Light from Light: Cosmology and the Theology of the Logos (Emerging Scholars)

Cosmology and theology share a long held relationship with one another, explaining as they do the constitution of the world and the interaction of forces. The author explores the history of this relationship, from ancient pre-scientific and theological explanations through to contemporary science and philosophy. In this history, a particular problem is highlighted by the author: the prevalence of dualism; from Aristotelian philosophy to modern mechanistic conceptions, many of these accounts presume a sharp, absolute dichotomy between matter and spirit, and the material world and the divine. Increasingly, dualistic conceptions are called into question by contemporary science, theology, and philosophy. The author argues that a particular trajectory stemming from Greek Heraclitian and Platonic philosophy to non-orthodox and early Christian theologies provides a fruitful resource for contemporary discussions. This is the Logos theology and its attendant language of light. The author brings this tradition into dialogue with contemporary science and theology to construct an integrative account. Judith L. Corey (PhD, Claremont School of Theology) teaches in the history department at California State University, Los Angeles. This volume is based on a dissertation completed at Claremont School of Theology under the supervision of Gregory J. Riley. Cosmology and theology share a long-held relationship with one another, explaining as they do the constitution of the world and the interaction of forces. The author explores the history of this relationship, from ancient prescientific and theological explanations through contemporary science and philosophy. In this history, a particular problem is highlighted by the author: the prevalence of dualism—from Aristotelian philosophy to modern mechanistic conceptions, many of these accounts presume a sharp, absolute dichotomy between matter and spirit, and the material world and the divine. Increasingly, dualistic conceptions are called into question by contemporary science, theology, and philosophy. The author argues that a particular trajectory stemming from Greek Heraclitian and Platonic philosophy to nonorthodox and early Christian theologies provides a fruitful resource for contemporary discussions. This is the Logos theology and its attendant language of light. The author brings this tradition into dialogue with contemporary science and theology to construct an integrative account. (Publisher) Cosmology And Theology Share A Long Held Relationship With One Another, Explaining As They Do The Constitution Of The World And The Interaction Of Forces. The Author Explores The History Of This Relationship, From Ancient Pre-scientific And Theological Explanations Through To Contemporary Science And Philosophy. From The Pre-socratic Tradition To The Emergence Of Christian Orthodoxy, To Contemporary Science, The Author Traces The Development Of Logos Theology And The Pattern Of Theological And Philosophical Explanations Of The World, The Universe, And Life. Introduction vii 1. Cosmologies in the Pre-Christian Era 1 2. Cosmologies of Divine Light and Logos in the Christian Era 55 3. Orthodoxy and the Logos 73 4. Medieval and Early Modern Orthodoxy 103 5. Mechanistic Science and its Sponsorship by the Church 121 6. Contemporary Science and Interconnectivity 135 7. Spirit and Matter in Contemporary Science and Theology 183 8. Interconnection to the Divine in a World of Light and Transcendence 211 Bibliography 227 Index 245 Theology, philosophy, cosmology, God, creation, anthropology, wisdom, spirituality, light, Christology, Trinity, Logos, process, science