Cosmology in Theological Perspective : Understanding Our Place in the Universe

Olli-Pekka Vainio, a leading expert in science and theology, explores questions concerning the place and significance of humans in the cosmos. Vainio introduces cosmology from a "state of the question" perspective, examining the history of the idea in dialogue with C. S. Lewis. This work, which is related to a NASA-funded project on astrobiology, ties into the ongoing debate on the relationship between Christian theism and scientific worldview and shows what the stakes are for religion and theology in the rise of modern science. Introduction: Close Encounters -- Every Saga Has A Beginning: Philosophical Cosmologies In The Ancient World -- The Voyage Home: Cosmos In Early Christian Thought -- Resistance Is Futile: Galileo, Newton, And Darwin -- All These Worlds: On The Multiverse -- If It's Just Us, It Seems Like An Awful Waste Of Space: On Human Uniqueness -- Infinite Space, Infinite Terror: Our Cosmic (in)significance -- In Space No One Can Hear You Scream? God And Being -- There Is No Gene For The Human Spirit: Images Of God -- Come With Me If You Want To Live: Incarnations -- To Boldly Go: Beings In Search Of Greater Understanding. Olli-pekka Vainio. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 187-206) And Indexes. A leading expert in science and theology introduces the topic of cosmology from a “state of the question” perspective, showing what the stakes are for religion and theology in the rise of modern science. Religion and Science;Biblical cosmology;Cosmology;Religion and science;REL106000;REL067000;REL067020