Chaos, Complexity, and God: Divine Action and Scientism

by Taede A. Smedes

In Christian theology, the belief that God is actively involved in earthly affairs is fundamental. Yet it is challenged by the contemporary scientific worldview. The author of this study argues that the current problems with divine action are a consequence of a culturally embedded and tacit scientism according to which science is authoritative in many areas of everyday life, including theology. This study focuses on theological models that use chaos theory (John Polkinghorne) and theories of self-organizing systems (Arthur Peacocke) to speak about divine action. These models are analyzed and critically assessed. The author concludes that they are problematic, since they do not take sufficiently into account that there is a difference between scientific and religious language. Speaking about divine action in scientific terms rests on a category mistake resulting from scientistic presuppositions. The author also points to alternative possibilities of talking about divine action that take serious the logic of religious language.

Publisher : Peeters Publishers, Leuven, Belgium
Series : Studies in Philosophical Theology
Series number : 26
Year: 2004
ISBN: 90-429-1521-8
Pages: XII-288 p.
Price (Euro) : 30 EURO

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"This is a highly technical work on divine action within the context of science-and-religion. Implying that God is active in natural and human affairs, Chaos, Complexity, and God is the revised doctoral thesis by theologian Taede A. Smedes, now at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

Smedes takes an extensive look at scientism, which foundationally precludes divine action, and the challenges to the theological notion of divine action. Two case studies dealing with the models for divine action are presented in the core of the book: chaos theory as advanced by theoretical physicist Sir John Polkinghorne and complexity theory from physical biochemist and priest Arthur Peacocke — two science-and-religion heavyweights. Because of the differences in scientific and religious language, however, he finds fault with both.

Instead, Smedes offers an alternative way in which divine action may be discussed: Divine action is best described and best able to confront scientism by taking the logic of religious language seriously — by considering divine action in theological language. Chaos, Complexity, and God also includes two comprehensive introductions to the specific scientific content of both chaos theory and complexity theory."

(Science & Theology News, June 2005, p. 46.)

REVIEWS

Anne Runehov has reviewed the book for Ars Disputandi (http://www.arsdisputandi.org) . Click HERE to read her review (then click on the link to read the PDF-file).

Arthur Peacocke and John Polkinghorne responded to the book in the December 2005 issue of ESSSAT News. Click HERE to see their extensive comments (opens the issue in PDF).

Click HERE to read the review of the book in the December 2005 issue of ESSSAT News (opens the issue in PDF).