Metaphors For God's Time in Science and Religion

Book Description

In this thoughtful exploration, Stephen Happel examines the fascinating intersection where scientific discovery meets spiritual understanding. The author investigates how powerful metaphors shape our comprehension of both cosmic origins and divine presence, comparing the language scientists use to describe phenomena like the Big Bang with the narratives found in religious traditions.

Happel delves into the complex relationship between evolutionary biology and faith, questioning whether human existence is primarily driven by competitive survival or cooperative altruism. He explores how modern neuroscience's descriptions of brain networks and neural theaters relate to traditional concepts of the soul, bridging scientific observation with spiritual insight.

The book addresses profound questions about divine interaction with the natural world. Does God engage differently with rocks, plants, and trees than with human beings? How do we understand divine guidance within the framework of an expanding universe governed by physical laws? What significance does the existence of time and space hold for our understanding of the divine?

Through careful analysis of metaphorical language in both scientific and religious contexts, Happel offers readers a nuanced perspective on age-old questions about creation, purpose, and divine presence. This work invites those seeking to reconcile scientific knowledge with spiritual belief to consider how the stories we tell about origins and existence shape our understanding of both the cosmos and our place within it.