The world in his hands: A Christian account of scientific law and its antithetical competitors

This dissertation examines the Christian doctrine of divine providence and its implications for the laws of nature and problem of induction before contrasting secular and Islamic approaches to these same topics. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of a Christian account of scientific law by citing recent developments in an old understanding of a false dichotomy between religion and science. Chapter 2 discusses several ways the Christian doctrine of divine providence can be positively explained. Chapter 3 highlights theologians, apologists, and scientists in history who have understood the doctrine of divine providence as a basis for science. Chapter 4 focuses on the character of the laws of nature. Chapter 5 discusses the history of the problem of induction, including potential solutions. Chapter 6 acknowledges that even though the doctrine of divine providence, laws of nature, induction, and hence science appear best suited to a Christian worldview, some further issues, such as miracles and competing monotheistic models remain. Chapter 7 concludes the dissertation. This chapter summarizes the arguments made throughout the dissertation.