Science and Religion in the Modern World: Intradisciplinary Perspectives Beyond Dialogue

Dear Colleagues, 

The last 70 years have demonstrated extraordinary progress in the scientific understanding of the universe and its phenomena. Thanks to the theoretical revolution of General Relativity and the advent of space astrophysics, which opened the entire electromagnetic spectrum to observation, cosmologists were finally able to propose, after three and a half centuries of absence, a comprehensive and satisfactory cosmology, i.e., a rational interpretation of measurable reality. 

During the same period, the relationship between science and theology experienced a progressive narrowing of the historical gap between the two that originated with the Copernican revolution, a progress marked by notable milestones: the renewal of biblical exegesis expressed in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Encyclical “Fides et Ratio”, the revision of Galileo’s trial, the Encyclical “Laudato Si’” with its recognition of the relevance of the evolutionary character of reality and specific reference to the thoughts of Pierre Teilhard d Chardin. 

These two parallel developments were instrumental in fostering fruitful dialogue between science and theology, which continues to produce encouraging results. Notwithstanding this significant progress, the time has come to go beyond simple dialogue and embark on common projects that commit scientists and theologians to working together without prejudice and on a genuinely interdisciplinary basis. 

With this intention in mind, we are pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Religions titled: “Science and Religion in the Modern World: Intradisciplinary Perspectives Beyond Dialogue”. 

The aim of the Special Issue is to lay the foundations for the construction of a "global cosmology" or cosmologia, as George F. Ellis has called it (Ellis, 2017), that, based on the well-established characteristics of scientific cosmology, includes the transcendent reality of the Christian faith.  More explicitly, and to avoid any misunderstandings, modern cosmology is not to be used to demonstrate or to change Christian dogma; rather, it should help to reformulate or reinterpret the latter with a language that is more coherent with what we have learned about the physical reality, and therefore more acceptable to the modern world. Considering that the current cosmological model, like any scientific theory, is subject to evolution, only those characteristics of the cosmos that are indisputable should come into play. Among these are the relativity of space-time and the holistic evolutionary nature of the measurable reality. 

These revolutionary novelties of the cosmological model can help deepen theological concepts such as the affirmation that the term creation does not refer solely to the beginning of created reality but rather to the ongoing relationship between Creator and creation. This relationship, and the destiny of all creation, passes "through the mystery of Christ who is present from the beginning" (cf. Laudato Si' n. 99). And, finally, that all reality is intimately connected, both material and spiritual, both that which we experience in our world and that of the entire Cosmos (cf. LS nn. 16, 117, 138). 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research themes may include (but are not limited to) the following: 

• Why is reality created intrinsically evolutionary?
• Holistic evolution and ecology. How the realization of our close connection to cosmic evolution can strengthen our responsibility for taking care of our common home.
• Relational ontology of the cosmos and Trinitarian ontology. Exploring the similarities and possible structural intersection between the relational ontology that best describes the interconnection of the very different phases of cosmic history and the Trinitarian ontology developed by the Cappadocian Fathers, which may be instrumental in building the above-mentioned global cosmologia (e.g., Zizioulas, 2010).
• Matter–spirit duality, challenged by the holistic evolutionary nature of the cosmos. What relationship is possible in light of contemporary scientific and theological advances? How does this affect our understanding of humanity in its dual material and spiritual dimensions?
• Eschatological scenarios in a cosmologia in which space-time is an integral part of the evolving measurable reality.
• The holistic evolution of the cosmos makes the possibility of extra-terrestrial consciousnesses increasingly plausible. A careful reading of Sacred Scripture and the reflections of Christian authors clearly demonstrates a cosmic and universal vision of creation, one that extends far beyond the horizon of planet Earth and human life. Therefore, human beings are not at the center of creation, but rather at the center of a divine Revelation addressed to them and entrusted to them, aimed at making them aware of their own dignity, their own good, and their own happiness. Given for granted that the possibility of a meaningful interaction with the potential extraterrestrial sisters and brothers is practically zero, by admitting other forms of life on planets other than Earth, Christians would have a new, broader, and therefore truer vision of the relationship between God the Creator and the created world, without having to redefine their fundamental presuppositions. In this context, Christian theology is challenged to deepen and, in some way, broaden its content of faith, without betraying its constituent elements, hence reaffirming its distinctive capacity for adaptation through growth, without disruption.
• The potential ecumenical value of a global cosmologia. Foundations for a more interconfessional theological reflection, which can also produce effects in ecumenical dialogue.
• The potential cultural value and credibility of scientific and religious knowledge. By working together, science and theology, which are still seen as distant or even incompatible by a portion of society, will confirm, as Pope Leo XIV wrote in his Encyclical “Magnifica Humanits”, citing the VII Letter of Plato, the following: “the deepest and most important things are learned only after much time and effort, by engaging in discussion with others, ‘striking upon’ ideas and experiences together like flint until the spark of understanding is kindled within us.”
• The place of humanity in a renewed understanding of the cosmos and the issues and perspectives therein. 

We hope that this Special Issue will initiate and foster interdisciplinary projects that represent the progressive evolution of the dialogue between science and Christian faith. 

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Ms. Chelsey Chen (chelsey.chen@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Book/book chapter:

Ellis, G.F.R. 2017. The domain of Cosmology and the testing of cosmological theories. In The Philosophy of Cosmology. Edited by Khalil Chamcham, Joseph Silk, John D. Barrow and Simon Saunders. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Zizioulas, J. 2010. Relational Ontology: Insights from Patristic Thoughts. In The Trinity and the Entangled World. Edited by John Polkinghorne, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambrideg, UK.

Pope Francis, Encyclical “Laudato Si’”,
Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas”

Prof. Dr. Piero Benvenuti
Dr. Costantino Rubini
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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