A Consistent Reading of Science and Faith

2 new books and an exciting Conference featuring world-renowned scholars including a Nobel Laureate address this theme

Join Us on August 6, 2024 at CUA in Washington D.C.

The Ethics of Evidence Foundation in collaboration with Herder and Herder is now presenting Volume 2 of A Christian Cosmology by physicist-theologian Richard J. Pendergast, SJ (1927 -2012), The Cosmic Hierarchy: The Universe and its Many Irreducible Levels. The Foundation has already published an introductory volume 1 and volume 6 on the Eucharist. In addition, Dr. Valerie Miké, the editor of the series, has prepared a companion volume, From Information to Insight: Toward a Consistent Reading of Science and Faith, that offers independent testimony for the compatibility of faith and reason, science and religion.

On August 6, 2024 at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., the Foundation will host a day-long conference entitled “The Faith-Science Vision of Richard J. Pendergast, S.J.: The Bible, Evolution, and the Problem of Good and Evil,” featuring Dr. Robert George of the James Madison Foundation at Princeton University and Dr. William Phillips, Nobel Laureate in Physics (1997). Dr. Jeffrey W. Herrmann, Rev. Joseph Laracy, and Dr. Matthew Ramage will present on Fr. Pendergast’s work and the complementarity of faith and science, evolution, and the problem of good and evil. The conference, which will be moderated by Msgr. Stuart Swetland, President of Donnelly College, is co-sponsored by Donnelly College and the Ethics of Evidence Foundation. Further information can be found at donnelly.edu/academics/ethics-of-evidence-conference.

The work of Father Pendergast is a milestone study for developing a Christian cosmology that incorporates evolution—reality as process. He shows that science combined with faith reveals a coherent picture of what we know about reality. Neither science nor faith alone can adequately address the questions of the human heart and mind. But studied together, nature and sacred Scripture, historically called the two books of God, offer insight, beauty, and a meaningful way of life centered on the primacy of love.

The work of Father Pendergast is the basis of this initiative of evangelization: an integrated worldview that provides the path for the exploration of life’s mysteries. Those of us who are deeply concerned about the alarming rate of young people leaving the church or despairing in other ways because they see no meaning are called to respond.

herderandherder.com/pendergast-series

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR A CHRISTIAN COSMOLOGY

 “I have examined the first and the sixth volume you have graciously sent me and I am happy that Professor Valerie Miké will be able to present them to the Holy Father. I believe this initiative will celebrate the efforts of Fr. Richard Pendergast, S.J. (1927-2012), a scientist and man of God, who genuinely and honestly tried to seek the integration of modern science and divine revelation.”

-GIANFRANCO CARDINAL RAVASI,

President, Pontifical Council for Culture

“The relation between modern science and a modern Christian theology is one of the most important tasks for today’s theology. Following the inspiring paths of Teilhard de Chardin and working on a high academic level Richard J. Pendergast SJ gives an outstanding example with his significant contributions to this field.”

–CHRISTOPH CARDINAL SCHOENBORN,

OP, Archbishop of Vienna, Austria

“The call of Benedict in the beginning in Europe is echoed as Richard Pendergast proclaims

the light of Christ to the modern world.”

–BISHOP ASZTRIK VÁRSZEGI,

OSB, Historian, Archabbot Emeritus of Pannonhalma, Hungary

“These [books] are most impressive and I am delighted to have read them. I hope they do a great deal of good once they are formally published along with the other volumes.”

-MICHAEL J. REISS,

Professor of Science Education. UCL Institute of Education, London

“A hundred years ago Teilhard de Chardin had a Christian vision of the world in the light of evolution. Following him, Richard Pendergast began the task of systematic analysis to reflect the vision that he shared, in order to help show the way in humanity’s search for God.”

–BISHOP ATTILA MIKLÓSHÁZY,

SJ, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, Toronto School of Theology

“In our age, science is revealing to us, even more, the true grandeur of God’s design. Writing in the spirit of Pope St. John Paul II’s teaching on science, philosophy, and theology in a common quest for understanding, Richard Pendergast undertook the development of a Christian cosmology based on reality as process, to replace the medieval static worldview. This is the fascinating lifetime work of a Catholic priest-scientist, an original thinker who has opened pathways for generations to follow and explore.

While there may be other approaches, Fr. Pendergast’s desire to synthesize faith and reason, theology and science, to speak in a language intelligible to our technological age, is to be admired and emulated. His work is a must-read for anyone who wishes to evangelize the scientifically literate generations now being formed.”

– MSGR. STUART W. SWETLAND,

STD, President of Donnelly College, Kansas, Commentator on religious issues on national radio and television. Academic degrees in theology (Pontifical Lateran University), physics (US Naval Academy), philosophy and economics (Oxford).

Volume 1.  THE COSMIC HIERARCHY

God’s Plan for the Evolution of the Universe

 Introduction to a Christian cosmology, the integration of modern science and divine revelation, with focus on the key scientific issues.

Volume 2.  THE COSMIC HIERARCHY

The Universe and Its Many Irreducible Levels

 A Christian cosmology, the integration of modern science and divine revelation. Analysis of scientific issues in the full context of insights offered by philosophy and theology.

Volume 3. A VISION FOR OUR TIMES

In the Sadness of the Modern World

 The present crisis and the need for a cosmology that incorporates modern science into a religious view of the world to provide meaning. A beginning is made with new concepts of physics (quantum mechanics) and philosophy (process thought).

Volume 4. THE LIVING UNIVERSE

An Organic Theory of Mind and Matter

The author’s interpretation of quantum mechanics and the synthesis of Aristotelian and Whiteheadian concepts result in a process cosmology. The relationship of the cosmos to the transcendent reality of God.

Volume 5. CREATION, EVIL, AND THE TRINITY

A Christian Process Theology

Integration of the new cosmology into a wider theological synthesis shows, even in these very brief analyses, that Christian revelation on a process basis illuminates the fundamental nature of reality in a fresh way.

Volume 6. THE MASS ON THE WORLD

A Modern Theory of Transubstantiation

 A reprint in three languages (English, German, and Spanish) of the author’s study concerning the teaching of the Catholic Church on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 

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Contact:
Msgr. Stuart W. Swetland
The Ethics of Evidence Foundation
(913) 621-8746
[email protected]

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.