Public theology is conceived in the church, reflected on critically in the academy and addressed to
the world for the sake of the world. The development of a theology of nature is included in the
public theologian’s list of tasks of nature that is scripturally based and heavily informed by the
natural sciences. Astrotheology is one product. Astrotheology engages astrobiology and other
space sciences, firstly, by critically exposing the extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) myth at the heart
of science and secondly, by partnering in thinking through public policy proposals with astroethicists.
CONTRIBUTION : The HTS collection on ‘Theology and Nature’ sparks theological discussion
both within and beyond the church. By developing the fields of astrotheology and astroethics,
this article contributes to a ‘Theology of Nature’ as an exercise in Public Theology.
Description:
This research is part of
The research project
‘Understanding Reality
(Theology and Nature)’,
directed by Prof. Dr Johan
Buitendag, Department of
Systematic and Historical
Theology, Faculty of
Theology and Religion,
University of Pretoria.
Special Collection: Theology and Nature, sub-edited by Johan Buitendag (University of Pretoria).
