Abstract
The contemporary field of cognitive science proposes that religion (1) is a natural evolutionary development and (2) involves a two-system model of reasoning that, in a Christian context, moves from basic beliefs in God to a theological elaboration of those beliefs. The transition from natural religion to theology can lead to tensions, if not contradictions in thinking. An examination of the writings of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) on petitionary prayer uncovers this difficulty, both among his Northampton parishioners and Edwards himself. Pastors and theologians would do well to appreciate the implications of cognitive science in consideration of their own formulations.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Theology and Science |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Calvinism
- cognitive science of religion
- God
- grace
- Jonathan Edwards
- Prayer
- providence
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Religious studies
- History and Philosophy of Science
Cite this
Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion. / Kling, David W.
In: Theology and Science, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion
AU - Kling, David W.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - The contemporary field of cognitive science proposes that religion (1) is a natural evolutionary development and (2) involves a two-system model of reasoning that, in a Christian context, moves from basic beliefs in God to a theological elaboration of those beliefs. The transition from natural religion to theology can lead to tensions, if not contradictions in thinking. An examination of the writings of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) on petitionary prayer uncovers this difficulty, both among his Northampton parishioners and Edwards himself. Pastors and theologians would do well to appreciate the implications of cognitive science in consideration of their own formulations.
AB - The contemporary field of cognitive science proposes that religion (1) is a natural evolutionary development and (2) involves a two-system model of reasoning that, in a Christian context, moves from basic beliefs in God to a theological elaboration of those beliefs. The transition from natural religion to theology can lead to tensions, if not contradictions in thinking. An examination of the writings of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) on petitionary prayer uncovers this difficulty, both among his Northampton parishioners and Edwards himself. Pastors and theologians would do well to appreciate the implications of cognitive science in consideration of their own formulations.
KW - Calvinism
KW - cognitive science of religion
KW - God
KW - grace
KW - Jonathan Edwards
KW - Prayer
KW - providence
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U2 - 10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553
DO - 10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85070840372
JO - Theology and Science
JF - Theology and Science
SN - 1474-6700
ER -