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PERSPECTIVES on Science and Christian Faith PERSPECTIVES on Science and Christian Faith JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION In This Theme Issue on Transhumanism … Transhumanism: Christian Destiny or Distraction? A Theological Embrace of Transhuman and Posthuman Beings Will Transhumanism Solve Death? The Transhumanist Vision: Technological Bliss or Tragic Misadventure? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 VOLUME 72, NUMBER 2 JUNE 2020 (US ISSN 0892-2675) (CPM #40927506) Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Manuscript Guidelines © 2020 by the American Scientific Affiliation The pages of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (PSCF) are open Editor-in-Chief to original, unpublished contributions that interact with science and Christian James C. Peterson (Roanoke College and faith in a manner consistent with scientific and theological integrity. A brief Virginia Tech) description of standards for publication in PSCF can be found in the lead 221 College Lane editorial of the December 2013 issue. This is available at www.asa3.org Salem, VA 24153 PUBLICATIONS PSCF Academic Journal. Published papers do not reflect [email protected] any official position of the American Scientific Affiliation. Transhumanism Theme Issue Co-Editor 1. Submit all manuscripts to: James C. Peterson, Editor, Roanoke College, David C. Winyard Sr 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153. E-mail: [email protected]. 403 E Gambier Street Submissions are typically acknowledged within 10 days of their receipt. Mount Vernon, OH 43050-3515 2. Authors must submit an electronic copy of the manuscript formatted [email protected] in Word as an email attachment. Typically 2–3 anonymous reviewers critique each manuscript considered for publication. Book Reviews 3. Use endnotes for all references. Each note must have a unique number. Stephen Contakes (Westmont College) Follow The Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed., sections 14.1 to 14.317). Book Review Editor 912 Westmont Road 4. While figures and diagrams may be embedded within the Word text file Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1035 of the manuscript, authors are required to also send them as individual [email protected] electronic files (JPG or PDF format). Figure captions should be provided as a list at the end of the manuscript text. Subject Area Editors Malcolm Gold (Messiah College) ARTICLES are major treatments of a particular subject relating science to a One College Avenue Christian position. Such papers should be at least 2,000 words but not more Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 than 8,000 words in length, excluding endnotes. An abstract of 50–150 [email protected] words is required and should be in both the text of the email submission and at the beginning of the attached essay. Arie Leegwater (Calvin University) 1726 Knollcrest Circle SE COMMUNICATIONS are focused personal examples of how people are living Grand Rapids, MI 49546 out science and Christian faith. They have ranged from bringing computers [email protected] to areas with no power, to being married to an experimental physicist, to an Myron A. Penner (Trinity Western University) astronomer’s sermon on the heavens telling the glory of God, to serving as 7600 Glover Road president of a research university. Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1 [email protected] BOOK REVIEWS serve both to alert readers to new books that appear significant and to engage these books in critical interaction. When a subject Derek C. Schuurman (Calvin University) area editor selects a book for review, the book is then offered to a scholar 3201 Burton Street SE with the best match in expertise. ASA/CSCA members who would like to be Grand Rapids, MI 49546 considered as potential reviewers are welcome to express interest to Stephen [email protected] Contakes ([email protected]) book review editor for inclusion in the Sara Sybesma Tolsma (Northwestern College) reviewer database. Publishers may also contact the book review editor if they 101 7th Street SW are not sure which subject area reviewer would best consider a particular Orange City, IA 51041 book. [email protected] • Malcolm Gold ([email protected]): sociology, psychology, and education. Editorial Board • Arie Leegwater ([email protected]): cosmology, history of science, Robert Bishop, Wheaton College mathematics, and physical sciences. Dorothy Boorse, Gordon College Edward B. Davis, Messiah College • Myron Penner ([email protected]): philosophy and theology. Owen Gingerich, Harvard-Smithsonian Center • Derek Schuurman ([email protected]): computers, engineering, for Astrophysics and technology. Steven G. Hall, North Carolina State University • Sara Sybesma Tolsma ([email protected]): biology, environment, Randall D. Isaac, American Scientific Affiliation genetics, and origins. D. Gareth Jones, University of Otago The viewpoints expressed in the books reviewed, and in the reviews Robert Kaita, Princeton University themselves, are those of the authors and reviewers respectively, and do not Douglas A. Lauffenburger, MIT reflect an official position of the ASA. Keith B. Miller, Kansas State University Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary LETTERS to the Editor concerning PSCF content may be published unless Rosalind Picard, MIT marked not for publication. Letters submitted for publication must not be Angela Sabates, Bethel University longer than 700 words and will be subject to editorial review. Letters are Ralph Stearley, Calvin University to be submitted as electronic copies. Letters accepted for publication will be Judith A. Toronchuk, Trinity Western University published within 6 months. David A. Vosburg, Harvey Mudd College John H. Walton, Wheaton College ADVERTISING is accepted in PSCF, subject to editorial approval. Please David L. Wilcox, Eastern University address inquiries for rates or further information to the Managing Editor. The ASA cannot take responsibility for any orders placed with advertisers Managing Editor in PSCF and does not imply endorsement by carrying the ad. Lyn Berg (American Scientific Affiliation) AUTHORIZATION TO PHOTOCOPY MATERIAL for internal, personal, or Manuscript Editor educational classroom use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, Esther Martin is granted by ASA, ISSN: 0892-2675, provided that the appropriate fee is Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (USPS paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, 28-3740, ISSN 0892-2675) is published quarterly by Ameri- Danvers, MA 01923 USA for conventional use, or check CCC online at the can Scientific Affiliation, 218 Boston St, Ste 208, Topsfield, MA following address: www.copyright.com/. No registration with CCC is needed: 01983-2210. Periodicals postage paid at Topsfield, MA, and simply identify the article being copied, the number of copies, and the journal additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address chang- title (Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith). For those who wish to es to: Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 218 Bos- request permission for other kinds of copying or reprinting, kindly write to ton St, Ste 208, Topsfield, MA 01983-2210. the Managing Editor. Editorial Cell Time James C. Peterson t is interesting how many Christian classics were entire world. As large as our problems may loom, written by authors in prison. Paul wrote Philip- they, and all the world, fit in the palm of God’s hand. Ipians while under guard. Julian of Norwich wrote Our world and sufferings are close to God’s atten- her theological study Showings (about 1373) from a tion, but are never overwhelming to God who cares walled-in cell with one small window into her church for us. God is not threatened by the novel corona- sanctuary and one to the street to give prayer and virus, nor ultimately do his people need to be. We counsel. Martin Luther did his translation of the New take all due precautions, but we are not living in fear. Testament into German that is still the standard for the language, in a Wartburg Castle cell to hide from History does not just repeat itself, it often rhymes. the Pope’s death sentence. John Bunyan, jailed in Julian reminds us that we have been through worse Bedford, England, for preaching the good news, used times. There have been plagues before. The repeated his time there to write Pilgrim’s Progress. Dietrich pattern of the Psalms is to begin with a lament of how Bonhoeffer wrote from a Nazi prison. Martin Luther dire the author’s situation has become, then think King’s Why We Can’t Wait started with his letter from about how great God is and how God has eventually a Birmingham jail. It appears that confinement can be delivered before. That is not to downplay the seri- productive. ousness of what we may face, but rather to remember who is with us and has always provided for us. Jesus I do not know how many of you now reading, are does that when he cries out from the cross, “My God, doing so from a prison cell, but it is probable that My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). physical distancing will still be in place for many of us This is the opening sentence of Psalm 22. With no as this issue of PSCF is published. Some may be tele- chapter markings in the Hebrew scrolls, Jesus was commuting or home schooling, but I would venture using the standard method of directing attention to that, for most, there is more time for quiet and focus a particular Psalm by quoting its first line. Psalm 22, than usual. Now may be the time to write that classic having honestly expressed the horror that the psalm- that you have been considering, maybe in the form of ist is experiencing, goes on to remember that God is an article for PSCF. Or maybe the first step will be to still present: it ends with a promise of deliverance for catch up on reading your past issues. They may have the psalmist and God’s work continuing. How fitting been tantalizingly out of reach under the crunch of for Jesus to be reciting this Psalm to himself in such a time pressure, but may be more reachable now.
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