Christianity and the Nature of Science

by J.P. Moreland

Book Overview

Defends the scientific viability of creationism, arguing that science and theology may interact and presents clear arguments that creationism is worth scientific study. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801062497
• ISBN13: 9780801062490
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Agree or disagree, you'll learn from this book

First, I'd like to encourage everyone who might be persuaded by the arguments of the disparaging reviewers to read the book, as Moreland answers arguments like the ones they raise quite well. I'd also encourage everyone to read and be fair even to arguments they find personally threatening to their worldview. The reaction of some people to questioning the authority of science are identical to the reaction of some people to the questioning of the authority of religion. And this is not a coincidence, we all react poorly when what we worship is questioned.Finished this book a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed. This book is an introduction to the philsophy of science but it's written as a refutation of scientism (the belief that only scientific knowledge is real knoweldge) and an apologia for creation science. However, Moreland's bias should not be taken as indicative of the depth of his treatment of his subject. He gives what seemed to my virgin ears to be a very substantial treatment of the demarcation problem, to the issue of scientific realism, and to the various alternatives to scientific realism. Despite what some might think, Moreland himself actually comes down on the side of "eclectic" scientific realism, which is the belief that some of the theories of science should be interpreted realisitcally (heliocentrism, for example) and other perhaps should not (wave/particle duality, string theory, etc.) Moreland basically makes the case that scientism is self-defeating, that there is further no hard and fast definition of precisely what constitutes science, that scientific realism is problematic, that it is possible to account for the success of science without advocating realism, that it's an open question as to whether or not science "progresses" or whether scientific theories are replaced wholesale, that scientific theories are succesful to the extent that they embody certain epistemic values in the scientific community, that these values change over time, and that creation science, while currently viewed unfavorably in light of current epistemic values (like the exclusion of supernatural final causes) may yet be science, and may even by it's success change what the epistemic values in science in our age. Moreland also gives a brief attempt in a final chapter at debunking some claims made against creationism. He tackles the ideas that creation science makes no predictions, creation relies on problems with evolutionary theory instead of solving problems on it's own, creationism uses religious concepts like "God" and therefore cannot be scientific, and several others. He argues that all of these objections to creation science fail, and that creation science can be appropriately considered science. The book is out of print, so it's hard to get. It's a little involved for your average reader without some previous background in philosophy. Nevertheless, I will reccomend it to any Christian friends looking for a friendly introduction in

Excellent Introduction to the Issues in the Phil. of Science

J.P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola Univsersity, does a great service to the Christian (and non-Christian) scholarly community in laying out the foundational issues in the philosophy of science and how they relate to Christian theology. The work covers the definition, methodology, scope, and presuppositions of scientific investigation as well as a thorough examination of the "realism"/"anti-realism" debate within the philosophy of science. Lastly, Moreland gives a thorough treatment of "The Status of Scientific Creationism."This book is intellectually rigorous. It is serves as a thorough introduction that is particularly encouraging to the Christian academic community. If you are either a student or a professor, you will come away much more educated.The book also contains an excellent bibliography for those who are interested in further study.Moreland is a bona-fide Christian scholar--not someone who is carelessly defending creationism. Rather, he writes from the perspective of a thoughtful philosopher.

Good introduction to the philosophy of religion and science

Of course everyone has biases, and some foolishly think that philosophy is useless. Some think that only that which can be physically reproduced in a laboratory situation is that which is valid; in which case, all thought is irrelevant. Some people involve themselves in happy contradictions.Moreland is outstanding in the area of pointing out difficulties with resolutions in the area of thought and rationality. This is a very interesting and educational read for those who think they can "pos[e] a hypothesis that can be physically tested" as the foundation of truth and thought. Dr. Moreland does not wave his education in the face of the reader. He doesn't make you feel "less" because you don't have a degree. I've never taken a class by him, but he is a great instructor, even if you disagree with some of his points. All in all this is a worthwhile book to contemplate.

Excellent Intro to Philo of Science & Religious Implications

Moreland's book is an excellent review of the issues philosophers of science (and some scientists) grapple with in evaluating the legitimacy and implications of scientific claims. Scientism, the view that science is the preeminent source of knowledge, is delineated and critiqued. Moreland gives good reason for a more critical view of naive scientific self-confidence, and he argues persuasively that theistic hypotheses can fall within the pale of science correctly understood.

Brilliant

This book is seminal to any understanding of the intelligent design movement. It is a brilliant bit of work.