Evolutionary History in Theological Perspective: Exploring the Scientific Story of the Cosmos develops a new theological interpretation of evolutionary history. Exploring both secular and theological interpretations of evolutionary history, this new interpretation hinges on the similarities between individual redemption and the eschatological story of cosmic redemption as mediated by the Holy Spirit throughout evolutionary history. This new lens is then applied to relevant questions raised by the evolutionary process (especially suffering), and helps overcome the current shortcomings of contemporary interpretations of evolutionary history.
Mario Anthony Russo is founder of the Dortmund Center for Science and Faith in Dortmund Germany.
Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Atheistic Interpretations Chapter 2: Big History Interpretations Chapter 3: The Theocentric Drama of John Haught Chapter 4: The Christocentric Theodrama of Celia Deane-Drummond Chapter 5: The Holy Spirit and Evolutionary History Conclusion Bibliography About the Author
Insightful and engaging, this book delves into whether theology can enrich our understanding of evolution's epic tale. It's a thoughtful addition to the ongoing conversation between science and faith. -- Josh Reeves, Samford University This book by Mario Anthony Russo is a magnificent resource for understanding one of the most important aspects of the interface between science and religious faith - the theology of evolutionary histories. Russo's writing style is clear, comprehensive and comprehensible to specialists and laypeople alike. He addresses each topic with care and thoroughness, in a way that keeps the reader's attention as complex subjects in science, philosophy and religion are brought to light and discussed in depth. After two introductory chapters laying out the basic viewpoints of different ideologies related to the history of the cosmos, humanity and everything, Russo delves deeply into the various alternative ways that scholars have come to view evolutionary history. Chapter 3 on Big Histories was a revelation to me, and reading it made the writings of several people including some not mentioned in the text understandable. Russo's own comments were well thought out, and in my view very well supported and perfectly on target. The rest of the book delves into different theological views of evolution, including detailed discussions in one chapter each of the work of philosophical theologians John Haught and Celia Deane Drummond. Again, the reader comes away with new insights on how the divine nature of God incarnate in the person Jesus Christ interacts with the earthly reality of evolutionary history. Finally, the author presents his own views (strongly backed up by the work of many scholars) as to how the Holy Spirit intervenes in the necessary sufferings and evils accompanying the evolutionary process. This is among the most accessible books I have read on complex subjects in theology, and while some parts required paying very close attention by this rank amateur in the field, I was able to learn a great deal, and have had my horizons broadened. I believe, at least from own point of view as a biological scientist and a devout Christian, that this book makes an important contribution to the theological understanding of God's role in the creation of an evolutionary pathway for our world of life, and for human flourishing. -- Sy Garte, American Science Affiliation (ASA) Even when Christians have come to terms with evolutionary theory, they often see it as something that sits uneasily with their faith. Mario Russo goes beyond the usual apologetic posture by asking, more constructively, how Christians might make proper sense of evolution in light of their faith? He answers this question by means of a fascinating comparative analysis of the different ways in which atheists, religious naturalists and Christian theists tell the grand story of the universe. In doing so Russo compellingly shows that when seen in a trinitarian and pneumatological perspective, this story becomes deeply meaningful. -- Gijsbert van den Brink, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Is there is a Christian way to understand the evolutionary history of the universe? In contrast to those who use this history to support atheism, or some Christians who reject it completely, Mario Russo uses his expertise in both science and theology to interpret evolutionary history from a fully trinitarian perspective. In doing so, he challenges both those within and outside of Christian faith to recognise that the central question of our place in the cosmos can be illuminated both by science and by God's plan of redemption in Christ. -- David Wilkinson, Durham University
