Duet or Duel?: Theology and Science in a Postmodern World

This monograph examines the relationship between theology and science in the context of postmodern thought, arguing for a constructive dialogue between these disciplines while maintaining their distinct identities. Van Huyssteen develops a sophisticated framework for interdisciplinary engagement that moves beyond both modernist conflicts and postmodernist relativism.

The work critiques two problematic approaches to the theology-science relationship. First, van Huyssteen rejects fundamentalist positions that either subordinate science to biblical literalism or reduce theology to scientific materialism. Second, he challenges radical postmodernist views that dissolve all truth claims into mere linguistic constructs or power dynamics. Against these extremes, he proposes a "postfoundationalist" approach that acknowledges the contextual nature of knowledge while maintaining critical realist commitments.

Central to van Huyssteen's argument is the concept of "transversal rationality," which enables meaningful communication across disciplinary boundaries without collapsing distinct methodologies into a single framework. He contends that theology and science share overlapping concerns about human experience, meaning, and truth, even as they employ different methods and operate with different assumptions. This shared rationality allows for genuine dialogue without requiring either discipline to surrender its integrity.

The author grounds his epistemological framework in evolutionary epistemology, arguing that human rationality itself emerges from biological and cultural evolution. This naturalistic foundation paradoxically supports rather than undermines theological reflection, as van Huyssteen maintains that religious beliefs represent legitimate human responses to ultimate questions that arise from our evolved cognitive capacities. He thus positions theology as a rational enterprise that need not fear engagement with scientific findings.

Van Huyssteen's postfoundationalist theology makes several important contributions to contemporary debates. It offers a middle path between scientific reductionism and religious fundamentalism, providing resources for theologians to engage seriously with scientific discoveries while maintaining theological integrity. The work also addresses the challenge of religious pluralism by suggesting that different religious traditions can engage in transversal dialogue through shared human experiences and rational reflection.

The monograph's significance lies in its sophisticated treatment of epistemological issues that often derail theology-science conversations. By developing a nuanced philosophical framework that respects both scientific methodology and theological reflection, van Huyssteen provides tools for productive interdisciplinary engagement in an era marked by increasing specialization and fragmentation of knowledge.