Synopsis

The beauty and majesty of the natural world have never lost their power to evoke feelings of adoration towards the divine. Scientific study of this world has revealed a stunning mathematical order which appears shot through with signs of a Mind (Polkinghorne 2006). Traditional Christian theology relates these observations to natural theology, which is considered to be based on Divine (General) Revelation in nature. Nevertheless, in recent centuries, natural theology has been subjected to intense criticisms by sceptics and theologians such as Karl Barth and contemporary Barthians. This course offers a response to these criticisms by examining the Biblical, philosophical, scientific, historical, and theological issues related to natural theology, and explains the importance of natural theology for the lives of believers and the ministry of the church.

The contents of the course will be taken from Dr Loke’s forthcoming book Natural Theology: A Reassessment (Routledge 2025), which has received endorsements from world-leading scholars.

Biodata

Dr Andrew Loke is a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion and Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Andrew worked as a medical doctor for 7 years. He then completed his M.A in Philosophy at Biola University and Ph.D. in Theology at King’s College London. He has published eight books with world-leading academic publishers in peer-reviewed monograph series in the fields of theology, philosophy of religion, historical-critical New Testament studies, and science and religion.