A Study of Alister McGrath’s Account of Scientific Theology

Document Type : The Quarterly Jornal

Authors

1 PhD graduated of Islamic theology, Imam Khomeini Educaiton and Researh Institute, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant professor, Department of Philosophy of Religion and Theology, Imam Khomeini Educaiton and Researh Institute, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Scientific theology is a project in which science is deployed to enrich and defend theology. Alister McGrath is a pioneer of this project. He tries to show that theology and science are compatible and interactive, and the methods and principles of science can be used in theology. The question in the present article is which methods and principles of science are used by McGrath in his project, how his theology is characterized, and finally, what objections can be raised against his project. This is a major theological project, the study of which is instructive. In this article, we draw on the descriptive-analytical method to explain and then evaluate McGrath’s account. In his works, McGrath uses the a posteriori method, the realistic approach, and theory in theology, and his theology is realistic and a posteriori, which gives an outline of the reality. Despite its strengths, scientific theology has deficiencies, including failure to provide plausible arguments for use of science, reliance of theology on philosophy instead of science, taking scientific methods and principles as established, and an optimistic view of science.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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