Editorial board
Editorial Board
Editorial Board
Pages: 154-154
Editorial
Editorial
Keith Fox
Pages: 157-158
Articles
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Pages: 155-156
In What Sense are God of the Gaps Arguments Fallacious or Legitimate?
Pu Ji (Preston)
Pages: 159-187
Abstract
Theistic arguments which appeal to gaps in our scientific knowledge are frequently labelled ‘God of the gaps’ (GOG). While many regard such arguments as obviously fallacious (an argument from ignorance), some disagree. Drawing on critics and defenders, this article examines the logical validity of GOG, stated in two distinct formulations: (1) It is not proven that ‘God is active in this corner of nature’ is false; therefore God is indeed here; (2) it is not proven that ‘there is a natural cause for this event’ is true; therefore there is no natural cause or explanation. The difference is more than semantic; while the perceived wisdom mostly targets the first version, recent advocates match the second more closely. Neither formulation of GOG is fallacious once the logical structures and implicit premises are identified; the first version is best categorized as an assertion of burden of proof, and the second an instance of denying the consequent. As their merits are assessed against well-known objections, the second version is found to be considerably stronger than the first. It can be a solid argument, assuming that its empirical premises are supported by strong evidence.
The Swamidass Genealogical Adam & Eve Hypothesis: Rooted in Genre Misidentification, Ad Hoc Concordism, and a Biblical Proof-Text
Denis O. Lamoureux
Pages: 188-215
Abstract
Evangelical Christianity is often characterized by concordism in that it attempts to align the Bible with science. Joshua Swamidass’ genealogical Adam and Eve hypothesis stands within this tradition as he tries to match the purported timeline in the early chapters of the Book of Genesis with modern genealogical science. Like many evangelicals, he views the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2–4 as a historical record of real people and their activities, instead of an ancient account of origins that features de novo creation and a parable-like story with inerrant spiritual truths. In order to fit genealogical science into the opening chapters of Genesis, Swamidass must extend the standard estimated times of this science back by roughly 2000 years. The paper concludes that his genealogical hypothesis is based upon several mistaken hermeneutical assumptions.
A Theistic Cosmological Theory Aligned with Principles of Thomism: The Holy Infinite Memory Model of Consciousness.
Sam Breslauer
Pages: 216-236
Abstract
This paper presents a classically theistic cosmological model of consciousness that aligns with Thomistic principles. This discussion begins with a focus on the transcendent identity of God the Father existing in eternity, establishing His simple essence as the pure act of being self-conscious, which defines the mind of God as containing a single holy infinite memory; Himself. However, this model suggests His eternal mind also contains a complex infinite collection of unique self-memories all composed of His immutable essence, framed as the origin of differentiated immaterial information. Guided by St Thomas Aquinas’ formulation of hylomorphism, creation is understood as the ongoing process of God re-actualizing His self-memories from an immaterial to material form, requiring God to unfold prime matter as His first creation from nothing but His own pre-existent essence. The production of prime matter, as pure potentiality, allows the Father to breathe His Holy Spirit that contains the Word (foreknowledge of all possibilities / information) to manifest creation. This model suggests that formless prime matter can be described as a zero-dimensional point singularity of infinitely dense pure energy that is imbued with the self-consciousness of the Holy Spirit, which extends into a one-dimensional string that can then fragment into different physical entities. The immanent existence of God’s holy infinite memory at the incorporeal center of all created forms further implies that the universe is structured as an unfolding non-local holographic fractal. Formulating the beginning of creation in this way allows us to see possible connections between Christian doctrine, the primacy of information, string theory and other scientific principles that pose new ways in understanding the immaterial nature of the raw fabric of physical reality. Objections against this model, in relation to its alignment with classical theism, are addressed towards the end of this paper. Fundamentally, fresh perspectives are presented on the nature and origin of consciousness that may shed new light in uncovering the persistent deficiencies in our understanding of consciousness itself.
Correspondence
Response to Sam Breslauer: A Theistic Cosmological Theory
Johan Eddebo
Pages: 237-239
Response to Johan Eddebo: A Theistic Cosmological Theory
Sam Breslauer
Pages: 240-242
D Gareth Jones on Donald MacKay
D Gareth Jones
Pages: 243-244
Book reviews
Great Philosophical Objections to Artificial Intelligence.
Eric Dietrich, Chris Fields, John Sullins, Bram van Heuveln, Robin Zebrowski Philip Hefner (Todd Kantchev)
Pages: 245-246
Ethics Lost in Modernity: Reflections on Wittgenstein and Bioethics
Matthew Vest (Keith Fox)
Pages: 246-248
Natural and Cosmic Theodicy: A Trinitarian Panentheistic Vision
Jongseock James Shin (Rodney Holder)
Pages: 248-249
The Universe in the Image of Imago Dei
Alexei V. Nesteruk (Roger Trigg)
Pages: 249-250
The Globe: How the Earth Became Round
James Hannam (Carl Thomas)
Pages: 250-251
he Multiverse and Participatory Metaphysics: A Theological Exploration
Jamie Boulding (Meric Srokosz)
Pages: 251-253
A Universe from Someone: Essays In Natural Theology
Peter S Williams (Sam McKee)
Pages: 253-253
Coming to faith through Dawkins: 12 Essays on the pathway from New Atheism to Christianity
Denis Alexander and Alister McGrath (Eds.) (Christina Biggs)
Pages: 254-255
Climate Change isn’t everything. Liberating climate politics from alarmism
Mike Hulme (Hugh Rollinson)
Pages: 255-256
Human Dignity in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Perspectives
John Loughlin (Ed.) (Patrick Richmond)
Pages: 256-257
The Artifice of Intelligence: Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic Age
Noreen Herzfeld (Brian Monahan)
Pages: 257-259
Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith: An Introductory Guide (Second Edition)
Paul Moes & Donald J. Tellinghuisen (Ed Chan-Stroud)
Pages: 259-260
Aquinas, Science, and Human Uniqueness: An Integrated Approach to the Question of What Makes Us Human
Mary L. Vanden Berg (Keith Hess)
Pages: 260-262
A Christian Theology of Science: Reimaging a Theological Vision of Natural Knowledge
Paul Tyson (Mark Shaw)
Pages: 262-263
Playing God: Science, Religion and the Future of Humanity
Nick Spencer, Hannah Waite (Meric Srokosz)
Pages: 263-264
Conjunctive Explanations in Science and Religion
Diarmid A. Finnegan, David H. Glass, Mikael Leidenhag and David N. Livingstone (Matthias Egg)
Pages: 264-266
Understanding the Christianity-Evolution Relationship
Michael Ruse (Ernest Lucas)
Pages: 266-267