عنوان

Human Freedom and the Freedom of Natural Processes:

Number

LA126559

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Human Freedom and the Freedom of Natural Processes:

General Material Designation

[Article]

Other Title Information

On Omnicausality, A-Causality and God's Omnipotence

First Statement of Responsibility

Cornel W. du Toit

Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.

Leiden

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Brill

Text of Note

The article traces the development of causality in physical science and examines its functioning in theology, as well as its demand for a different approach to power, especially the omnipotence and omnicausality of God. The three main phases in the development of causality is briefly mentioned with special reference to some applicable notions of Hume, Newton and Kant. Some examples are given of developments that contributed to the erosion of the causality concept in the sciences during the nineteenth century. The possibility of thinking of God in a-causal terms is proposed. The idea of an omni-causal God is build upon a pre-modern monarchical view. The question whether the importance of God as an omni-causal agent forms part of our regulative thinking, is dealt with. Special attention is given to the way Karl Barth interprets our knowledge of God as well as God's power. We take the stance that the idea of God's omnipotence does not imply his omnicausality. This implies that he respect the freedom (autopoeticism) of nature as he respect the freedom of humans. This stance obviates the need to prove God as the magical force in or behind natural and physical events. The action of God is seen on the consequential side of events and not on its causal side. The article traces the development of causality in physical science and examines its functioning in theology, as well as its demand for a different approach to power, especially the omnipotence and omnicausality of God. The three main phases in the development of causality is briefly mentioned with special reference to some applicable notions of Hume, Newton and Kant. Some examples are given of developments that contributed to the erosion of the causality concept in the sciences during the nineteenth century. The possibility of thinking of God in a-causal terms is proposed. The idea of an omni-causal God is build upon a pre-modern monarchical view. The question whether the importance of God as an omni-causal agent forms part of our regulative thinking, is dealt with. Special attention is given to the way Karl Barth interprets our knowledge of God as well as God's power. We take the stance that the idea of God's omnipotence does not imply his omnicausality. This implies that he respect the freedom (autopoeticism) of nature as he respect the freedom of humans. This stance obviates the need to prove God as the magical force in or behind natural and physical events. The action of God is seen on the consequential side of events and not on its causal side.

Date of Publication

2013

Physical description

36-59

Title

Religion and Theology

Volume Number

20/1-2

International Standard Serial Number

1574-3012

Subject Term

a consequential God

Subject Term

causality

Subject Term

demise of causality in the natural sciences

Subject Term

omnipotence and omnicausality of God

Subject Term

the a-causal God

Cornel W. du Toit

Call Number

10.1163/15743012-12341254

Electronic name

p

[Article]

275578

a

Y