R. Alexander (Chris Willmott)
Pages: 87-87
George Gabriel Stokes: Life, Science, Faith
McCartney M., Whitaker A. & Wood A. (eds.) (Meric Srokosz)
Pages: 88-89