Physics at the Theological Frontiers

The rapid pace of progress in physics in recent decades has brought not only significant changes in our technology and economy, but has also provided us with new perspectives on reality, perspectives that have implications for Christian faith. I discuss five major points of contact in the relationship between physics and Christian theology: typicality, plurality, reduction, quantization, and eternity. These ideas influence thinking at the forefront of physics today, and have interesting implications for Christian faith. I shall outline the meaning of these ideas, relevant recent experimental and theoretical developments, and some new questions for theological exploration and reflection. The goal is to generate further dialogue and research in the science/faith endeavor. The essays that follow in this theme issue helpfully begin to address some of these questions and raise yet more related ones.