__"A learned, wide-ranging, and judicious exploration"__   
"This book is a serious theological treatment of questions that astronomers and laypeople often ask about the cosmos. If scientists were to discover intelligent aliens, or that our universe is part of a vast multiverse, what would that mean for human identity, uniqueness, and significance? These critical questions are too often overlooked in modern discussions of science and faith, so this book is a timely and welcome addition. Vainio offers a knowledgeable and balanced guide through strands of ancient thought, medieval Christian views, atheist claims, philosophical frameworks, and modern christological approaches."  
--__Deborah Haarsma__, astronomer and president of BioLogos  
  
"Using C. S. Lewis as an intellectual conversation partner, Vainio has produced a learned, wide-ranging, and judicious exploration of cosmology from a theological point of view. As clear and engaging in its expression as it is balanced and fair-minded in its conclusions, this is a considerable achievement that I warmly commend."  
--__Michael Ward__, University of Oxford; author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis  
  
"Outer space seems not to hear us scream. Can we say this vast cosmos is personal, meaningful, and purposeful? How can we construct a cosmology that testifies to both God's creation and our personal home? Vainio asks these profound questions while walking us up a path toward a scientifically informed theological answer."  
--__Ted Peters__, coeditor of Theology and Science  
  
"In conversation with C. S. Lewis, Vainio tackles a set of theological challenges presented by contemporary scientific cosmology. Rooted in the ecumenical traditions of the church and informed by knowledge of recent work in the sciences, he has provided us with a reliable, accessible, and imaginative study. This should prove of much value to a broad readership."  
--David Fergusson, University of Edinburgh  
  
"Discussion on religion and science is often beyond the comfort zone of historically minded theologians. On the other hand, scientists are not always careful with historical details. Vainio is both a professional historical theologian and a NASA-funded cosmologist. This volume witnesses Vainio's exceptional talents in an ambitious, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas."  
--__Risto Saarinen__, University of Helsinki

__Olli-Pekka Vainio__ (DrTheol, Habil, University of Helsinki) is university lecturer of systematic theology at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He previously served as a resident scholar at the Center of Theological Inquiry and has authored or edited numerous volumes, most recently Disagreeing Virtuously: Religious Conflict in Interdisciplinary Perspective.

Olli-Pekka Vainio, a leading expert in science and theology, explores questions concerning the place and significance of humans in the cosmos. Vainio introduces cosmology from a "state of the question" perspective, examining the history of the idea in dialogue with C. S. Lewis. This work, which is related to a NASA-funded project on astrobiology, ties into the ongoing debate on the relationship between Christian theism and scientific worldview and shows what the stakes are for religion and theology in the rise of modern science.

A leading expert in science and theology introduces the topic of cosmology from a "state of the question" perspective, showing what the stakes are for religion and theology in the rise of modern science.

__Contents__ Introduction: Close Encounters 1. Every Saga Has a Beginning: Philosophical Cosmologies in the Ancient World 2. The Voyage Home: Cosmos in Early Christian Thought 3. Resistance Is Futile: Galileo, Newton, and Darwin 4. All These Worlds: On the Multiverse 5. If It's Just Us, It Seems Like an Awful Waste of Space: On Human Uniqueness 6. Infinite Space, Infinite Terror: Our Cosmic (In)Significance 7. In Space No One Can Hear You Scream? God and Being 8. There Is No Gene for the Human Spirit: Images of God 9. Come with Me If You Want to Live: Incarnations 10. To Boldly Go: Beings in Search of Greater Understanding Indexes

Vainio, Olli-Pekka

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Epigraph

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1. Every Saga Has a Beginning

2. The Voyage Home

3. Resistance Is Futile

4. All These Worlds

5. If It’s Just Us, It Seems Like an Awful Waste of Space

6. Infinite Space, Infinite Terror

7. In Space No One Can Hear You Scream?

8. There Is No Gene for the Human Spirit

9. Come with Me If You Want to Live

10. To Boldly Go

Bibliography

Name Index

Subject Index

Back Cover

\["Fascinated by wonders in the night sky? ","This book looks at cosmology in tandem with Christianity","A great way to rediscover the awe of faith and creation"\]

Introduction: Close Encounters  
1\. Every Saga Has a Beginning: Philosophical Cosmologies in the Ancient World  
2\. The Voyage Home: Cosmos in Early Christian Thought  
3\. Resistance Is Futile: Galileo, Newton, and Darwin  
4\. All These Worlds: On the Multiverse  
5\. If It's Just Us, It Seems Like an Awful Waste of Space: On Human Uniqueness  
6\. Infinite Space, Infinite Terror: Our Cosmic (In)Significance  
7\. In Space No One Can Hear You Scream? God and Being  
8\. There Is No Gene for the Human Spirit: Images of God  
9\. Come with Me If You Want to Live: Incarnations  
10\. To Boldly Go: Beings in Search of Greater Understanding  
Indexes

Taking a cosmic gaze through a Christian lens, this smart book shows how more of how we can appreciate the celestial wonders of God's creation.

Cosmology in Theological Perspective

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Cosmology in Theological Perspective

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