Hubert Meisinger, William B. Drees, and Zbigniew Liana, eds. Wisdom or Knowledge? Science, Theology and Cultural Dynamics (New York: T & T Clark, 2006).
This is the fourth volume in the Issues in Science and Theology (IST) series that relays various material presented at the Tenth European Conference on Science and Theology, held in Barcelona, Spain, in 2004. It considers science and theology and the nature of knowledge and wisdom. Moreover, it contains viewpoints from philosophers and ethicists on hermeneutics, history, and Eastern Orthodoxy, with respect to a few practical issues. In his introductory essay, Meisinger notes that Proverb 2.10-11, “for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; prudence will watch over you; and understanding will guard you” (NRSV), offers valuable insights into what this book discusses: the consideration of science and theology, the nature of wisdom and knowledge, and – above all – their interaction and interdependence (1).
Taken together, these essays give important insights into the challenging relationship between science, theology, and culture. More pointedly, Peter Harrison illustrates that the disjunction between scientific knowledge and wisdom underwrites the successes of science in the Western culture, and Mariano Artigas deals with the reliability of science and its cultural impact. Chris Wiltsher explores the phenomenon, apparent at the beginning of the twenty-first century, that both science and theology have become displaced as sources of wisdom. Alexi Nesteruk, in an Eastern Orthodox perspective, evaluates the problems of linking scientific wisdom with the issue of existence-as-communion, and contends that the patristic notion of wisdom differs greatly from the contemporary notion of the same (with the contemporary notion of wisdom essentially being equivalent to intellectual knowledge).
Lucio Florio argues that, except for collectivist interpretations of the human person, all philosophies and religions hold that the individual human is the one who processes and synthesizes experiences. Celia Deanne-Drummond’s essay draws upon current research about climate change, and notes that the evidence forces theologians to take issues regarding the earth (more) seriously, while arguing for a holistic combination of thinking about God and the actions that should result from it. Michael Fuller links wisdom-thinking with ethics while arguing that legislation is needed to regulate biotechnological advances. Antje Jackelén explores questions regarding food safety and food justice as a test case of the dialog between religion and science. Walther Ch. Zimmerli contends that technology is the modern manifestation of wisdom, arrived at by reflection upon ignorance.
All in all, this volume presents a nice introduction to the issues, but those wanting deeper exploration are exhorted to refer to the twenty three other papers within the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT) journal, Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 10 (2005-2006). The editors note that their ambition was to contribute to and enrich the ongoing discussion in science and religion with respect to role that culture plays in that dialog. In my evaluation, they have succeeded in their goal. This volume is to be recommended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who are interested in the science and religion dialog, as well as biblical studies students who are drawn to discussions of wisdom.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.