Science and Christ: a Dialogue

Science and Christ roots the traditional teachings about Jesus the Christ in the empirical data of science, specifically the evolution of the Cosmos and of life on Earth. Contemporary science and Christian theology have very different perspectives on the Cosmos and so tell very different stories about the world. “Science denialism" is, however, the popular myth that theology denies or at least ignores the empirical data of science. While stories told by science and by theology differ, they find common ground in the contingency in the universe. Both science and theology work within a horizon of knowing and not knowing. Consequently, neither is as absolute as they may appear in their knowledge of the world or of a creator. Each can benefit from the perspective of the other, and that is the point made throughout the book. That is why the book reviews scientific theories about the Big Bang and the myths of creation in the Book of Genesis. Myths are wisdom stories about what humans have experienced repeatedly in creation, like birth and death. Myths function as the means of passing on from one generation to the next insights into our human experience. In fact, the book shows that the way each generation decides what is important for its thriving is the myth of that generation. Science too has its mythic quality. That is evident from the fact that Einstein originally fudged his research because it showed that the universe does not exist in a study state, as scientists had believed, but is evolving.

Recent research shows that our species, Homos sapiens, is the first human species to develop the trait for religious thinking. Since evolutionary data shows us that humankind evolved and was not created in a state of perfection from which we fell, Science and Christ offers a reinterpretation of original sin based in the evolution of species and the trait for religious thinking. The book then shows how religious environmentalism is contributing to the survival of Earth and its life-forms. At the same time, the book examines the principle of random victimization made famous by Rene Gerard. While death is an expression of entropy in the material world, death is also the preferred instrument used by humans to protect their own interests. Individual life-forms and Earth itself suffer as a result.

Science and Christ reflects as well on multiple ancient myths and traditions concerning death and offers a new mythic understanding of death as the power of cataclysm in the universe which is necessary for the emergence of new forms of life. Thus, incorporating the work of Brian Swimme, the book shows how the seamless generativity in the cosmos allures us to see beyond its material forms and perceive its spiritual qualities. The new story of creation that is being made available by post-modern cosmological reflection is creating a dialogue between science and religion. This dialogue allows a new understanding of the place of Christ in the evolution of the cosmos, something Teilhard de Chardin envisioned a century ago.

Since cosmologists are unsure of the future evolution of the cosmos, the book presents an alternative view of cosmic completion in Christ through the lens of entropy and emergence. The book begins by comparing the perspectives of cosmologists and theologians on the Big Bang and closes by showing that cosmic evolution finds its fulfillment in Christ. While Science and Christ is written from the perspective of Catholic authors, it incorporates the perspectives of multiple Christian and other religious communities to present a rare synthesis of scientific, philosophical, and religious perspectives. While affirming of religious truths, it challenges the readers to weave their own myths and assumptions into a Cosmic Whole consistent with the scientific reality. While the Christian reader will emerge with a deeper appreciation of the inseparability of the Christ, the Cosmos, and themselves.