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The BioLogos Forum is designed to foster a serious and comprehensive discussion of Christian faith and the sciences. We believe that charitable engagement of different perspectives within the Church helps sharpen our thinking and deepen our commitment to the truth that is hidden in Christ. So while many of the articles and videos under the distinctive Forum banner come from BioLogos staff and Senior Fellows, we feature a range of voices, including those that disagree with us and with each other. Unless otherwise noted, views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of The BioLogos Foundation. You can read more about what we believe here, and join the conversation in the comments section at the end of each post.
The Church Fathers and Two Books Theology
In this series, Mark Mann explores what many of the great Christian theologians and saints of the Church have said about how God speaks in and through God’s other great book: Nature, or Creation. Listening to figures from the the 2nd to the 18th centuries,Mann proposes three main points:
Christians should think of Scripture and Creation as two “books” that should be read together for understanding the fullness of God’s self-revelation;
Science is a God-given tool for discerning the handiwork of God in Creation, and is fully compatible with God’s Word revealed in Scripture, and therefore,
Christians have nothing to fear from science.
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The Church Fathers and Two Books Theology: Introduction
Rather than looking at the ways Christians throughout history have understood Scripture, I want to explore what many of the great Christian theologians (and saints!) have said about how God speaks in and through God’s other great book: Nature, or Creation.
Justin Martyr and the Two Books, Part 1
Justin’s “Dialogue with Trypho” provides an appropriate starting point for assessing Justin’s contribution to the development of the Two Books Theory. For starters, at this point in history, what we now call the “New Testament” had not been formally adopted by the Christian Church.
Justin Martyr and the Two Books, Part 2
Tracing the history of Two Books Theology means understanding how Christian theologians from the very beginnings of the Church have understood God’s self-revelation, as well as the relationship between Scripture and Creation.
Irenaeus and Two Books Theology
Irenaeus is significant for our discussion of the development of a "Two Books" theology in two respects. First, he appears to have been a pivotal figure in the formation of the Christian Bible—the book of Scripture. Second, he is also a pivotal figure in the development of the Christian understanding of Creation.
The Church Fathers and the Two Books: Origen of Alexandria, Part 1
Origen of Alexandria is one of most fascinating and important figures of the ancient world, not to mention the history of the Christian Church, and easily one of the most brilliant
The Church Fathers and the Two Books: Origen of Alexandria, Part 2
In opposition to pagan philosophies of the time, Origen affirmed the doctrine of creation ex nihilo, the goodness of creation, and the important role of the Divine Logos.
Augustine of Hippo and Two Books Theology, Part 1
For Augustine, a literal interpretation meant allowing Scripture to speak for itself by attending to the intentions of the author.
Augustine of Hippo and Two Books Theology, Part 2
Augustine had a great deal to say about those chapters in Genesis that are especially controversial within Christianity today.