Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion

David W. Kling

doi:10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553

Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion

David W. Kling

Religious Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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	https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553
State	Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

Calvinism
cognitive science of religion
God
grace
Jonathan Edwards
Prayer
providence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Religious studies
History and Philosophy of Science

Access to Document

10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553

Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this

@article{8bbf62e0ad9c47628d62cdf678da153d,

title = "Jonathan Edwards, Petitionary Prayer, and the Cognitive Science of Religion",

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.",

keywords = "Calvinism, cognitive science of religion, God, grace, Jonathan Edwards, Prayer, providence",

author = "Kling, {David W.}",

year = "2019",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1080/14746700.2019.1632553",

language = "English (US)",

journal = "Theology and Science",

issn = "1474-6700",

publisher = "Routledge",

}

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

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85070840372&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85070840372&partnerID=8YFLogxK

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 -