Science and Christian Theology: Past, Present, and Future

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between science and Christian theology has been a subject of enduring interest, influencing both academic inquiry and public discourse. From the cosmological reflections of the Church Fathers to the integrative visions of medieval scholastics and the complex negotiations of the modern scientific revolution, Christian theology has long interacted with scientific thought. Today, rapid advances in fields such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and quantum physics present both opportunities and challenges for theological reflection. Meanwhile, theological engagement continues to offer critical metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical perspectives on scientific practice and its cultural implications.

This Special Issue of Religions seeks to deepen scholarly reflection on the interplay between Christian theology and the natural sciences across historical, contemporary, and future contexts. The integration of insights from these domains is essential not only for the development of a coherent worldview but also for addressing fundamental questions about human identity, purpose, and the nature of reality. We encourage contributions that are historically grounded, analytically rigorous, and forward-looking, aiming to contribute to an interdisciplinary conversation that is both theologically rich and scientifically informed.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together leading voices and emerging scholars to examine the multifaceted relationship between science and Christian theology. We intend to chart how this relationship has evolved, identify areas of contemporary dialogue or tension, and envision potential futures in which theology and science can mutually inform one another. Through historical case studies, philosophical analysis, doctrinal reflection, and constructive proposals, this issue will illuminate how Christian theology can engage constructively with scientific developments while retaining its distinctive voice.

We welcome a range of scholarly approaches including but not limited to historical, systematic, and philosophical theology. Article types may include original research articles, critical essays, case studies, interdisciplinary reviews, and speculative or visionary contributions addressing future directions.

Suggested Themes and Research Areas Include the Following:

• Historical Engagements:
• Patristic and medieval approaches to natural philosophy;
• Theological responses to the scientific revolution;
• Nineteenth- and twentieth-century Catholic and Protestant science–theology dialogues;
• The legacy of figures such as Stanley Jaki, Ian Barbour, and John Polkinghorne.
• Contemporary Dialogues:
• Theology and cosmology (e.g., Big Bang theory, fine-tuning arguments);
• Evolutionary theory and doctrines of creation, fall, and providence;
• Theological and ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning;
• Bioethics and human dignity in the age of genetic editing and biotechnology;
• Neuroscience and theological anthropology;
• Ecotheology and climate science.
• Philosophical and Methodological Issues:
• Epistemological models for integrating science and theology;
• The role of metaphysics in scientific and theological discourse;
• Natural theology in the light of modern science;
• The limits of scientific explanation and theological mystery.
• Future Trajectories:
• Constructive proposals for science-engaged theology;
• The impact of emerging technologies on theological education and formation;
• Speculative theology informed by future trends in science and technology.

Dr. Joseph R. Laracy
Dr. Jamie Boulding
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• science
• theology
• creation
• cosmology
• evolution
• artificial intelligence
• epistemology
• metaphysics
• Stanley Jaki
• Ian Barbour