Creation ex nihilo: Origins, Development, Contemporary Challenges

The phrase "creation ex nihilo" refers to the Christian belief that God created everything out of nothing. This volume explores the doctrine's origins, development, and contemporary challenges from the perspectives of science, theology, and philosophy. It examines the relationship of the doctrine to its biblical sources, its emergence in the early centuries of the Common Era, its criticism in the modern era, and the responses of theologians to objections. The book argues that the doctrine should remain central to contemporary Christian theology and presents compelling arguments for its importance.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 430 pages
\n Publication date: 15 July 2021
\n Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
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The phrase "creation ex nihilo" holds significant importance within the realm of Christian theology, particularly in its association with the belief that God created everything from nothing. This concept has been a central tenant of Christian belief for centuries and has been the subject of much debate and discussion among scholars and theologians. In recent years, the doctrine of creation ex nihilo has faced criticism and revisionary theories from the fields of science, theology, and philosophy.

This volume, titled "Creation ex nihilo: Origins, Development, Contemporary Challenges," presents the findings of a joint research project conducted at Oxford University and the University of Notre Dame in 2014-2015. The doctrine of creation ex nihilo has been a subject of intense scrutiny and analysis, with scholars seeking to understand its historical origins, its development over time, and its contemporary challenges.

One of the key areas of focus in this volume is the relationship of the doctrine of creation ex nihilo to its purported biblical sources. While the Bible never expressly states that God made everything from nothing, various texts are taken to imply that the universe came into existence by divine command and was not assembled from preexisting matter or energy. The contributors to this volume approach this topic from a range of perspectives, from exposition to defense of the doctrine itself.

Another important aspect of the volume is the emergence of the doctrine of creation ex nihilo in the first several centuries of the Common Era. The contributors explore the historical context in which the doctrine developed, the challenges it faced, and the responses it received from various Christian denominations and scholars. They also examine the reasons why the doctrine came under heavy criticism in the modern era, particularly from the fields of science and philosophy.

In response to these criticisms, the contributors offer a range of responses from different theological perspectives. Some theologians argue that the doctrine of creation ex nihilo is a fundamental aspect of Christian belief and should be maintained as such, while others suggest that it may need to be revised or modified in light of modern scientific discoveries. The volume also explores the relationship of the doctrine of creation ex nihilo to claims of modern science, such as the fundamental law of physics that matter cannot be created from nothing.

Despite the challenges posed by modern science and philosophical objections, the contributors to this volume argue that the doctrine of creation ex nihilo remains central to the grammar of contemporary Christian theology. They contend that the doctrine provides a coherent and meaningful framework for understanding the origins

The contributors to this volume approach this topic from a range of perspectives, from exposition to defense of the doctrine itself. Some theologians argue that the doctrine of creation ex nihilo is a fundamental aspect of Christian belief and should be maintained as such, while others suggest that it may need to be revised or modified in light of modern scientific discoveries. The volume also explores the relationship of the doctrine of creation ex nihilo to claims of modern science, such as the fundamental law of physics that matter cannot be created from nothing.

Despite the challenges posed by modern science and philosophical objections, the contributors to this volume argue that the doctrine of creation ex nihilo remains central to the grammar of contemporary Christian theology. They contend that the doctrine provides a coherent and meaningful framework for understanding the origins.

The contributors to this volume are a diverse group of scholars from various religious backgrounds and academic disciplines. They include Gary A. Anderson, Markus Bockmuehl, Janet Soskice, Richard J. Clifford, S.J., Sean M. McDonough, Gregory E. Sterling, Khaled Anatolios, John C. Cavadini, Joseph Wawrykow, and Tzvi Novick.

Overall, "Creation ex nihilo: Origins, Development, Contemporary Challenges" is a unique and fascinating work that presents a compelling set of arguments for why the doctrine of creation ex nihilo should remain central to the grammar of contemporary Christian theology. The book will appeal to theologians as well as those interested in the relationship between theology and science. Its comprehensive coverage of the topic and its thoughtful analysis of the various perspectives on the issue make it an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the origins of the universe and the significance of the doctrine of creation ex nihilo in Christian belief.

\n Weight: 598g\n
Dimension: 207 x 250 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780268102548\n \n