DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENCE

Paul Copan, Tremper Longman III, Christopher L. Reese, Michael G. Strauss, General Editors

The Definitive Reference for the Intersection of Christian Faith and Contemporary Science

ZONDERVAN

Dictionary of Christianity and Science

Copyright © 2017 by Paul Copan, Tremper Longman III, Christopher L. Reese, Michael Strauss

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To my wife, Alice,

with love for your wonderful support over the years.

—Tremper Longman III

To my wife, Naomi,

for taking this journey with me,

and to my mother, father, and grandmother,

who all encouraged me to be curious about the world.

—Christopher L. Reese

To my dad, Richard L. Strauss,

who taught me to love Scripture and seek truth.

—Michael G. Strauss

In memory of my beloved father, Valery Andreiyevich Copan

(May 21, 1924–April 14, 2016).

—Paul Copan

Introduction

Biblical faith and science have been allies and combatants throughout Western history. From Copernicus’s heliocentric model to Blaise Pascal’s meditations on the mysteries of God, from Darwin’s agnosticism to school board disputes over intelligent design, conversation between the two has been both fraught with emotion and fruitful for exploration. Today various scientific theories and discoveries continue to raise questions for Christian views of cosmology, anthropology, and philosophy—and for Bible study and public witness. Possibly more than at any other time in history, views about the relationship between science and Christianity in Western culture are both polarizing and confusing. Thus reasonable dialogue about the intersection of these two topics and clarification of their respective concepts and implications is essential.

The Dictionary of Christianity and Science is just such a contemporary investigation of the interaction between Christian faith and science. It is not meant to be exhaustive—much more could be written about each of its entries—but it is wide ranging and accessible. Virtually all of the contributors are evangelical Christians who are experts in their respective fields of study. All entries have been thoroughly peer reviewed by the general editors. It is ...