Quantum Cosmology and the Laws of Nature: Scientific Perspectives on Divine Action

This collection of seventeen essays explores the implications of quantum cosmology regarding God’s action in the world. The result is a profound contribution to constructive theology, engaging current research in the natural sciences and investigating the philosophical and theological elements in future natural science research.

Contents:

Alston, W. “Divine Action, Human Freedom, and the Laws of Nature.”

Davies, Paul C. W. “The Intelligibility of Nature."

Drees, Willem B. “A Case Against Temporal Critical Realism? Consequences of Quantum Cosmology for Theology."

Ellis, George F. R. and William R. Stoeger. “Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology."

Ellis, George F. R. “The Theology of the Anthropic Principle."

Grib, Andrej A. “Quantum Cosmology, the Role of the Observer, Quantum Logic."

Happel, Stephen. “Metaphors and Time Asymmetry: Cosmologies in Physics and Christian Meanings."

Heller, Michael. “On Theological Interpretations of Physical Creation Theories."

Isham, C.J. and J.C. Polkinghorne. “The Debate over the Block Universe."

Lucas, John R. “The Temporality of God."

Murphy, Nancey. “Evidence of Design in the Fine-Tuning of the Universe."

Peters, Ted. “The Trinity In and Beyond Time."

Polkinghorne, John. “The Laws of Nature and the Laws of Physics."

Russell, Robert John. “Finite Creation without a Beginning: The Doctrine of Creation in Relation to Big Bang and Quantum Cosmologies."

Stoeger, William R. “Contemporary Physics and the Ontological Status of the Laws of Nature."

Ward, Keith. “God as a Principle of Cosmological Explanation."

Chapter Summaries