Competing Truths: Theology and Science as Sibling Rivals - Softcover

Coleman, Richard J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563383608 ISBN 13: 9781563383601

Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2001

Synopsis

Recent books about the relationship between science and theology have generally taken one of two positions. Some argue that the differences between the two disciplines are irreconcilable, and there can be no constructive conversation between the two. Others argue that there should be a genuine rapprochement between the two since they are both truth-seeking disciplines.Richard Coleman disagrees with both approaches, and argues that theology and science are sibling rivals competing for the attention of truth seekers. In Competing Truths he contends that, in the Renaissance, theology lost its place as "queen of the sciences" thanks to the combative nature of its "sibling," science. Although science did not reign in the same way as theology did—mainly because science itself was displaced by philosophy—it sought to answer the same questions that theology did. This book places the conversation between theology and science in its broadest possible context, pushing both scientists and theologians past the paradigms of comparison and contrast, opposition and competition. Coleman recommends that both siblings use the model of narrative truth to connect the word-truth of theology with the fact-like statements of science, since narrative truth has the potential to connect decisive events in a way that teases out their significance and meaning. Coleman's helpful historical surveys and his constructive arguments will galvanize scientists and theologians to challenge each other, while still seeking truth in their own particular traditions. Richard J. Coleman is a minister in the United Church of Christ, a participant in the pastor-theologian program sponsored by the Center for Theological Inquiry at Princeton, and the author of Issues of Theological Conflict. He lives in Pembroke, Massachusetts.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard J. Coleman is a minister in the United Church of Christ, a participant in the pastor-theologian program sponsored by the Center for Theological Inquiry at Princeton, and the author of Issues of Theological Conflict. He lives in Pembroke, Massachusetts.

Review:

"Richard J. Coleman's Competing Truths is an impressive contribution tocontemporary scholarship on science and religion. Exhibiting here a vastknowledge of relevant literature on this exciting field of inquiry, hehas produced a very thoughtful survey and commentary, developing his own distinctive theological interpretation in the process. His provocativetreatment may not please every scholar he discusses, but it will be readwith profit by all." (John F. Haught)

"It comes as something of a relief to pick up a book by a generalist that promises to interpret the discussion in this field in terms that are accessible to the general reader...In down-to-earth language, the book reviews the history of the rivalry between theology and science (Part I), the contemporary philosophical and theological landscape (Part II), and concludes with a constructive statement, "Working Toward a Narrative Truth of the Universe" (Part III)...Coleman's discussion of the history of the relationship between theology and science is useful and generally clear."—H. Paul Santmire, for Theology and Science, Vol.1, No. 1, 2003 (H. Paul Santmire)

"Richard J. Coleman's Competing Truths is an impressive contribution tocontemporary scholarship on science and religion. Exhibiting here a vastknowledge of relevant literature on this exciting field of inquiry, hehas produced a very thoughtful survey and commentary, developing his own distinctive theological interpretation in the process. His provocativetreatment may not please every scholar he discusses, but it will be readwith profit by all." (Sanford Lakoff)

"It comes as something of a relief to pick up a book by a generalist that promises to interpret the discussion in this field in terms that are accessible to the general reader...In down-to-earth language, the book reviews the history of the rivalry between theology and science (Part I), the contemporary philosophical and theological landscape (Part II), and concludes with a constructive statement, "Working Toward a Narrative Truth of the Universe" (Part III)...Coleman's discussion of the history of the relationship between theology and science is useful and generally clear."—H. Paul Santmire, for Theology and Science, Vol.1, No. 1, 2003 (Sanford Lakoff)

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1563383608
• ISBN 13: 9781563383601
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336