This book focuses on the idea of the imago Dei to engaging theologically with artificial intelligence (AI). It reflects on how enormous progress in the development of AI has raised some challenges to Christian theology. Questions explored include: is AI created in the imago Dei? If so, does AI challenge the uniqueness of the human being as the imago Dei? If not, could AI be incorporated into human communities as a human companion in the same way as a natural human person? Would AI eventually develop to have human-level consciousness and be capable of performing liturgies and ethical actions? Bringing to light the radical distinction between the imago Dei and the imago hominis, the book constructs a theo-ontological foundation for AI and draws on the Reformed theology of archetype–ectype as a metaphysical tool to deploy a holistic account of the imago Dei in theology–AI dialogues. The author argues that the imago Dei is the signifier of the beginning both of God–human stories and stories of human ethical performances towards others. From the perspective of the image of the imago Dei, it can be argued that AI can somehow participate into the narration of these religious and ethical stories. This book will be of particular interest to scholars of theology and those working in the field of religion and science/technology.

The benefits of the digital age are huge. Our lives have been transformed, both in the developed and the undeveloped world. However, this transformation has its dark side. The same powerful technologies have enabled cultural or religious grooming to flourish, unmoderated social ‘influencing’ to have free reign, fake information to spread, and sophisticated hackers to create destabilizing international mayhem. What place does the Church have in all this? How does it respond? What about the master philosophers of the neo-Platonic age, whose wisdom, borne of the great philosopher himself, was formed through the emerging doctrines of the early Christian church? The excellent and thought-provoking essays gathered here provide answers to these questions and more.

This book brings Maximus the Confessor’s logoi doctrine into dialogue with modern-day evolutionary biology. It explores the extent to which the logoi, as described by Maximus, exhibit features that are concordant with evolution before going on to consider more discordant aspects that cannot be ignored. The author addresses the curious resonance between the logoi and evolution in a systematic way through a close reading of primary textual material allied with a deep understanding of both the classical Darwinian and ‘extended’ evolutionary syntheses. The study joins with other Maximian interpreters in attesting to the incarnational and theophanic nature of the logoi, but seeks to extend this distinctively Eastern Christo-cosmology into the problematic territory of biological evolution, a territory historically dominated by Western scholarship. The book will be of interest to scholars of religion and science, as well as Patristics and the Eastern Orthodox theological traditions.

This edited volume offers an incisive exploration of the intersection between Islam and evolutionary theory – a topic that remains a focal point of vigorous academic debate and inquiry. Covering a broad spectrum of approaches, this work delves into contemporary scholarship, Islamic intellectual history, and scriptural interpretations, ensuring a rich, multifaceted discussion. It notably amplifies underrepresented perspectives, including Shīʿī viewpoints and contributions from female scholars, while broadening the conversation beyond traditional Arab-centric narratives to incorporate insights from regions such as Indonesia, Iran, and France. Structured into sections that scrutinize scriptures, individual scholars, and societal views, the book meticulously examines the complex relationships between Islamic thought and evolutionary science. An indispensable resource for scholars at the nexus of science and religion and for specialists in Islamic studies, this volume ignites fresh insights and promotes a more inclusive academic dialogue.

In order to preserve contemporary understandings of the sciences, many figures of the Divine Action Project (DAP) held that God could never violate or suspend a law of nature, causing the marginalization of miracles from scholarly theology–science dialogue. In the first substantive entry of interreligious dialogue on the topic, this book provides fresh, contemporary accounts of Said Nursi and Thomas Aquinas on miracles and science, challenges contemporary noninterventionist presuppositions, and explores rich, untapped avenues in the theology, metaphysics, and epistemology of miracles and laws of science. Through an exploration of Nursi’s Ash’arite, Quranic interpretation of the sciences, and St. Thomas’s neglected doctrine of obediential potency, this volume marshals powerful tools from the world’s two largest religions to elucidate the foundations of God’s interaction with creatures. As well as contributing to the contemporary debate, this volume provides Muslim and Christian readers alike substantive intellectual frameworks in which to think about the sciences from the heart of their own intellectual traditions, while at the same time giving them as alternatives to mainstream contemporary approaches for scientists and other readers engaged in theology–science dialogue.

Design Discourse in Abrahamic Traditions reconnects discussion of design arguments to its Jewish, Christian, and Muslim history. The ancient idea that there is evidence of purpose in nature remains one of the most debated topics in science and religion, but also one with great potential for inter-religious and interdisciplinary dialogue. This volume revitalizes current discussion by retrieving perspectives from the Abrahamic history of design arguments and engaging them with contemporary ideas. Beginning with the encounter ancient philosophy and creation beliefs, the book proceeds to delve deep into issues ranging from the nature of theological and teleological language to the implications of evolution and evil. This rich exploration showcases how, far from being irrelevant in a post-Humean, post-Darwinian world, design arguments continue to merit both popular-level and academic attention. The volume will be of particular interest to scholars working at the intersection of science and religion, philosophers of religion, and theologians.

How we understand our shared and individual heritage, interpret and disseminate that knowledge is increasingly central to contemporary society. The emerging context for such development is the field of heritage science. Inherently interdisciplinary, and involving both the Arts and Humanities, engineering, conservation and the digital sciences, the development of heritage science is a driver for change; socially, economically and technically. This book has gathered contributions from leading researchers from across the world and provides a series of themed contributions demonstrating the theoretical, ethical, methodological and technical methods which lie at the heart of heritage science. Archaeology, conservation, museology, the arts, forensic sciences, and heritage management are represented through collaborative research with specialists in applied technologies including object and terrestrial laser scanning, multi-spectral imaging, visualisation, GIS and 3D-printing. Together, the chapters present important case studies to demonstrate the recent advances and best practise within the discipline, highlighting the value of digital transformation across the heritage community that includes objects, monuments, sites and landscapes spanning two million years of natural and cultural history from all over the world. Visual Heritage: Digital Approaches in Heritage Science is aimed at a broad academic and practice-led readership, which extends across many disciplines and will be of considerable value to scholars, practitioners, and students working within heritage and computer science at all levels. The content, which applies heritage science across two million years of cultural history will be appreciated by a general audience, as well as those wishing simply to explore the vast range of potential technical applications across all the disciplines represented in the book.

Proverbs 31:8 challenges God's people to 'Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed' (ESV). In Unmuted, Usha Reifsnider makes use of 'muted group theory' to help church leaders and theologians understand the real challenges of identity, intersectionality, and the myriad ways of being human in God's world. Drawing together powerful testimonies from disciples of Jesus from around the world, Usha Reifsnider brings theological reflection and biblical insight to the contested question of multifaceted identities. As a convert from a Hindu background and, married to an American, she is well placed to do so. Unmuted ends with a powerful statement about the future of evangelicalism - in a clarion cry to the West to listen again to the voices of global church and join in with what God is doing.

Welcome to 1990s Norway. White picket fences run in neat rows and Christian conservatism runs deep. But as the Artist considers her past, her practice and her hatred, things start stirring themselves up around her. In a corner of Oslo a coven of witches begin cooking up some curses. A time-travelling Edvard Munch arrives in town to join a death metal band, closely pursued by the teenaged subject of his painting Puberty, who has murder on her mind. Meanwhile, out deep in the forest, a group of school girls get very lost and things get very strange. And awful things happen in aspic. Jenny Hval's latest novel is a radical fusion of feminist theory and experimental horror, and a unique treatise on magic, writing and art.

A heavy spirit of conceptualism has infiltrated the modern Christian establishments. Our traditions, philosophies, theologies, etc. Everything our beliefs are built upon has been influenced by an elite world-class system. Have you ever felt like there has to be more to our placement in this world than going through the motions of the Sunday morning ritual called “church?” More to this thing we call “Christianity?” If so, this book is what you have been waiting for. A truth movement has emerged. A remnant of modern “Ark Builders” endeavors to awaken those who are still asleep. Every day we see evidence of what the Bible describes as “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Those who secretly govern our world have an agenda to unite and target professing Christians. The motive is world dominance, and the method is mind control, to brainwash the mass into conforming to what is socially acceptable and politically correct. But we are not ignorant of the enemy’s strategies. This book equips its readers with information exposing this deception, as it bridges the gap between conspiracy theory and demonic activity. You are about to open the door to a world you never knew existed, a reality of which you never knew you were a part. Prepare yourself. Once you see, you will never be able to unsee this realm again.