Papers by Joanna Leidenhag
International Journal of Systematic Theology, 2020
In this paper I argue that autism places an important restraint upon the use of relationality in ... more In this paper I argue that autism places an important restraint upon the use of relationality in theological anthropology. This argument proceeds by outlining how the appropriation of dialectic personalism, which initiated 'the relational turn' in twentieth century theological anthropology, has struggled to escape the capacity or property-based focus on individual subjects. As such, this relational account remains discriminatory against those who do not or cannot enact a particular kind of relationality, as some models of autism suggest. Moreover, attention to interpersonal relationships as a key human capacity within twentieth century theological anthropology closely parallels and may even have informed the development of autism within psychology as, in part, a social impairment. The devastating collision of these two intellectual trajectories is made apparent in explicit references by contemporary theologians to autism as a condition that prevents some humans from bearing the image of God, developing fully into persons, or receiving God's grace by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
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This paper argues that human uniqueness, as articulated through the imago Dei, needs to be ground... more This paper argues that human uniqueness, as articulated through the imago Dei, needs to be grounded in a particular view of the Holy Spirit’s presence to humanity if it is going to be successful maintained as a Christian doctrine. Christian theology traditionally claims that humans are unique because they alone are made in the image of God, although interpretations of this phrase vary widely. First, this paper outlines and takes seriously the empirical and methodological challenges that dialogue with the natural sciences has brought to bear on this claim. Second, this paper shows the underappreciated historical importance of pneumatology and the concept of participation in theological anthropology. Third, this paper examines recent attempts to incorporate pneumatology (the study of Holy Spirit) into science-religion dialogue. Here, I observe that, for all the disagreement and variety, these proposals all envisage a universal and indiscriminate divine presence. Last, this paper argues that Christian pneumatology needs to engage with the natural sciences more specifically on the issue of human uniqueness, and offers some ways forward for doing so.
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This paper is an analysis and critique of emergent theologies, focusing on areas of Christology a... more This paper is an analysis and critique of emergent theologies, focusing on areas of Christology and pneumatology. An increasing number of Christian theologians are integrating (strong) emergence theory into their work. I argue that, despite the range of theological commitments and methodologically approaches represented by these scholars, each faces similar problematic tendencies when their Christian doctrines are combined with (strong) emergence theory. It is concluded that the basic logic of emergence theory, whereby matter is seen to precede mind, makes it difficult for emergent theologies to offer an account of salvation, avoid significant issues regarding God’s involvement with evil, and maintain divine transcendence. It is concluded, therefore, that Christian theology should look elsewhere for a complimentary metaphysical framework with which to bridge scientific and theological discourse.
This paper is forthcoming in Zygon: Journal of Theology and Science, for a better and edited version please see this journal - expected in the Sept 2016 issue.
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This article is a comparative examination between Augustine’s theological discussion of “sin” and... more This article is a comparative examination between Augustine’s theological discussion of “sin” and contemporary psychological conceptions of eating disorders. This paper proceeds through an examination of the aetiology and the symptomatic decline within both “sin”, according to Augustine, and eating disorders. The central section of this paper considers the blurred relationship between “choice” and “illness”. The first aim of this paper is to highlight the similarities between these two discussions. The second goal of this interdisciplinary dialogue is to offer psychological insights as a tool for the reinterpretation of Augustine’s terminology and to offer philosophical/theological insights to aid psychologists in understanding eating disorders today.
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This paper is a critical examination of Amos Yong’s pneumatological use of emergence theory. In s... more This paper is a critical examination of Amos Yong’s pneumatological use of emergence theory. In seeking to bridge the divide between the worldviews of science and Pentecostalism, Yong sees emergence theory as a fruitful mediating discourse. We will argue for the following: 1) the supernaturalism of Yong’s Pentecostal theology renders the concept of emergence obsolete; 2) the ontological independence of various types of spirits in Yong’s theology breaks his commitment to supervenience theory; and 3) Yong’s transference of scientific concepts into the normative discourse of theology is potentially problematic. These criticisms should be seen as a call for Yong to depart from emergence theory (and supervenience) in his admirable ambition to harmonize the spirit-filled imagination of Pentecostalism with the scientific culture of the 21st century.
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Wolfhart Pannenberg and T.F. Torrance are amongst the most influential theologians of the 20th ce... more Wolfhart Pannenberg and T.F. Torrance are amongst the most influential theologians of the 20th century. This paper compares their theological-scientific methodology. It proceeds through a structure of the Trinity; Son, Father and Spirit. It is shown how despite many commonly held beliefs and starting points, the theological methodology T.F. Torrance and W. Pannenberg used to contrust 'theological science', is very different.
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Conferences Organised by Joanna Leidenhag
We invite short paper submissions on the theme of "Women and God". Any student currently enrolled... more We invite short paper submissions on the theme of "Women and God". Any student currently enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme is welcome to apply by submitting a 100-250 word abstract. Topics might include, but are not limited to: Feminist philosophy of religion and theology, Feminist hermeneutics; The life or thought of women in relation to spirituality; Close engagement with female theologians or philosophers; Theological depictions of women in the arts; Questions of religious authority and female bodies; Female-images of the divine or other feminine religious symbols (e.g. the church as the 'bride of Christ', Gaia, Uzza, or The Morrίgan); Discussions of religious devotion that have been historically associated with women's spirituality; The role of women in religious movements.
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Postgraduate students, especially at the masters level, and first year of the PhD, working in any... more Postgraduate students, especially at the masters level, and first year of the PhD, working in any area within the School of Divinity, are warmly invited to apply to present for no more than ten minutes on their research, review board preparation and/or dissertation proposal. To submit a paper, register, and for further enquiries, please contact Brian Bunnell (Brian.Bunnell@ed.ac.uk). Titles and abstracts of c.150 words should be submitted by Friday 31 March 2017. A free lunch will be provided for all those who register. The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
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Announcements by Joanna Leidenhag
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The ESSSAT Research Prize 2018 has been awarded to Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie for her PhD thesis “Wit... more The ESSSAT Research Prize 2018 has been awarded to Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie for her PhD thesis “With God in Mind: Divine Action and the Naturalisation of Consciousness”, submitted 2017 at the University of Edinburgh. Sarah Lane Ritchie is the first person ever to win both the ESSSAT Student Prize (in 2016) and the ESSSAT Research Prize (now).
As another first timer, there also has been an Honourable Mention in the ESSSAT Research Prize Category. ESSSAT is honouring the contribution of Jaeho Jang on “The Doctrine of Theodicy in a Scientific Age: Examining the Evolutionary Theology of John Haught and the Daoist Philosophy of Zhuangzi”.
The ESSSAT Student Prize 2018 has been awarded to Joanna Leidenhag, student at the University of Edinburgh, for her essay “The Revival of Panpsychism and its Relevance for the Science-Religion Dialogue”.
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Papers by Joanna Leidenhag
This paper is forthcoming in Zygon: Journal of Theology and Science, for a better and edited version please see this journal - expected in the Sept 2016 issue.
Conferences Organised by Joanna Leidenhag
Announcements by Joanna Leidenhag
As another first timer, there also has been an Honourable Mention in the ESSSAT Research Prize Category. ESSSAT is honouring the contribution of Jaeho Jang on “The Doctrine of Theodicy in a Scientific Age: Examining the Evolutionary Theology of John Haught and the Daoist Philosophy of Zhuangzi”.
The ESSSAT Student Prize 2018 has been awarded to Joanna Leidenhag, student at the University of Edinburgh, for her essay “The Revival of Panpsychism and its Relevance for the Science-Religion Dialogue”.
This paper is forthcoming in Zygon: Journal of Theology and Science, for a better and edited version please see this journal - expected in the Sept 2016 issue.
As another first timer, there also has been an Honourable Mention in the ESSSAT Research Prize Category. ESSSAT is honouring the contribution of Jaeho Jang on “The Doctrine of Theodicy in a Scientific Age: Examining the Evolutionary Theology of John Haught and the Daoist Philosophy of Zhuangzi”.
The ESSSAT Student Prize 2018 has been awarded to Joanna Leidenhag, student at the University of Edinburgh, for her essay “The Revival of Panpsychism and its Relevance for the Science-Religion Dialogue”.