This book explores the intriguing relationship between theology, science, and the ideal of progress from a variety of perspectives. While seriously discussing the obstacles and pitfalls related to the notion of progress in theology, it argues that there are in fact many different kinds of progress in theology. It considers how this sheds positive light on what theologians do and suggests that other disciplines in the humanities can equally profit from these ideas. The chapters provide tools for making further progress in theology, featuring detailed case studies to show how progress in theology works in practice and connecting with the role and place of theology in the University. The book rearticulates in multiple ways theology’s distinctive voice at the interface of science and religion.
PART I Situating the Debate 1 Progress in Theology: An Introduction Gijsbert van den Brink, Rik Peels, Bethany Sollereder 2 The Metaphysics of Progress René van Woudenberg 3 Brother Juniper’s Experiment: And Five Better Ways of Seeing Progress in Theology Gijsbert van den Brink PART II Dimensions of Progress 4 Epistemic, Moral, and Religious Progress in Theology Rik Peels 5 Synchronic Progress in the Understanding of Doctrine: A Marian Perspective Michaël Bauwens 6 Fine-Tuning the Sources of Theology Hans van Eyghen 7 Theology and the Hermeneutics of Testimony: Progress in Theological Interpretation? Adriani Milli Rodrigues 8 Christian Theology as Comparative Theology: Going Comparative as Highway towards Progress Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen 9 The Paradox of Progress: Theology and the Divided Brain Oskari Juurikkala PART III Case Studies 10 Freedom and Foreknowledge: A Case Study in Progress in Theology Katherin A. Rogers 11 Epistemic Progress in the Divine Action Debate Ignacio Silva 12 Theological Anthropology Progressing through Artificial Intelligence Marius Dorobantu 13 Progress as Overcoming Theological Dissensus: Two Strategies in Ecumenical Dialogue Cody Warta 14 Progress, Theology, and Climate Change: Creating Pandaemonium when Working for Paradise Bethany Sollereder PART IV Progress and Theology’s Place in the University 15 Epistemic Norms in Theology and Science Johan De Smedt and Helen De Cruz 16 The Future of Protestant Theology: An Epistemological Vacuum Katrin Gülden Le Maire 17 The Place of Theology in the Secular University Paul A. Macdonald, Jr. Index
Gijsbert van den Brink is Professor of Theology and Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Rik Peels is Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding a University Research Chair in Analytic and Interdisciplinary Philosophy of Religion. Bethany Sollereder is a Lecturer in Science and Religion at the University of Edinburgh, UK.
