God, Salvation, and the Problem of Spacetime [Paperback]

This Element argues that the physics and metaphysics of spacetime pose pressing problems for Christianity, particularly the doctrines of salvation and eschatology.This Element provides both an introduction to the physics and metaphysics of spacetime and a jumping-off point for understanding how these can  and in fact should  inform both Christian theology and the philosophy of religion more generally.This Element provides both an introduction to the physics and metaphysics of spacetime and a jumping-off point for understanding how these can  and in fact should  inform both Christian theology and the philosophy of religion more generally.Much has been written on the relationship between the nature of temporal reality and the God of Classical Theism. Despite the popularity of this general area, what the physics and metaphysics of spacetime might mean for specific theological doctrines has received less attention. Recently, however, interest in this rich and dynamic interplay of ideas has seen rapid growth. This Element provides both an introduction to the physics and metaphysics of spacetime and a jumping-off point for understanding how these can  and in fact should  inform both Christian theology and the philosophy of religion more generally. The author will argue that the nature of spacetime raises particular and pressing problems for Christianity, specifically the interrelated doctrines of salvation and eschatology, and explore whether adequate solutions to these problems are available.Introduction; 1. The Metaphysics of Time; 2. The Physics of Spacetime; 3. God and Time; 4. Spacetime, Salvation, and Eschatology; 5. Final Remarks; Bibliography.