Richard Dawkins, Philip Kennedy and the Augustinian paradigm of Christianity

Izak J.J Spangenberg

doi:10.4102/hts.v75i3.5084

Izak J.J Spangenberg

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i3.5084

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Abstract

Both Richard Dawkins’s book The God Delusion and Philip Kennedy’s book A Modern Introduction to Theology: New Questions for Old Beliefs were published in 2006. This article aims to compare the two books and to argue that Kennedy does not oppose Dawkins’s views but, in fact, debates along similar lines. Kennedy is adamant that the Augustinian paradigm of Christianity no longer makes sense, because it is based on an outdated cosmology and anthropology. He firmly maintains that Christianity requires a new paradigm, which is informed by our current knowledge and worldview. Thomas Kuhn’s ideas of paradigm and paradigm changes in the history of natural sciences are utilised in comparing the books, seeing that Dawkins accepts and works within the Darwinian paradigm of evolutionary biology, and Kennedy argues that Christians and Christian theologians adhere to the Augustinian paradigm of Fall-Redemption-Judgement. It is argued that Dawkins should have referred to the paradigm change in the study of the Bible, which occurred towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, and the plea of theologians, like Kennedy, for a paradigm change in theology. The article concludes that only a paradigm change in Christianity, which is in line with the modern worldview, will enable Christians to keep the tradition alive.

Highlights

Richard Dawkins’s book The God Delusion and Philip Kennedy’s book A Modern Introduction to Theology: New Questions for Old Beliefs appeared in the same year
Kennedy does not focus solely on why Christian beliefs cannot be harmonised with the modern worldview, or why science and religion are at loggerheads, but he proposes changes that could contribute to the survival of the Christian tradition
After reading Dawkins’s and Kennedy’s books, I am convinced that Dawkins would have rendered a great service to critical theology if he had noted those biblical scholars and critical theologians who do not oppose him but argue along similar lines as he does

Summary

Introduction

Richard Dawkins’s book The God Delusion and Philip Kennedy’s book A Modern Introduction to Theology: New Questions for Old Beliefs appeared in the same year. Many Christians took note of Dawkins’ book but apparently only few read Kennedy’s.2 In my opinion, both books should be recommended for Christians who would like to understand the current predicament of Christianity. Many Christians took note of Dawkins’ book but apparently only few read Kennedy’s.2. In my opinion, both books should be recommended for Christians who would like to understand the current predicament of Christianity. It is only Kennedy’s book that may convince Christians that Christianity needs a paradigm change if it wishes to survive the 21st century. On the other hand, is convinced that religion is detrimental to society He distinguishes between fundamentalist and liberal traditions in Christianity, he considers that both traditions create problems if science is to flourish

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Conclusion