GOD, HUMANITY AND THE COSMOS: CHALLENGING A CHALLENGING TEXTBOOK

Abstract

Christopher Southgate has been the editor of the textbook God, Humanity and the Cosmos. I consider this textbook fair on science and wise in intertwining issues in theology and science with ecology, climate change, and technology. It might also be challenging for students, as it introduces them to a variety of perspectives and a rich palette of literature. I wonder whether such a book, with its strong theological, "cognitive," orientation will remain relevant in European contexts, given shifts in society away from Christianity and changes in understanding what it is to be religious.

Response With a Select Bibliography

“…Some of the articles provide feedback on the textbook God, Humanity and the Cosmos . I take it as a particular compliment that Willem Drees, who has been such a distinguished figure in the debate as well as an excellent editor of this journal, should address the project of the book (Drees ). I can echo his experience of a shift in the confessional background of students; this last term (autumn 2017) was the first time I taught a group of theology students none of whom had any developed Christian commitment.…”