Articles
Editorial: Science, Religion and the Media
(not given)
Pages: 2-2
Chance and Providence
Phil Dowe
Pages: 3-20
Abstract
This paper considers an area of putative conflict between science and religion, namely, the Chance Worldview. It is thought by many that the existence of chance, allegedly proved in quantum physics, refutes the classical theist doctrine of providence. In this paper I consider the implications of Bell’s Theorem for the relation between divine and natural causation.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Christian Doctrine of Redemption
John J. Davis
Pages: 21-34
Abstract
The history of discussion in the ancient, medieval, and modern periods of the theological implications of the possible existence of extraterrestrial beings is reviewed and related to modern scientific interests. In the contructive section of the paper it is argued that the Pauline “cosmic Christology” of Colossians 1:15–20 makes it unnecessary to postulate additional incarnations as atonements in order to conceptualize the redemption of any extraterrestial beings that might exist elsewhere in the universe. This conclusion is consistent with earlier opinions expressed by Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Chalmers, but is based on a more developed exegetical argument from biblical theology.
The Internet: Beyond Ethics?
David Lyon
Pages: 35-45
Abstract
The Internet throws up a number of serious ethical issues at just the time when ethical resources are few and far between. Various reasons for this state of affairs are discussed, several of which show a continuity rather than a disjuncture with other communication and information technologies (CITs). These include exaggerating the ‘newness’ of the Internet, and forgetting that technology is a human activity, always amenable to ethical critique. It is suggested that the contribution of CITs to postmodern (un)realities puts the Internet in a peculiar position. While modern rationalities, including ethical ones, may be in doubt, by bringing users into more indirect relationships, the Internet also sharpens the question of ‘otherness’ and thus points the way to a relevant and potentially fruitful category for an Internet ethics.
The Meaning of Man, ‘Kind’
Paul H. Seely
Pages: 47-56
Abstract
In order to claim biblical support for their theories, both theistic evolutionists and creationists have distorted the meaning of the Hebrew word man, ‘kind.’ Although man can refer to modern taxonomic levels from phylum to species, ethno-biological studies indicate that the meaning of man depends in part on the type and size of animal being considered. With reference to insects and ‘fish’, man may correspond in rare cases with phylum or class, but more often with order, usually with family, sometimes with genus or species. For mammals and birds, and probably for reptiles and amphibians, biblical, historical and anthropological studies indicate that man although occasionally referring to order or family, usually refers to genus or species. These findings indicate that neither theistic evolution nor creationism can be closely correlated with the biblical text.
An Engineering Approach to Reductionism
P. Hammond
Pages: 57-64
Abstract
Various aspects of reductionism are considered. It is shown that the uses of reductionism lie in the separation of variables, which allows the construction of models required to answer specific questions. It is shown that a particular object or process can be modelled in many ways, so that no model is coextensive with that object or process. In spite of this limitation the use of reductionist models is wonderfully useful.
Correspondence
George L. Murphy
George L. Murphy
Pages: 85-85
K. Helmut Reich
K. Helmut Reich
Pages: 85-86
Book reviews
Shadows of the Mind
Roger Penrose (P. C. Knox)
Pages: 87-88
The Conscious Mind. In search of a fundamental theory
David J. Chalmers (D. A. Booth)
Pages: 88-90
God, Chance and Necessity
Keith Ward (Dr Kay)
Pages: 90-93
Putting It All Together: Seven Patterns for Relating Science and the Christian Faith
Richard H. Bube (J. C. Polkinghorne)
Pages: 93-94
Signs of Life: The Language and Meanings of DNA
Robert Pollack (R. B. Heap)
Pages: 94-95
In the Blood
Steve Jones (Caroline Berry)
Pages: 95-96