Refuting 'New Atheism' and Examining the Idea of God and Creation
Contact: Christine Valentine-Owsik, Valentine Communications, Ignatius Press, 215-230-8095, valencom@aol.com
SAN FRANCISCO, January 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna and main editor of the official Catechism of the Catholic Church, will discuss his views on creation and evolution when he officially presents his new book, Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution and a Rational Faith (Ignatius Press), at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, CA, on Friday, February 15 from 2:15 – 3:45 pm Pacific Time. Address: 2301 Vine Street, Berkeley, CA 94708 – Galleria.
Schönborn's article on evolution in The New York Times two years ago launched an international controversy. Critics charged him with biblical literalism and Fundamentalist "creationism". Both friend and foe of the "Intelligent Design" movement claimed that he was a card-carrying member.
An internationally renowned theologian and close friend and advisor to Pope Benedict XVI, Schönborn will discuss his views on the hard questions surrounding today's debate about God and the creation of the world. Schönborn's book forcefully addresses the issues raised by outspoken atheist writers such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris.
Cardinal Schönborn addresses other important questions such as:
· Can we still speak intelligently of the world as "creation" and affirm the existence of the Creator, or is God a "delusion" (as the flamboyant Richard Dawkins claims)?
· How should an informed believer read the Book of Genesis?
· If God exists, why is there so much injustice and suffering?
· Are human beings a part of nature or elevated above it?
· What is man's destiny?
· Is everything a matter of chance or can we discern a divine purpose in human existence?
Cardinal Schönborn distinguishes the biological theory from "evolutionism", which reduces all of reality to mindless, meaningless processes. He argues that science and a rationally-grounded faith are not at odds. Chance or Purpose? directly raises the philosophical and theological issues many scientists today overlook or ignore. The result is a vigorous, frank dialogue that acknowledges the respective insights of the philosopher, the theologian and the scientist, while challenging them to listen and to learn from one another.
A major figure in the contemporary Catholic Church, as well as an internationally respected scholar, Schönborn is fluent in English, as well as German, Spanish, French, Italian and Latin. He is the author of numerous books, including the four-volume work, Living the Catechism; Loving the Church: Spiritual Exercises Preached in the Presence of John Paul II; a collection of meditations on the Gospels called My Jesus and Behold, God's Son; and From Death to Life: The Christian Journey, a book on the meaning of life, death and the afterlife.
Media who plan to attend the Feb. 15 presentation should register with Christine Valentine-Owsik (215-230-8095). Additional information about the book can be found at: www.ChanceOrPurpose.com.
San Francisco-based Ignatius Press, founded in 1978, is one of the largest Catholic publishers in the world. Ignatius Press is the primary English-language publisher of Pope Benedict XVI. Dedicated to publishing and distributing information on the Catholic faith, Ignatius Press publishes over 40 books each year (with over 1,800 titles in print). Its author-roster includes some of the foremost names in the Catholic Church. Ignatius Press is also the publisher of Catholic World Report and Homiletic & Pastoral Review magazines. www.ignatius.com
