Science, Evolution, and Religion: A Debate about Atheism and Theism

This volume presents a comprehensive dialogue between atheistic and theistic perspectives on the relationship between science, evolution, and religious belief. Peterson structures the work as a sustained debate that examines whether contemporary scientific understanding, particularly evolutionary theory, supports atheistic or theistic worldviews. The book engages with the central question of whether scientific naturalism necessarily leads to atheism or whether theistic belief remains intellectually viable in light of modern science.

The work addresses the philosophical implications of evolutionary biology for traditional arguments about God's existence. Peterson examines how evolution affects teleological arguments, the problem of evil (particularly natural evil and suffering in nature), and questions about human uniqueness and moral consciousness. The debate format allows for rigorous examination of how each worldview interprets scientific data, with particular attention to whether evolutionary processes exhibit purpose or are purely mechanistic.

A significant portion of the analysis focuses on methodological naturalism versus metaphysical naturalism. Peterson explores whether science's methodological commitment to natural explanations necessarily entails atheistic conclusions about ultimate reality. The work engages with prominent figures in the science-religion dialogue, including Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Alvin Plantinga, and John Polkinghorne, situating their arguments within broader philosophical traditions.

The text examines specific scientific-philosophical issues including the fine-tuning of cosmological constants, the emergence of consciousness, evolutionary explanations for religious belief, and the compatibility of divine action with natural laws. Peterson analyzes how different interpretative frameworks handle these phenomena, questioning whether theistic evolution represents a coherent synthesis or an unstable compromise.

The work's contribution lies in its systematic presentation of how scientific findings, particularly in evolutionary biology and cosmology, can be interpreted through competing metaphysical lenses. Rather than treating science and religion as separate magisteria, Peterson demonstrates how worldview commitments shape the interpretation of empirical evidence. The debate format illuminates how intelligent, informed thinkers can examine identical scientific data yet reach opposing conclusions about God's existence.

This monograph serves as a valuable resource for understanding contemporary positions in the science-religion dialogue, particularly regarding how evolutionary theory impacts classical theistic arguments. Peterson's balanced presentation allows readers to assess the relative strengths of atheistic and theistic interpretations of scientific knowledge.