ISSUES IN DIVINE ACTION (STPH-4885)
(09/07/2021-12/17/2021)
Course Memo
A seminar course exploring contemporary issues in the theology of divine action. Pursuing questions such as how we might understand divine providence, miracles, and prayer in this age of science, the course will consider how modern Newtonian science influenced our understanding of causality, how theories of contemporary science (such as quantum physics, chaos theory, and emergence) have opened the discussion of divine action, and how certain classical philosophical insights into the nature of causality (Aristotle) and Aquinas) may be brought to bear on contemporary issues in the theology/science dialogue. A background in science is not necessary. The course requires weekly reports with questions for discussion and a 15-20 page research paper. MA / PhD / ThD. [Faculty Consent required; 12 max enrollment; Auditors with faculty permission]