Doctoral Degrees (Systematic Theology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Systematic Theology) by Subject "Chaos (Christian theology)"

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    Die God-wêreld verhouding in die kontemporêre geloof-wetenskap dialoog: die bydrae van J. C. Polkinghorne
    (University of the Free State, 2010-11) Pieterse, André; Venter, Rian
    English: i. Since the Enlightenment scientific development has led to a world view that can be described in a mechanical way. In a modernistic world, processes in creation were described in a deterministic way, while causality moved God’s involvement in creation to deism. The uncovering of the quantum world and the insight that creation also displays a contingent character in different areas, brought about a new cosmology and made the question about divine action more relevant. The problem was that science could not understand and declare happenings in creation, solely from a physical point of view. In the post-modern world, reformed theology professes God as acting in both a transcendental and immanent way. A new cosmology required a reformulation of the traditional doctrine of Providence and testimony concerning divine agency. Polkinghorne, as a prominent scientist/theologian suggests that a Trinitarian God is acting in the cosmos and that both science and religion co-operate in a complementary way to display God’s divine action. This proposal could be promising for reformed theology. ii. The core question in this study is: can Polkinghorne’s understanding of how God acts in the world, contribute to the broadening of a traditional doctrine of Providence? To answer this question, there must be a clear understanding concerning the relationship between science and religion. iii. The question of how God acts and Polkinghorne’s eventual contribution is derived from these different models. The present debate necessitates a new relationship between science and religion, as traditional approaches failed to appreciate the unity in creation. iv. Polkinghorne’s proposal on how God acts, links with other more recent models, which focus on an inter-disciplinary approach. This approach benefits from the insight obtained from both the physical and human sciences. v. This broad review leads to Polkinghorne’s cosmological proposal. His epistemology is based on critical realism that utilizes the concept of dual- aspect monism in order to defend an anti-reductionistic perspective on reality. This metaphysical outlook enables him to revaluate the physical reality from a Trinitarian confession of eschatological hope. vi. Polkinghorne suggests a complementary relationship between science and religion, where both disciplines can function harmoniously. Theology as equal partner of science answers the meta questions that transcend scientific observation. vii. Polkinghorne professes a Trinitarian God that is personally involved in his creation, in such a way, that His temporal and kenotic nature comes to the fore. This transcendental/immanent act of God’s self-revelation, culminates in the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the Resurrected. viii. Acts of God are recognizable in a Natural Theology that respects the relationship with science. God acts holistically within an open cosmos that has been intelligently designed and is anthropically balanced. The conveyance of divine knowledge takes place within complex systems, like the chaos theory, which is an interaction between chance and necessity. This is recognizable to man that developed self-consciousness through a process of evolution and implies a process of continuous unfolding, from and towards complexity. Man is working in cooperation with God, who sometimes works under exceptional circumstances in extraordinary ways, of which the resurrection of Christ is a testimony. ix. A reformed understanding of Providence is traditionally divided into three different areas of divine action, namely upholding, governance and co-operation. The Trinitarian God maintains and governs the whole cosmos which culminates in the incarnation and resurrection of Christ. That is the strength of this approach. The primary focus is soteriological. The shortcoming on the other hand, is a limited cosmological focus and an under- estimation of scientific insights. These are two elements that necessitate this study. x. The methodological interaction of scientific hypotheses in Polkinghorne’s proposal is definitely strange to a traditional, reformed perspective. The central focus and starting point of his approach, namely a Trinitarian relationship that expresses itself in the resurrection of Jesus, agrees however with a traditional view. He offers a definite contribution towards the reformed doctrine. His contribution can be summarized as follows: xi. Firstly, a complementary relationship between science and religion affirms that divine action is acknowledged holistically as continuous cosmological events. xii. Secondly, through a new Natural theology, science, as conversation partner of theology, reveals God’s excellence in His continuing self-announcement in creation. xiii. Thirdly, dipolarity, as potential reformed theological construction, shows promise to base divine action on God’s faithfulness. xiv. Fourthly, God acts in a Trinitarian way through the interaction of chance and necessity in creation. A reformed understanding is challenged to harmonize a contingent reality with the confession of a faithful God taking care of his creation every moment. xv. Fifthly, panentheism does have a limited value within the reformed theology. It challenges a reformed approach to further reflect upon God’s immanent presence in the world. xvi. In conclusion: in the light of the quantum era the standpoint on Providence in the Articles of Faith needs to be reformulated.