O.k., maybe it wasn’t all Newton’s fault. I’m reading Seeing Further: The Story of Science and the Royal Society. It’s a series of essays by various articles on the subject of the Royal Society in commemoration of it’s 350th anniversary.
The most recent one I finished was Margaret Wertheim who reflects on the impact the scientific revolution had by taking away the place where God lives. (I simplify). In particular, Newton proved that the laws of physics are universal – in other words, things like gravity are going to work no matter how many miles away we travel. We take this for granted, but there are some aspects we probably haven’t quite come to grips with when we think about God. Even today, it’s fairly common to have people point up to the sky when they’re talking about God. (Watch a lot of NFL players after touchdowns, for example.) Back before we really understood what was going on with stars and planets and whatnot, there was a whole cosmology developed around it.
The four terrestrial elements of earth, air, fire, and water were imperfect – subject to deterioration. Stars and celestial objects were made out of the quintessential element which was superior. The closer you got to God, the better stuff was. But Newton and his contemporaries ripped open the sky. God had to move. And we’re still coming to terms with that.
It’s an interesting notion, anyway. For those of you who have a more philosophical, cerebral approach to religion, it probably doesn’t matter too much. But, it’s probably an issue at some level with those for whom religion is a more emotional, character-driven affair with an anthropomorphic God then not having a nearby place for Heaven probably creates some psychological trauma.
Sounds like a book my family would like. But — where did you find it? It’s very pricey on Amazon, and only from “Other sellers”.
Mary–The Indianapolis Marion County Public Library owns several copies. If you live in Marion County, get your name on the list.
Jaki would be a better author to mine regarding the History of Science begin with The Relevance of Physics, and graduate to The Road of Science and the Ways to God. He has a number of shorter works as well that dispell ignorance-Pierre Duhem, would be a good one to start with..