Discoveries in contemporary psychology and neuroscience are causing people of all faiths to re-examine religion, spiritual experience and belief in God. This is a ground-breaking, accessible look at the implications of cognitive science for religion and theology, intended for laypeople. Avoiding neurological jargon and respectful to all faiths, it examines: what religious experience is as it plays out in our brains; How modern science challenges historic ideas about free will and undermines the religious concept of the soul as a metaphysical entity separable from the body; What cognitive science reveals about our need for community; The benefits of loyalty to one faith if, in fact, all major religious traditions deal effectively with universal human needs; Current theory on how our brains construct our world in order to guide us safely through life, creating and appreciating meaning as we go.
About the Author :
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL, (www.bradartson.com) an inspiring speaker and educator, holds the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is vice president of American Jewish University in Los Angeles. He is a member of the philosophy department, supervises the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program and mentors Camp Ramah in California. He is also dean of Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam, Germany, ordaining rabbis for the European Union. A regular columnist for the Huffington Post, he is author of many articles and books, including Renewing the Process of Creation: A Jewish Integration of Science and Spirit; God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology and Passing Life's Tests: Spiritual Reflections on the Trial of Abraham, the Binding of Isaac (all Jewish Lights).
Review :
"A festival of a book.... Addictively and accessibly readable, adventurously faithful to the scientific and to the biblical heritage, [it] guides us all spiritual seekers and skeptics, congregations and classes to a celebration of our shared, fragile and gorgeous creaturehood."
Catherine Keller, professor of constructive theology, Drew University; author, On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Process
"Explains recent scientific developments in accessible ways.... Draws richly on the Jewish past while pointing toward and so helping to create an affirmative future."
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, PhD, president, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
Process Theology joins Jewish scholarship in a stimulating investigation of creation. Beautifully written, informative, lucid, eminently readable read it!
Francisco J. Ayala, PhD, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
This book does something new and long overdue: it brings together Judaism, modern cosmology and Process Theology.... Rich in spiritual and ethical conclusions.
Howard Smith, PhD, senior astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center; author, Let There Be Light: Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah, a New Conversation between Science and Religion
Artson's book is refreshing in that his ideas are not confined by modern science. Indeed, he considers the possibility that perhaps Process Theology encompasses what will one day be understood within the confines of science. Those who are skeptical may not be convinced but it will certainly give them pause.
Ira Z. Rothstein, PhD, professor of physics, Carnegie Mellon University
"
In Rabbi Artson's Introduction, he writes: "Human beings and our ancestors have been meaning seekers and meaning makers even before our most ancient beginnings. And at the start of that search are these questions: Why is there something rather than nothing? Why is the world comprehensible at all? Where did we come from? Do we belong?"
In this daring blend of Jewish theology, science and Process Thought, theologian Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson fleshes out an appreciation of creation in the light of science that allows us to articulate a deeper sense of space and time and the wonders of being alive. He explores the ethical and moral implications of humanity's role as steward and partner in creation, as well as how the recognition of land as holy the Earth in general and Israel in particular enables a religious discipline of blessing and gratitude that makes it possible for life to blossom.
Exciting and accessible for Jews and non-Jews seeking to reconcile their spirituality and modern science, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the meaning of creation made possible by Judaism and Process Thought.
Rabbi Brad Artson is one of the most creative Jewish thinkers and educators in America today.
--Dov Peretz Elkins"Jewish Media Review" (01/31/2016)"
Synopsis: In Renewing the Process of Creation, a deft blending of Jewish theology, science and Process Thought, theologian Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University) explores Judaism and the sciences as dynamically interactive and mutually informative. Renewing the Process of Creation shows how integrating human knowing with human living can help us arrive at a plausible and likely account of what we can know about the beginning and unfolding of the cosmos. Renewing the Process of Creation offers new ways to find fresh insights in the cultural and spiritual resources of the Jewish tradition, Torah, midrash, philosophy and new possibilities for human wholeness.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented in five major sections (The Science of Creation; Creation Theology in the Light of Science; Creation in Space and Time; Creation Ethics; Locating Ourselves Israel and the World), Renewing the Process of Creation is an inherently fascinating and impressively informative read that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Very highly recommended for personal, synagogue and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists....
--Able Greenspan"Midwest Book Review" (01/01/2016)"
"A festival of a book.... Addictively and accessibly readable, adventurously faithful to the scientific and to the biblical heritage, [it] guides us all spiritual seekers and skeptics, congregations and classes to a celebration of our shared, fragile and gorgeous creaturehood." Catherine Keller, professor of constructive theology, Drew University; author, On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Process
"Explains recent scientific developments in accessible ways.... Draws richly on the Jewish past while pointing toward and so helping to create an affirmative future." Rabbi Deborah Waxman, PhD, president, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
Process Theology joins Jewish scholarship in a stimulating investigation of creation. Beautifully written, informative, lucid, eminently readable read it! Francisco J. Ayala, PhD, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
This book does something new and long overdue: it brings together Judaism, modern cosmology and Process Theology.... Rich in spiritual and ethical conclusions. Howard Smith, PhD, senior astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center; author, Let There Be Light: Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah, a New Conversation between Science and Religion
Artson's book is refreshing in that his ideas are not confined by modern science. Indeed, he considers the possibility that perhaps Process Theology encompasses what will one day be understood within the confines of science. Those who are skeptical may not be convinced but it will certainly give them pause. Ira Z. Rothstein, PhD, professor of physics, Carnegie Mellon University"
In Rabbi Artson's Introduction, he writes: "Human beings and our ancestors have been meaning seekers and meaning makers even before our most ancient beginnings. And at the start of that search are these questions: Why is there something rather than nothing? Why is the world comprehensible at all? Where did we come from? Do we belong?"
In this daring blend of Jewish theology, science and Process Thought, theologian Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson fleshes out an appreciation of creation in the light of science that allows us to articulate a deeper sense of space and time and the wonders of being alive. He explores the ethical and moral implications of humanity's role as steward and partner in creation, as well as how the recognition of land as holy the Earth in general and Israel in particular enables a religious discipline of blessing and gratitude that makes it possible for life to blossom.
Exciting and accessible for Jews and non-Jews seeking to reconcile their spirituality and modern science, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the meaning of creation made possible by Judaism and Process Thought.
Rabbi Brad Artson is one of the most creative Jewish thinkers and educators in America today.--Dov Peretz Elkins"Jewish Media Review" (01/31/2016)"
Synopsis: In Renewing the Process of Creation, a deft blending of Jewish theology, science and Process Thought, theologian Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University) explores Judaism and the sciences as dynamically interactive and mutually informative. Renewing the Process of Creation shows how integrating human knowing with human living can help us arrive at a plausible and likely account of what we can know about the beginning and unfolding of the cosmos. Renewing the Process of Creation offers new ways to find fresh insights in the cultural and spiritual resources of the Jewish tradition, Torah, midrash, philosophy and new possibilities for human wholeness.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented in five major sections (The Science of Creation; Creation Theology in the Light of Science; Creation in Space and Time; Creation Ethics; Locating Ourselves Israel and the World), Renewing the Process of Creation is an inherently fascinating and impressively informative read that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Very highly recommended for personal, synagogue and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists....--Able Greenspan"Midwest Book Review" (01/01/2016)"
Synopsis: In "Renewing the Process of Creation," a deft blending of Jewish theology, science and Process Thought, theologian Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University) explores Judaism and the sciences as dynamically interactive and mutually informative. "Renewing the Process of Creation" shows how integrating human knowing with human living can help us arrive at a plausible and likely account of what we can know about the beginning and unfolding of the cosmos. "Renewing the Process of Creation" offers new ways to find fresh insights in the cultural and spiritual resources of the Jewish tradition, Torah, midrash, philosophy, and new possibilities for human wholeness.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented in five major sections (The Science of Creation; Creation Theology in the Light of Science; Creation in Space and Time; Creation Ethics; Locating Ourselves - Israel and the World), "Renewing the Process of Creation" is an inherently fascinating and impressively informative read that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Very highly recommended for personal, synagogue and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted that "Renewing the Process of Creation" is also available in a Kindle edition ($23.74).--Able Greenspan"Midwest Book Review" (01/01/2016)
